Rolleiflex
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| German TLR () | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 mm | Contaflex | Flexilette | Optima Reflex | ||
| 3×4 | Pilot Reflex | ||
| 4×4 | Baby Rolleiflex (1931) | Baby Rolleiflex (1957) | Karma-Flex | ||
| 6×6 | Altiflex | Amplion Reflex | Brillant | Flektar | Flexo | Flexora | Flexora II | Flexora III | Foth-Flex | Ikoflex 1 | Ikoflex II | Ikoflex Ia | Ikoflex Ic Ikoflex Favorit | Karma-Flex | Mentorett | Montiflex | Peerflekta | Perfekta | Photina Reflex | Plascaflex | Reflecta | Reflekta | Reflekta II | Rica Flex | Rocca Automatic | Rocca Super Reflex | Rolleiflex | Rolleicord | Rollop | Superb | Superflex | Trumpfreflex | Vitaflex | Weltaflex | Wirgin Reflex | Zeca-Flex | ||
| 6×9 | Superfekta | ||
Rolleiflex is the name of most of the 6×6 TLR cameras manufactured by Franke & Heidecke and later Rollei GmbH, in Germany. There was also a range of less expensively specified models named Rolleicord.
The Rolleiflex TLR with its simple construction and high quality optics was a widely used professional camera post war, but the late fifties introduction of much more versatile SLR cameras in 35mm (Nikon) and 120mm (Hasselblad) formats spelled the end. Rollei did later introduce SLR cameras but never regained their market position.
One of the early Rolleiflex innovations was the speed winder whereby a single turn of the winder handle advanced the film and cocked the shutter. This seemingly simple innovation, which required quite complex gearing, transformed the camera especially compared to plate cameras that were still commonly used by press photographers well into the fifties. Popular with press and sports photographers, the camera was also popular with fashion photographers. The in lens leaf shutter meant flash could be used at any shutter speed and the reflex image was bright since the separate viewfinder lens had a large aperture.
The biggest disadvantage of a fixed lens was only partly addressed by versions with different focal lengths (particularly for portraiture) and later models that provided interchange of the entire front plate with both lenses.
Contents
Rolleiflex TLR models
"Original", "standard" and f/3.5 models of Rolleiflex
- Original Rolleiflex 6×6 (1928-32)
- Rolleiflex old standard model 620 (1932-38)
- Rolleiflex old standard model 621 (1932-35)
- Rolleiflex old standard model 622 (1934-38)
- Rolleiflex Automat 6×6 Model 1 (1937-39)
- Rolleiflex Automat Model 2 (1939-45)
- Rolleiflex New Standard (1939-41)
- Rolleiflex Automat Model 3 (1945-49)
- Rolleiflex Automat Model X (1949-51)
- Rolleiflex Automat Model 4 (1951-54)
- Rolleiflex 3.5 MX-EVS (1954-56)
- Rolleiflex 3.5 E (1956-59)
- Rolleiflex 3.5 E2 (1959-60)
- Rolleiflex 3.5 E3 (1961-65)
- Rolleiflex T 1 (1958-66)
- Rolleiflex T 2 (1966-71)
- Rolleiflex T 3 (1971-76)
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| Rolleiflex T image by RIchard Frances (Image rights) |
- Rolleiflex 3.5F Model 1 (1958-60)
- Rolleiflex 3.5F Model 2 (1960)
- Rolleiflex 3.5F Model 3 (1960-64)
- Rolleiflex 3.5F Model 4 (1965-76)
- Rolleiflex 3.5F Model 5 (1979)
Rolleiflex 2.8
- Rolleiflex 2.8A Type 1 (1949-51)
- Rolleiflex 2.8A Type 2 (1951)
- Rolleiflex 2.8B (1952-53)
- Rolleiflex 2.8C (1952-55)
- Rolleiflex 2.8D (1955-56)
- Rolleiflex 2.8E (1956-59)
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| Rolleiflex 2.8FX image by Bellamy Hunt (Image rights) |
- Rolleiflex 2.8E 2 (1959-60)
- Rolleiflex 2.8E 3 (1962-65)
- Rolleiflex 2.8F (1960-81)
- Rolleiflex 2.8F 2/3 (1966-76)
- Rolleiflex 2.8F 4 (1976-80)
- Rolleiflex 2.8F Aurum (1982-84)
- Rolleiflex 2.8F Platin (1984-90)
- Rolleiflex 2.8GX (1987-2002)
- Rolleiflex 2.8GX Edition 1929-1989 (1989-91)
- Rolleiflex 2.8GX Helmut Newton Edition (1992-93)
- Rolleiflex 2.8FX (2002-current)
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| Rolleiflex 4×4 image by Takekazu Omi (Image rights) |
Rolleiflex Baby
- prewar Baby Rolleiflex:
- Rolleiflex Baby 4×4 1931 (1931-32)
- Rolleiflex Baby 4×4 1933 (1933-34)
- Rolleiflex Baby 4×4 1934/8 (1934-38)
- Rolleiflex Baby 4×4 1938 Sport (1938-43)
- postwar Baby Rolleiflex:
- Rolleiflex Baby 4×4 1957 Grey (1957-63)
- Rolleiflex Baby 4×4 1963 Black (1963-68)
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| Rolleimagic image by John Nuttall (Image rights) |
Tele Rolleiflex
- Tele Rolleiflex (1959-74), 8,378 built
- Rolleiflex 4,0 FT (2007-current)
Rollei Magic
- Rollei Magic I (1960-62)
- Rollei Magic II (1962-68)
Wide-Angle Rolleiflex
- Wide-Angle Rolleiflex (1961-67)
- Rolleiflex 4.0 FW (2002-current)
Links
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| Rolleiflex 3.5 E3 and T image by Matt Phillips (Image rights) |
In English:
- Rolleiflex TLR Price & Model Identification Guide by Dan Colucci at www.antiquecameras.net
- Rolleiflex TLR Forum a complete Rolleiflex discussion forum and community
- All Rollei TLR by year at the International RolleiClub, a comprehensive overview with variants, specs, production estimates and serial numbers
- Rolleigraphy website by Ferdi Stutterheim
- Rolleiflex TLR site by Torbjorn Aase
- Serial number list by Peter Rongsted
- Rolleiflex TLR manuals in PDF format hosted at medfmt
- User manuals for various Rolleiflex models at butkus.org's Orphan Cameras
- Rolleiflex I Original, Rolleiflex Automat, Rolleiflex 2,8C, Rollei Grey Baby on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
- User manual Rolleiflex T on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
- Rolleiflex Automat of 1937 listed at number 17 in Jason Schneider's Top 20 Cameras Of All-Time on Shutterbug.
- Rolleiflex Price Guide by collectiblend
- Rolleiflex T review at Thorley Photographics by Thorley Bros.
- Picture Gallery using a Rolleiflex 3.5 Automat
