Where to buy a Rolleiflex?

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I'm looking to buy a Rolleiflex TLR camera. I had been going to upgrade my digital camera to a full frame Nikon, but decided against it as I'm enjoying shooting film at the moment, so have some money to spare. :)

I've been looking at the listings of the big secondhand dealers (Ffordes, Aperture, LCE etc) but does anybody know of anywhere else I could look? Ideally I would like a 2.8 or 3.5 e or f with or without a meter in the best possible mechanical/cosmetic condition.

Any help or tips on what to look out for would be much appreciated!
 
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The vintage and classic camera company usually have some in. Ive always found their prices to be reasonable and their descriptions honest. In fact they are usually in better nick than described.

Andy
 
Actually I just checked and they haven,t got any, typical.:bang:
 
Thanks Andy, yes had seen their site. I remember a while ago they had a few in, but none at the moment. Not in a rush though so will keep checking!

Thanks again.
 
Peter Loy regularly has Rolleiflex's in and out - top customer service and usually better value than Vintage Classic Camera.

I bought my 3.5F from Peter and it has served me well.

Peter Walnes might be worth a look as well, although the lack of pictures is a shame. He will produce pictures of the item if you email though (y)

Alternatively, I would buy a clean example off eBay and send it straight to Brian Mickleboro for a CLA. That said, eBay prices for Rolleiflex's have been a bit inflated over the last year, so maybe a dealer is a better bet!
 
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freecom2 said:
Peter Loy regularly has Rolleiflex's in and out - top customer service and usually better value than Vintage Classic Camera.

I bought my 3.5F from Peter and it has served me well.

Peter Walnes might be worth a look as well, although the lack of pictures is a shame. He will produce pictures of the item if you email though (y)

Alternatively, I would buy a clean example off eBay and send it straight to Brian Mickleboro for a CLA. That said, eBay prices for Rolleiflex's have been a bit inflated over the last year, so maybe a dealer is a better bet!
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Thanks for the suggestions! Yes, I've been looking at ebay and some of the prices seem very high - even compared with the shops.

I gather then that Brian Mickleboro is the best person for a CLA do you know roughly how much it would cost?
 
He charges depending on how much he has to do, but he is very reasonable - significantly less than both Fleenor and Krikor in the US (who seem to charge an extortionate amount!).

Give him a call and ask, he's easy and willing to have a chat if you give him a ring :)
 
I have happily bought camera stuff from the following:

Peter Loy (http://www.peterloy.com/stock-list.php)
Peter Walnes (https://secure.peterwalnes.com/)
Vintage Classic Camera (http://vintageclassiccamera.com/)
Rocky Cameras (http://www.rockycameras.com/), though we all know the risks involved there, and I've been stung once or twice too I guess. Probably wouldn't buy a Rolleiflex from him personally.
Ffordes (http://www.ffordes.com) - though ironically I bought a Rolleiflex from them which I ended up sending back because I didn't think the condition was great. However they made no fuss about the return/refund and I've bought plenty of other items from them very happily
Collectible Cameras (http://www.collectablecameras.com/cameralist.htm)

Others worth looking at, with good reputations, but who I haven't personally dealt with, include:

MW Classic (http://www.mwclassic.com/)
Dale (http://www.dalephotographic.co.uk/)
Aperture (http://www.apertureuk.com/)

I dare say there are others, but I have no experience of them or their reputation.
 
freecom2 said:
He charges depending on how much he has to do, but he is very reasonable - significantly less than both Fleenor and Krikor in the US (who seem to charge an extortionate amount!).

Give him a call and ask, he's easy and willing to have a chat if you give him a ring :)
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Thanks I will keep that in mind.
 
TheGreatSoprendo said:
I have happily bought camera stuff from the following:

Peter Loy (http://www.peterloy.com/stock-list.php)
Peter Walnes (https://secure.peterwalnes.com/)
Vintage Classic Camera (http://vintageclassiccamera.com/)
Rocky Cameras (http://www.rockycameras.com/), though we all know the risks involved there, and I've been stung once or twice too I guess. Probably wouldn't buy a Rolleiflex from him personally.
Ffordes (http://www.ffordes.com) - though ironically I bought a Rolleiflex from them which I ended up sending back because I didn't think the condition was great. However they made no fuss about the return/refund and I've bought plenty of other items from them very happily
Collectible Cameras (http://www.collectablecameras.com/cameralist.htm)

Others worth looking at, with good reputations, but who I haven't personally dealt with, include:

MW Classic (http://www.mwclassic.com/)
Dale (http://www.dalephotographic.co.uk/)
Aperture (http://www.apertureuk.com/)

I dare say there are others, but I have no experience of them or their reputation.
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Thanks plenty to go on there!
 
great thread guys! thanks for all the links TheGreatSoprendo!

I'm looking of getting my hands on one as well, but after looking at the prices for the 2.8 on ebay just puts me off.

Though I saw of LCE there was a 2.8F going for £850 which seem pretty high still.
 
You have to patient with cameras like this, over the past year I've only seen two Rolleis (a 3.5F and a 2.8F) that I wanted to pull the trigger on. Most are priced quite highly but every now and then you get a reasonably priced one. I ended up buying the 2.8F last year, after regretting not jumping on the 3.5F which was a really good deal on rangefinderforum. The E's will also save you quite a bit of money too as they aren't as desirable, but if you don't need a meter or don't need a removable finder then they're just as good.
 
FruitFlakes said:
You have to patient with cameras like this, over the past year I've only seen two Rolleis (a 3.5F and a 2.8F) that I wanted to pull the trigger on. Most are priced quite highly but every now and then you get a reasonably priced one. I ended up buying the 2.8F last year, after regretting not jumping on the 3.5F which was a really good deal on rangefinderforum. The E's will also save you quite a bit of money too as they aren't as desirable, but if you don't need a meter or don't need a removable finder then they're just as good.
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I know exactly what you mean. I've seen a few that don't quite fit the bill, and at least one that I regret not buying when I had the chance! From googling just now there seem to be a few big (though quite pricy) dealers in continental Europe too so that might be a possibility.
 
FruitFlakes said:
The E's will also save you quite a bit of money too as they aren't as desirable, but if you don't need a meter or don't need a removable finder then they're just as good.
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The later E models do have removable finders, only the earlier ones do not! My recommendation would be a meterless 3.5E - the F value is exaggerated.
 
Patience is the key, it's been said already but worth repeating.

Do your research. Decide on which model. Set your budget to include a visit to Brian (allow around £85)

Be patient.......got mine on the bay. 3.5E with meter. Very good condition £343 or so. Sent to Brian, £85 inc post. Shutter speeds corrected, focus re-aligned and serviced.
Very happy with it now....must use it more.
 
Definitely have to be patient. They come up infrequently on the market, and well priced ones even less so. I was looking for a while before I bought mine.
 
Just a quick update. I now own a Rolleiflex 3.5f in mint condition courtesy of Vintage and Classic Cameras. :)

It's a beautiful little thing, and I can't wait to take some pictures with it!

Thank you all once again for your help! :)
 
osh said:
Just a quick update. I now own a Rolleiflex 3.5f in mint condition courtesy of Vintage and Classic Cameras. :)

It's a beautiful little thing, and I can't wait to take some pictures with it!

Thank you all once again for your help! :)
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That is excellent, very envious! Lets see some pictures of the Rollei
 
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