Cameras/Rolleiflex DBP 3.5F DBGM Camera in Leather Case
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Question
Hello Mr. Silver -
)
My boyfriend found the Rolleiflex camera mentioned above in his Grandfather's camera equipment after he passed away last year. (He was 96 years old). We are interested in knowing a little more about this camera, as neither one of us has ever seen one like it before. It's a very interesting-looking camera and looks very expensive. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your help and your expertise.
Sincerely,
Debbie
Kansas City, MO
Hello Debbie,
Your Rolleiflex is a traditional medium format twin-lens-reflex camera, made by Franke & Heidecke of Germany in the latter part of the 1950's, for 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 inch exposures on #120 roll film. This style of camera was very popular from the 1930's into the 1960's, but fell out of favor with the 35mm revolution that began in the late 1950's, and in today's digital age they're considered archaic. There are many models of the Rolleiflex, but this one is among the best, and still highly valued for its application as a studio portrait camera among a very small niche of film photographers. It looks like a very well preserved example. Actual value depends on which lens it has (the bottom lens is either a Planar or a Xenotar), the shutter (must work on all speeds), and whether the exposure meter is responsive. In excellent condition it probably ranges between $500 and $700. These are not the easiest things in the world to sell today, and if you need help I'd be happy to broker a sale for you. Let me know at the e-mail address provided below and I'll get back to you with details. I do have buyers for the better Rolleiflex models, but it's an international market and the best money comes from overseas. I'd appreciate another small pic of the camera removed from the case so I can see some small details, and the serial number of the camera if you can find it on the camera's body. I'm here to help if you need me...
Best wishes,
David F. Silver - President
International Photographic Historical Organization
silver@photographyhistory.com
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David Silver
Expertise
I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience
I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
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