Rollei Rolleiflex 2.8F

Medium FormatTLR
Introduced: 1960 Discontinued: 1981
Rollei Rolleiflex 2.8F
Image: Sputniktilt — CC BY-SA 3.0

Rolleiflex 2.8F is the iconic Rollei TLR — in production 1960-1981. The "2.8" indicates the maximum aperture of the taking lens (Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8); the "F" indicates the flagship F-series body. Among the most-revered medium-format cameras in photography history.

Key features

  • 6×6 cm format on 120 (12 exp) or 220 (24 exp via interchangeable spool kit)
  • Fixed Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8 taking lens (later Schneider Xenotar 80mm f/2.8 on some F-series; both are 5-element double-Gauss class)
  • Fixed Heidosmat 80mm f/2.8 viewing lens
  • Synchro-Compur leaf shutter — 1s to 1/500, X-sync at all speeds
  • Crank-wind film advance
  • Built-in selenium-cell meter (early F) or LVS-coupled CdS meter (later F)
  • Sportsfinder + waist-level finder — eye-level prism finder available accessory

Practical notes

  • Rolleiflex 2.8F bodies on used market: $1500-3500 for working examples; near-mint can exceed $5000
  • The most-coveted Rolleiflex F-series — among the most-collectible medium-format cameras
  • Common service items: viewing-lens fungus (frequent issue on stored bodies), leaf-shutter calibration, light-trap foam
  • The Planar f/2.8 is sharp at f/4 and exceptional by f/8; the f/2.8 wide-open performance is the "Rollei look" valued for portraiture
  • The 2.8F is the standard for medium-format portrait work in the 20th century — used by Helmut Newton, Diane Arbus, Vivian Maier, and countless wedding/editorial photographers

Cultural significance

The Rolleiflex 2.8F is the medium-format TLR — the camera referenced when photography historians describe "the Rolleiflex." Diane Arbus's iconic late-career portraits were primarily shot on Rolleiflex 2.8F bodies; Helmut Newton used them for fashion. The TLR design influenced countless cameras and remains the reference for waist-level square-format photography.

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