The Rolleiclub Web Site
The International Rolleiclub.com was created at the dawn of the internet – in 1999 – a Rollei enthusiast in Beverly Hills – California USA realised the power of the internet at an early stage. He put his extensive knowledge about everything Rollei online for all to enjoy. For many years Rollei aficionados all over the world enjoyed his labor of love. Mysteriously the site disappeared from the net in 2005. But in 2006 the web site was recovered by a Professional Photographer from The Netherlands living in Australia. He used to work full time with the Rolleiflex TLR at a young age and later used the SLX and 6000 series of cameras in his studio he also visited the Franke & Heidecke factories in Germany. His passion for photography , Rollei , Graphic Design and Web Design all came together in this web site. In 2014 he set off the re-create the web site all over again.The Rolleiclub forum has been active since 2006 , at this moment the forum has over 2500 subscriber from all over the world. The forum gives answers to questions that may be simple for some but can be daunting for others. This Rollei community bridges a gap between the new ‘digital generation’ and ‘us’ the older ‘film generation'. It is our aim to keep that vast base of knowledge available for new ‘digital generations’ to learn about that ‘old film technology’.
I hope many more experienced Film based Rollei users will join and remain active in answering questions about these fabulous Analogue Instruments : Our beloved Rollei CamerasIn a Responsive* design this rejuvenated web site now (September 2014) accommodates all modern devices: from Desktop PC to Mobile phone, this is what you are looking at right now: Rollei , Rolleiflex , Rolleicord , Rollei35 all united with their loyal users in a forever young Rolleiclub.com. *) Responsive’ design: A web site fluidly accessible by any device (from Home Computer or Mobile Phone) that can display web-pages.This Web Site aims to provide a complete overview of ‘all’ Rollei products made. Such as the famous Rolleiflex TLR (Twin Lens Reflex) Cameras or the Rollei 35 Classic – The masterpieces of mechanical engineering the Rolleiflex SL66 alongside of its its hyper modern sibling the Rolleiflex Hy6. The Rolleiflex TLR series and the Rollei 35 Classic models are the longest running production Camera models in History , although gradually upgraded since the first models produced in 1931 and 1966 its very basic technical designs and appearance remained the same.The only other camera model that remained that close to its original roots is the Leica M6 although not as close to the Ur-Leica it has a very close resemblance to the 1954 Leica M3, quite another achievment and proof that German enginering often got it right at the first ‘go’ . Rolleiflex production actually began with two stereo cameras the Heidoscope – Stereo Photography was a great passion for Heidecke . But the real commercially viable production began with the Rolleiflex 4×4 , soon followed by the 6×6 format. This 6×6 cm 0r 2.54″ x 2.54″ remained the main stay of professional film formats, even after digital took over since the early 2000′s it remains a popular choice by professional and amateur photographers world-wide. The Rollei 35 was and is perhaps the most beloved compact 35mm film camera ever since its introduction in 1966.
Often I wonder if a identical digital version of that mechanical masterpiece would be as popular now as it was then ?