Rolleicord II

Buying Tips

The Rolleicord II is one of the most affordable ways into a genuine Rollei TLR. Here is what to check before buying.

• Film advance: Test the film advance mechanism thoroughly. Wind-on problems are the most common issue -- the mechanism should advance smoothly without slipping or binding.
• Viewfinder mirror: Open the waist-level finder and inspect the mirror. Degradation, delamination, and dark spots are common on cameras this age. A dim finder is usable but a replacement mirror improves the experience significantly.
• Shutter speeds: Fire every speed from 1s to 1/300s. Listen for the slower speeds (1s, 1/2s) actually holding open -- sluggish slow speeds indicate old lubricants in the shutter.
• Triotar lens: The 3-element Triotar is a modest performer. Check for fungus and haze by holding the lens up to a light source and looking through from the rear.
• Pre-war vs. post-war: Post-war examples (IIc, IId, IIe) generally have better build consistency and are more likely to be in usable condition. Ask the seller which variant they are selling.

See our complete TLR buying guide for a full inspection checklist.