Get To Know The Rolleiflex 2.8F
This year, I’m diving into a deep pool of personal growth and embarking on a monthly Rolleiflex challenge to spark new inspiration and further my passion for medium-format photography. Follow along with me!
I’ve already completed the January and February, and while waiting for the rolls to develop, this felt like a nice time to share more about this incredible camera!
Given the unique vintage aesthetic, my Rollei often draws attention in public, and I welcome curious questions and conversations. With a recognizable, boxy shape, shooting with a Rollei is like traveling back in time; the manual mechanical nature of shooting with a waist-level viewfinder already makes me feel more connected to my camera and lets me shoot more discretely. A hands-on, creative approach to shooting offers complete manual control over the focus, exposure, and aperture using the side dials.
The square focusing screen
Looking into the waist level viewfinder
WHAT MAKES THE ROLLEIFLEX SO SPECIAL?
The Rolleiflex 2.8F is an iconic camera created with innovative design. It originally dates back to the 1920s built sturdy with quality craftsmanship and outstanding optics with Carl Zeiss lenses. My Rolleiflex 2.8F is from the 1906s and is particularly special since it is an heirloom camera with a unique personal story!
You may notice that the Rolleiflex has two lenses. That’s because it is a Twin-Lens reflex (TLR) camera. The top lens views the scene, and the bottom lens captures the image. This unique perspective allows for more discreet and candid photography, but it can be difficult to compose images accurately, especially when capturing fast-moving subjects. I love film photography because it forces me to slow down and compose each shot more thoughtfully. That's no exception when using my Rolleiflex! Setting up a shot allows me to fully experience the scenery and thoughtfully set my composition.
The waist-level viewfinder is exciting and tricky to use (at first). Instead of raising the camera to eye level, you look down at the focusing plane from above. This is great for street photography since you can shoot more discretely. Paired with a Zeiss lens, once in focus, the image quality is incredible and offers a far more intense visual than 35mm film! The larger negative size of medium-format film requires careful handling, and as I mentioned, the film is pricey.
The focusing screen shows a mirror image, so you see a horizontal reverse of the scene when composing your shot. In other words, whatever subject is on the left is reflected on the right side of the screen. I am still finding my way around balancing the composition perfectly, so it's a fun exercise for my brain. The Rolleiflex also has a pop-up magnifier for precise focusing. I'd love to get some original accessories, like the Rolleibay lens hood and a Rolleinar 1 or 2, for close-up shots. Fingers crossed, I'll find them in good condition someday! If you have any leads, please let me know.
I still had the original focus screen when my Rolleiflex was restored last year by Amsterdam Camera Repairs. It was in good condition but a bit dark, so I ordered a freshly cut, custom screen from Magic Flex Cameras. And wow! Now my screen is incredibly bright, and the scene practically pops out at you in 3D!
MEDIUM FORMAT FILM EXPLAINED
Over the last few decades, I've worked with many different types of film cameras, and each has its own unique characteristics and (dis)advantages. Vintage Polaroids offer instant gratification and a retro aesthetic. Point-and-shoot cameras are compact and convenient for everyday use but lack depth and customization. Lomography cameras are known for their funky, experimental style yet yield unpredictable results. SLRs like the Canon AE-1 provide more control over settings and interchangeable lenses.
The Rolleiflex has a boxy shape due to its waist-level viewfinder and suitability for 120mm (medium-format) film that has a square shape.
Each roll of 120mm film has only 12 exposures, so scarcity is a big motivator for 'getting it right', but with this project, I also want to grow through trial and error. Compared to other types of film (like 35mm), medium-format offers artistic compositions with a square format and exceptional image quality with its larger negative size. This results in sharper details, richer colors, and greater dynamic range that allows for more nuanced photographs.
However, shooting with medium-format film presents challenges, too. Primarily, the cost of shooting film adds up quickly! The price alone forces me to consider each shot intentionally. For me, medium-format film offers a brilliant aesthetic, especially the Fuji Pro 400H, my favorite 120mm film. Production stopped over 20 years ago, but I was able to score a few boxes (the last supplies were in Orlando), so I'm excited to put these final rolls to good use!
I’ve always thought hand-loading film is fun; there’s a tactile effort that makes you feel more connected to your camera. Loading film into a Rolleiflex is a special experience; it takes a bit more concentration than what’s required with 35mm (or a modern camera that auto-loads film). Curious to see how it’s done? Check it out in my video below!
Read this article if you’re looking for a deep dive comparison of 120mm and 35mm. Do you have a favorite film? Let me know, I’m always looking for new film stocks to try.
