[rollei_list] Re: The Rolleicord, with Xenar Schneider lens

  • From: Allen Zak <azak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:13:26 -0400

My first TLR was also a Ciroflex, also in poor condition (did they ever come 
any other way?) which during the mid 1950s I used to earn enough money for a 
Rolleicord V.  That was with me until it got trashed in a caving trip for which 
purpose it was very much not the right camera.  That was replaced by a Va that 
I used all through my college years.  By then my skills had advanced enough for 
me to discern it had an excellent Xenar lens, but when I sold it off did not 
realize they didn’t all come that way.  Over decades a succession of ‘cords 
came in and out of my hands, all with okay Xenars, but it wasn’t until the late 
1980s that I found another standout Xenar, this time on an MX-EVS 'flex.  
Suffice it to say I still have that one.    

Of all my ‘cords, however, I must say my favorite for handling was the V.  The 
one I liked least was a III because no matter what handling drill I attempted, 
there was always a double exposure on every roll or two.  Once I lent it to 
someone with the faint hope it might not be returned, but unfortunately, it 
was.  Actually, that took place during this event, my photos of which now on 
display as part of an exhibit at the Ohio State University Tompkins Library.  
Although I had the Rolleicord with me, I used a Kodak Retina IIa 35mm for 
everything, so was willing to farm out the ‘cord for the occasion.     

The exhibit:

http://library.osu.edu/innovation-projects/omeka/exhibits/show/civil-rights

my Selma to Montgomery photos:

http://library.osu.edu/innovation-projects/omeka/exhibits/show/civil-rights/sections/selma-to-montgomery-march

About the photographer, pix, slideshow, etc.

http://library.osu.edu/innovation-projects/omeka/exhibits/show/civil-rights/sections/item/195

The web site is a little clunky, but the exhibit itself looks pretty good.  To 
be honest, my part of it was shoehorned into a presentation that was basically 
about events and movements culminating in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  My pix 
were from the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march that resulted in the Voting Rights 
Act, but hey, their decision, and I’m all for the exposure.  They did a good 
job of presentation, I believe, although the prints and slides look much better 
in the original.
Some of you have seen these before, I believe.

Allen Zak

On Oct 13, 2014, at 2:15 PM, Richard Knoppow <dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "CarlosMFreaza" <cmfreaza@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, October 13, 2014 9:41 AM
> Subject: [rollei_list] Re: The Rolleicord, with Xenar Schneider lens
> 
> 
>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/itarfoto/15340496717/
>> 
>> Carlos
> 
>   My first "real" camera was a Rolleicord IV bought new just after they had 
> been discontinued. Before that I had a Ciroflex in rather poor condition. I 
> had that Rollei for many years until a burglar got it. I got another used one 
> later. I have 'flexs but find the 'cord better ergonomically. Its nearly as 
> fast as a Rolleiflex. One can speed up rapid shooting by making a plastic 
> push-on crank for the film winder but I don't usually need that. The 
> Rolleicord fits in the palm of the left hand and does not need to be "tossed" 
> as does the Rolleiflex. The Flex of course has some added features such as a 
> faster finder lens and eye level focus arrangement. It also has a self-timer 
> which is sometimes useful but I think the IV version of the Rolleicord is a 
> perfect "simple" camera, it has everything you need for general shooting and 
> nothing extra to get in the way. Also, both of my cameras had exceptionally 
> sharp lenses. I think the Xenar used on the cord must be at least as good as 
> the Tessar found on the Rolleiflex. Its also light which can make a 
> difference if you are carrying it for any length of time. Unfortunately, F&H 
> saw fit to make the camera fancier in later models until there was not so 
> much difference between it and the Rolleiflex. The trouble is that in making 
> is "better" they actually made it worse, at least IMO.
> 
> 
> --
> Richard Knoppow
> Los Angeles
> WB6KBL
> dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> ---
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