Modern Rolleiflex
Did you know that Rolleiflex is still producing its high-end analog twin-lens reflex cameras? Apparently there’s enough photographers out there buying them for there to be a small, niche market, because Rollei is planning to show off a new model at Photokina 2012 next week.
The FX-N is a 6×6 medium format TLR camera that is an updated version of the Rolleiflex FX, a camera that costs over $5,000. The only difference it has with its predecessor (or sibling) is that it features a new Heidosmat 80mm f/2.8 viewfinder lens and a Rollei S-Apogon 80mm f/2.8 main lens that offer a shorter minimum focusing distance of 55 centimeters.
There’s also an updated version of the Rolleiflex Hy6, a $7,900 medium format camera that can be used with both film and digital backs:
The difference between this latest refresh and the original version is that that the new camera features a new grip, updated firmware, a reinforced tripod platen, and redesigned mechanics inside the camera that reduce mirror movement.
To be clear, Rolleiflex is simply a brand that was originally used by the German company Franke & Heidecke. The original Rolleiflex hit the market in 1929. After the company became insolvent in the late 2000s, employees left to create a new company called DHW Fototechnik GmbH, which revived a number of Rollei lines… including the two cameras discussed here.
I’m guessing PetaPixel readers aren’t the types of photographers who would even consider dropping a fat chunk of dough on these two cameras, but it’s interesting seeing that cameras like the FX-N are still being made.
The beauty of Mamiya C330S
This mamiya C330S, an exceptionally high-grade camera, was designed by emphasizing further improvements on the popular Mamiya C series. Retaining the many features of the Mamiya C series cameras which have won highest praise from professional photographers the world over as unique twin-lens reflex cameras (2-1/4 in. square format) with interchangeable lenses.
Final results reveal that this Mamiya C330S, an ideal camera for professional photographers, is also a wise choice for the many advanced amateurs who wish to take advantage of fine details in enlargements which only a large format camera truly makes possible.
The Mamiya C330S accepts all interchangeable lenses of the current Mamiya C series as well as all of the accessories except the single exposure attachment.
With the wide selection of all these interchangeable lenses and accessories, you can further widen your scope of photography by making the most of the unlimited versatility of Mamiya C330S offers.
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Specifications | 2  |
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| Type | 6 x 6 Twin-Lens Reflex Camera with Interchangeable Lens System |
| Picture Size | 56 x 56 mm (actual picture area) |
| Film Size | 120 roll film (12 exposures), 220 roll film (24 exposures) Changeover effected by turning pressure plate |
| Lens (standard) | Mamiya/Sekor 80 mm f/2.8 |
| Shutter | Seiko-#0 (B, 1-1/500 sec., M-X synchronization) |
| Focusing | Front extension system by rack-and-pinion with focusing knobs. |
| Focusing screen | Changeable |
| Focusing hood | One-touch operation facilitates interchange of dioptric lenses. Removable and replaceable by other types of finders. |
| Film wind | By winding crank. Automatic shutter cocking and winding stop. Double exposure prevention device. |
| Exposure counter | Progressive type, automatic re-set. (120/220 changeover coupled with the pressure plate) |
| Other features | Parallax and exposure compensation are readable on the focusing screen in the finder. Multiple exposure possible. Shutter release lock provided. |
| Dimensions | 123  x 171 (H) x 113 (D) mm |
| Weight | 1,650 grams (with 80 mm f/2.8 lens) |
The French Approach to TLR: Semflex
I Recently noticed a new brand of TLR in the big auction site, maybe its only new to me as this is the first time and I saw some info about it. It looks interesting and claims to be the competitor of Rolleiflex.
Here are some info about Semflex:
The Semflex is a 6×6 twin-lens reflex, launched in 1949 by the French maker SEM. At a time when products imported from Germany to France were very expensive, the Semflex was a Rolleiflex copy and competitor. It was a robust and efficient machine, whose finish was a bit rough, but whose durability was very good, as well as the image quality on most of the models.
There were many Semflex variants, with button or crank advance, coupled to the shutter winding or not. The best models had 4-element 75/3.5 Angénieux or Berthiot lenses, which were nice Tessar copies. Some of the cheaper and older ones had three-element lenses.
As a rule of thumb, all the f:4.5 and f:3.8 lenses are 3-element, and all the 3.5 lenses on the crank-advance models are 4 element. Some 3.5 lenses on the older button-advance models were 3-element. Sometimes the sellers want more for a model with an Angénieux lens, but it seems there is no practical quality difference with Berthiot (it is a bit like the Planar vs Xenotar or Tessar vs Xenar situation with the Rolleiflex).
The Semflex is not well known outside France but in the country it is easy to find and quite inexpensive.
Here are some sample images from Flickr Semflex Group:
TLRgraphy 