Evil pentaprism

[Pancolart]

[MTHall]

I've got a pentaprism for my C220 Mamiya and although it makes a substantial increase in camera weight, it beats using the eye-level viewfinder, because it keeps tabs on focus and any of the lens configurations. Parallax too, is exactly the same whether using the pentaprism or viewing screen, so you can use the same technique. So, I see no evil, I do however, see two lovely Rollei TLR's.

[luisalegria]

Yes they are a lovely pair.
1950's-early 1960's f/3.5 versions it looks like, but what is that switch on the top left ?
A meter switch ?

I have an older one, maybe 1948, that was adapted for Heiland flashgun use.
I don't think mine could take a prism, but I would certainly like one !

[MTHall]

No it isn't a meter switch as only the l/h Rollei has a meter. The r/h has the same fittings that take a meter but wears a blanking plate instead, the meter itself was housed in the focusing knob centre, you can see it protruding into view on the l/h model. Beautifully engineered so as it can be viewed from above, even while focusing. The reason it was NOT included into the viewfinder, is thought that it might intrude too much into the viewers vision when composing the frame? But I cannot think what that switch was for, maybe the viewfinder lens had an iris that was used for DOF preview? My Mamiya has such a lens in it's kit, 105mm I think. Someone'll tell us maybe?
They certainly are worthy kit and I hope they have a good diet of frequent silver halide.

[cooltouch]

That switch looks like it has a "V" right under it. Dunno about Rollei, but I have a Kodak Retina IIc that has a combo MXV switch, M-X for flash and cock it to "V" for the self-timer.

The one on the left, since it has a meter, is an E or later. If you want to know exactly what you have, and when it was made, visit this site for info based on serial numbers:

http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/serial_numbers.shtml

[MTHall]

cooltouch, you are quite right chap, it is the self timer setting lever. the flash sync setting is at the flash connector socket (http://www.butkus.org/chinon/rollei/rolleiflex_35-28/rolleiflex_35-28.pdf)

[Eugen Mezei]

You will see the V on almost all german cameras. It comes from "Vorlauf", meaning something like "forerun" and that is exactly what it does, you got the idea, even if my translation is not the most accurate.

[MTHall]

MXV switches were indeed fitted to many makes of German cameras, my Wera included. Not the best arangement, as when you use the self timer and flash, you cannot adjust the flash sync in most cases. I have no idea what the default sync is on my Wera in those circumstances. Academic, as I am unlikely to use it again (yes, it is a shame I suppose!).

[Pancolart]

Alexa just listed this beauty: Click here to see on Ebay.de

[frandavid761]

Not the best arangement, as when you use the self timer and flash, you cannot adjust the flash sync in most cases. I have no idea what the default sync is on my Wera in those circumstances. Academic, as I am unlikely to use it again

[scsambrook]

Default synch is ' X '. Just in case you do ever need to use flash