In other words John, I think (meaning "think" a high degree of conviction) that the word "Tropical" had to do with a Rollei marketing strategy for the Tropical countries, in fact regular Rollei TLR cameras already were "Tropical" cameras. Carlos 2010/4/1 CarlosMFreaza <cmfreaza@xxxxxxxxx>: > Interesting John, anyway the seller uses the general definition for a > Tropical camera as several times mentioned here, those cameras have a > visible difference with no Tropical cameras, it is not the case for > Rolleiflex and Rolleicord cameras labeled "Tropical", they look > identical regarding the regular models. I have seen similars > Rolleiflexes and Rolleicords in mint condition and they were not > labeled "Tropical", in fact the Rolleicord "Tropical" shown in Flickr > does not look so good and Todd did not find a visible difference for > his Rolleicord "Tropical". > The camera in the auction site shows the same focusing plate regarding > the Report 1 except for the word "Tropical", this Automat II looks > good really, the serial number belongs to the Rolleiflex Automat II > regular production. > > Carlos > > > 2010/4/1 John Wild <jwild@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>: >> I see on Ebay item 120550281256 being a 'Rolleiflex 1937 'Tropical' Camera - >> A Rarity NR!'. >> >> There are photographs and the description says >> >> "A rare and pristine classic 1937 Rolleiflex 'TROPICAL' camera made for the >> Asian market and so marked on its focus knob! >> >> 'Tropical' cameras of any type are scarce. They were special production >> pieces built to resist the corrosive effects of the difficult environments >> they were used in. 'Tropical' cameras were favored by professional, >> military, and scientific photographers operating in areas where they might >> be eaten by their subjects. >> >> This camera - with its original leather case - appears to be in pristine >> condition - showing very little sign of use. It's mechanical functions are >> fine, the lens appears clear, and the exterior looks nearly unused. The >> leather case is in similar condition with a very few minor handling marks. >> The exposure/shutter scale on the back of the case is in English, a somewhat >> international language of the period, to aid the photographer shooting in >> the jungle, desert, or mountains of their choice. >> >> Due to hard useage in difficult climates relatively few 'Tropical' cameras >> have survived.....especially in the pristine condition of this example. A >> rare variation of a classic Rolleiflex for the collector. >> >> Due to the mechanical nature of this item, we cannot accept returns on this >> camera. We pack very carefully and ship fully insured priority mail with >> delivery confirmation. >> >> Please see all the photos of this camera. Click on top photos for 2 more >> pages of photos. >> Dimensions: camera height 5 1/2", width 3", depth 3 5/8"." >> >> John >> >> --- >> Rollei List >> >> - Post to rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> >> - Subscribe at rollei_list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'subscribe' >> in the subject field OR by logging into www.freelists.org >> >> - Unsubscribe at rollei_list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with >> 'unsubscribe' in the subject field OR by logging into www.freelists.org >> >> - Online, searchable archives are available at >> //www.freelists.org/archives/rollei_list >> >> > --- Rollei List - Post to rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx - Subscribe at rollei_list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'subscribe' in the subject field OR by logging into www.freelists.org - Unsubscribe at rollei_list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the subject field OR by logging into www.freelists.org - Online, searchable archives are available at //www.freelists.org/archives/rollei_list