Rolleiflex

A Rolleiflex 2.8 F
Short video describing how the Rolleiflex works.
Swiss writer and photographer Annemarie Schwarzenbach using the Rolleiflex Standard 621 for a self-portrait (1930s).
The camera is held at the waist, with the viewfinder mounted on top (here, a Rolleiflex SLX).

Rolleiflex is the name of a long-running and diverse line of high-end cameras originally made by the German company Franke & Heidecke, and later Rollei-Werk.

History

The "Rolleiflex" name is most commonly used to refer to Rollei's premier line of medium format twin lens reflex (TLR) cameras. (A companion line intended for amateur photographers, Rolleicord, existed for several decades.) However, a variety of TLRs and SLRs in medium format, and zone focus, and SLR 35 mm, as well as digital formats have also been produced under the Rolleiflex label. The 120 roll film Rolleiflex series is marketed primarily to professional photographers. Rolleiflex cameras have used film formats 117 (Original Rolleiflex), 120 (Standard, Automat, Letter Models, Rollei-Magic, and T model), and 127 (Baby Rolleiflex).

The Rolleiflex TLR film cameras were notable for their exceptional build quality, compact size, modest weight, superior optics, durability, simplicity, reliable mechanics and bright viewfinders. They were popular and widely imitated. The high-quality 7.5 cm focal length lenses, manufactured by Zeiss and Schneider, allowed for a smaller, lighter, more compact camera than their imitators. The highly regarded Zeiss Planar f2.8 and Schneider Xenotar lenses, both 80mm focal length and fast in comparison, are both state of the art optics. Unique to the Rolleiflex Automat and letter model cameras, the mechanical wind mechanism was robust and clever, making film loading semi-automatic and quick. This mechanism started the exposure counter automatically, auto-spaced the 12 or (on the later model F cameras) 24 exposures, and tensioned the shutter; all with less than one full turn of the film advance crank. This makes the Rolleiflex Automat/Letter model cameras very sought-after for shooting fast paced action, such as street photography.[1]

A wide range of accessories made this camera a system: panorama head, sun shade, parallax-corrected close-ups lenses, color correction, contrast enhancing, and special effect filters, all mounted with a quick release bayonet, as well as a quick-change tripod attachment. Some, professional, amateur and fine-art photographers still shoot Rolleiflex TLR film cameras with color transparency, color negative, or black-and-white film. The later f2.8 and f3.5 letter models (Planar or Xenotar lens) are highly sought after in the used market, and command the greatest price.[2] Historically there were five focal length cameras available including 5.5 cm Rollei-Wide, 6.0 cm Baby Rollei, 7.5 cm (f:3.5), 8.0 cm (f2.8), and 13.5 cm (f:4 Zeiss Sonnar) Tele-Rolleiflex. Although all Rolleflex cameras can be fine user cameras, there is also an active market for many Rolleiflex models as collectables, and this adds (greatly in some models) to the end price paid, particularly in Japan.

Rolleiflex medium format cameras continued to be produced by DHW Fototechnik up to 2014—a company founded by former Franke & Heidecke employees.[3] DHW Fototechnik announced two new Rolleiflex cameras and a new electronic shutter for photokina 2012.[4] The company filed for insolvency in 2014 and was dissolved in April 2015, ending any further production. The factory production equipment and remaining stocks of parts were auctioned off in late April 2015.

A smaller company was created again with former DHW Fototechnik employees, under the name DW Photo at the same location.[5] DW Photo focuses on servicing existing cameras, including providing firmware and hardware upgrades.[6]

Notable models

Original Rolleiflex

Rolleiflex Original with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/3.8

This first Rolleiflex was introduced in 1929[7] after three years of development,[8] and was the company's first medium format roll-film camera, which was used with unpopular 117 (B1) film. It was a Twin-Lens Reflex camera.

Old Standard

Rolleiflex Automat

Rolleiflex 2.8A

Incorporated the first 8 cm f2.8 taking lens (either an 80 mm Carl Zeiss Tessar or Opton Tessar) into the Rolleiflex line. It also added an X flash synch contact. Built from 1949 to 1951.[12]

Tele Rolleiflex

This camera used a 135 mm/f4.0 Carl Zeiss Sonnar taking lens. The introduction to a 1990 sale catalogue by Sotheby's auction house in London estimated that approximately 1200 cameras existed at that date.

The new Tele Rolleiflex uses 135mm/f4 Schneider Tele-Xenar taking lens

Wide Rolleiflex

This camera had a 55 mm/f4.0 Carl Zeiss Distagon taking lens. The introduction to a 1990 sale catalogue by Sotheby's auction house in London estimated that fewer than 700 such cameras existed at that date. Only 3600 models were originally produced.

The new Wide Rolleiflex uses a 50mm/f4 Schneider Super-Angulon taking lens.

Rolleiflex SL66

Main article: Rolleiflex SL66

Rollei's first medium-format SLR, introduced in 1966.

Rolleiflex SL35

Main article: Rolleiflex SL35

A 35 mm SLR introduced in 1970.

Rolleiflex miniature Reproductions

Rolleiflex minidigi digital camera

There are two current models of miniature Rolleiflex cameras. These are not true Rolleiflex cameras but are miniature reproductions of the Rolleiflex TLR design produced under license by the German camera manufacturer Minox. The cameras are manufactured by the Japanese company Sharan Megahouse.One model is a miniature digital camera, the other is miniature Rolleiflex TLR film camera.

The original model, now discontinued, was the Rolleiflex MiniDigi, a miniature reproduction of the TLR Rolleiflex. In many details the camera retained the details of the original, including a waist level view finder and a hand crank to prepare the camera for the next shot. As the name implies, the camera was a digital reproduction, with the "viewing" lens being a dummy. The camera had a 2 megapixel CMOS sensor in the square format of the traditional TLR. The lens was a 9 mm f/2.8 with 5 elements, focussing down to 10 cm. The shutter speeds were automatically controlled between 1/15 to 1/400 second, exposure time was automatic. The camera was operated by a single CR2 battery. The storage media was either SD or MMC cards.

This was superseded by the MINOX DCC (Digital Classic Camera) Rolleiflex AF 5.0. The name change brings the current model more firmly in line with the rest of Minox's Classic Camera miniature reproduction range. It is visually identical to the original model, but available in both black and red leather finishes. The CMOS sensor has been upgraded to 3 megapixels, with 5.0 megapixels available by interpolation. The taking lens is a 4.9 mm f/2.8; the camera has digital autofocus. The electronic shutter has also been upgraded to a maximum speed of 1/2500 of a second. The camera operates on a single CR2 battery and uses miniSD memory cards.

There was also a 1/3 scale miniature Rolleiflex TLR, using Minox film, producing 36 exposures of 8x11mm format negative.

List of models

TLR (Twin-lens reflex)

Tessar Models

Rolleiflex Cameras—7.5 cm (f: 2.8, 3.5, 3.8)

  • Original Rolleiflex: 1929–32
  • Standard Rolleiflex: 1932–38
  • New Standard Rolleiflex: 1938–41
  • Rolleiflex Automat: 1937–39
  • Rolleiflex Automat: 1939–49 (double bayonet)
  • Rolleiflex Automat X: 1949–51
  • Rolleiflex Automat A (MX in North America): 1951–54
  • Rolleiflex Automat B (MX-EVS in North America): 1954–56
  • Rolleiflex 4×4: 1931–38 Baby Rolleiflex (1930s) (6 cm f:3.5 or 2.8 Tessar lens)
  • Rolleiflex 4×4: 1938–41 Sports Baby Rolleiflex (6 cm f:2.8 Tessar Only)
  • Rolleiflex 2.8A: 1950–51
  • Rolleiflex T: 1958–75 (no Automat film transport and with f:3.5 Tessar lens only. Grey or Black)

Pre-War Baby Rolleiflex

  • Rolleiflex 4×4: 1931–38 Baby Rolleiflex (1930s) (6 cm f:3.5 or 2.8 Tessar lens) Two models, with rim set shutter and f. Deckel made diaphragm control, or with Rollei made levers on the shutter and a small shutter speed, f-number indicator window above the viewing lens. So in the first model of Pre-War Baby Rolleiflex there are actually four different cameras.
  • Rolleiflex 4×4: 1938–41 Sports Baby Rolleiflex (6 cm f:2.8 Tessar Only) New fast focus with larger knob, front cover like a Rolleicord II, with early cameras having only one bayonet, and later cameras with two.

Non-Tessar models (Letter Models)

Planar or Xenotar lenses. f:2.8 cameras have 8 cm focal length, 3.5 ones 7.5 cm

  • Rolleiflex 2.8B: 1952–53, 8 cm Biometar lens (Rare)
  • Rolleiflex 2.8C: 1953–55, 8 cm f:2.8 Schneider Kreuznach Xenotar only
  • Rolleiflex 2.8D: 1955–56, 8 cm f:2.8 Carl Zeiss Planar or Xenotar
  • Rolleiflex 2.8E: 1956–59, (option for uncoupled meter)
  • Rolleiflex 2.8E2: 1959–60
  • Rolleiflex 2.8E3: 1962–65
  • Rolleiflex 3.5 C (E1 in North America): 1956–59 (optional uncoupled light meter)
  • Rolleiflex 3.5E2: 1959–62
  • Rolleiflex 3.5E3: 1962–65

Post War Baby Rolleiflex

  • Rolleiflex 4×4: 1957–63 (Schneider, 6 cm f:3.5 Xenar lens, on all post war Rolleiflex 4×4 cameras)
  • Rolleiflex 4×4 Black: 1963–69 (rare) By serial numbers 9,120 were made.

Coupled exposure meter, removable focus hood

The F model introduced coupled exposure metering and removable focus hood on all subsequent models

  • Rolleiflex 2.8F: 1960–81 (various models)
  • Rolleiflex 2.8F Aurum: 1983
  • Rolleiflex 2.8F Platinum: 1987
  • Rolleiflex 2.8GX: 1989 (from this model onward the Automat film transport was replaced with transport similar to the "T" model)
  • Rolleiflex 2.8FX (2002-2012)
  • Rolleiflex 2.8FX-N (2012-current)

Speciality cameras

Rollei responded with two models to the introduction of the Mamiya line of interchangeable lenses TLR cameras, the Tele Rolleiflex with 135 mm lenses, and the Rollei Wide with 55 mm.

  • Tele Rolleiflex: 1959–75 (Zeiss Sonnar)
  • Rolleiflex Wide: 1961–67 (Zeiss Distagon)
  • Wide Rolleiflex 4.0 FW (Schneider Angulon) — classic reissue.
  • Tele Rolleiflex 4.0 FT (Tele-Xenar) — classic reissue.
  • Rolleiflex 2.8F Mini

Miniatures

Reproductions by Minox

  • Rolleiflex MiniDigi
  • DCC Rolleiflex AF 5.0

Medium format SLRs
  • Rolleiflex SL66
  • Rolleiflex SL66 E
  • Rolleiflex SL66 X
  • Rolleiflex SL66 SE
  • Rolleiflex SLX
  • Rolleiflex SLX Metric
  • Rolleiflex 6002
  • Rolleiflex 6006
  • Rolleiflex 6006 Metric
  • Rolleiflex 6008 Professional
  • Rolleiflex 6008 LR Professional
  • Rolleiflex 6008 Metric 3D Industrial
  • Rolleiflex 6008 Professional Gold
  • Rolleiflex 6008 Professional SRC 1000
  • Rolleiflex 6003 SRC 1000
  • Rolleiflex 6008 ChipPack Digital Metric
  • Rolleiflex 6008 E
  • Rolleiflex 6008 Q 16 Digital Metric
  • Rolleiflex 6008 AF
  • Rolleiflex 6008 integral
  • Rolleiflex 6008 integral2
  • Rolleiflex 6008 Metric
  • Rolleiflex 6003 Professional
  • Rolleiflex 6001 Professional
  • X-Act2 view camera
  • Rolleiflex Hy6
  • Rolleiflex Hy6 Mod2

35 mm SLRs

  • Rolleiflex SL35
  • Rolleiflex SL350
  • Rolleiflex SL35M
  • Rolleiflex SL35ME
  • Rolleiflex SL35E
  • Rolleiflex SL 2000 F
  • Rolleiflex SL 3003
  • Rolleiflex SL 3001

Miniature twin len reflex film camera Sharan Megahouse Rolleiflex 2.8F

References

  1. Bill Brandt: A Life, p. 50. Written by Paul Delany, published by Stanford University Press 2004.
  2. "Classic Rolleiflex TLR camera on DHW Fototechnik website".
  3. "Out of Franke & Heidecke's ashes, rises DHW Fototechnik".
  4. "Rolleiflex Unveils New FX-N TLR Film, Hy6 Mod2 Medium Format Cameras".
  5. "Rolleiflex-Kameras: Es geht weiter – wieder einmal und irgendwie".
  6. "Service page at Rolleiflex.us".
  7. Rollei Japan - dead link
  8. http://www.ganjatron.net/photo/tlr/tlr.html
  9. Consumers Union of the United States, Inc., 1939 p. 22
  10. Popular Photography, June 1949, p. 144
  11. http://www.freelists.org/post/rollei_list/Robert-Capas-Rolleiflex
  12. http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/A-F_tlr.shtml
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