Rolleiflex old standard model

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The Rolleiflex original standard model was made by Franke & Heidecke in Braunschweig, Germany from 1932 to 1938. This camera is also referred to as the "Old Standard". Obviouslly, this was not the name at the introduction, it became known by this name after the introduction of the New Standard in 1939. These names are not to be found anywhere on the camera; Rolleiflexes are generally dated and identified by serial numbers.

Franke & Heidecke had introduced the TLR design in 1929 with their Original Rolleiflex 6x6. The Old Standard had several improvements over the original model, like lever film transport, an amazing sportsfinder and improved shutter speeds

Finder

This is the best part about this Rolleiflex. When looking into the waist level finder, you find a relatively clear ground glass screen. To help prevent falling buildings in your pictures, this Rolleiflex has a built-in spirit-level, visible in the finder. In German it's called a Libelle. The sportsfinder is an advanced design. When looking through the opening, you see a cross with a little concave mirror on the middle. There's a small hole in the middle. The mirror reflects the iris of your eye and the small hole helps you centering your object in the frame.

shutter

Compur rapid B, 1-500. reportedly versions wit a 1-300 compur also exist

Lens and focus

The Old Standard has a Heidoscop-Anastigmat 75/3.1 viewing lens and an uncoated Carl Zeiss Tessar 75 with maximum apertures of 3.5, 3,8 of 4,5.

Focusing knob is engraved with distances from 1.7m to infinity. Its is surrounded by a depth of field scale. It is however possible to turn the knob a second turn for closer focusing. The distances below 1.7m are not marked on the scale, but you still can focus on them. This is not a malfunction; its operation is described in the manual.