Rolleiflex 3.5 series

Soon after the end of WWII Franke & Heidecke started further improvements of their hugely succesfull 6x6 Automat series. This resulted in a series of Rolleiflex 3.5 TLR's which were produced during a period of 27 years.

Rolleiflex 3.5 (type K4)

Rolleiflex 3.5 build K4 image by Alessio Corsi (Image rights)

Also often called Rolleiflex Automat model X.

• Production : from 1949 to 1951, about 35.660 units
• Format : 12 exposures of 6 x 6 cm on 120 type rollfilm.
  Furthermore a Plate adapter for sheet film and a Rolleikin adapter for 35mm film cartridges can be used.
• Taking lens:
  Carl Zeiss Tessar 1:3.5 f=75mm, Coated.
  or : Zeiss Oberkochen Opton Tessar 1:3.5 f=75mm, Coated.
  or : Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1:3.5 f=75mm, Coated.
• Viewing lens: 1:2.8 f=75mm, coated
• Filter Bayonet : Both lenses, size 1.
• Parallax error correction.
• Shutter: Compur-Rapid X CR00 leafshutter. Speeds 1 to 1/500 sec. and B.
• Flash synchronization : Sync socket on frontpanel. X synchronization
• Selftimer
• Double exposure prevention
• Color Lacquer : Black
• Color Leatherette : Black
• Dimensions WxDxH: 94 x 95 x 143 mm
• Weight: 980 grams

Rolleiflex 3.5 A (type K4A)

Rolleiflex 3.5 A (type K4A) image by Rick Oleson (Image rights)

Also often called Rolleiflex Automat model 4.
Only differences with Rolleiflex 3.5 shown.

• Production : from 1951 to 1954, about 109.000 units
• Viewing lens: Heidosmat 1:2.8 f=75mm, coated
• Shutter: Synchro-Compur MX CR00 leafshutter. Speeds 1 to 1/500 sec. and B.
• Flash synchronization : Sync socket on frontpanel. M and X synchronization
• On later models use of Rolleifix (tripod attachment) possible
• Weight: 970 grams

Rolleiflex 3.5 B (type K4B)

Rolleiflex 3.5B image by cameramaniacs.com (Image rights)

Only differences with Rolleiflex 3.5 A shown.

• Production : from 1954 to 1956, about 94.000 units
• Exposure adjustments now with an Exposure Value Scale (EVS)
• Switch to overrule the Double Exposure Prevention
• Memo disc on Focus knob
• Use of Rolleifix (tripod attachment) possible
• Dimensions WxDxH: 99 x 96 x 146 mm
• Weight: 980 grams

Rolleiflex 3.5 C (type K4C and K41)

Rolleiflex 3.5C image by Iza Lemargouillat (Image rights)

Only differences with Rolleiflex 3.5 B shown.

• Production : from 1956 to 1959, about 43.000 units
• Taking lens:
  Type K4C : Carl Zeiss Oberkochen Planar 1:3.5 f=75mm, Coated.
  or Type K41 : Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 1:3.5 f=75mm, Coated.
• Filter Bayonet : Both lenses, size 2
• Lighmeter system : K4C standard and K41 optional, uncoupled, Selenium photo element, 2 ranges, meter in place of the Memo disc
• Coupled Depth Of Field indicator
• Dimensions WxDxH: 111 x 96 x 146 mm
• Weight: 1120 grams

Rolleiflex 3.5 E2 Model 1 (type K4C2)

Only differences with Rolleiflex 3.5 C shown.
Note that the Rolleiflex "3.5 E2" came later on the market than the "3.5 F" and was the result of a demand for a Rolleiflex 3.5 without build-in lightmeter.
In construction it is largely based on the 3.5C

• Production : from 1959 to 1960, about 2000 units
• Taking lens:
  Carl Zeiss Oberkochen Planar 1:3.5 f=75mm, Coated.
  or : Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 1:3.5 f=75mm, Coated.
• Removable finder hood
• Lighmeter system : None, but prepared for an after-sales modification with an uncoupled one, Selenium photo element, 2 ranges, meter in place of the Memo disc
• Dimensions WxDxH: 112 x 98 x 148 mm

Rolleiflex 3.5 E2 Model 2 (type K4C3)

Only differences with Rolleiflex 3.5 E2 Model 1 shown.
Note that the Rolleiflex "3.5 E2" came later on the market than the "3.5 F" and was the result of a demand for a Rolleiflex 3.5 without build-in lightmeter.
In construction it is largely based on the 3.5C

• Production : from 1961 to 1962, about 2000 units
• Prepared for an after-sales modification with a Flat Glass (to improve film flatness) in the film gate

Rolleiflex 3.5 E3 (type K4G)

Rolleiflex 3.5 E3 (type K4G) image by Matt Phillips (Image rights)

Only differences with Rolleiflex 3.5 E2 Model 2 shown.
Note that the Rolleiflex "3.5 E3" was produced parallel to the "3.5 F" and was the result of a demand for a Rolleiflex 3.5 F without build-in lightmeter.
In construction it is largely based on the 3.5F.

• Production : from 1961 to 1965, about 5035 units
• Taking lens:
  Carl Zeiss Oberkochen Planar 1:3.5 f=75mm, Coated, 6 elements.
  or : Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 1:3.5 f=75mm, Coated, 6 elements.
• Combined lever (MXV) for Selftimer and M- and X-synchronization.

Rolleiflex 3.5 F

Rolleiflex 3.5 F Model 1 (type K4D)

Only differences with Rolleiflex 3.5 C shown.

• Production : from 1958 to 1960, about 20.000 units
• Shutter: Differential Synchro-Compur MXV CR00 leafshutter. Speeds 1 to 1/500 sec. and B.
• Lighmeter system : Coupled, Selenium photo element
• Removable finder hood
• Combined lever (MXV) for Selftimer and M- and X-synchronization.
• Dimensions WxDxH: 112 x 98 x 148 mm
• Weight: 1220 grams

Rolleiflex 3.5 F Model 2 (type K4E)

Only differences with Rolleiflex 3.5 F Model 1 shown.

• Production : from 1960 to 1960, about 11.500 units
• No button for LV (Light Value) lock.
• Prepared for an after-sales modification with a Flat Glass (to improve film flatness) in the film gate (optional)

Rolleiflex 3.5 F Model 3 (type K4F)

Rolleiflex F, model 3 (type K4F), White Face image by Richard Frances (Image rights)

Only differences with Rolleiflex 3.5 F Model 2 shown.

• Production : from 1960 to 1976, about 121.000 units
• Taking lens:
  Carl Zeiss Oberkochen Planar 1:3.5 f=75mm, Coated, 6 elements.
  or : Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 1:3.5 f=75mm, Coated, 6 elements.
• Shutter: Synchro-Compur MXV CR00 leafshutter. Speeds 1 to 1/500 sec. and B.
• Rollei differential gear for coupling with the lightmeter

Changes during the production period :

• From Nov.1965 : Now also 220 film possible, giving 24 exposures 6x6cm
• From Nov.1965 : No preparation for Flat Glass anymore
• From halfway 1971 : Smooth pressure plate
• From halfway 1971 : Plain Frontplate, with text "Rollei-Werke, Franke & Heidecke", the so called White Face

Bibliography

• Claus Prochnow, Rollei Report 2, third edition, Braunschweig, Lindemanns Verlag, 2008, ISBN 3-89506-220-0.

Links

• Rolleiflex 3.5 user manual at Butkus.org
• Rolleiflex 3.5F user manual at Butkus.org