Rolleiflex is a long-running and diverse line of high-end cameras originally made by the German company Franke & Heidecke, and later Rollei-Werke.
The "Rolleiflex" name is most commonly used to refer to Rollei's premier line of medium format twin lens reflex (TLR) cameras. (A companion line intended for amateur photographers, Rolleicord, existed for several decades.) However, a variety of TLRs and SLRs in medium format, and zone focus, and SLR 35 mm, as well as digital formats have also been produced under the Rolleiflex label. The 120 roll film Rolleiflex series is marketed primarily to professional photographers. Rolleiflex cameras have used film formats 117 (Original Rolleiflex), 120 (Standard, Automat, Letter Models, Rollei-Magic, and T model), and 127 (Baby Rolleiflex).
The Rolleiflex TLR film cameras were known for their exceptional build quality, compact size, modest weight, superior optics, durability, simplicity, reliable mechanics and bright viewfinders. The high-quality 7.5 cm focal length lenses, manufactured by Zeiss and Schneider, allowed for a smaller, lighter, more compact camera than their imitators. The highly regarded Zeiss Planar f2.8 and Schneider Xenotar lenses, both 80mm focal length and fast in comparison, are both state of the art optics. Unique to the Rolleiflex Automat and letter model cameras, the mechanical wind mechanism was robust and clever, making film loading semi-automatic and quick. This mechanism started the exposure counter automatically, auto-spaced the 12 or (on the later model F cameras) 24 exposures, and tensioned the shutter; all with less than one full turn of the film advance crank. This makes the Rolleiflex Automat/Letter model cameras very sought-after for shooting fast-paced action, such as street photography.[1]
A range of accessories made this camera a system: panorama head, sun shade, parallax-corrected close-ups lenses, color correction, contrast enhancing, and special effect filters, all mounted with a quick release bayonet, as well as a quick-change tripod attachment. Some professional, amateur, and fine-art photographers still shoot Rolleiflex TLR film cameras with color transparency, color negative, or black-and-white film. The later f2.8 and f3.5 letter models (Planar or Xenotar lens) are highly sought after in the used market, and command the greatest price.[2] Historically there were five focal length cameras available including 5.5 cm Rollei-Wide, 6.0 cm Baby Rollei, 7.5 cm (f:3.5), 8.0 cm (f2.8), and 13.5 cm (f:4 Zeiss Sonnar) Tele-Rolleiflex. Although all Rolleflex cameras can be fine user cameras, there is also an active market for many Rolleiflex models as collectables, and this adds (greatly in some models) to the end price paid, particularly in Japan.
Rolleiflex medium format cameras continued to be produced by DHW Fototechnik up to 2014—a company founded by former Franke & Heidecke employees.[3] DHW Fototechnik announced two new Rolleiflex cameras and a new electronic shutter for photokina 2012.[4] The company filed for insolvency in 2014 and was dissolved in April 2015, ending any further production. The factory production equipment and remaining stocks of parts were auctioned off in late April 2015.
A smaller company was created again with former DHW Fototechnik employees, under the name DW Photo at the same location.[5] DW Photo focuses on producing the Rolleiflex Hy6 mod2 medium format SLR camera (digital & film), servicing existing cameras, including providing firmware and hardware upgrades.[6]
| 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Early | Orig (K1) | Std (K2) | Std (K4) | colspan=48 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.5 | colspan=9 | Automat | 3.5C (3.5E) | 3.5E2/E3 | colspan=24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| colspan=28 rowspan=2 | 3.5F | colspan=13 rowspan=2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| T | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.8 | colspan=19 | 2.8A | 2.8B | 2.8D | colspan=3 | 2.8F | colspan=8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| colspan=22 | 2.8C | 2.8E | colspan=24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tele | colspan=29 | Tele | colspan=13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wide | colspan=31 | Wide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dates | Taking lens (FL=75 mm) | Viewing lens (FL=75 mm) | Shutter | Notes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Model | Intro. | Disc. | Name | Ap. | Name | Ap. | Name | Speeds | |
| Original (K1) | 611 | Zeiss Tessar | Heidoscop Anastigmat | 1- + B,T | ||||||
| 612 | Zeiss Tessar | |||||||||
| 613 | Zeiss Tessar | |||||||||
| 614 | Zeiss Tessar | |||||||||
| (Old) Standard (K2) | 620 | Zeiss Tessar | Heidoscop Anastigmat | 1- + B,T | ||||||
| 621 | Zeiss Tessar | |||||||||
| 622 | Zeiss Tessar | Compur Rapid | 1- + B,T | |||||||
| (New) Standard (K4) | 640 | Zeiss Tessar | Heidoscop Anastigmat | Compur Rapid | 1- + B,T | |||||
| Automat | RF 111A | Zeiss Tessar | Heidoscop Anastigmat | Compur Rapid | 1- + B,T | |||||
| Automat (K4B) | K4B | Zeiss Tessar | Heidoscop Anastigmat | Compur Rapid | 1- + B,T | |||||
| K4B2 | Zeiss Jena Tessar | |||||||||
| Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar | ||||||||||
| Schneider Xenar | ||||||||||
| Automat | K4/50 | Zeiss Jena Tessar | Heidoscop Anastigmat | Compur Rapid | 1- + B,T; X-sync | |||||
| Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar | ||||||||||
| Schneider Xenar | ||||||||||
| Automat | K4A | Zeiss Jena Tessar | Heidoscop Anastigmat | Compur Rapid | 1- + B,T; X-sync | |||||
| Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar | ||||||||||
| Schneider Xenar | ||||||||||
| Automat | K4B | Zeiss Jena Tessar | Heidoscop Anastigmat | Compur Rapid | 1- + B,T; M&X-sync | |||||
| Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar | ||||||||||
| Schneider Xenar | ||||||||||
This first Rolleiflex was introduced in 1929[7] after three years of development,[8] and was the company's first medium format roll-film camera, which was used with unpopular 117 (B1) film. It was a Twin-Lens Reflex camera.
| Dates | Taking lens (FL=80 mm) | Viewing lens (FL=80 mm) | Shutter | Notes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Model | Intro. | Disc. | Name | Ap. | Name | Ap. | Name | Speeds | |
| 2.8A | K7A | Zeiss Opton (Oberkochen) Tessar | Heidosmat | Compur Rapid | 1- + B; X-sync | |||||
| Compur Rapid MX | 1- + B; M&X-sync | |||||||||
| 2.8B | K7B | Zeiss Jena Biometar | Heidosmat | Compur Rapid MX | 1- + B; M&X-sync | |||||
| 2.8C | K7C | Schneider Xenotar | Heidosmat | Compur Rapid MXV | 1- + B; M&X-sync | |||||
| Zeiss Planar | ||||||||||
| 2.8D | K7D | Schneider Xenotar | Heidosmat | Compur Rapid MXV | 1- + B; M&X-sync | |||||
| Zeiss Planar | ||||||||||
| 2.8E | K7E | Schneider Xenotar | Heidosmat | Synchro Compur MXV | 1- + B; M&X-sync | |||||
| Zeiss Planar | ||||||||||
| 2.8E2 | K7E2 | Schneider Xenotar or Zeiss Planar | Heidosmat | Synchro Compur MXV | 1- + B; M&X-sync | With self-timer | ||||
| K7E3 | ||||||||||
| 2.8F | K7F | Zeiss Planar | Heidosmat | Synchro Compur MXV | 1- + B; M&X-sync | With self-timer | ||||
| K7F2 | ||||||||||
| K7F3 | ||||||||||
| K7F4 | Schneider Xenotar | |||||||||
Incorporated the first 8 cm f2.8 taking lens (an 80 mm Tessar, either by Carl Zeiss Jena Zeiss Opton [Oberkochen]) into the Rolleiflex line. It also added an X flash synch contact. Built from 1949 to 1951.
Released in October 1956, this was the first model with a built in, uncoupled light meter as an option.[12]
| Dates | Taking lens (FL=75 mm) | Viewing lens (FL=75 mm) | Shutter | Notes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Model | Intro. | Disc. | Name | Ap. | Name | Ap. | Name | Speeds | |
| 3.5C | K4C | Zeiss Planar | Heidosmat | Synchro Compur MXV | 1- + B; M&X-sync | |||||
| Schneider Xenotar | ||||||||||
| T (K8) | T1 | Tessar | Heidosmat | Synchro Compur MXV | 1- + B; M&X-sync | |||||
| T2 | ||||||||||
| T3 | Synchro Compur VX | Includes self-timer | ||||||||
| 3.5F (Model 1) | K4E | Zeiss Planar | Heidosmat | Synchro Compur MXV | 1- + B; M&X-sync | With self-timer | ||||
| Schneider Xenotar | With self-timer | |||||||||
| 3.5E2 | K4C2 | Zeiss Planar or Schneider Xenotar | Heidosmat | Synchro Compur MX | 1- + B; M&X-sync | With self-timer | ||||
| K4C3 | ||||||||||
| 3.5F (Model 2) | K4E | Zeiss Tessar | Heidosmat | Synchro Compur MXV | 1- + B; M&X-sync | With self-timer | ||||
| Schneider Xenotar | With self-timer | |||||||||
| 3.5F (Model 3) | K4F | Zeiss Tessar or Opton | Heidosmat | Synchro Compur MXV | 1- + B; M&X-sync | With self-timer | ||||
| K4F1 | Schneider Xenotar | |||||||||
| 3.5E2 | K4C3 | Zeiss Planar or Schneider Xenotar | Heidosmat | Synchro Compur MX | 1- + B; M&X-sync | With self-timer | ||||
| 3.5E3 | K4G | |||||||||
Released in 1959, this camera came in a new color of gray. The camera was most successful for it was more affordable to the public. The camera had a 75mm Tessar lens made of lanthanum glass, giving higher resolution and color correction.
| Dates | Taking lens | Viewing lens | Shutter | Notes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Model | Intro. | Disc. | Name | FL (mm) | Ap. | Name | FL (mm) | Ap. | Name | Speeds | ||
| Tele | K7S | Zeiss Sonnar | 135 | Heidosmat | 135 | Synchro Compur MXV | 1–+B; X-sync | Based on K7E; includes self-timer | |||||
| Wide | K7W | Zeiss Distagon | 55 | Heidosmat | 55 | Synchro Compur MXV | 1–+B; X-sync | Based on K7E; includes self-timer | |||||
This camera used a 135 mm/f4.0 Carl Zeiss Sonnar taking lens. The introduction to a 1990 sale catalogue by Sotheby's auction house in London estimated that approximately 1200 cameras existed at that date.
The new Tele Rolleiflex uses 135mm/f4 Schneider Tele-Xenar taking lens.[13]
This camera had a 55 mm/f4.0 Carl Zeiss Distagon taking lens. The introduction to a 1990 sale catalogue by Sotheby's auction house in London estimated that fewer than 700 such cameras existed at that date. Only 3600 models were originally produced.
The new Wide Rolleiflex uses a 50mm/f4 Schneider Super-Angulon taking lens.[14]
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| SL66 | colspan=6 | SL66 | SL66SE | colspan=37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| colspan=22 | SL66E | SL66X | colspan=37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6×6E | colspan=24 | colspan=14 | Hy6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| colspan=28 | 6008 | colspan=14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| colspan=16 | 6002 | colspan=3 | 6003 | colspan=26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| colspan=38 | 6001 | colspan=14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| QBM | colspan=10 | SL35M / SL35ME | SL2000F | SL3003 | colspan=39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| colspan=16 | SL350 | SL35 E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See main article: Rolleiflex SL66. Rollei's first medium-format SLR, introduced in 1966.
See main article: Rolleiflex SL35. A 35 mm SLR introduced in 1970.
There are two models of miniature Rolleiflex cameras. These are not true Rolleiflex cameras but are miniature reproductions of the Rolleiflex TLR design produced under licence by the German camera manufacturer Minox. The cameras are manufactured by the Japanese company Sharan Megahouse. One model is a miniature digital camera, the other is a miniature Rolleiflex TLR film camera.
The original model, now discontinued, was the Rolleiflex MiniDigi, a miniature reproduction of the TLR Rolleiflex. In many details the camera retained the look of the original, including a waist-level viewfinder and a crank to prepare the camera for the next shot. As the name implies, the camera was a digital reproduction, with the "viewing" lens being a dummy. The camera had a 2 megapixel CMOS sensor in the square format of the traditional TLR. The lens was a 9 mm f/2.8 with five elements, focusing down to 10 cm. The shutter speeds were automatically controlled between 1/15 to 1/400 second, exposure time was automatic. The camera was operated by a single CR2 battery. The storage media were either SD or MMC cards.
This was superseded by the MINOX DCC (Digital Classic Camera) Rolleiflex AF 5.0. The name change brings the current model more firmly in line with the rest of Minox's Classic Camera miniature reproduction range. It is visually identical to the original model, but available in both black and red leather finishes. The CMOS sensor has been upgraded to 3 megapixels, with 5.0 megapixels available by interpolation. The taking lens is a 4.9 mm f/2.8; the camera has digital autofocus. The electronic shutter has also been upgraded to a maximum speed of 1/2500 of a second. The camera operates on a single CR2 battery and uses miniSD memory cards.
There was also a 1/3 scale miniature Rolleiflex TLR, using Minox film, producing 36 exposures of 8x11mm format negative.
TLR (twin-lens reflex)
Rolleiflex Cameras—7.5 cm (f: 2.8, 3.5, 3.8)
Planar or Xenotar lenses. cameras have 8 cm focal length, have 7.5 cm
The F model introduced coupled exposure metering and removable focus hood on all subsequent models
Rollei responded to the introduction of the Mamiya C line of TLRs with two models, the Tele Rolleiflex (equipped with a 135 mm lens), and the Rollei Wide (with 55 mm).
SLRs (single-lens reflex cameras)