Have Rollei, need advice

On 2005-12-28 04:08:40 -0500, (Melanie L
Chang) said:

Hello all,

I am a lousy photographer who has never taken anything but snapshots with
point and shoot cameras. My father died when I was 12. Unlike me, he
appreciated cameras and had an eye for equipment, and left behind a
Rolleiflex 2.8 F model K7F (according to the Rolleiclub website) dating
to 1966. As far as I can tell, it is in excellent condition. And
before anyone asks, hell no, this camera is not for sale.

It has been 21 years since my father died, and I've been thinking it's a
great shame that no one is using this camera. Up til now I have been
afraid to do so, because it is beautiful and pristine, but that would only
matter if I cared how much it was worth to other people. Its worth to me
cannot be measured in cash. So, I have decided to learn how to use it.

I don't remember my father ever using this camera, although the old,
square photos in my baby photo albums tell me he took at least some of
my baby photos with it. It probably has not been used for 30 years.
What are the odds it is still working, and how do I find out? Do I
just roll some film into it and try to use it? What should I look out
for? Does it need to be tuned up first?

I want to be very careful and don't want to hurt the camera. It is
solid, heavy, and impressive but I am afraid I will break it by
handling it, not least of all because I have no idea what any of the
knobs do.

Any pointers would be welcome. Thanks, Melanie

Melanie, you have one of the most technically excellent and
aesthetically perfect cameras ever built. Follow everyone else's
instructions and learn to use it. I have a beat up old Rolleicord (the
poor cousin of the 'flex) dating from the 1950s, and yet it amazes me
that whenever I take it out, usually on vacation, how many people who
KNOW cameras suddenly come up to me and start talking about it. And
when you get good with it, take slides (Fuji Velvia or Kodak
Ektachrome) and if you can get your hands on a used 6x6 projector the
wall-filling images will knock you over.
--
Michael | "He's dead, Jim."