Rolleiflex hybrid?

Eddie Vaughan · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 4:55 pm Post subject: Rolleiflex hybrid?

I am a new member and this is my first posting. I am hoping that someone can tell me something about a Rolleiflex camera that I acquired recently. I do not know its history, but the camera seems to be a hybrid -- equipped with features of a 2.8D and 2.8e2.

The camera' serial number, on a plate inside the lower film chamber, is 1611548, which places it in the 2.8D serial number range. The taking lens is a 2.8 Xenotar, No. 3070040. The focusing knob is the same type as shown on the 2.8D model, with no white strip DOF indicator, and the exposure guide metal plate on the back door is diagrammatic, like that on the Rolleiflex T and, I think, the Rolleiflex 2.8D.

Other features on this camera are typical of the 2.8e2 model. It has a Synchro Compur shutter, a removable focusing hood, an 'improved' split-image focusing screen, and the strap is fastened to the body with alligator clips.

The camera is in excellent cosmetic and operational condition. I have shot one roll of film with it, and the results were excellent.

I have not found any other Rolleiflex with this combination of features, so I am wondering it is rare. Does anybody else have one, and can someone inform me of when it was made, and for what market?

Thanks

Eddie Vaughan

DPurdy · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 1:41 pm Post subject:

I don't know what the story might be but back in those days the Rolleiflex was a primary professional tool and probably a lot of them were modified for one reason or another. I have seen other modified Rolleis on ebay. It is probable that some pro photographer wanted one of the new prisms on his camera when they were introduced and he could send the camera in for a modification more cheaply than buying a new camera. A prism makes the camera a lot easier to use for journalistic type stuff like weddings and news photography. The fact that it is done very well on your camera and the film you shot turned out well I would think it must be a professional modification and probably actually done at the Rollei factory.

But that was before my time so just a guess.
Dennis

Eddie Vaughan · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 5:39 pm Post subject: Rolleiflex hybrid?

I had wondered the same, Dennis. I can understand why the owner might have wanted the camera modified to take the removable focusing hood of the 2.8E2, but I cannot easily understand why he or she would also want to pay to have the Compur shutter and strap fastening arrangement of the 2.8D replaced with the Synchro Compur and alligator clip fastening of the 2.8E. The camera shows very few signs of use, so I doubt if the owner had been a professional photographer or even an enthusiastic amateur. I am therefore more inclined to think that the camera had been constructed and sold with this combination of features, perhaps during the period when parts from the 2.8D model had still been held in stock. I would be surprised if this were a common Rollei practice, however.

Eddie Vaughan

JanBoettcher · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:44 pm Post subject:

Parts are easily interchanged ...

The serial number not being on the Rolleiflex name plate points us to a modification by a shop that did not precisely follow Franke & Heidecke's book, but as it seems a capable one. Probably they changed the strap lugs and the front plate (Synchro Compur designation) too (maybe without changing the shutter, maybe with?).

Talk about that serial number talk (I dopn't like too much and don't give too much for) ... my own records show Xenotars 3677051, 3204564 and 3642847 on Rolleiflex C and 4295397, 4787880 and 4451710 on Rolleiflex D ... so, the conclusion must be "You have a Frankenflex" :-O

But as you wrote "The camera is in excellent cosmetic and operational condition. I have shot one roll of film with it, and the results were excellent. " and that is probably what to concentrate on ;-)

Eddie Vaughan · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 12:17 pm Post subject: Rolleiflex hybrid?

Mmmm, yes, I think you are right, Jan. My camera could well be a "Frankenflex"! However, since the camera looks very nice and works well, I shall continue to think of it as a successful hybrid rather than as a monster. I will take it to Adelaide next week to see how it performs there.

Thanks for your answers. I am enjoying reading other postings on this forum.

Eddie Vaughan

JanBoettcher · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:40 pm Post subject:

Talk about that WLF-modification ... a friend bought a really old Rolleiflex (some Automat or whatever, I'd have to ask) with that modification at a camera trade show last December, and whoever did the modification engraved the old serial number neatly on/into the Rolleiflex name plate.

To the Rapid/Synchro "Face", does it say "Made in Germany" or "Made in Braunschweig"?

Well well, there are "a few" Rolleiflex 3,5 B/C bastards around, there my guess is they just had a transitional phase in production ... but maybe things went like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1-zzJnKtDg

Eddie Vaughan · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 3:45 pm Post subject: Rolleiflex hybrid?

In answer to your question, Jan, "Franke & Heidecke, Braunschweig" appears on the faceplate below the taking lens of my 'Frankenflex 2.8'
Do you deduce something from this?

Is there a way of attaching digital photos to these messages? They would save a lot of words, and would show the camera to be in remarkably good cosmetic condition. The leatherette is unmarked and in a uniform shade of black, and the chrome surfaces are also virtually unmarked. If the camera had been adapted by a previous owner, which I agree is likely, then I would have expected the newer parts to show fewer marks than the original parts, but I can see no difference. The camera has clearly not been used much, either before or after it was adapted.

The mystery therefore probably surrounds the owner as much as the camera: one must wonder why someone would want to adapt a camera that is seldom used. I understand that some people do not buy Rolleiflex cameras with the intention of actually using them (if I do not stop writing about this darned camera soon, then you might think me one of them!), but it seems even less sensible to buy a Rolleiflex, adapt it, and still not use it. But I shall waste no more time wondering. It will remain a happy mystery, from my point of view.

Eddie Vaughan

DPurdy · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:30 pm Post subject:

I think that is all you can do Eddie. I don't think there is any chance of leaning the history of your camera. It might have some impact on the value of your camera as a collector item but in the large scheme of things even the collector Rolleis are not that valuable, maybe a couple of thousand. Better to fall in love with a camera that makes image quality that inspires you. It sounds like you have a beautiful camera in prefect condition and great lens. If it is sharp at infinite and sharp at close focus then take it for granted that it was customized by someone who knew what he wanted and was willing to pay to have it done. Put a lot of film through it and be thankful for it.
Dennis