[nathanm]

I was going through some files and came across this.  I copied from an ad I read on eBay years ago, selling a Rolleiflex camera, but written in the style of the camera getting fired by the boss.  I thought I would share some uncredited greatness.

We understand that we've made quite the investment in your rehabilitation, what with the new front surface mirror, new ground glass, shutter clean and lube and so forth. Those things don't change the fact that you're looking tired and even acting a little slow at 1 and 1/2 second speeds.......the doctors tell us you're clean, just an elderly slow speed escapement. It's very consistent, and we could make an adjustment, but that's not really the issue.  We're trying to present a youthful image here, and frankly, your old paint just doesn't do that for our company.

Your uncoated Tessar 75/3.8 is still plenty sharp, but your results are just different from your modern coated fellow employees. The lab even reports they need to vary the print contrast of your negs....that will never do! Once they lock on to a combination for others, your results should be the same. 

All of your original equipment accessories will be permitted to leave with you...your intact leather ever-ready case, lens cap, Y2 filter& case, and hood with case....that's all fine. Your ground glass back and four film holders can go, too. We find your ability to use sheet film quaint, but not in line with company policy: 120 rollfilm ONLY! We've added three of your B&W shots to the above files.
 
The company has agreed to pay your relocation to anywhere in the U.S. at no cost, should someone decide to give you a job with them. Overseas employers should contact us BEFORE hitting the "Hire me Now " button!  A uniformed employee will escort you from the premises the next business day to see you to your new location. Good luck, Mr. Model 621. We enjoyed your term here with us, but are moving in a different direction."

...

Thanks, Jo

Secondly, although this CLEARLY is NOT the camera referred to in the ad copy above, but rather a recent eBay find, of the $4000+ variety.  Of course I must admit that a ludicrously expensive camera wouldn't help me take images any better than the ones I shot with Buddy's camera, I still cannot help but feel severe gear lust at such a shiny thing.

[SET Man]

Hey!

     That quote is from an ad on eBay? Very creative way of advertising. Kindna make me feel bad for that old camera.   

    That golden Rolleiflex is more of a collector item I would say. People who buy this will rarely use it.

     Well, you are not the only one lusting over some nice cameras for sure 

Take care,
Buddy

[thunderbrick]

 

[JohnR]

I almost bought a Rolleiflex once, showed up on eBay locally to me so i went and had a look at it. Looked nice on the outside but the lens (one of them, I guess it must have been the taking lens) was completely infested with fungus, the guy seemed genuinely surprised when I pointed it out.

Oh well.

Is that gold color and snakeskin (or whatever it is) original?

[nathanm]

A few pages I skimmed said it is real lizard skin.  This specific ad doesn't say.   Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Rolleiflex-2-8F-AURUM-Gold-w-Xenotar-80mm-f2-8-/310215533545?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item483a4963e9

I found it as I was poking around looking for my own fantasy, probably-don't-need-it-but-it-sure-would-be-cool item, a large format Xenotar lens with an ƒ2.8 aperture.

[SET Man]

A few pages I skimmed said it is real lizard skin.  This specific ad doesn't say.   Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Rolleiflex-2-8F-AURUM-Gold-w-Xenotar-80mm-f2-8-/310215533545?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item483a4963e9

I found it as I was poking around looking for my own fantasy, probably-don't-need-it-but-it-sure-would-be-cool item, a large format Xenotar lens with an ƒ2.8 aperture.

Hey!

   Wow! Nice box too!

   But for a real use I would be prefer one with Zeiss Planar T* lens.

    Well... nothing you need but everything you want I guess

Take care,
Buddy

[JohnR]

Oh. It's new...

I'd still like to get an E or an F someday. My cousin who visited from Scotland brought one with him, there really is something magical about looking into the ground glass on those. Then again, I don't think I ever saw the photos from it.

Nathan, I sold a Xenotar 80/2.8 not long ago. It was attached to a Century Graphic though. A bit unwieldy - kinda if you are going to do that why not just use LF.

I love the name "Xenotar" though. It sounds like the name of a flying superhero robot or something.

[nathanm]

A bit unwieldy - kinda if you are going to do that why not just use LF.

You meant 'why not use medium format' I assume?  I have been curious about a hand-holdable large format camera, a nice Crown\Speed Graphic complete with flash bulb would be pretty sweet.  Of course I would also have to buy a brown suit and fedora to go along with it! 

The Xenotar 150mm ƒ2.8 are going for crazy ass prices, so I assume the lens must have super powers.  It probably battled with Godzilla at some point too.

[JohnR]

Actually, what I meant is, if you are going to use one of these



then by the time you fiddle with it why not just use a lightweight 4x5 - with a roll film back for convenience/cost.

Anyway, I sold it They're just kindof clunky, and theres no real movements.

[shooter]

The  Xenotar is a great lens, the bokeh of the 150mm f2.8 Xenotar is incredible, smooth as silk and very sharp when stopped down to f4,  I love it so much I own 3.

[JohnR]

Pics?



PS. where's pointer (sorry couldn't resist )

[shooter]

Pictures are all commercial stuff, never scan most of those 4x5 transparencies.
Looking for pointer go here_http://www.tinkerboxstudio.com/personal/