Rolleiflex T twin lens reflex camera walkthrough with essential buying tips.

Fantastic 6x6cm twin lens cameras. The Rollei T model sits between the pro. spec Rolleiflex cameras and the consumer level Rolleicords. I walk through the basic functions and describe essential checks to make when buying secondhand.

[@joshuawilkins2399]

Great overview. I’m about to go look at one of these to buy and I feel much more confident going into it now. Thank you!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Glad it was useful

[@jamesmoore9511]

Don't forget the sports finder on the hood (just press in the front door like for the magnifier till it clicks). this was my first pro camera, bought in 1969 - kinda wish I hadn't sold it to buy a Rollei 2.8F. With the shutter/f stop interlock makes this a dream for using fill in flash. Ps: If you can clean and service a compur shutter you can open the camera with 4 screws and the flash terminal barrel nut. My first cleaning after a "professional repair " after a took me about 1/2 hour. Correcting the lens plate that he had loosened took 2 weeks to get it parallel to the lens plane and focused to infinity. In short A GREAT CAMERA.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, great camera but I’d never recommend DIY repairs … even the simplest job can sometimes go horribly wrong!

[@jamesmoore9511]

I should have mentioned I'm a lot more mechanically inclined than most and had, at that time, purchased a repair manual from National Camera, to compliment my Nikon books. But your right many would have made a hash of a CLA. @@WorldwideCameraExchange

[@ralphyznaga1761]

Terrific review. Love my Roleiflex T. Thanks so much. Love from Austin TX.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks - appreciated

[@john_murch]

I've been eyeing a Rolleiflex/Rolleicord for awhile now. However, recently I've acquired a Minolta Autocord. Of course it doesn't have the build quality of the Rolleis but the lens is amazingly sharp and it's such a pleasure to use. At least until I work up to a Rollei!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, the Minolta is a fantastic camera. And the Yashica 124G too. Same buying advice applies… check condition, glass and mechanics carefully.

[@user-qo6vj6pf6k]

Hi Jonathan - nice little rundown - I used a T for 25 years almost exclusively. What you can do when you lift the screen is add the masks for the 16-on kit. Along with the mask that fits over the film gate you turn the camera into a 16 frame 645 camera, the gate mask adjusts the counter automatically. I would also say that T's can be prone to flare - hoods are essential. And if the bands indicating the f-stop and speed break (they're rubber apparently) then you cannot replace them. The transport on the T's is also not built to the same robustness as the 'professional' Rolleis so can be quite squeaky wheel if you know what I mean. Oh and it is also easy enough to remove the back to check the lens - there's a latch at the top. The Tessar is optimised for f11, but they'll still take very beautiful pictures at most apertures. And that's about that - keep up the great videos!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting- appreciated

[@潘少先]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange Hello! After I loaded the film, the first shutter couldn't be triggered and I had to switch to the second one to trigger the shutter. Did I make a mistake somewhere? Thank you!

[@marcosmartinez1565]

I have many original rollei mutar accessories made in Germany in optimal conditions, I am from Argentina, I am interested in selling the entire lot. Thank you so much!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

You might try a rangefinder folding camera, the french ones are still affordable and have super HQ Tessar clones as lens, try the Royer Royal or Lumiere Lumirex III or the Telka III both make pictures as good as a Rolleiflex. You can still find them for very low money.

[@krisadams6457]

Fantastic review

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks

[@zoomerrunner]

Do you find the side shutter release to be awkward for handheld shooting, compared to the front facing button on most other Rollei's?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, I prefer the front facing release but it’s something you get used to. It definitely isn’t a dealbreaker.

[@zoomerrunner]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange Thanks for the info

[@jesscromwell]

Hi. Great video, thank you! I have a 3.5F. I'm looking for a self-timer attachment. Can you recommend one?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Mechanical self-timers designed to screw into the cable release have been available for years. I don’t think they available new (not needed with modern cameras!) but I’m sure you’ll find something on eBay.

[@deemdoubleu]

Very few places to get these serviced now.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Sadly true.

[@tomsun3159]

Hi Jonathan, i assume your prices for an overhaul are quite optimistic more suitable for a simple CLA. For a complete overhaul (no parts changing, but regreasing, adjustment of shutterspeeds etc. ) at a rollei certified shop (which unfortunately are quite rare to find) you will go more to the area of nearly 400€, which make it sometimes a hard decision to let the job done. Regarding the used greases in the past there were sometimes used unappropriate greases, and the modern greases will last much longer. An optically Mint Rollei without a Revision in the last few years has always to include a discount for necessary overhaul (calculate at least 300€). And a Recipe from a revision in the eighties is just documentation, but the overhaul is long overdue.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

The cost will obviously depend on the level of work. Also, more experienced repairers will, justifiably, charge higher prices.

[@tomsun3159]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange And more important for adding value to the camera a certificate of an international accepted specialist would be much worthy, as an receipt of an unknown photoshop (despite his CLA will be satisfying). I had dealers asked and get answers like "my technician says the shutter SOUNDS good" for the question if they CHECKED the shutter speeds. And in 2023 i found a offerred Rolleiflex SERVICED, the SErvice Bill was from 1980. Also if sellers make an advert NOT showing the serial No. Stay away. My Photoshop had a Rolleiflex on the shelf, at first look near mint conditions, it was a total write off (after a drop) repair cost higher than selling value. So i second buy only with a good return policy, or at a very reasonable price you can accept as total write off.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting

[@jani73]

@@tomsun3159with Shutter-Speed app you can check yourself camera shutter speeds.

[@Zbigniew_Nowak]

5:35 But why is this method more convenient? Personally, I have never had to deal with such an invention - I only saw it as a historical exhibit, I looked into the viewfinder, but it was too short to assess the comfort of use. Sometimes I tilted my camera's LCD screen to aim this way. But this was rarely useful. Actually, only when I wanted to put the camera on the table for better stabilization and it was difficult to keep my head so low. However, this is the second time I have heard that this method of aiming with such an antique camera was cool and I am curious about more detailed explanations. Was this particular type of viewfinder somehow better at this viewing angle, or... what exactly is going on? :)

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Some people love the handling, others hate it. It’s personal.

[@Zbigniew_Nowak]

@ I've heard that in this type of viewfinder, "left is right and right is left". What if I put on a penta prism? Then the picture is normal? Meaning, I assume there is a roof pentaprism used there?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes. A prism will correct.

[@Zbigniew_Nowak]

@ And please tell me: since in this camera the upper lens is used specifically only for aiming and, of course, focusing, is this upper lens somehow... specifically adapted to this task? Better for aiming? Better for focusing? Does it differ significantly from the "bottom" one? I guess that the lower lens should be particularly "bright", in the upper one it probably doesn't matter, but are there any other differences?

[@stevest55]

Hey Jonathan, nice video. I recently purchased the same exact "T" model as you have in your video. My camera is remarkably clean. It looks almost new. The glass is clean and clear. The aperture works. I put a roll of "test" film into the camera and it winds properly. The issue is the shutter. At first I was "exercising" the shutter at every speed to get the camera moving again. Then suddenly, the shutter doesn't fire. It will fire if tripped by the self-timer, but not with the shutter button. I even tried a cable release and the shutter still won't fire. Once in a while, when I trip the shutter with the self-timer, I can see that the shutter blades remain partially open. That would ruin any image if I was taking a photo. I don't know if there is a problem with the camera or if I am just using it incorrectly. It's frustrating. Steve

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

It probably needs servicing. If it’s in nice condition it’s worth the investment.

[@arricammarques1955]

Bailey swore & scored by the Rolleiflex.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, apparently he loved Rollei

[@dansaenz1825]

Vivian maiers camera. My favorite street photographer ever.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, an amazing photographer.

[@johnmoore901]

She is a big hero to me as well, why she never processed the vast majority of her work remains a mystery.