Baby Rollei

Andysnap

Andysnap

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Andy Grant
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Ok, so I've almost accidentally bought a late model grey Baby Rolleiflex at a very good price, I've wanted one for ages. :D
Anyway I know that the only film thats available new is Rerapan so i've bought a couple of rolls to test out the camera. But, I've seen on line that you can roll 35mm film into a 127 backing paper, anyone tried this? And if so tell me how easy it was please. :D
 
I tried it some time ago but the results were a little bit errm not right. I don't think I got sufficient tension in the roll as you'll see and I only have the standard Epson 35mm holders so I lost the socket holes.

Brownie Reflex012 by Steven, on Flickr
 
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steveo_mcg said:
I tried it some time ago but the results were a little bit errm not right. I don't think I got sufficient tension in the roll as you'll see and I only have the standard Epson 35mm holders so I lost the socket holes.

Brownie Reflex012 by Steven, on Flickr
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Ok,so it might work.... worth a shot I think.
 
I think nik and trick do 127. They can cut 120 to size. Worth investigating on costs and whether that works better than 35mm. They do offer an Agfa in 127 as well.
 
srichards said:
I think nik and trick do 127. They can cut 120 to size. Worth investigating on costs and whether that works better than 35mm. They do offer an Agfa in 127 as well.
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Unfortunately out of stock at N and T and pretty much everywhere else except Silverprint and Maco Direct.
I'll look into the respooling option though.(y)
 
I have a Baby Rollei and I did load it with 35mm once. The two problems I recall were maintaining tension and aligning the 35mm film in the midlle of the wider 127 backing paper. You can see from the example below, the sprocket holes are not parallel to the image edge.

Cutting down 120 film using a cigar cutter is another option.

With 127 film I found the practicalities of loading the film reels and of scanning to be a pain. My Jobo and moden Patterson reels don't take 127 although I do have one vintage Patterson tank and reel that takes 127. For scanning I had to either tape the film to some anti-newton glass or lay it one the scanner glass and weigh it down with the same anti-newton glass.

2013-3-11, Baby Rollei, 35mm Kodal Gold 200, St Marys 004-Edit.jpg
 
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Shooting 35mm works well in my Yashica 44 although it’s a bit of guesswork for the frame spacing without integrating a digital sprocket hole counter (but what kind of idiot would do that..)

IMG_5555.jpg

IMG_6732.jpg

29382373353_ac53d13af2_o.jpg

I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the quality of the lens in the Yashica so imagine the Rollei will be even better.
 
Well it has arrived and it is in fantastic cosmetic condition and the snhtter speeds seem pretty accurate. It has its original strap and case along with instructions and a Srixon light meter, rather impressed.
 
stevelmx5 said:
Only a little bit :0). Actually, Andy’s post has made me want to get the Yashica out for a roll or two as well so thanks Andy [emoji1303]
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And there was me thinking (hoping) you would sell to me cheap coz you weren't using .
 
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For 35mm I think the main issue will be whether or not the film will remain flat on the focal plane, or whether or it will bow, curl or bulge and throw parts of the focus out. I'd imagine using f/8 and above would be advisable?
 
stevelmx5 said:
it’s a bit of guesswork for the frame spacing without integrating a digital sprocket hole counter
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So how does this work? I can see an adaptor in there, where can I get one? And this digital sprocket counter thingummy, is it of your own devising and if so when can I have one? :D
 
Andysnap said:
So how does this work? I can see an adaptor in there, where can I get one? And this digital sprocket counter thingummy, is it of your own devising and if so when can I have one? :D
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If you search online, other people have just used a small stack of coins on one side of the cartridge to place the 35mm film in the middle of the frame. I used some plastic I had instead. Normally, 127 film winds completely onto the takeup spool like 120. If you use 35mm that means you’d have to unload the camera in a dark bag and wind the film back into the canister afterwards. Instead, I cut two notches in the original metal 127 takeup spool that I can hook the 35mm sprocket holes over to secure it and wind it on. I then used a short piece of tapering rubber (a grip from a pen!) to make a universal joint and join the 35mm canister and the external knob on the camera (makes more sense if you look at the pics on Flickr!)

https://flic.kr/p/JZxRZx

https://flic.kr/p/JZxTqt

With that, and the takeup spool that’s bonded permanently to the inside of the other external knob on the camera, I can wind the film on with the original winding knob then rewind the film by pulling out the takeup spool knob and winding the film back with the other external knob.

The sprocket hole counter uses a Micro computer board (Arduino), a microswitch that is pressed by the film between each sprocket hole and a small bit of code that counts each time the button is pressed as the film is wound on.

https://flic.kr/p/LkRDJe

That was the original location for the on/off button and then the pair of counting LEDs. They count up to 11 (next frame) by showing Red, Red-Red, Green, Green-Green.

After getting the coding right, I then moved the LEDs to below the ground glass (which is now blacked off each side to show the 35mm compositions) so you can wind on without looking up :0)

https://flic.kr/p/LwYfoR

https://flickr.com/photos/8476499@N02/sets/72157668712501503

It makes much more sense when you actually use it!
 
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Bloody hell that's clever, wish I was more practical instead of artistic. :D:whistle::thinking:
 
So does this mean as well as the Chroma collection in Scotland we can also have a 127 TLR meet as well?
 
I've just retrieved my late Dad's Rolleiflex Baby (grey) from a box of inherited camera gear that I have had stored for years. It has the hard grey case and strap and a little attached grey case containing a lens hood. I've bought some 127 tools from N&T and plan to try it out sometime very soon, I'll try to post a result or two later.
 
Lindsay56 said:
I've just retrieved my late Dad's Rolleiflex Baby (grey) from a box of inherited camera gear that I have had stored for years. It has the hard grey case and strap and a little attached grey case containing a lens hood. I've bought some 127 tools from N&T and plan to try it out sometime very soon, I'll try to post a result or two later.
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Brilliant, love the little Rollei's, I have the Yashica version great fun.

Oh and welcome to the best bit if the forum (y)
 
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