I picked up this Rolleicord I Model 2 at a local market for what I consider a very fair price, especially when you remember that this camera is close to 100 years old. It is the little brother of the legendary Rolleiflex lineup, built to a high standard but originally aimed at a more pocket-friendly price point.
At first, I honestly thought it was toast. The first two rolls of 120 film I put through it were completely out of focus, frame after frame, with no obvious explanation.
After spending some time with it and deciding I had nothing to lose, I took it apart and quickly found the problem. The rear element of the taking lens was very loose. On a camera from the mid-1930s, that is not exactly shocking, but it explains everything. Even a small shift in lens spacing on a TLR is enough to throw focus completely off.
Once tightened and reassembled, the Rolleicord came back to life. Focus was spot on again, and that classic Zeiss Triotar 75 mm f/3.8 character was right where it should be. Slightly soft wide open, full of personality, and a perfect reminder of just how well these cameras were built to last.
