Excellent work Allen, they also became a valuable historical testimony today.
Post by Allen ZakMy 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.
http://library.osu.edu/innovation-projects/omeka/exhibits/show/civil-rights
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
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
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