Frank & Heidecke
1933 Art-Deco Nickel-plated Rolleicord CLA's, Freshly Serviced!
Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!
This is the desirable Art-Deco Rolleicord which features a nickel plated “basket-weave” finish. These cameras were produced in limited numbers for only three years between 1933-36. This example was built by Frank & Heidecke in prewar Germany in circa 1933.
This fine camera been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted . The quality Compur shutter works smoothly and all speeds (T, B & 1 Sec-1/300th) are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along nicely and the faster ones are clean and snappy. It produces twelve, 6x6 exposures on readily available 120 roll-film. This relatively hard to find camera is in lovely condition and although it isn’t perfect, it’s certainly far better than the average example. It also works exceptionally well.
The lens on this Rollei is a sharp Carl Zeiss 3.5/75mm Triotar lens which is a classic Cooke design with three elements in three groups. It’s well known for the attractive rendition and bokeh it produces. This Zeiss lens has an excellent reputation in Europe for a lovely bokeh and its soft smooth backgrounds. The serial number indicates that it was produced in late 1933, which because of the usual production on delays, it suggests that the camera was probably assembled in 1934. Unusual for a camera this old, the lens is very clean. There are no scratches. No separated elements, haze or fungus and it’s capable of producing lovely photos with modern color & B&W films.
All in all, a very enjoyable vintage camera. Load it with your favorite film and keep it handy for that perfect shot you’ve been looking for. You know the one... the one with the perfect Ansel Adams light breaking through the dark storm clouds that leaves you wishing that you had a classic vintage camera with you…