Rolleiflex 3.5F - 2.8F User manual

Please start                         Gompletely explained on page
 with the "Short-cut to the First Expo-
 sure". Only two pages, but they will tell             11
you in rapid fashion all you need to
 know.
The handling of the model 2.8 F shown
here and of the 3.5 F (which is identical
 in all constructional features) is then
explained once more in detail, step by
step. The first part covers its everyday
use: it contains the standard rules for                                             29
picture{aking; thanks to Rollei's auto-          14                                      20
matic principle, these are simpler than          10                                                16
ever before. The second part deals          19                                                               11
with the additional features of the        2324                                            13
camera, useful from time to time to                                                        10master special photographic problems.
                                                       12                                         13
The aim of this booklet is to facititate                                                    10
getting quick information on all neces-                                                    27
sary details and also to help you to
take full advantage of the great ca-                                              9
pabilities of your Rolleiflex.                                                               24
ROLLEI-WERKE FRANKE & HEIDECKE

2

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              @ Setting the Exposure
                            Turn stop selector wheel, using left thumb, I
                                           line which each other.il.;ttl                                    untilin   both pointers of the exposure meter are
                                 Just one more glance-to check framing and
                                  focus  and the Rolleiflex is ready to shoot. I                                   -
                                      lncidentally, by pre-selecting the diaphragm
                                opening, the depth-of-field required can be
                               determined first (+ page 16). To line up the
                              exposure meter pointer, turn the speed selec-
                                 tor wheel: click shutter speed into position
                         and make final adjustment with diaphragm
                             wheel (-+ page 14).
             @ To Release Shutter
                            Swing the safety lever from g (locked) to (+)
                                 (unlocked) position; press shutter release.
              @ Film Transporl
                                Swing'out crank and turn with one continuous
                           swing -  forward to stop and back again                                     to stop.
                               This operation cocks the shutter, advances
                                   the film to the next frame and sets the picture
                                counter to the next exposure. The Rolleiflex
                                        is ready for the next picture.

Ever-ready Gaee

                                   To open:  lift the top from the rear @ and
                                                  fold forward and down. Before closing the
                                              case set camera to oo.

                                        Removing the camera: swing locking levers
                                       on either side of strap holder downward @
                                                                                     be                                                -  the two sides of the case can now
                                            spread apart. Lift crank outward, spread the
                                                sides slightly and pull camera forward. - To
                                                    insert: spread the two sides of the case
                                                    slightly, guide the raised crank through
                                            opening from the inside and lower the camera
                                        backwards into the case. Press the sides
www.butkus.us                                 together and swing locking levers upward.
                                                   Detacfiing the front (if required): press clip
                                        downward @, remove the front flap, lifting  it
                                               backward. - To attach: insert the front flap in
                                              hinge and close ever-ready case.

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Lens Cap                                    Nec*( Strap
To temove: lift the lower part by the tab at the   To attacfi: insert the retaining prongs at
lower edge and fold it against the upper part; re-   the ends of the strap into the strap
move cap from the bayonet by turning it counter-   holders (on camera or ever-ready case)
clockwise @.                            and they will immediately snap into
                                                          position.
To attacfi: fit the folded cap into the viewing-  To release: press the retaining prongs
bayonet and fold down after a short turn @.         together and pull strap @.
The leather loop and snap buttons on the left side of the ever-ready case serve to hold the
protective leather cover for the light meter in place. lt is necessary to un-snap the lower left
button before opening the case, when the meter cover is used.

Load:ng the Camera
Please do not try to insert your first film until you are
fully familiar with the handling of the camera. Otherwise
continue on page 11.
The Rolleiflex uses 2t/4x31/2" rolltilm No. 120 or 220*
(B   f l 8) giving 12 or 24* exposures 2t/o y2t/a".
The Film Pressure Plate inside the camera back can be
adjusted tor 120 rollfilm as well as for 35 mm film (using
Rolleikin, + page 32): when using rollfilm, the inscription
2lax2la" must be visible.
Never change film in direct sunlight! Utilize, at least, the
shadow of your own body!
                                                  * with 24 exoosure set

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To open camela: turn the safety back lock   Tear off tape seal.
clip at the tripod socket @, lift back lock   Thread the beginning of the backing paper -
lever @ and pull back open.                    printed side outwards - through the rollers
                                                    of the film feeler mechanism @ and push the
To adlust lilm guide plale: press the plate   paper leader into the long slot of the take-upagainst the back, push it up or down until  it                                              spool (using the crank forcorrect positioning)
stops @ and let spring forward into the                              @. Tighten the backing paper by one halfnormal plane.                                                   turn of the crank, while braking the full spool
Inserling new tilm sPool: Pull out film spool    with the thumb @.
knob of lower spool chamber @, insert film,  To ctose cameta: press the back with the
right side first, and allow film knob to return   palm of the hand, fold down the back lock
to position.                                       lever and secure @.

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Focusing for Sharpness

To open the focusing hood: lift rear edge of hood @ and
raise cover. To close: fold in both sides @.
To raise magnlfier: press direct viewfinder panel inward,
following this simple method: grip upper edge of hood
with two fingers, pushing the panel gently inward with
the fingertip @. Always hold magnifier close to the eye. -
To close: push magnifier support down @.
Focusing: Turn the focusing kn'ob until the picture is pin-
sharp, or until the two halves of the image meet in the
Rangefinder Wedge (Centre of the view finder).





                                                                                                                   11

Settlng fol

               If you select the shutter speed first:
         turn lhe speed selector wheel (right) un-(          til the desired instantaneous shirtter
       speed (led figure) appears In the center
        of the indlcator window,


   This is an easy rule. All you have to do is to
   watch two pointers. Thus Rollei clearly signals:
  The exposule i$ correct, when both pointers
   are aligned.
   The.exposure meter is direcily cross-coupled
   to the.speed and stop settings. Adjustment
   accorcling to the meter automatically sets the
   depth-of-f ield indicator as well. This iacilitates
  focusing even further. Now you can also
   p.re-select. the diaphragm op6ning, without
   checking the diaphragm setting, - dbpending  upon whether you prefer a faster shutte-r  speed (+ page 14) or a greater depth-of-field  (+ page 16). The correct speed/stop rela-

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Correct Exposure


    and then adjust the diaphragm opening:
     lurn thediaphragmwheel  (left), untll both
    exposure meter pointers are lined up                                       )
                             sure:    - you can always be     the exposure wlll be correct.


     tionship is positively controlled by the two
      pointers.
    Any sudden change in light intensity -  indi-     cated by the moving meter needle - can be     noticed instantly and can then be compen-
     sated for by the proper pointer adjustment.
    With the camera ready to shoot, correct ex-
    posure is kept under constant control, even
    up to the actual moment of exposure.
    This automatic exposure control covers an     extremely wide measuring range, it is limited o-     only by the poorest illumination, which will    tffi     not allow the thin meter needle to leave the
     area of the red reference mark.                  IN

Selecting the Shutter Speed
                            The red section of the scale
                                denotes instantaneous, shutter timed speeds, in fractions                                    of a second (500 :  1/500th sec., 1 :  111 :  1 sec.). tnter-
                                mediate values between clicks cannot be used therefore:
                               always set shutter so that desired speed tigure is in the
                                 middle ot the indicator window. This rule also applieswhen
                                    pre-selecting depth-of-field. Only after clicking the speed
                                        into position can the final adjustment of the exposure meter
                                    pointers be made with the diaphragm control wheel.
                            The green section of the scale
                                          is for time exposures only and indicates the required ex-
                               posure time in full seconds.  lt is used only when unfa-
                                 vourable lighting conditions require greaterexposure, while
                                    at the same time further stopping down in ,order to gain
                                       depth-of-field. After lining up the exposure meter point-ers,
                                the green numbers indicate, in full seconds, the time the
                                    shutter has to be kept open (+ time exposures, page 18).
                                 Intermediate values can be used in the green shuttdr
                             speed section.
            Automatic, shutter timed exposures                   Time exposures by hand

                                                                                                                                                                                'l1/500 11250 11125    1/60 1/30 | 1115 118 114 112
    quick       I moderate              scenes without movement (tripod)

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        ffi





What Shutter Speed?
Selecting a sufficiently short shutter speed is  As a guide: sport scenes 1/500, running
an important factor in getting a sharp picture.    children 1/250, quick marching pedestrians
                                                      1/125, people walking leisurely 1/60 or   fromFirst rule: in hand-held shots, use fast speeds                                        -                                    some distance -  1/30. To eliminate the pos-to avoid camera movement. The longest per-                                                       sibility of blurred scenes, remember thismissible shutter speed is 1i30 sec. Safer and                                              general rule: the danger of subiect movementmost widely used: 1/60 and 1/125 sec.                                                    is greatly reduced by increasing the taking
Second rule: In scenes involving motion, the    distance and shooting as nearly in line with
faster the objects move, the shorter the ex-   the direction of motion as possible, in other
posure has to be, to prevent a blurred picture.    wcrds, rather from thefront than fromtheside.

                                                                                          15

What About Depth-of-Fietd ?

                           A sharp focusing screen image indicates that the camera
                                               is focused correctly on the main subject.

                              But both before and behind the plane of sharp focus
                                   there is always a sufficiently sharp zone. The range of
                                     this "depth-of-field" is shown by a white band on the
                                    focusing knob: the length of the white band indicates on
                                    the distance scale the depth-of-field available.

                               The indicator band changes when the diaphragm selector
                              wheel is turned, permitting a quick and direct coordi-
                                     nation of shutter speed and depth of field. The faster the
                                             film, the easier is it to take care of special needs calling
                                           for short shutter speeds and great depth-of-field.

                             The zone of definition does not break off abruptly, but
                                     gradually changes to unsharpness. Therefore it is difficult
                                     to define the exact limits of the depth-of-field. Maximum
                                         definition always prevails at the focusing distance.

16

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                                                                                               il
                                  Llrfl





When Does One Need                  Landscapes with foreground: to extend the
Depth-of-Fleld?                                 depth-of-field as far as possible into the fore-
                                             ground, do not set the camera to oo, but turn                                            helpfulExtended          depth,oFfield                                very                    becomes                                               the focusing knob until the m mark is oppo-                                   sceneswhen      taking                                 sport             surprise snapshots,
with constantly changing subject distance    site the end of the indicator band.
and subjects with extended depth.              SubJecls with great depth: focus separately
Snapshots with the camera pre-focused  to   on the nearest and farthest point bracketing
the anticipated distance: work with extended    the subject. Turn the focusing knob so that
depth-of-field to compensate for changes in    the white band reaches both distance figures.
the focusing distance. (Sports Firlder +      lf necessary, extend depth by turning select-
page 22.)                                        ing wheel.

                                                                                          17

Refeasing Shutter                  Up to the moment of exposure all camera
                                            settings are kept under perfect control:
                                            sharpness, framing, exposure, shutter speed
                                  and depth-of-field. They can be readjusted
                                                    instantly  if the subject so requires.
                                         To unlock shutter release: move retease guard
                                        from locked O to l,ower unlocked  (lr position.
                                        Snapshot Exposure (1/500 - 1 sec.): press     www.butkus.us                                              shutter release gently, selected speed goes
                                                      off automatically.
                                Time Exposure ("B", over 1 sec.): press
                                              shutter release and hold for required time.
                                              Shutter will close when you let go.
                                    Long Time Exposures (,,B"): press release
                                  and lock with safety guard. Terminate ex-
                                       posure by releasing lock. (Caution: Do not
                                          shake camera! Shield the lens with your hand
                                   when opening and closing the shutter.)
                                          Gable Release: insert in cable release socket
                                             with safety guard locked.

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Film Transport
and Shutter Tensioning
After eacfr shot: swing out crank, turn  it for-
ward with one continuous swing, until  it stops
and then again to stop.
The shutter is now automatically cocked. The
crank will turn only after releasing shutter.
Double exposures or blank frames are posi-
tively eliminated.  lf the crank can be turned,
it must be turned - forward and back to lock.Only if it is locked the camera is ready to
shoot. (Exception: double exposures, + page
zo.t
fne crant< need not be folded down after
each shot when shooting in rapid sequence.
When using the Rolleikin: the film transport
for the 35 mm film is accomplished in exactly
the same manner as above.
When uslng the Plate Adapler: turning the
crank by one half turn will suffice to cock
the shutter.

Unloading the Camera
 After the 12th or 24th* exposure the film is
 {inished: the crank is no longer locked and
 can be turned freely again.
 To remove the film: roll up remaining backing
 paper with three full revolutions. Open back
 in subdued light. pull out upper spool knob
 and remove film from the left. Fold backing
 paper (for convenient tearing when develop_
 ing) and fasten down with sticker. Keep the
exposed film away from light and return  it to
 original packing.
To transfer the empty spool: pull out lower
film spool knob and lift the empty spool out
of the lower spool chamber. Insert the spool
into upper spool chamber, fitting the slotted
end over the winding key on the right side.
Load the camera with a fresh roll of film
avoiding direct sunlight. Use your own body's
shadow for protection.
* with 24 exposure set

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A Few Words about the Care of Your Gamera

Your camera deserves careful handling - dependable performance will be your reward.
Sparkling cleanliness, especially of all the optical parts, is a pre-requisite for maximum sharp-
ness. In cleaning all optical surfaces (lenses, focusing screen, reflex mirror, magnifiers), use a
camel's hair brush to remove dust, then wipe off fingerprints with a soft cloth or doeskin. On
the contoured undersurface of the focusing screen, use a clean soft brush only; avoid touching
the screen. To prevent a dust-attracting electrostatic charge, breathe onto the surfaces before
and after cleaning and let moisture evaporate, do not wipe off. -  lncidentally, the lenses have
abrasion resistant anti-reflection coatings. The reflex mirror, too, is covered with a special
protective layer to withstand scratches and corrosion. However, any cleaning should be done
carefully and only when necessary.
Do not forget that moisture, dust, sand, strong sunlight, a hard blow or fall can be harmful
to a precisi,on camera. lf possible, always use the ever-ready case, for heavy duty operations
the stronger and tightly closing metal ever-ready case. Carry camera around neck and when
riding in your car, keep your camera in a safe spot, well protected against the hot sun and
bumpy roads. ln a nutshell: be kind to your Rolleiflex!
And please remember: Rollei-Werke Franke & Heidecke always maintain their interest in the
welfare of your camera. The international Rollei Service will always gladly take care of any
special technical problems that might come up during your photographic practice.

                                                                                                 21

Using the Sports Finder
             Sport scenes and fast moving objects can be
           framed more conveniently through the direct
             view finder. Only a slight raising or lowering of
            the camera is needed to alternate between
             observing the center portion of the focusing
             screen (to control sharpness) and the full open
            view in the direct finder.
            To open sports tinder: press panel inward all the
          way O. To close: tap both sides of the hood
              gently @. - Always use the direct view finder
              close to the eye, looking directly at the subject
              without tilting the camera.

->:-
            @Q     \IG
     (T     9-.

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Exposures with Self-timer
                                                   alf you photograph a group of people or take
remembrance snapshot and you also want to appear
in the picture, cock the self-timer before releasing the
shutter. When pressing the shutter release, theshutter
will open for the previously selected exposure time
after a delay of approximately 10 seconds.
The self-timer can be used with all instantaneous
speeds  t/soo -1 sec. (red section of speed scale) andalso for flash shots with the t  contact setting.  ltoperates only when the shutter is cocked'    $o
To operate self-timer: cock shutter (film transport),
move self-timer tensioning lever @ in the direction of
the arrow until it stops. Release shutter as usual.
Shutter and self-timer may be left tensioned even
when camera is not in use - spring strength will not
deteriorate.
Tripod Pictures
Length of tripod's screw must not exceed the normal
3116" (4.5 mm) -  if necessary, use a spacer of properthickness. A reducing bushing is available for use with
English thread (114").More practical: the "Rolleifix"
for instant mounting of camera to tripod.

Flash Shots
Modern flash technique permits taking snapshots
even under lighting conditions which do not allow
instantaneous exposures with a hand-held camera.
The Synchro-Compur  shutter is fully synchronized.
 It fires high-speed electronic flashes as well as
the slower flash bulbs at exactly the right moment
to permit the fastest shutter speeds in both cases
with the appropriate synchronising setting.
Gonnecting the flash cord: insert the plug into the
flash connector socket on the camera. - Whendisconnecting flash cord: swing locking lever at
the socket downward and pull out plug.
Setting the contacl to $. (X-contact) or 0 (M-con-
tact): pull out the small knurled knob and swing
synchro lever ot the desired position.
The X-setting (for normal use) utilises the futl light
output of the flash with the prescribed shutter
speed and can also be used for shots with the
self-timer. The M-setting is for flash bulbs only and
synchronises the fastest speeds, up to the top
speed.