Rolleiflex T

The Rolleiflex T is a medium format TLR camera manufactured by Franke & Heidecke and later by Rollei.

General

Rollei perceived that there was a big price gap between the Rolleicord and the Rolleiflex at that time (1957). To fill that gap they decided to design and produce the Rolleiflex T.
To cut costs the automatic film start sense mechanism was abandoned and instead the way of the Rolleicord used, a start marker alongside the film gate. The front mechanisms were simplified for the same reason.

There were 3 models manufactured :

• Model 1 from 1958 to 1961
• Model 2 from 1961 to 1966
• Model 3 from 1966 to 1976, this model can further be divided into cameras with Tessar lenses and those with Xenar lenses.
  Furthermore this model received another frontplate design starting from 1970. The so called White Face Rolleiflex T.

Model 1 Specifications

Rolleiflex T, Model 1 image by Lutz Schramm (Image rights)

• Production numbers : about 56.000 units
• Format : 12 exposures of 6 x 6 cm on 120 type rollfilm.
  By using a special mask set the camera can be adapted to shoot 16 images 4x4 or 4x5.5cm on a roll. The mask put into the filmgate automatically changes the frame counter from 12 to 16 exposures.
  Furthermore there is an optional plate adapter for sheet film.
• Taking lens: Carl Zeiss Oberkochen Tessar 1:3.5 f=75mm.
• Viewing lens: Heidosmat 1:2.8 f=75mm.
• Filter Bayonet : Both lenses, size 1.
• Parallax error correction.
• Shutter: Synchro-Compur MXV CR00 leaf shutter. Speeds 1 to 1/500 sec. and B. Self-timer.
• Flash synchronisation : Sync socket on front panel, M and X synchronisation.
• Lighmeter system : Optional, coupled, Selenium photo element, 2 ranges.
• Color Leatherette : Grey
• Dimensions WxDxH: 112 x 97 x 148 mm
• Weight: 1020 grams

Model 1 Special versions

• A small quantity (about 250 units) was produced which had a special mask set to shoot 24 images 24x36mm on a roll. The mask put into the film gate automatically changes the frame counter from 12 to 24 exposures.

Model 2 Specifications

Rolleiflex T, Model 2 image by F4ronnie (Image rights)

Only sections which differ from Model 1 shown.

• Production numbers : about 43.000 units
• Format : 12 exposures of 6 x 6 cm on 120 type rollfilm.
  By using a special mask set the camera can be adapted to shoot 16 images 4x4 or 4x5.5cm on a roll. The mask put into the film gate automatically changes the frame counter from 12 to 16 exposures.
  Furthermore there is an optional plate adapter for sheet film.
  Furthermore, by using an optional Rolleikin 2 adapter 35mm film cartridges can be used.
• Color Leatherette : Black

Rolleiflex T, Model 2 with Rolleikin adapter installed. Images by Rachel Rayns. (Image rights)

Model 3 Specifications

Rolleiflex T, Model 3 image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)

Only sections which differ from Model 2 shown.

• Production numbers :
  • with Tessar lens about 28.000 units
  • with Xenar lens about 3.000 units
• Taking lens: Carl Zeiss Oberkochen Tessar or Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 1:3.5 f=75mm.
• Shutter: Synchro-Compur XV CR00 leaf shutter. Speeds 1 to 1/500 sec. and B. Self-timer.
• Flash synchronisation : Sync socket on front panel, X synchronisation.

16 images mask set image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)

Bibliography

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

Links

• Rolleiflex T user manual at Butkus.org

In Italian:

• Rolleiflex T on Interno in bakelite