As fate would have it... I'm running a test roll through a recently acquired Mamiya C330 with a blue dot 80mm 2.8 - I'll be selling it once I make sure the new seals are working and I'm motivated to sell it outside of ebay and save us both money.
It's been a game of Bigger and Better this summer. Started off w/ a POS 2.8D; fixed it, then destroyed the lens. Then found a 2.8E in very good shape - fixed it up, but very soft focus due to scratches on the lens. Then the 2.8C with EX cond lens. Now the pristine 2.8F - I'm keeping this one FR.
Acquired this GORGEOUS Rolleiflex 2.8F, then sold it to a friend in June. In August the shutter stopped working. I then acquired a 2.8C last week for $299 - EX condition. My friend offered me a trade: the 2.8F + $300 for the 2.8C. Hell yeah! Sent it out to have the shutter fixed - the cost? $300.
Last minute cancelations suck.
The pics they posted were of a very clean looking beast. Even if it didn't work, I'd take it apart and give it a spin. That it was in such good shape right off? That's nuts. Same seller later posted a Mamiya C330, same description (the shutter clicks) for $99 and I won that for $109.
I typically do my developing in two's, so even the thought of needing a 5 capacity tank is crazy. However! A friend gave me a bin full of developing gear a while back and it had a 5 reel and an 8 reel tank in it. I actually did use the 5 once and said That's nuts! And never used it again.
I took a risk on an auction for a Rolleiflex 2.8C - the seller knew nothing about the camera (see their comical description below) but posted a lot of pics and I felt fairly confident. When it arrived? Blown away. It's in fantastic condition. Deep cleaned it last night and testing it today.
Well, nobody's perfect
Thanks, Cat! There's something about the uniformity in the distortion that I really like.