How to use a Rolleiflex in 10 minutes

[@pix6483]

Wonderful! This video covers everything I've always wanted to know about the Rolleiflex (but were afraid to ask). A huge THANK YOU!

[@threeminutepro]

You’re very welcome! I decided to make my videos a little longer so that they could provide everything anybody would need.

[@bwinston]

Agreed!

[@user-ol4vt6tr9t]

Thanks so much for this video. I got a rolleiflex from my grandfather. Now it is time for the next generation to find out about film. This helped a lot since the tlr is less intuitive in the beginning than the 35mm that i used.

[@threeminutepro]

Welcome! Glad it was useful 😀

[@RichardServello]

I love the ganged Aperture/Shutter speed. Could use that on modern cameras. :)

[@threeminutepro]

It definitely speeds things up once you’ve taken a light reading

[@oscars4107]

Ive always wanted to try shooting with one but have never been able to understand how they work. This video has been helpful ,thank you..😊

[@threeminutepro]

Glad it was useful! There’s plenty of help on other channels. Film loading on my 3.5T (this video) is slightly different to other Rolleiflexes 😀

[@dvdprtz70]

Thanks a lot for that! great explanation!

[@threeminutepro]

Welcome 😀

[@josefbrunnen9126]

... and nice exposures too! 😊

[@threeminutepro]

Thank you 😀

[@Owtyg23]

Hello, aware you posted this some time ago but I've just purchased a rollei T and am having an issue, I don't appear to be able to move the needle as you do at 5:35. Is there a lock I am unaware of? Great video as well, ta.

[@josefbrunnen9126]

Great Camera - and a very good explantation! Thank you!

[@threeminutepro]

Glad it was useful 😀

[@joellinker9899]

I really enjoyed this video. I myself own a Rolliecord and although I don't often use it, I marvel at its quality when I do. 📸

[@threeminutepro]

Thanks Joe. Absolutely loving the Rollei experience 😀

[@ponymoore6140]

Just bought one. Not in such good condition as this, but it will clean up. Lenses are fine. Looking forward to using it.

[@threeminutepro]

Absolutely love mine. Happy new camera 😀

[@chriscorey5164]

I can vouch for Rick Olesen screens. They’re very nice and very reasonably priced.

[@threeminutepro]

I’m really impressed with mine. Amazingly bright and clear

[@jseasphotography8627]

I need to get one for mine , I just got one and didn’t realize how dark the screen is.

[@chriscorey5164]

@@jseasphotography8627 I think you’ll be very pleasantly surprised. Good luck.

[@bluzizalright]

Right on point - well done!

[@threeminutepro]

Thank you 😀

[@michael_weliam_photography]

Great explanation thank you

[@threeminutepro]

Welcome 😀

[@alanlai50]

Thank you so much for your great explanation! I would like to ask how to change the ASA setting on this camera? Or there's no need to change it according to the film used? I just bought one and cannot find a way to turn the asa dial

[@threeminutepro]

Thank you 😀 You need to move the meter dial until eventually the DIN setting changes. Check the link to the manual.

[@alanlai50]

Thanks it works!

[@Pokertyme2009]

I love my Rollei's !

[@threeminutepro]

I love mine 😀

[@raldyjimenez3319]

Nice...this is the exact model my Dad passed onto me. The only thing i don't have is the light meter

[@threeminutepro]

It’s a beauty, isn’t it?

[@Pokertyme2009]

There are light meter apps for your iPhone, they work.

[@markfrancombe]

What was the site you mentioned where you could tell which Rolleiflex you have? Mine doesn't have a light meter, so is not the same as yours, and differs in some other ways too.

[@threeminutepro]

The link is in the description for the video 😀

[@FinlayMiller-h6k]

Hi there, how much would one of these sell for?

[@RichardServello]

So it looks like you need a dark box to remove the film when done?

[@threeminutepro]

No. Once it’s wound round with the paper it’s pretty much light tight. However, best not to change the film in bright light

[@zoomerrunner]

Hi, what brand flash bracket do you use?

[@threeminutepro]

This should be fine: amzn.eu/d/52HOaoU

[@zoomerrunner]

@@threeminutepro Thanks!

[@alexandra6864]

What is a reasonable price for one of these cameras used these days? Is Ebay reputable? Do you have any recommended sellers? I’m in the US.

[@threeminutepro]

Bought mine on ebay. Look through and find comparables to price it 😀

Rolleiflexes are wonderful cameras! I use my 3,5F Planar both for personal projects and on some commercial jobs. And by the way, the German name is pronounced roll-eye-flex, not rollee-flex… ;)

[@threeminutepro]

Thank you! I never knew about the pronunciation 😀

[@martinahaary6676]

One should note that the ONLY Rolleiflex that uses the "red dot" system for aligning the film start is the Rolleiflex T you are showing. Every other Rolleiflex (at least since WWII) including the SLR SL66 uses a different mechanism. You put the fresh film in the lower chamber as shown. Now comes the difference: the silver roller visible above the spool under the lens chamber is in fact two rollers with a small gap between them. You thread the white paper of the film between these rollers and continue as shown. As soon as you fixed the end of the paper to the empty spool you close the back and turn the handle. It will stop automatically! No need to align any marks. The gap between the two silver rollers feels the thickness of the film coming and stops the mechanism. If you don't feed the film correctly, the handle will not stop and you are spooling the whole film on the receiver spool without being able to cock the shutter.... This was a very complicated mechanism. The T model Rolleiflex made a few shortcuts to be cheaper. Interestingly, the very last Rolleiflex models from the late 1980 (2.8GX etc. after the bankruptcy of the original Rollei company) went to the "red dot" to cut costs. The last "real" Rolleiflex are the F models with 2.8 and 3.5 Planar/Xenotar lenses. These are the most desirable models to get if you want to shoot pictures. The light meter is selenium based and unlikely to work any more, even if the needle moves. It is almost certain that it isn't metering light correctly, these cells detoriate and are not made any more.

[@threeminutepro]

Thanks Martina - that’s really helpful. I’m quite lucky that the meter on my camera is still reasonably accurate. However, I prefer to use a separate meter. 😀

[@garycallahan9307]

Nice video! I also have a Rolleiflex TLR but I think my camera is a bit older than yours, possibly dating back to 1939. I am curious about the web site you mentioned where you found information about the camera by entering the serial number. What is that web site? The serial number on my camera is at the top of the camera, just above the Rolleiflex name. I believe my camera is a Rolleiflex Automat Type 2.

[@threeminutepro]

They’re beautiful cameras. I think this was the web page twinlensreflex.eu/tlr66numbers.php

[@TheMusicalKnokcers]

6:35 you have to put the film UNDER the bottom metal beam. See 3:31 in the vidéo called "rolleiflex street photography in paris"

[@threeminutepro]

Haha! Not on the 3.5 T - film loading is different to other Rolleiflexes. Thanks for bringing it up, though. I should have highlighted this difference 😀

[@TheMusicalKnokcers]

@@threeminuteprothank you !

[@rucksackrules2266]

You have to lead the film under the first chrome bar and not over otherwise the image number won’t advance!!!!!!!

[@threeminutepro]

Not with the 3.5 T. It’s different to other Rolleiflexes 😀

[@rucksackrules2266]

@@threeminutepro Sorry! Dumb ass me.😔

[@samvorms6163]

Exactly the opposite!

[@ucprof2008]

The T and the Rolleicord don’t have the pressure sensing roller.

[@JanPBtest]

It's not terribly important or anything but it's pronounced "Roll-eye" (the "ei" in "Rollei" is exactly the same "ei" as in "Leica").

[@FinlayMiller-h6k]

Hi there, how much would one of these sell for?

[@threeminutepro]

Bought mine for just under £800 😀