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Comparative Chart

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Rolleiflex Twin-Lens Reflex Cameras built after 1957

Model Features Rolleicord Va/Vb Rolleiflex T Rolleiflex 3.5 F/2.8 F Rolleiflex 2.8 GX/FX
years of fabrication from 1957 to 1977 from 1958 to 1976 from 1958 to 1981 from 1987 to 2002 / from 2001 to ?
film format 120 and 135 (Rolleikin) 120 and 135 (Rolleikin) 120, 220 and 135 (Rolleikin) 120
images on 120/220 rollfilm,
135 film
12 frames 6x6 (120) or
16 frames 4.5x6 (120) or
24 frames 28mmx40mm (120)
36 frames (135)
12 frames 6x6 (120) or
16 frames 4.5x6 (120)
36 frames (135)
12 frames 6x6 (120) or
24 frames 6x6 (220)
36 frames (135)
12 frames 6x6 (120)
adaptor back for 6,5x9 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
2.8 F: Planar 2.8/80 mm 5 elements 4 groups
GX/FX: Planar 2.8/80 mm 5 elements in 4 groups, made by Rollei under Zeiss license
Rollei Optics (taking lens) FX: S-Apogon 2.8/80 mm (Planar design)
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
2.8 F: Xenotar 2.8/80 mm 5 elements 4 groups
no
viewing lens Heidoscop 3,2 / 75 mm 3 elements Heidosmat 2.8 / 75 mm 3 elements Heidosmat 2.8 / 75 mm 3 elements or
Heidosmat 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 next to 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 for
exposure meter
weight (without film) Va 875g, Vb 940g 1020g 1220g 1235g

Additional Information

Common features

Other twin-lens Rolleiflex models built in the same period

Common accessories

References