Rolleiflex SL2000F

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Rolleiflex SL2000F image by Rick Oleson (Image rights)

The SL2000F is a 35 mm SLR camera, introduced by Rollei in 1980. It has an outward resemblance to a typical medium format SLR camera of the same era. Its innovations included a dual viewfinder for eye-level or waist-level use, and an integral motor drive.

The camera has a focal-plane shutter with speeds 16 seconds to 1/1000 second. Flash synchronisation is at 1/100 second. It has aperture-priority automatic exposure, with ±2 stops of exposure compensation. The viewfinder display includes both the selected aperture and shutter speed, and over/under-exposure warnings.

A range of Zeiss lenses, from 16 mm to 200 mm conventional lenses, and 500 and 1000 mm mirror lenses, was made for the camera with Rollei-HFT coating (itself licenced from Zeiss), and also a range of Rollei's own, somewhat cheaper Rolleinar lenses.

The SL2000F was the only 35 mm SLR of its time to offer interchangeable film magazines. A 35 mm film cassette is loaded into an insert, which is then fitted into the film magazine. The magazines have dark-slides, making it possible to change from one magazine to another mid-roll. The film speed is set on a dial on the magazine, so no adjustment is needed when changing from one to another. There is an interlock that prevents the film magazine from being detached if the dark-slide is not in place. Film advance is by the built-in motor drive; rewind is still manual, however, with a folding crank on each magazine.

The battery holder attaches to the back of the film holder: the camera requires five AA-size cells, rechargeable or alkaline.

Links

• User's manual at Mike Butkus' Orphan Cameras
• The Ultimate Rolleiflex 35mm SLR: SL 2000 F / 3003 / 3001 at Fuwen's Web Site
• SL2000F outfit including camera body serial no. 723410132, Zeiss Distagon 35 mm f/1.4 and Planar 85 mm f/1.4 and pistol grip, sold at the November 2012 Westlicht Photographica Auction. A prototype still-video camera based on the SL2000F was also sold at the same auction.