Rolleiflex 2.8F: what am I looking at?

[retina_restoration]

I've not encountered a Rolleiflex with this film compartment door type, with the protrusion at the bottom. What is this about? Thanks.

 

[JPD]

It's the back that you use with the optically flat glass. https://flashbackcamera.jp/en/products/011943_rolleiflex_special_back_door

 

[retina_restoration]

It's the back that you use with the optically flat glass. https://flashbackcamera.jp/en/products/011943_rolleiflex_special_back_door

Thanks, I searched and searched and couldn't find any reference to this style of door. Sounds like something to be avoided.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Nah, no reason to avoid it unless the protrusion bothers you.

Be aware that there are three positions for the pressure plate. One for 35mm, one for 6x6 (roll film graphic), and one for 6x6 plus glass plate (roll film graphic plus extra line for the glass plate). The 6x6 position is in the center, not at the end as is typical for two-position plates.

 

[retina_restoration]

Nah, no reason to avoid it unless the protrusion bothers you.

Be aware that there are three positions for the pressure plate. One for 35mm, one for 6x6 (roll film graphic), and one for 6x6 plus glass plate (roll film graphic plus extra line for the glass plate). The 6x6 position is in the center, not at the end as is typical for two-position plates.

Subsequent searches suggest that a lot of users with this modification find the glass plate leads to more scratches and debris in the camera.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Magicflex in Germany has the glass plates, I am not certain if NOS or new manufacturing. If you want to give it a try. And I've seen a few cases for cameras with this back that actually have a 'hidden' pocket for the plate, with the plate still inside. I have one found this way in what appears to be original wrapping, maybe never opened. A condition I see no need to change

 

[dpurdy]

In the past at least, the hump back was more valuable than the straight back. You could sell it and buy a straight back replacement. Only the Rolleis that have a little pin inside can use the hump back. I did a tremendous amount of testing to prove that the plate glass gave sharper images but finally concluded it isn't worth the trouble and probably only helps a bit at wide apertures. Hard to keep that glass clean.

 

[Nitroplait]

Subsequent searches suggest that a lot of users with this modification find the glass plate leads to more scratches and debris in the camera.

Roll film is not great at maintaining perfect flatness. Medium format in particular suffers.

Glass improves critical sharpness through flatness, with dust, scratches and static discharge being the associated compromises.

No glass will give you less flatness aka sharpness.

You make the choice that suits you better.

If you spot your own prints and feel comfortable with the process - then glass may well make good sense.

I personally wouldn’t bother with medium format TLRs and rangefinders, but the vacuum from a large SLR mirror lifting quickly, can cause very visible problems with film flatness.

Hasselblad users will likely reject above claim, but NASA always used glass on their HB bodies on critical missions as far as I know. Make you own conclusion

 

[lecarp]

These are predominately seen on the type 1 and 2 tele-Rollieflex.

 

[beemermark]

In the past at least, the hump back was more valuable than the straight back. You could sell it and buy a straight back replacement. Only the Rolleis that have a little pin inside can use the hump back. I did a tremendous amount of testing to prove that the plate glass gave sharper images but finally concluded it isn't worth the trouble and probably only helps a bit at wide apertures. Hard to keep that glass clean.

The reason Rollei dropped it at some point.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Found a couple of Rollei manual pages describing using the glass, on Magicflex's site. Image 5 and 6-

AR Optically "Flat Glass" attachment

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magicflexcamera.com

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Hasselblad users will likely reject above claim, but NASA always used glass on their HB bodies on critical missions as far as I know. Make you own conclusion

NASA equipped some or all of their cameras with a Reseau Plate with cross marks at precise locations across the frame. The cross marks would appear on each frame of the film. I do not know if film flatness was another reason for the plate. Those cameras used 70mm stock, so it would have been bare film without paper backing.