My Rolleiflex 2.8F camera

After many years of break, I am finally coming back to photography with my vintage flim camera as I would like to develop a hobby that Keith loves.  The search for the vintage camera was an interesting one as I first saw 2 Rollieflex T camera during a business trip to Geneve. One of the key question asked is that since there are so many Rollieflex models, which one should I get? This has prompted me to do some research from the internet and below are the summary for your quick reference.

A major appeal of vintage Rolleiflex TLR (Twin Lens Reflex) cameras is that they are so well made being constructed primarily of metal and glass and covered with a luxurious leather skin, Rolleiflex cameras are solid, and feel good in the hands and has an ever-lasting look in appearance. There are numerous concerns and things to look for when buying a used Rolleiflex TLR. Because the first Rolleiflex was introduced in 1929, and the popular 2.8f and 3.5f models were made more than 50 years ago.

For the Rollieflex series, there are Rollieflex A to F and even with the F series, there are  2.8 or the 3.5. Most models have a f3.5 75mm lens, a standard lens for the format. The f2.8 models have the slightly longer 80mm focal length. The wide uses a 55mm f4 Distagon lens which gives you that broader angle of view. The TLR Rolleiflex is the 3.5F is slightly cheaper and it doesn’t carry the premium of the 2.8F. The slight disadvantage of the slower lens is only an issue in low light and even then only makes a 2/3 of a stop of a difference. The 3.5F is the slightly wider lens (75mm vs 80mm) but the main advantage is that it is lighter and smaller than the 2.8F.

First-time Rolleiflex buyers frequently ask for advice on internet forums about which Rolleiflex model they should prefer, or which lens would be the best choice. These questions invariably draw a large number of different answers, as well as a lively debate. There is one interesting fact that emerges from them. Choice does not matter. While some advise that a Rolleiflex F a with Planar lens is clearly the best choice, as many recommend a different model and a different lens. In short, there is no unanimous or even majority opinion on which model or lens is the best choice. Even owners of pre-war Rolleiflex models with an uncoated Tessar or Xenar lens affirm the excellence of their cameras and claim complete satisfaction with them. One is left with the strong impression from these comments that choice of Rolleiflex model or lens does not really matter in terms of photographic performance or owner satisfaction. So long as the camera is working as it should, any model or lens is likely to leave the new owner feeling very satisfied with his or her purchase. This is a testament to the quality of Rolleiflex cameras.

There are some models that are very collectable and carry a price premium including :

• the white face versions – because they are the newest of 5 models (T, 2.8F, 3.5F, tele and Vb Rolleicord)

• the Rolleiflex-wide because of the limited numbers made

• Late 2.8Fs and 3.5Fs – because they were the last models and the pinnacle of the design (especially among the Japanese collectors)

• The Vb Rolleicord, the last of the Rolleicords.

When buying a Rolleiflex TLR: make sure there are no cleaning marks, dust, haze, separation, fungus etc. As such, the most important consideration is the condition of the lenses, especially the lower taking lens. include the presence of oil on the aperture blades, transport mechanism gearing problems, alignment of metal bellows, shutter speed accuracy, and more. Camera after a cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment (CLA) will be slightly more expensive but it ensures reliability.

Most Rolleiflex TLR owners will indicate a firm preference for a particular model or lens type when asked to make a recommendation, but the thing is that there is no unanimity among their recommendations or even a majority recommendation when the recommendations are viewed overall. An illustration can be seen in the recommendations offered to first-time Rolleiflex TLR buyers by Rolleiflex owners or users posting replies on the photo.net or rangefinderforum.com website forums. They are replying to questions about which Rolleiflex TLR model or lens type represent the best choice. The following recommendations on model types are given in separate replies, and in about equal proportion: 2.8F, 2.8C, GX, 2.8D, 2.8 E, 3.5MX EVS, 3.5F, 3.5D, 3.5F, and the Rolleiflex T. The recommendations are similarly divided when it comes to lens preference, with the Planar, Xenotar, Tessar, and Xenar all being recommended separately and, again, in about equal proportions. The Rolleiflex T, whose total production was second only to the 3.5F model (according to Rollei Club figures), is often mentioned as a camera to avoid, but at least as many replies describe it as an excellent camera that offers better value for money than E or F models. What these replies show overall, in my opinion, is that (apart from the deficient 2.8A tessar, which was withdrawn by Rollei) there has been no bad Rolleiflex TLR model ever made. There are no duds or lemons, and Rolleiflex owners appear to be very happy with whatever model or lens they happen to own or use. In this respect, the first-time Rolleiflex TLR buyer will very likely be happy with whatever model or lens is finally chosen.

If one really wants to split hair, the following are comments from collectors. The Rollieflex T may not be very interesting to some because of  the field of view and with the optical quality. For the 3.5F with Planar, there are those who has commented the field of view was not what some wanted. There are some who commented that the view finder things were farther away than in reality. The distant objects were smaller than expected. It is because the 75mm lens is a little bit wide angle. Switching to the 880mm lens solved that distant perspective problem for some and the image quality was great. So to some the Rolleiflex with a 2.8 lens was the best. In addition, there was comment that the 2.8 is best for taking human portrait while the 3.5 is good for taking scenery.

What is best for me?

In the end, choosing a camera is like choosing a girlfriend as the preferences are personal. For me, the Rolleiflex 2.8F is widely regarded as the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of TLRs, with a build, finish and image quality that is hard to beat, let alone match (except, with a Rolleiflex 3.5F? or the limited editions?). The 2.8F was announced in 1960 and came with the now legendary 80mm f/2.8 Zeiss Planar lens. Post-1966, 220 roll film could be used in addition to 120, and from 1973 a Schneider Xenotar lens of similar specification was fitted to most models.

It’s worth noting that although the performance is considered equal (that is, outstanding), a 2.8F with a Schneider lens is usually less expensive than a Zeiss-equipped version. Aside from its bitingly sharp lens, the vast majority of 2.8F cameras are fitted with a coupled, built-in lightmeter and all feature a depth-of-field indicator, filter compensation, multiple exposure facility, film detection that aligns the first frame automatically, and built-in parallax correction that ensures that what you see is what you get. In short, the Rolleiflex 2.8F is everything a TLR camera could – and should – be, although this is reflected in the price. 

For me, the ultimate decision making considerations are the Zeiss lens, built in light meter in working order, which make taking photograph with the 2.8F an ease by just aligning the hands of the meter. In addition, as a collector of vintage watches and pens, my key learning is to keep something that can be used and appreciate in values over the year,

For those who would love a view with a list, please visit: 

http://imagesandcameras.com/buying-rolleiflex-tlr

Start S/N

End S/N

Prochnow

Parker

Evans

2.400.000

2.479.999

Rolleiflex 2,8 F

Rolleiflex 2.8F

Rolleiflex 2.8F (type 1/2)

Interesting reads:

https://www.lomography.com/magazine/319470-8-tlr-cameras-for-the-creative-photographer

http://www.japancamerahunter.com/2012/02/medium-format-cameras-a-buyers-guide-part-1/

型号Models	配备镜头 lens	推出年代Year
2.8A	菜斯耶拿，Tessar 80/2.8；	1949
2.8B	菜斯耶拿，比奥美塔镜头80/2.8；	1952
2.8C	Zeiss Planar 80/2.8； Schneider Xenotar 80/2.8；	1953
Automat MXV	Zeiss Jena，Tessar 75/3.5； Zeiss Opeton，Tessar 75/3.5； Schneider，Xenar 75/3.5；	1951
2.8D	Zeiss，Planar 80/2.8； Schneider，Xenar 80/2.8；	1955
3.5E	Zeiss，Planar 75/3.5； Schneider，Xenar 75/3.5；	1956
2.8E	Zeiss，Planar 80/2.8； Schneider，Xenotar 80/2.8；	1956
2.8E2	Zeiss，Planar 80/2.8； Schneider，Xenotar 80/2.8；	1959
3.5F	Zeiss，Planar 75/3.5； Schneider，Xenotar 75/3.5；	1956
T	Zeiss，Tessar 75/3.5； Schneider， Xenar 75/3.5；	1958
3.5E2	Zeiss，Planar 75/3.5； Schneider，Xenotar 75/3.5	1959
Rollei玛基克	Schneider，Xenar 75/2.8；	1960
2.8F	Zeiss，Planar 80/2.8； Schneider，Xenotar 80/2.8	1960

Interesting comparison
http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~rolleian/k01-p28f-x28f.htm