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Photo : Classic camera : Classic 120 format : TLR : Rollei

   Rollei, can be called, father of TLRs, even now, it's only one that is surviving the SLR age, 135 age, and now digital age. Why the TLRs still alive and sought after, what make it less popular, the reasons seem to be like one that kill some Rangefinders (RF) out of the market. Started in 1930s, Voigtlander and Rollei produced their first TLRs Voightlander Superb and Rolleicord I to compete with each other, seems that longer live and legendary Heliar optics of Voigtlander helped it won Rollie at first. But, later Rollie developed many models while Voigtlander still have only 2 models in TLR market and take seems to move to another market already.
The advantages of Rollei TLRs are :
  • The advance machanical and optical design make them easier to use and more functioning.
  • The viewfinder are bright you can look at it with both eyes, except you use the prism finder
  • Dual format, on some later models, that can adapt to use widely available 135 films with Rolleikin 135 film adaptor
The disadvantages of Rollei TLRs are :
  • The limitation of "lens availablity", it's very limited choice compare to interchangable lens SLR, especially the wide and tele version of Rollie are very rare and really expensive.
  • The focusing knob and shutter release button which someone may find difficult to use and handle the camera steady.
  • Parallax correction for close-up and macro require additional accessories like filters.

Description
Manufacturer : Rollei, Germany
Era (Mfg.) : 1933-1979
Format : Medium (120) with 12 exposures
Taking lens available :
Type / BrandSchneider-KreuznachCarl Zeiss
1:3.5Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 1:3.5

 Zeiss Plannar 1:3.5
1:2.8Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 1:2.8

 Zeiss Plannar 1:2.8

Viewing lens available :

  • Heidosmat 1:3.5 Viewing lens
  • Heidosmat 1:3.2 Viewing lens
  • Heidoscop 1:3.1 75mm Viewing lens
  • Heidosmat 1:2.8 Viewing lens

  • Heidoscop 1:2.8 75mm Viewing lens
Models available :
Rolleicord Rolleiflex Special or anniversary models Accessories
 
Model / Specification Description
Rolliecord I (Art Deco)

Era (Mfg.) : 1933
Rolliecord I

Era (Mfg.) : 1934
Rolleicord Ia

Era (Mfg.) : 1936
Shutter type : Copal leave
Shutter speed : 1-1/300 sec., B, Self timer
Cable release socket : Lower right
Flash Sync. : V, X, M all speed
Rangefinder : Operate by rotating the knob on right of the camera
Lightmeter : N/A
Lens availabke:

    75mm f/3.5 Novar Anastigmat, coated
Weight : N/A
Rolliecord II

Era (Mfg.) : 1936
Rolliecord Ia2

Era (Mfg.) : 1937
Rolliecord IIa

Era (Mfg.) : 1937
Rolliecord Ia3

Era (Mfg.) : 1939
Rolliecord IIb

Era (Mfg.) : 1938
Rolliecord IIc

Era (Mfg.) : 1939
Rolliecord IId

Era (Mfg.) : 1949
Rolliecord IIe

Era (Mfg.) : 1949
Rolliecord III

Era (Mfg.) : 1950-3
Viewing lens : Heidosmat 1:3.2 75mm
Taking lens available:
  • Zeiss Opton 1:3.5 75mm
  • Schneider Xenar 1:3.5 75mm
Shutter type : Copal leave, Deckel Compur Rapid
Shutter speed : 1-1/500 sec., B
Flash Sync. : X at all speed
Weight : 830 gms
 		Rolleikin 2 adapter can be used on some late production
Rolliecord IV

Era (Mfg.) : 1952
Rolliecord V

Era (Mfg.) : 1954
Rolleicord Va

Era (Mfg.) : 1954
Shutter type : Copal leave
Shutter speed : 1-1/300 sec., B, Self timer
Cable release socket : Lower right
Flash Sync. : V, X, M all speed
Rangefinder : Operate by rotating the knob on right of the camera
Lightmeter : N/A
Lens available :

    75mm f/3.5 Novar Anastigmat, coated
Weight : N/A
Rolliecord Va2

Era (Mfg.) : 1958
Rolliecord Vb

Era (Mfg.) : 1962
Rolliecord Vb2

Era (Mfg.) : 1970-1
Viewing lens : Heidosmat 1:3.2 75mm
Taking lens : Schneider Xenar 1:3.5 75mm
Shutter type : Copal leave, Syncro Compur Rapid
Shutter speed : 1-1/500 sec., B, Self-time
Filter: Bayonet I
Weight : N/A
Rollieflex Original

Era (Mfg.) : 1928
Format : 117
Viewing lens : Heidoscop 1:3.1 75mm
Taking lens available:
  • Zeiss Tessa 1:4.5 75mm
  • Zeiss Tessa 1:3.8 75mm
Shutter type : Copal leave, Compur (Rapid)
Shutter speed : 1-1/300 sec., B, T
Flash Sync. : X at all speed
Filter : 28.5mm push-on
Weight : 715-722 gms
Dimensions: 13x8.3x9.6 cm
Rollieflex Standard

Era (Mfg.) : 1934
Viewing lens : Heidoscop-Anastigmat 1:3.5 75mm
Taking lens : Zeiss Tessa 1:3.5 75mm
Shutter type : Copal leave, Compur (Rapid)
Shutter speed : 1-1/300 sec., B, T
Flash Sync. : X at all speed
Filter : 28.5mm push-on
Weight : 778 gms
Dimensions:14.3x8.6x9 cm
Rollieflex Automat 1

Era (Mfg.) : 1937-9
Viewing lens : Heidoscop 1:2.8 75mm
Taking lens : Zeiss Tessa 1:3.5 75mm
Shutter type : Copal leave, Deckel Compur Rapid
Shutter speed : 1-1/500 sec., B
Flash Sync. : X at all speed
Weight : 830 gms
Rollieflex Automat 3.5
Rollieflex T

Era (Mfg.) : 1958-75
Taking lens : Zeiss Tessa 1:3.5 75mm
 more info ROLLEIFLEX T
Rollieflex 3.5 E

Era (Mfg.) : 1958-9
Taking lens : Zeiss Planar 1:3.5 75mm
Viewing lens : Heidosmat 1:2.8 75mm
 With light meter
Rollieflex 3.5 F
Rollieflex 2.8
Rollieflex 2.8 E

Era (Mfg.) : 1958-9
Taking lens : Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 1:2.8 80mm
Viewing lens : Heidosmat 1:2.8 80mm
Rollieflex 2.8 F
Rollieflex 2.8 G
Rollieflex 2.8 GX

Special and anniversary models
Rollieflex 2.8 F Aurum

Era (Mfg.) : 19xx
Taking lens : Schneider Xenotar 1:2.8 80mm
Viewing lens : Heidosmat 1:2.8 80mm
Finish : Gold and brown alligator skin cover
Availability : 1,500 made

Accessories
Binocular Leather Hood
Prism eye-level finder
Steel Eveready Case
Rolleikin 135 film adaptor

 

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