I knew I was taking a chance with my impulse buy on the Rolleiflex because it didn’t look like I had any recourse if something is wrong. There was no buyer protection on this purchase nor any return policy listed. Like I said, it was a last minute impulse buy with some quick freelance money I had.
When I got the camera I was surprise because it looked like it was in great shape. I was excited. The seller said the lenses were clean but the shutter stuck. I have exhibited the shutter stick a couple times.
I was having a hard time getting nice sharp pictures. I had a heck of a time focusing the camera so I decided I would spring for the $170 to get a Maxwell screen installed while I got it cleaned and serviced. Something you just do when you get one of these cameras.
Right now, the well know Rolleiflex service guy has my camera and gave me an estimate. $130 for the shutter overhaul which I knew, $12 for the two little screws I knew were missing. $170 for the screen and $130 for a transport overhaul. I wasn’t counting on that but ok, lets get it all nice. Then he dropped the bombshell. Well actually he started his estimate with it. The lenses are in bad shape. Major fungus and some lens separation. Pretty much the worse case scenario here. This explains my problem with sharp or lack of sharp pictures. Nothing really can be done to fix this.
I am heartbroken and embarrassed that I fell for this camera.
I asked Harry (the Rollei guy) if putting $478 (total estimate) is worth it with the shape of those lenses obviously knowing the answer but found it interesting that he implied with that estimate, that I would still go ahead with the work. He wrote back: “If it were mine, I would look for another Rolleiflex with the lens in better condition.” Then proceeded to tell me about a great camera like it he is selling for $1000.
I am calling the girl home, cut my losses here and make note of the lesson learned. And maybe next time I come into money (year from now?) I can go to Harry and buy his $1000 camera (I know that the one he told me about but I am sure he will have another). I will put the camera on a shelf and just look at it which I enjoyed doing anyway. I might still run a roll through it every now and then. In the meantime, I will still enjoy my Holga and Fisheye toys
One happy thing today is my Ditty Bops CD came in. I heard a song on XM Cafe the other day from them I hadn’t heard before so after quick investigation found out they had a 5 song CD that was B-sides to their last album. You could only buy it from their site however. The Ditties make me happy with their music so I couldn’t go wrong. I guess they are working on their next album but they severed ties to their recording company and don’t know what they are going to do to put it out. I hope they can get it up, I am looking forward to it.
More change at work. The big boss, the one who wouldn’t rest until she got all of CN at the park got another job within A. A lot of people are happy. Today for lunch I found myself at the cool people table. I planned on just finding a table at the back of the cafeteria to read but ran into the meeting and event department so they invited me over. Then some AEs (who I refer to the “cool” people) came along and joined us. Interesting to get their perspective on the boss’s news. After hearing them talk I wonder what they say about me when I am not around. One of the AE’s was a past tenant in the area I now work in and warned me that in the summer the sewer flies get in your face. Nice to look forward to, not.
Last week’s weather was very bizarre for January. The temps on two days got over 60. I got spring fever. Then some paid with their houses for the warm weather by getting hit by a tornado. A couple just west of here and then up in Kenosha. I know two people up there on opposite sides of town that said the twister (F-3) went within a mile north of their houses. Eek.