Rollex rollfilm back

1927 Balda-Werk type image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)

1927 Balda-Werk type View of opened filmback showing component parts image by Nicholas Middleton (Image rights)

1952 knob wind Linhof Rollex image by John Gateley (Image rights)

Rollex is a brand of accessory Rollfilm holders (film backs) fitted with a dark slide, designed as adapters for 9×12 or 6.5×9 plate cameras to use rollfilm (of various sizes but primarily 120/220 film since the 1940’s resulting in a 6×12 image or smaller ). Originally created and sold by Balda of Dresden, Germany. Currently a modern version is made by Linhof of Munich, Germany.

Balda made 6 models of Rollex backs for 3 sizes of camera; 9x12, 6x9 and 645.

A simple wind mechanism with no set stops was used in conjunction with a red window to properly advance the frame. Some Balda models could use masks and an alternate red window to make a smaller image and get more shots per roll. (i.e. Universal Rollex Model 3 used 6x9 Rollfilm for 8 6x9 images a roll or used with the included mask and alternate red window 15 4x6 images.)

Linhof made 4 models of Rollex back; the original 120/220 knob wind Rollex in 1952, which was replaced by the 120/220 lever wind Super Rollex a few years later in 1957, the Cine Rollex for 70mm perforated film, and a Techno Rollex for panoramic 6x12 images on 120/220 film.

Linhof Rollex backs were made for either 9x12cm 4x5” cameras or 6x9cm 2x3" cameras.

Linhof Rollex backs used a complex wind mechanism that could automatically stop the film advance without need of a red window. The knob wind backs estimate this which can lead to image overlap if a film stock is particularly thin, the later lever wind types actually measure film travel and are thus not prone to spacing issues.

Knob wind backs were made in either 6x9 or less common 6x6 image sizes. Lever wind backs were initially made only in 6x7 and eventually less common 6x6 and 6x9 were added. Today only the 120 6x9 and 6x7 sizes are made.

Linhof also made a Press/Aero version of the 2x3” Super Rollex 120 & Cine Rollex 70mm without a lever to advance the film. Instead of the lever a gear protruded which linked to an electronic or mechanical advance on the camera body.

History

1927 - Max Baldeweg founder of the Balda-Werk camera company of Dresden,Germany patented the Rollex roll film cassette. It was a staple in the Balda-Werk catalogs until the beginning of WWII.

1946 - Following WWII Balda-Werk Dresden found itself in East Germany and Max Beldeweg left for the West.

1952 - Linhof Precision Camera Work of Munich, Germany took up the Rollex name for their new roll film back which was an entirely new design from the 1927 Balda-Werk Rollex back.

1957 - Linhof changed the design again and re-named it the Super Rollex roll film back.

1960 - Linhof released a Cine Rollex back for 70mm perforated rollfilm. It used 56x72mm Ideal Format and 53 exposures were possible per roll.

1982 - Linhof released the Techno Rollex 6x12 for 120/220 film.

2022 - Linhof currently makes the Super Rollex 120 rollfilm back for 2x3 and 4x5 cameras. New backs are available in either 6x9 or 6x7 image sizes and retail for $2,600.

Links

In English

• Loading a Balda Rollex patent rollfilm back discussion at Photo.net
• Super Rollex Currently sold by Linhof, Munchen at Linhof.com
• Instructions for Linhof ROLLEX rollfilm Adapter (1952 Knob Wind Type) at cameramanuals.org
• Instructions for Linhof Super ROLLEX rollfilm Adapter (1966 Lever Wind Type) at cameramanuals.org
• Linhof SUPER ROLLEX BACKS Operating Instructions (Current 2022 Lever Wind Type) at Linhof.com
• Linhof Cine Rollex 70mm rollfilm back Operating Instructions at Laflexcamera.com
• Linhof Techno Rollex 6x12cm rollfilm back Instructions at usermanual.wiki

In Swiss

• Details & images of the Balda-Werk Rollex Model 3 at Emtus Camera Reference book Switzerland.ch