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Rolleiflex

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A Rolleiflex 2.8 F
Swiss writer and photographer Annemarie Schwarzenbach holding the Rolleiflex Standard 621 (1938).
The camera is held at the waist, with the viewfinder mounted on top (here, a Rolleiflex SLX).

Rolleiflex is a long-running and diverse line of high-end cameras originally made by the German company Franke & Heidecke, and later Rollei-Werke.

History

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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 known for their exceptional build quality, compact size, modest weight, superior optics, durability, simplicity, reliable mechanics and bright viewfinders. 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.[citation needed] 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 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.[citation needed]

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 producing the Rolleiflex Hy6 mod2 medium format SLR camera (digital & film), servicing existing cameras, including providing firmware and hardware upgrades.[6]

Notable models

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TLR models

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Classic Rolleiflex TLR timeline
System 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Early Orig (K1) Std (K2) Std (K4) —
3.5 — Automat 3.5C (3.5E) 3.5E2/E3 —
— 3.5F —
T
2.8 — 2.8A 2.8B — 2.8D — 2.8F —
— 2.8C 2.8E —
Tele — Tele —
Wide — Wide —
Early and Automat Rolleiflex TLR cameras[7][8]
Camera Dates Taking lens (FL=75 mm) Viewing lens (FL=75 mm) Shutter Notes
Name Model Intro. Disc. Name Ap. Name Ap. Name Speeds
Original (K1) 611 Jan 1929 Jul 1929 Zeiss Tessar f/4.5 Heidoscop Anastigmat f/3.1 Compur 1-1⁄300 + B,T
612 Apr 1929 Jul 1929 Zeiss Tessar f/3.8
613 Aug 1929 Feb 1932 Zeiss Tessar f/4.5
614 Zeiss Tessar f/3.8
(Old) Standard (K2) 620 Jan 1932 Jan 1934 Zeiss Tessar f/4.5 Heidoscop Anastigmat f/3.1 Compur 1-1⁄300 + B,T
621 Feb 1932 Jan 1935 Zeiss Tessar f/3.8
622 Nov 1932 Jan 1938 Zeiss Tessar f/3.5 Compur Rapid 1-1⁄500 + B,T
(New) Standard (K4) 640 May 1939 Jul 1941 Zeiss Tessar f/3.5 Heidoscop Anastigmat f/3.1 Compur Rapid 1-1⁄500 + B,T
Automat RF 111A Aug 1937 Mar 1939 Zeiss Tessar f/3.5 Heidoscop Anastigmat f/2.8 Compur Rapid 1-1⁄500 + B,T
Automat (K4B) K4B Apr 1939 Oct 1945 Zeiss Tessar f/3.5 Heidoscop Anastigmat f/2.8 Compur Rapid 1-1⁄500 + B,T
K4B2 Oct 1945 Sep 1949 Zeiss Jena Tessar f/3.5
Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar
Schneider Xenar
Automat K4/50 Oct 1949 May 1951 Zeiss Jena Tessar f/3.5 Heidoscop Anastigmat f/2.8 Compur Rapid 1-1⁄500 + B,T; X-sync
Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar
Schneider Xenar
Automat K4A Jun 1951 Mar 1954 Zeiss Jena Tessar f/3.5 Heidoscop Anastigmat f/2.8 Compur Rapid 1-1⁄500 + B,T; X-sync
Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar
Schneider Xenar
Automat K4B Apr 1954 Sep 1956 Zeiss Jena Tessar f/3.5 Heidoscop Anastigmat f/2.8 Compur Rapid 1-1⁄500 + B,T; M&X-sync
Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar
Schneider Xenar

Original Rolleiflex

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Rolleiflex Original with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/3.8

This first Rolleiflex was introduced in 1929[9] after three years of development,[10] 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

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  • The "Old Standard" was originally known as simply the "Standard" until the introduction of the New Standard in 1939.[11][12]
  • This model introduced a hinged back and a frame counter. While not automatic, like in the Rolleiflex Automat, the photographer could reset the counter with a small button after reaching the first frame
  • Robert Capa used an Old Standard to document World War II.[13]

Rolleiflex Automat

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  • Introduced an automatic film counter; this counter senses the thickness of the film backing to accurately begin counting frames, obviating the need for the ruby window that forced the photographer to read the frame number off the backing paper of the film.
  • This model won the Grand Prix award at the Paris World's Fair in 1937.
  • The first Rolleiflex to offer a Schneider Kreuznach Xenar taking lens as an option, in addition to the Carl Zeiss Tessar.
Rolleiflex 2.8 TLR cameras (A–F)[14]
Camera Dates Taking lens (FL=80 mm) Viewing lens (FL=80 mm) Shutter Notes
Name Model Intro. Disc. Name Ap. Name Ap. Name Speeds
2.8A K7A Dec 1949 Feb 1951 Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar f/2.8 Heidosmat f/2.8 Compur Rapid 1-1⁄400 + B; X-sync
Apr 1951 Aug 1951 Compur Rapid MX 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync
2.8B K7B Feb 1952 Mar 1953 Zeiss Jena Biometar f/2.8 Heidosmat f/2.8 Compur Rapid MX 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync
2.8C K7C Dec 1952 Jun 1955 Schneider Xenotar f/2.8 Heidosmat f/2.8 Compur Rapid MXV 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync
Zeiss Planar
2.8D K7D Aug 1955 Sep 1956 Schneider Xenotar f/2.8 Heidosmat f/2.8 Compur Rapid MXV 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync
Zeiss Planar
2.8E K7E Oct 1956 Sep 1959 Schneider Xenotar f/2.8 Heidosmat f/2.8 Synchro Compur MXV 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync
Zeiss Planar
2.8E2 K7E2 Aug 1959 Mar 1960 Schneider Xenotar or Zeiss Planar f/2.8 Heidosmat f/2.8 Synchro Compur MXV 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync With self-timer
K7E3 Mar 1962 Jan 1965
2.8F K7F Jun 1960 Dec 1965 Zeiss Planar f/2.8 Heidosmat f/2.8 Synchro Compur MXV 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync With self-timer
K7F2 Jan 1966 Dec 1966
K7F3 Jan 1967 Jan 1973
K7F4 Jan 1973 Oct 1981 Schneider Xenotar

Rolleiflex 2.8A

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Incorporated the first 8 cm f2.8 taking lens (an 80 mm Tessar, either by Carl Zeiss Jena Zeiss Opton [Oberkochen]) into the Rolleiflex line. It also added an X flash synch contact. Built from 1949 to 1951.[14]

Rolleiflex 2.8E

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Released in October 1956, this was the first model with a built in, uncoupled light meter as an option.[14][15]

Rolleiflex 3.5 TLR cameras (C/E/F/T)[14]
Camera Dates Taking lens (FL=75 mm) Viewing lens (FL=75 mm) Shutter Notes
Name Model Intro. Disc. Name Ap. Name Ap. Name Speeds
3.5C K4C Oct 1956 Feb 1959 Zeiss Planar f/3.5 Heidosmat f/2.8 Synchro Compur MXV 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync
Apr 1957 Feb 1959 Schneider Xenotar
T (K8) T1 Oct 1958 Jun 1961 Tessar f/3.5 Heidosmat f/2.8 Synchro Compur MXV 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync
T2 Jul 1961 Jul 1966
T3 Jul 1966 Aug 1976 Synchro Compur VX Includes self-timer
3.5F (Model 1) K4E Dec 1958 Feb 1960 Zeiss Planar f/3.5 Heidosmat f/2.8 Synchro Compur MXV 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync With self-timer
Schneider Xenotar With self-timer
3.5E2 K4C2 Dec 1959 Apr 1960 Zeiss Planar or Schneider Xenotar f/3.5 Heidosmat f/2.8 Synchro Compur MX 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync With self-timer
K4C3 Jun 1960 May 1962
3.5F (Model 2) K4E Feb 1960 Nov 1960 Zeiss Tessar f/3.5 Heidosmat f/2.8 Synchro Compur MXV 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync With self-timer
Schneider Xenotar With self-timer
3.5F (Model 3) K4F Nov 1960 Dec 1964 Zeiss Tessar or Opton f/3.5 Heidosmat f/2.8 Synchro Compur MXV 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync With self-timer
K4F1 Jan 1965 Dec 1976 Schneider Xenotar
3.5E2 K4C3 Jun 1961 May 1962 Zeiss Planar or Schneider Xenotar f/3.5 Heidosmat f/2.8 Synchro Compur MX 1-1⁄500 + B; M&X-sync With self-timer
3.5E3 K4G Jul 1961 Jan 1965

Rolleiflex T

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Released in 1959, this camera came in a new color of gray. The camera was most successful for it was more affordable to the public. The camera had a 75mm Tessar lens made of lanthanum glass, giving higher resolution and color correction.

Tele and Wide Rolleiflex TLR cameras[16]
Camera Dates Taking lens Viewing lens Shutter Notes
Name Model Intro. Disc. Name FL (mm) Ap. Name FL (mm) Ap. Name Speeds
Tele K7S Sep 1959 1975 Zeiss Sonnar 135 f/4 Heidosmat 135 f/4 Synchro Compur MXV 1–1⁄500+B; X-sync Based on K7E; includes self-timer
Wide K7W Apr 1961 Dec 1967 Zeiss Distagon 55 f/4 Heidosmat 55 f/4 Synchro Compur MXV 1–1⁄500+B; X-sync Based on K7E; includes self-timer

Tele Rolleiflex

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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.[17]

Wide Rolleiflex

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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.[18]

SLR models

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Rolleiflex SLR timeline
System 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
SL66 — SL66 SL66SE —
— SL66E SL66X —
6×6E — 6006 — Hy6
— 6008 —
— SLX 6002 — 6003 —
— 6001 —
QBM — SL35 SL35M / SL35ME SL2000F SL3003 —
— SL350 — SL35 E —

Rolleiflex SL66

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Main article: Rolleiflex SL66

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

Rolleiflex SL35

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Main article: Rolleiflex SL35

A 35 mm SLR introduced in 1970.

Others

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Rolleiflex miniature Reproductions

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Rolleiflex minidigi digital camera

There are two models of miniature Rolleiflex cameras. These are not true Rolleiflex cameras but are miniature reproductions of the Rolleiflex TLR design produced under licence 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 a 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 look of the original, including a waist-level viewfinder and a 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 five elements, focusing 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 were 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

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References

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  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". Archived from the original on 2010-12-18.
  4. ^ "Rolleiflex Unveils New FX-N TLR Film, Hy6 Mod2 Medium Format Cameras". 12 September 2012.
  5. ^ "Rolleiflex-Kameras: Es geht weiter – wieder einmal und irgendwie". 30 November 2001.
  6. ^ "Service page at Rolleiflex.us".
  7. ^ "The first Rolleiflex cameras". Rollei Club. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  8. ^ "All Rolleiflex Automat". Rollei Club. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  9. ^ Rollei Japan - dead link
  10. ^ "Rolleiflex TLR". www.ganjatron.net.
  11. ^ Consumers Union of the United States, Inc., 1939 p. 22
  12. ^ Popular Photography, June 1949, p. 144
  13. ^ "[rollei_list] Robert Capa's Rolleiflex - rollei_list - FreeLists". www.freelists.org.
  14. ^ a b c d "The Rolleiflex A-F series". Rollei Club. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Rolleiflex 2.8E Review". Ray Larose.
  16. ^ "The Tele and Wide Rolleiflex". Rollei Club. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Rolleiflex FT 135 - 4.0 Standard". Rollei Club. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Rolleiflex FW 40 - 4.0 Standard". Rollei Club. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
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