C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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The Rolleicord Va (introduced 1958) sits between the Rolleicord V and the Rolleicord Vb in the Rolleicord production sequence, representing a minor but notable refinement of the V's design. Like its immediate siblings, it used a **Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 75mm f/3.5** four-element Tessar-type taking lens and a Synchro-Compur leaf shutter covering 1s to 1/500s with both X- and M-sync contacts. The Va's specific improvements over the V involved refinements to the film transport and body details; it retained the knob film advance that distinguished the entire Rolleicord line from the Rolleiflex. It produced 12 exposures of 6x6 cm on 120 roll film.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the — format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile →BW
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profile →BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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About this camera
The penultimate Rolleicord: a refined late-1950s TLR that bridged the V and the final Vb.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 120 (6x6 cm) |
| Taking lens | Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 75mm f/3.5 (4 elements / 3 groups) |
| Viewing lens | ~ |
| Years | ~1958 - ~ |
| Shutter | 1s - 1/500s + B, Synchro-Compur leaf |
| Flash sync | X and M sync |
| Meter | None |
| Film advance | Knob |
The Rolleicord V was introduced in 1954 and ran through a short sequence of variants -- V, Va, Vb -- before production of the Rolleicord line ended with the Vb. The Va appeared around 1958, in the late phase of this sequence. By this point, Rollei's engineering attention had shifted substantially toward the Rolleiflex 3.5F and 2.8F, which were the company's premium offerings; the Rolleicord Va was a production-line continuation rather than a significant redesign. The Vb that followed the Va added a bayonet fitting for filters and accessories consistent with the Rolleiflex standard, which made it the more practical choice for photographers who wanted accessory compatibility. The Va is consequently often overlooked in favor of the Vb among buyers, which contributes to its relatively lower used prices.
The Rolleicord Va represents the mature, late-production form of the Rolleicord concept before the final Vb closed the line. The Xenar 75/3.5 lens on these late Rolleicords is optically strong -- a Tessar-type formula that produces sharp, contrasty images characteristic of mid-century German optical manufacturing -- and the Synchro-Compur shutter is among the most reliable leaf shutters of the era when properly maintained.
For photographers seeking an entry point into 6x6 waist-level TLR shooting, the Va occupies a practical position: it is less expensive than a Rolleiflex 3.5E or 3.5F, shares the same film format and general operational feel, and delivers image quality that is genuinely competitive with far more expensive cameras on the used market. Its position between V and Vb makes it less sought-after by collectors focused on the endpoints of the sequence, which works in favor of buyers who prioritize function over completeness.
C41
Kodak Portra 160 is a professional C-41 color negative film with fine grain, soft contrast, and natural color.
View profile →Rollei Rolleicord Va
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