Franke & Heidecke Rolleiflex T tlr Review

Overall Rating

Although sold as a 'budget Rolleiflex'when it was introduced in the mid-1950s, the Rolleiflex T loses very little in comparison with more expensive Rolleiflex E and F models of the same period or later. Its re-designed 3.5 Zeiss Tessar lens satisfies even the most exacting demands for sharpness and contrast when stopped down to f8 and f11, and the results are indistinguishable at these apertures from those of more expensive Planar and Xenotar Rolleiflex lenses. Build quality upholds the Rollei reputation for durability and reliability, and the camera controls match those of more expensive models except for one or two small features. The camera has a single lever controlling shutter speed and aperture, and allowing for these settings to be made separately or in combination, and this contrasts with the separate aperture and shutter speed setting wheels found on other models. Many users prefer this arrangement, and, likewise, the angled shutter release button, which feels more comfortable to the hand. The camera also has a removable hood, and the usual Rolleiflex ultra smooth film winding crank. Finally, and not least important, the Rollei-brand lens hood and filters are cheaper to buy for this model than for more expensive E and F models, and can also be substituted with the lens hood and filters used on Yashica TLR cameras.

The focusing screen on the Rolleiflex T is brighter than those on earlier Rolleiflex models, but still noticeably dimmer than those on modern medium format cameras. This is easily remedied by replacing the screen with a Maxwell or Beattie bright screen, or with any of the other third party focusing screens suitable for Rolleiflex TLRs. The camera has a fixed lens, which is not necessarily a bad point, and is entirely manual in operation. The last point might dissuade potential buyers used to the array of 'point and shoot' convenience of modern automatic camera settings, but it is not in itself a bad feature of this camera. The camera is, of course, about fifty years old, but it is not difficult to find examples in excellent condition.

I have owned a Rolleiflex T for nearly ten years and have used it extensively. It was my first Rolleiflex, and the superiority of the photos I obtained from it, compared with those taken with high quality 35mm cameras, astonished me and converted me instantly to medium format photography. The Rolleiflex T arguably offers better value for money than the more expensive Rolleiflex E and F that were manufactured during the same period or later.