Rolleiflex is a long-running and diverse line of high-end originally made by the German company Franke & Heidecke, and later Rollei.
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 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. 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.[ Bill Brandt: A Life, p. 50. Written by Paul Delany, published by Stanford University Press 2004.]
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.
Rolleiflex medium format cameras continued to be produced by DHW Fototechnik up to 2014—a company founded by former Franke & Heidecke employees.
A smaller company was created again with former DHW Fototechnik employees, under the name DW Photo at the same location.
Notable models
TLR models
| +Classic Rolleiflex TLR timeline
! rowspan=2 | System
! colspan=10 | 1930s
! colspan=10 | 1940s
! colspan=10 | 1950s
! colspan=10 | 1960s
! colspan=10 | 1970s
! colspan=10 | 1980s |
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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+Early and Automat Rolleiflex TLR cameras | Camera
! colspan=2 | Dates
! colspan=2 | Taking lens (Focal length=75 mm)
! colspan=2 | Viewing lens (Focal length=75 mm)
! colspan=2 | Shutter
! rowspan=2 class="unsortable" | Notes |
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| Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar | |
| Schneider Xenar | |
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| Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar | |
| Schneider Xenar | |
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| Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar | |
| Schneider Xenar | |
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| Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar | |
| Schneider Xenar | |
Original Rolleiflex
This first Rolleiflex was introduced in 1929
[ Rollei Japan] after three years of development,
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.
[Consumers Union of the United States, Inc., 1939 p. 22][Popular Photography, June 1949, p. 144]
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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
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Robert Capa used an Old Standard to document World War II.
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.
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This model won the Grand Prix award at the Paris World's Fair in 1937.
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The first Rolleiflex to offer a Schneider Kreuznach Xenar taking lens as an option, in addition to the Carl Zeiss Zeiss Tessar.
+Rolleiflex 2.8 TLR cameras (A–F) | Camera
! colspan=2 | Dates
! colspan=2 | Taking lens (Focal length=80 mm)
! colspan=2 | Viewing lens (Focal length=80 mm)
! colspan=2 | Shutter
! rowspan=2 class="unsortable" | Notes |
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| | 1- + B; M&X-sync | |
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| Zeiss Planar | |
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| Zeiss Planar | |
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| Zeiss Planar | |
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Rolleiflex 2.8A
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.
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Rolleiflex 2.8E
Released in October 1956, this was the first model with a built in, uncoupled light meter as an option.
+Rolleiflex 3.5 TLR cameras (C/E/F/T)[
! colspan=2] | Camera
! colspan=2 | Dates
! colspan=2 | Taking lens (Focal length=75 mm)
! colspan=2 | Viewing lens (Focal length=75 mm)
! colspan=2 | Shutter
! rowspan=2 class="unsortable" | Notes |
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| | Schneider Xenotar | |
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| Schneider Xenotar | With self-timer |
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| Schneider Xenotar | With self-timer |
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Rolleiflex T
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 | Camera
! colspan=2 | Dates
! colspan=3 | Taking lens
! colspan=3 | Viewing lens
! colspan=2 | Shutter
! rowspan=2 class="unsortable" | Notes |
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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.
SLR models
| +Rolleiflex SLR timeline
! rowspan=2 | System
! colspan=10 | 1960s
! colspan=10 | 1970s
! colspan=10 | 1980s
! colspan=10 | 1990s
! colspan=10 | 2000s
! colspan=10 | 2010s
! colspan=10 | 2020s |
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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Rolleiflex SL66
Rollei's first medium-format SLR, introduced in 1966.
Rolleiflex SL35
A 35 mm SLR introduced in 1970.
Others
Rolleiflex miniature Reproductions
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 of a second. The camera operates on a single CR2 battery and uses miniSD memory cards.
There was also a 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)
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Original Rolleiflex: 1929–32
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Standard Rolleiflex: 1932–38
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New Standard Rolleiflex: 1938–41
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Rolleiflex Automat: 1937–39
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Rolleiflex Automat: 1939–49 (double bayonet)
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Rolleiflex Automat X: 1949–51
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Rolleiflex Automat A (MX in North America): 1951–54
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Rolleiflex Automat B (MX-EVS in North America): 1954–56
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Rolleiflex 4×4: 1931–38 Baby Rolleiflex (1930s) (6 cm f:3.5 or 2.8 Tessar lens)
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Rolleiflex 4×4: 1938–41 Sports Baby Rolleiflex (6 cm f:2.8 Tessar Only)
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Rolleiflex 2.8A: 1950–51
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Rolleiflex T: 1958–75 (no Automat film transport and with f:3.5 Tessar lens only. Grey or Black)
Baby Rolleiflex
Pre-war
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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.
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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.
Post-war
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Rolleiflex 4×4: 1957–63 (Schneider, 6 cm f:3.5 Xenar lens, on all post war Rolleiflex 4×4 cameras)
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Rolleiflex 4×4 Black: 1963–69 (rare) By serial numbers 9,120 were made.
Non-Tessar models (letter models)
Planar or Xenotar lenses. cameras have 8 cm focal length, have 7.5 cm
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Rolleiflex 2.8B: 1952–53, 8 cm Biometar lens (Rare)
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Rolleiflex 2.8C: 1953–55, 8 cm f:2.8 Schneider Kreuznach Xenotar only
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Rolleiflex 2.8D: 1955–56, 8 cm f:2.8 Carl Zeiss Planar or Xenotar
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Rolleiflex 2.8E: 1956–59, (option for uncoupled meter)
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Rolleiflex 2.8E2: 1959–60
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Rolleiflex 2.8E3: 1962–65
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Rolleiflex 3.5 C (E1 in North America): 1956–59 (optional uncoupled light meter)
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Rolleiflex 3.5E2: 1959–62
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Rolleiflex 3.5E3: 1962–65
Coupled exposure meter, removable focus hood
The F model introduced coupled exposure metering and removable focus hood on all subsequent models
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Rolleiflex 2.8F: 1960–81 (various models)
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Rolleiflex 2.8F Aurum: 1983
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Rolleiflex 2.8F Platinum: 1987
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Rolleiflex 2.8GX: 1989 (from this model onward the Automat film transport was replaced with transport similar to the "T" model)
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Rolleiflex 2.8FX (2002–2012)
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Rolleiflex 2.8FX-N (2012–2015)
Specialty cameras
Rollei responded to the introduction of the Mamiya C line of TLRs with two models, the Tele Rolleiflex (equipped with a 135 mm lens), and the Rollei Wide (with 55 mm).
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Tele Rolleiflex: 1959–75 (Zeiss Sonnar)
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Rolleiflex Wide: 1961–67 (Zeiss Distagon)
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Wide Rolleiflex 4.0 FW (Schneider Angulon)—classic reissue.
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Tele Rolleiflex 4.0 FT (Tele-Xenar)—classic reissue.
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Rolleiflex 2.8F Mini
Miniatures
Reproductions by Minox
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Rolleiflex MiniDigi
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DCC Rolleiflex AF 5.0
SLRs (single-lens reflex cameras)
Medium format SLRs
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Rolleiflex SL66
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Rolleiflex SL66 E
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Rolleiflex SL66 X
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Rolleiflex SL66 SE
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Rolleiflex SLX
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Rolleiflex SLX Metric
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Rolleiflex 6002
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Rolleiflex 6006
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Rolleiflex 6006 Metric
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Rolleiflex 6008 Professional
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Rolleiflex 6008 LR Professional
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Rolleiflex 6008 Metric 3D Industrial
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Rolleiflex 6008 Professional Gold
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Rolleiflex 6008 Professional SRC 1000
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Rolleiflex 6003 SRC 1000
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Rolleiflex 6008 ChipPack Digital Metric
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Rolleiflex 6008 E
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Rolleiflex 6008 Q 16 Digital Metric
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Rolleiflex 6008 AF
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Rolleiflex 6008 integral
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Rolleiflex 6008 integral2
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Rolleiflex 6008 Metric
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Rolleiflex 6003 Professional
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Rolleiflex 6001 Professional
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X-Act2 view camera
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Rolleiflex Hy6
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Rolleiflex Hy6 Mod2
35 mm SLRs
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Rolleiflex SL35
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Rolleiflex SL350
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Rolleiflex SL35M
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Rolleiflex SL35ME
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Rolleiflex SL35E
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Rolleiflex SL 2000 F
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Rolleiflex SL 3003
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Rolleiflex SL 3001
External links
