For many Rolleiflex aficionados, the last models of the 2.8F mark the end of the classic Rolleiflex TLR. Franke and Heidecke went bankrupt in 1981 and was bought by a different company who restarted TLR production in 1987 with the 2.8GX. The 2.8 models basically follow an alphabetic progression (The 2.8A was replaced with the 2.8B, etc.), and in a way, after the 3.5C/E was introduced, they follow that progression. In the late 40s the first 2.8 was introduced, and in the mid 50s the Automat was replaced with what is generally referred to as the 3.5C or 3.5E. Originally, there was one 6圆 model called the Rolleiflex Standard, then in the late 30s, the Rolleiflex Automat was introduced. In general (this is how I think of it anyway), there are 4 main groups of Rolleiflex models: The Rolleiflex Standard
Also, to make things simpler, this write up will focus primarily on 6圆 Rolleiflex, and not the Rolleicord which is a similar but different camera, or the Tele and Wide models. I might get some facts wrong, but I will attempt to dispel some of the confusion. I am not any kind of Rollei expert, but I have done some research into the cameras, and I own 3 Rolleiflex and have used more. This is where a lot of the confusion comes from for people first learning about Rollei TLRs. A 1969 camera will usually cost more than a 1954 camera, and a 2.8 model will typically cost more than the same era 3.5 model, etc. The cost of a Rolleiflex can vary drastically, but in a general sense the newer the camera and the better the features, the more it will cost. It is not my intention to misinform, and I apologize if I get some details incorrect. Because of the nature of this article, I may generalize, or I may leave some details out. Couple that with the fact that most Rolleiflex don't actually have any model number on them, and it can get quite confusing.īefore going to far, I just want to point out that this guide is meant as a general introduction to classic Rolleiflex, and is not meant to be a super accurate history of the cameras. Why was one camera selling for $300, and another that looked the same selling for $4000! Rolleiflex were made for nearly a century, and other than the very early models and some special models, they really didn't change in looks for the most part. I know that when I first started looking at Rolleiflex, I couldn't make heads or tails of it. If you aren't real familiar with all the different Rollei TLR models, and have spent a little time looking at them on ebay, you will likely find it rather confusing.
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