“An interesting innovation in the Tele-Rolleiflex is a removable glass
plate within the camera, in front of the film. With such a long focal
length lens, it’s understandable that the maker of the camera should want
to keep the film plane as precise as possible.”
“You’ve got to inspect the glass each time you load. Beware of
thumb-prints, grease or dirt that sticks. These will cause greater harm to
the negative than if they were on the lens itself! However, we shot most of
our pictures with the glass in place and each picture we took came out
scot-free.”
” We then took the Tele-Rolleiflex out on actual field tests. Besides
checking the lens, we were also interested in discovering how well the
glass plate kept the film flat – in terms of actual picture sharpness.”
“With the glass in place, overall sharpness at f/4 was very good with only
the slightest fall-off in definition at the corners and a tiny amount of
flare. Maximum sharpness was achieved at f/8 – and this was sharp indeed.
This sharpness held right down to f/22.”
“Curiously enough, when we removed the glass plate, the loss of sharpness
was almost too minute to notice. – H.K.”
Serial Number Check
SXRMark wrote: This is the rear of my Singapore Rollei Planar. Front is identical to yours (serial number 104xxxx). The bayonet is a simple plate with three lugs and held on with three screws. Very easy to remove and I guess replace with an alternative mount. Note the auto aperture pin is missing on mine (and two of the screws are non-original. Rolleiflex; Model Year Serial Number Lens Others; Original: 1928: 1 – 199.999: Zeiss Tessar 75/4.5 or 75/3.8: Standard: 1932: 200.000 – 567.000: Zeiss Tessar 75/3.5. Planar designs after that period returned to 6 element Planar constructions for the 2.0 and 1.7 versions. Among them the C/Y and the G that have a better reputation. Another magazine did not get a better copy, lower serial number: Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst No photographer's gear list is complete without the printer mentioned! Rollei Repairs By Harry Fleenor Oceanside Camera Repair 909 Aviation Blvd. 4 Manhattan Beach, Ca 90266 310 374 6506 - email - harry@rolleirepairs.com.
Rollei Planar Serial Number Lookup
Serial # 22000 from 1960-69. 75mm Xenotar 3.5 or Planar 75/3.5 lens. Heidosmat 75mm F2.8 viewing lens. Synchro-Compur shutter MXV 1/500 to 1, B. Optional coupled meter, has detachable hood, improved focus screen, eye level viewing.