What Rolleiflex do I have?

[Marc Tauber]

Hey there ... I’m looking for some help to figure out what I really have here. Camera Serial #2856606 Zeiss 75mm 3.5 Planar Nr 2997461

My concerns are if all the parts make sense to the serial numbers.

1) The film advance winder plate is a full circle, it does not seem to have the plate for 12/24 Exp option where the plate pertrudes under the frame counter.

2) The focusing knob only has feet, it does not have meters and feet as the serial suggests it should have per Rolleigraphy.org

3) The lens Nr. appears to be low for the serial of the camera body from what I have seen. Rolleigraphy.org indicates that a 3.5F with the Planar option of lens no. 2,753,002 or higher are 6 elements. I'm hoping, at a minimum, I have a 6 element lens.

Some have suggested I have a modified Type 3, with a replaced front cover (no serial) and a 'fake' stamped White Face plate. Looking to see what you think.....thanks.

 

[Marc Tauber]

Pictures.

 

[campy51]

It looks just like my 3.5F except for above the meter, yours doesn't say 3.5F or have a serial number. I wonder if someone replaced the meter at some point. Anyway it looks great.

 

[choiliefan]

I suppose it's possible your camera was sent in for factory repair/service and the front and top plates replaced.
It looks terrific. I'd enjoy it just as it is and never look back.

 

[ic-racer]

I have a 2.8F from the same time period. That is, when Honyywell imported the cameras. Here shown with a non-Honeywell prism, but my waist level finder (the original that came with the camera) has the Honeywell logo on it like yours.

 

[jeffbennett]

The focus scale in feet only as well as the semi-circle plates at the strap lugs suggest that this is from early 1960s, up to 1965. This would be consistent with the Type 3, and the Planar serial number is also consistent with that vintage. It is likely the 6-element version. The face plate of a white face looks out of place as does the top plate (which would have the serial number engraved on a Type 3). The lack of 12/24 capability is also consistent with the Type 3 ID.

This is based on what I see in John Phillips book “The Classic Rollei.”

I would suggest shooting some film to verify focus, which if spot on would alleviate any concern about swapping of lens components. If this checks out, you have a great camera, as the condition appears impeccable.

 

[Marc Tauber]

Thanks for all of your replies. I shot a test roll for exposure and all was fine. I just finished developing a roll I shot today for critical focus, the negatives look pretty good, I will scan them in tomorrow. The cool thing is it has a Harry Fleenor sticker inside the camera. I gave him a call and he told me the camera was in for a shutter overhaul about 5 years ago. I'm cool with a one of a kind that shoots great, I appreciate your thoughts helping me put this puzzle together. Thanks again.

 

[Marc Tauber]

I agree...the body of my camera appears to be a type 3, along with the lens based upon its number and the dates they were issued. However, I have a "White Face" plate which has the serial but consistent with a type 4/5. The serial number was not stamped above the light meter on these models since it was already on the camera's plate. It's kind of a weird hybrid, almost as if someone took the best parts of 2 cameras to make 1.

It looks just like my 3.5F except for above the meter, yours doesn't say 3.5F or have a serial number. I wonder if someone replaced the meter at some point. Anyway it looks great.

 

[Marc Tauber]

That's what I was thinking and the only logical answer. Do you think they replaced the meter around the time they were assembling "White Face" models and re-stamped and issued new serial on a new front plate? I'm super happy with it, I'll be checking out the critical focus test shots tomorrow. Thanks for the reply.

I suppose it's possible your camera was sent in for factory repair/service and the front and top plates replaced.
It looks terrific. I'd enjoy it just as it is and never look back.

 

[shutterfinger]

Have you checked https://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/all_TLR.shtml
Have you considered Rollei made translation cameras that have features of 2 models using up the supply of lens from one manufacturer before starting the line with a different manufacturers lens? The same can be true for face plates.

 

[JPD]

It's a 3,5F, type 3 from before 1965 (when it got the focus scale in both Feet and Meters) with a new front and name plate. The serial number is not correct. Yes, it should have the six element Planar. The viewing hood seems to have been replaced as well, since it looks like it has the same type of leatherette (vinyl?) as the front plate.