Compact, easy to use, of high aesthetic value -- this is the Rolleiflex medium format camera. This camera has accompanied me for many years, and I was never ever disappointed!
First, the facts: as with many TLRs, it fits nicely in your hands. It’s equipped with a brilliant lens (2.8 – 80mm) and the length of exposure reaches from B to 1/500. This sounds good, but it gets even better: a great advantage is the winding crank you know (e.g. from Hasselblad). It spans the shutter and film transport in only one move. Really speedy like a boost engine, it never ever failed all the years! Changing film rolls is fast and easy: just thread in the loop and you’re finished! Turn the winding crank until it stops and you’re ready for the first shot. Wouldn’t miss this benefit anymore!
One more sensation: this winding crank is equipped with a special double exposure appliance, which is very comfortable to handle! So it’s easy to make as much exposures as you want. This feature is a little hidden, so I discovered it only recently.
For every day use, I must admit it’s not a lightweight camera. After some time you definately notice that it has a certain load on your shoulder, but in practice it makes itself useful by native image stabilization (about 1.4 kg with leather case, ~ 3.0 lbs). With the leather case, its nicely constructed, and opens and closes quickly. It looks a little bit antique, like a historic architectural relic.
After all the years (this one is the 2.8D from about 1955–1956) it initially did not work correctly. I really would strongly recommend a repair to everybody! Certainly, it costs some money, but I bet you will agree that a car needs a little service every now and again.
Now, everything is working fine as on the first day!
14 comments
thepope182
hey! i also own a Rolleiflex. i was reading about your article and i noticed that you mentioned "double exposure" and you also mentioned that you recently discovered this on the Rolleiflex.
could you kindly teach me this? i would love to use this technique in this camera.
alex34
Great review of a great camera!
neutral-grey
I got one of these. Mine also has a light meter strip across the top.
mapix
@thepope182 thanks for your comment! there is a small wheel around the winding crank with a arrow and a little riffle. really doesnt get ones attention normally. if you turn it a bit after the first shot, it unlocks the winding crank so it can be moved to span the shutter without film transport - some door to experimental approach!! @alex34 thanks a lot too!
mapix
@neutral-grey must admit im a little lazy and of course some jealous of your attached light meter ;) but on the other hand i got used to work with a seperate light meter, perhaps its a little more precise... strip across has my one too!!
ginny
My grandfather gave me his Rolleiflex, I've only shot one roll so far but I was really pleased with the results.
jeniferricken
Now I read your answer up there.
I'll try!
jeniferricken
I also have a Rolleiflex and I'm also curious to know about the "double exposure"...
omer-koort
mapix
@omer-koort thanks! yes its not really cheap... but ive payed almost the same price in the early 80s (perhaps a little less) so its a good store of value :)
mj_crn
what a wonderful little camera! i would love to work with one someday :) everything about it..is just bliss
af-capture
thanks for the article
redarrow
this rolleiflex like any other rolleiflex is LEGEND -WAIT-FOR-IT- DARY!
tamsoam
2.8D right? That's the one I want now. I dn't like with the F with meter. Prefer without for more creativity!