[rollei_list] Re: Decline of Rollieflex/Film
- From: Newhouse230@xxxxxxx
- To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:34:03 EDT
Hi again Austin,
Well...45+ years has dulled my memory a bit on which models we sold at
the Brookline stores. I seem to remember quite a selection of models at that
time...both 3.5 E and 3.5F...and the 3.5T..........and 2.8E (I don't think
the 2.8F was out yet in the late 50's early 60's..was it?). and a LOT of
the Rolleicord 5a and 5b...and probably other models that are slipping my
mind. Also a lot of earlier used models. Most of the Rolleiflex's lenses
were Planars rather than Xenotars. ...
I think those stores I mentioned sold a lot more 3.5's than
2.8's....and a ton of 'cords'. I think that the pros did choose 2.8, but I
just
don't have a clear memory of that, so I'm not sure whether it's true memory or
just 'common sense' telling me that.
Sorry I can't be more definitive.
Regards,
Charlie
In a message dated 3/25/2010 9:38:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
austin.franklin@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
Hi Charlie,
Out of curiosity, which Rolleis did your camera stores sell mostly, and
which to which type of buyer. IOW, did you sell a 2.8F to an amateur, and a
Rolleicord to a professional? Point is, Rollei had a far more diverse line
than Hasselblad. Hasselblad had only one high end camera. Rollei had a
high end, the 2.8 Planar/Xenotar, and then the lower end Rolleicord and
others in between. Spanning a much larger market segment. I find it hard to
believe the 2.8F for example, was a choice of amateurs. So, I think this
discussion really needs to understand what part of what market segment we're
talking about here. Hasselblads certainly didn't compete on any level
with Rolleicords. But, did with 2.8Fs.
Regards,
Austin
-----Original Message-----
From: rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Newhouse230@xxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 5:44 PM
To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Decline of Rollieflex/Film
I do still live in Brookline, though, at a time of life when most of my
friends are moving back into the city (after life in the suburbs) Davia and I
are considering having a house built in Walpole or Canton.
By the way, when I was a teenager, I didn't even know about the big New
York stores like B&H. It never came up when i Googled it in the '50's LOL.
Seriously, like most people, our shopping was all 'local'.
The 'first' Jon Allen location on Harvard St was a 'superstore' size for
its time. It was probably about six or seven thousand feet, considerably
larger than most 'hole in the wall' camera shops of the nearby cities. It was
loaded from floor to ceiling with new and used product. One could spend
forever there browsing...and nobody minded if you did. In the mid fifties I
had a Yashica D TLR and I found a used Heiland 64B STROBONAR flash at that
store. Cost me all of $15 dollars! There were THREE generaltions of the
Greene (sp?) family working in there. A wonderful place.
Charlie
In a message dated 3/25/2010 6:25:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
austin.franklin@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
Hi Charlie,
I used to frequent both of those in the 70's. I was more a B&H person
though moving forward. Do you still live in the area?
Regards,
Austin
-----Original Message-----
From: rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Newhouse230@xxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 5:19 PM
To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Decline of Rollieflex/Film
Austin,
Yes..I did work occasionally at 'Jon Allen' camera store on Beacon St.
when I was a kid, and then at 'Camera Corner' also on Beacon. I worked
Saturdays for the most part, since I was in high school at the time. I bought
my
own Vb there when I was about 14 or 15 I guess. I made some money shooting
Bar Mitzvah parties and shooting sports assignments for the News Tribune
based in Waltham. I also made a good 'teenager's living' winning prizes in
the Boston Globe weekly photo contest . At that time, Gil Friedberg was the
photo editor. Somewhere, I still have a handwritten letter from him, giving
me advice on how to go forward with my photography if I chose to make it a
career.
Charlie
In a message dated 3/25/2010 5:49:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
austin.franklin@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
Hi Charlie,
What camera store did you work at in Brookline? Not the one on Beacon
Street? Yeah, I'd believe Brookline would be more Rollei clientele than
Hasselblad ;-)
Regards,
Austin
-----Original Message-----
From: rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Newhouse230@xxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 4:41 PM
To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Decline of Rollieflex/Film
Hi Austin...ok...I agree we have to clear up our definitions. I counted as
a pro anyone who said his occupation was a photographer or whose
conversation told me that he/she earned his living taking pictures. I did not
distinguish between 'wedding photographers' and news photographers, portrait
photographers or advertising photographers. I counted them all equally as
'pros'. Amateurs were quickly identified by either their lesser knowledge OR
their description of the subject matter. If a guy said he wanted a Rollei
so he could get some 'great shots of new baby' I probably assumed he was an
amateur.
In any case, perhaps others on the list had different experiences than
me during that time, but I have little doubt about the 'mix' in Brookline,
MA. It's true I do take a lot for granted by generalizing that
experience, but I think there are a lot more 'Brooklines' than NYC type cities.
Regards,
Charlie
In a message dated 3/25/2010 5:09:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
austin.franklin@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
Charlie,
I take your word for it, and respect your opinion on it. I will say that
I know a LOT of "professionals" who are more so advanced amateurs than
professionals. Most wedding photographers are more so advanced amateurs,
though they are technically professionals, as they make money from it. So,
I'm
not personally sure how to distinguish the difference.
Did you sell both Hasselblads and Rollei TLRs? If so, did most people
interested in one, also show interest in the other? What can you say about
the relationship between the two, with respect to the customer?
Regards,
Austin
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