via Comparative Chart of Rolleiflex Twin-Lens Cameras.
| Model Features | Rolleicord Va / Vb | Rolleiflex T | Rolleiflex 3.5 F / 2.8 F | Rolleiflex 2.8 GX / 2.8 FX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| years of fabrication | from 1957 to 1977 | from 1958 to 1976 | from 1958 to 1981 | 1987-2002 / 2001- |
| film format | 120 and 135 (Rolleikin) | 120 and 135 (Rolleikin) | 120, 220 and 135 (Rolleikin) | 120 |
| images on 120/220 rollfilm | 12 frames 6×6, 16 frames 4.5×6 or 24 frames 28mmx40mm (120) |
12 frames 6×6 or 16 frames 4,5×6 (120) |
12 frames 6×6 (120) or 24 frames 6×6 (220) |
12 frames 6×6 (120) |
| adaptor back for 6,5×9 plates and cut-film | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Zeiss Optics (taking lens) | no | Tessar 3.5 / 75 mm 4 elements 3 groups |
3.5 F: Planar 3.5 / 75 mm 5 or 6 elements 4 groups |
Planar 2.8 / 80 mm 5 elements in 4 groups, made by Rollei under Zeiss license |
| 2.8 F: Planar 2.8 / 80 mm 5 elements 4 groups |
||||
| Schneider Optics (taking lens) | Xenar 3.5 / 75 mm 4 elements 3 groups |
Xenar (rare) 3.5 / 75 mm 4 elements 3 groups | 3.5 F : Xenotar 3.5 / 75 mm 5 or 6 elements 4 groups | no |
| 2.8 F : Xenotar 2.8 / 80 mm 5 elements 4 groups | ||||
| viewing lens | Heidoscop 3,2 / 75 mm 3 elements | Heidosmat 2.8 / 75 mm 3 elements | Heidosmat 2.8 / 75 mm or 2.8 / 80 mm 3 elements | Heidosmat 2.8 / 80 mm 3 elements |
| standard focusing hood | folding hood, 2.5X lupe, ” sport ” viewfinder | folding hood, 2.5X lupe, ” sport ” viewfinder | folding hood, 2.5X lupe, second 4x lupe and second mirror (” sport ” setup) | folding hood, 2.5X lupe , ” sport ” viewfinder |
| optional viewing accessories | Va : fixed hood, Vb : as T-model | removable ground glass, rigid 2.5X hood, 1.5X prism | removable ground glass, rigid 2.5X hood, 1.5X prism | removable ground glass, rigid 2.5X hood, 1.5X prism |
| bayonet mount for filters or close-up lenses (internal) and lens hood (external) | size I | size I | size II (3.5 F), size III (2.8 F) | size III |
| between-lens mechanical leaf shutter | Synchro-Compur size CR00, B – 1s to 1/500s | Synchro-Compur size CR00, B – 1s to 1/500s | Synchro-Compur sizes CR00 or CR0, B – 1s to 1/500s | Synchro-Compur CR0, then Seiko / Copal no 0, B – 1s to 1/500s |
| mechanical self-timer | yes | yes | yes | no |
| standard flash shoe | no | no | no | yes |
| X-synch, electronic flash | all speeds | all speeds | all speeds | all speeds |
| M-synch, flash bulbs | yes (first models only) | yes (first models only) | yes | no |
| first frame film setup | semi-auto, paper arrow <-> red dot | semi-auto, paper arrow <-> red dot | fully automatic, roller-feeler system | semi-auto, paper arrow <-> red dot |
| film advance | winding knob, not coupled to shutter | folding crank, coupled to shutter | folding crank, coupled to shutter | folding crank, coupled to shutter |
| shutter cocking | separate, manually on taking lens | coupled to film advance | coupled to film advance | coupled to film advance |
| safety lock against double exposure | yes, can be switched off | yes | yes, can be switched off | yes, can be switched off |
| speeds and f/stops controls | lever on taking lens, EV coupling | lever on taking lens, EV coupling | front thumb-wheels on side of lenses | front thumb-wheels on side of lenses |
| display of speeds and f/stops | side windows on taking lens | top windows on viewing lens, with printed belts | top windows on viewing lens, with geared engraved rings | top windows on viewing lens, with geared engraved rings |
| built-in exposure meter | no | external un-coupled selenium cell (optional), diffusor for incident light readings | external inter-coupled selenium cell (optional), diffusor for incident light readings | silicon sensor for available light (viewing lens), and TTL flash SCA 300 (metered by reflection off the film) |
| camera works without battery | yes | yes | yes | yes, except exposure meter system |
| weight (without film) | Va 875g, Vb 940g | 1020g | 1220g | 1235g |
Common features:
- twin-lens reflex, 6×6 format on 120/220 rollfilm, non-removable twin-lens panel,
- focusing by translation of the twin-lens panel, controlled by a left-hand focusing knob,
- automatic compensation for parallax by moving frames under the ground glass.
Other twin-lens Rolleiflex models built in the same period:
- Rolleiflex 3.5E / 2.8E, very similar to 3.5 F / 2.8 F, uncoupled optional exposure meter,
- Rolleimagic with battery-less automatic exposure system,
- Tele-Rolleiflex (fixed telephoto lens, 135 mm)
- Wide-Angle Rolleiflex (fixed wide-angle lens, 55 mm)
- ” Baby ” Rolleiflex 4×4 (127 film only)
Common accessories:
- twin lens cap, leather neck strap and leather ever-ready case,
- bayonet filters, close-up twin-lenses with built-in parallax compensation,
- quick-release tripod plate “Rolleifix” (highly recommended)
References:
- “Rollei-Werke, Rollfilmkameras”, Prochnow, Claus, Rollei-Report Volume II (twin-lens Rolleiflex and SL66), ISBN 3-89506-118-2, LINDEMANNS (1994)
- “Rollei-Werke, Rollei Fototechnic 1958 bis 1998”, Prochnow, Claus, Rollei-Report Volume IV (projectors, flashs, 2.8GX), ISBN 3-89506-141-7, LINDEMANNS (1997)
TLRgraphy 