Original Rolleiflex 6×6

Original with serial number 52055 image by De MAF (Image rights)

Rollei launched the original Rolleiflex 6×6 TLR in January 1929 after eleven prototypes had been built from 1927 to 1928 and twelve production samples in late 1928. It was made for 117 (B1) film and gave 6 frames on a roll. It could be converted to accept 620 or 120 film and give 12 exposures. The back was not hinged as on later models. Film was advanced by a knob. It had no frame counter. There was a choice of two taking lenses, both Zeiss Tessars, of apertures f/4.5 and f/3.8, respectively. The f/4.5 model was considerably cheaper and the more popular.

• Manufactured: 1928-32
• Factory Model No: K1 611 and K1 612
• Taking lens (model 611): Zeiss Tessar 1:4.5/75 mm
• Taking lens (model 612): Zeiss Tessar 1:3.8/75 mm
• Finder lens: Heidoscop 1:3.1/75 mm
• Shutter: F.Deckel-Compur 1-1/300, B, T
• Serial numbers: 1–199 999
• Filter size: 28.5 mm push-on

This original Rolleiflex was followed by the "standard" model.

Links

• Rolleiflex original on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
• 'Rolleiflex original' auction prices at CollectiBlend.com
• Original Rolleiflex listed at number 11 in Jason Schneider's Top 20 Cameras of All Time on Shutterbug.