Loading Rolleiflex 3,5 Camera

Tutorial on how to load this famous camera. I apologize for the weird audio when I was fumbling to connect the film with the other end of the camera. The camera was a Rolleiflex Automat Model K4A, it's aperture range is from 3,5 to 22

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Howto & Style

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• 6 3.5 2

[jethangar]

What does it mean if it takes all of my muscle strength to wind this camera? And then, when I get my photos back, they have numerous fine lines across the picture.

[MovieMan825]

I had this problem originally as well. It is most likely the film pressure plate (located on the hinged door). Make sure that you slide it to the position where you can see it say '6x6 cm'. The rolleis often came with pressure plates that had a setting for both 6x6 and one other setting that would make it harder to pull the film through. Hope that helps!

[sgtpeppper]

how much did it cost?

[MovieMan825]

I got it as a gift but i know that it cost around $300 on eBay. Which is a good price considering that it is in almost pristine condition. Generally these cameras go up to over $1,000 on eBay when they're in mint condition.

[elgatonegro13]

thank you for sharing. mind upload a video on how to take out the film?

[MovieMan825]

as soon as I'm done with this next roll I will certainly do that! Thanks!

[zizzymichi]

how old r u?

[heikoxxxxxx]

THANKS! You saved me, because the official manual is just bad...

Thanks a lot!!!

[clidiere]

@jethangar I also had thin lines across the picture. It happened when I loaded film the wrong way.

My Rolleiflex 3.5T doesn't have the first set of rollers, and I thought I should slide the film underneath the 1st roller I found, which is in fact the 2nd roller you see on the video. It forced the film to go at an angle of 90º without rolling on a roller, and it got scratched. At the same time, winding was kinda of difficult, and the edge of the film was damaged.

[benfleminc]

Not only a great camera, but those Vandorens are pretty snazzy as well!

[spajdude]

I use to wind until the start mark is between the rollers. It's not important, because the Rolleiflex Automat models have automatic feelers, so the mechanism knows when the film starts, but I want to see that the roll rolls up ok on the take-up spool.

[spajdude]

@Karlhaakon " it's not necessary to line up the start marking on the paper on the automat or any of the rolleiflexes made after the automat except the model T."

True, and except the GX and FX, FW and FT that most of us can't afford to buy. :-(

[Karlhaakon]

it's not necessary to line up the start marking on the paper on the automat or any of the rolleiflexes made after the automat except the model T.

[onebespoke]

Thank you so much!