The serial number of a Zeiss Triotar 7.5cm f/4.5 fitted in this Art Deco Rolleicord image by Dirk HR Spennemann(Image rights) |
- Rollei Planar Serial Number Nomenclature
- Rollei Planar Serial Numbers
- Rollei Planar Serial Number Lookup
Rollei Planar Serial Number Nomenclature
Possibly the most ‘Googled’ Rollei search are serial numbers for the TLR Cameras. Serial numbers are the most common method to date a Camera. Several researchers turned the old Rollei / Franke & Heidecke archives upside down to digg out the serial numbers of every Rollei model since the very first Rolleiflex in 1928. From 1960 to 1964, both lens options were offered. From 1964 (starting approximately at serial number 2,282,000) to 1973 only the Planar was available, and from 1973 onwards (starting approximately at serial number 2,851,000) only the Xenotar was available. There were other minor model variations during the 3.5F production run.
Rollei Planar Serial Numbers
The Carl Zeiss 80mm f2.8 Planar Lens (serial number 8041466) for Rolleiflex SL66 is designed for the Rolleiflex medium format SL66 cameras. How bout this Patrick, i just purchased another Rollei TLR,the serial number (above nameplate) 1655836 (on taking lens)Planar 1:2.8 f= 80mm Carl Zeiss Nr.2268059 seems to fit the 2.8E category but the features seem to make it an 2.8F.
- 1Carl Zeiss Jena
Carl Zeiss Jena
Part of the serial number sequence of lenses made by Carl Zeiss Jena [1]
Serial nº | Year |
137,418-200,520 | 1912 |
208,473-249,350 | 1913 |
249,886-282,739 | 1914 |
282,800-284,500 | 1915 |
285,200-288,100 | 1916 |
289,087-298,157 | 1917 |
298,215-322,748 | 1918 |
322,799-351,611 | 1919 |
375,194-419,823 | 1920 |
433,273-438,361 | 1921 |
422,899-498,006 | 1922 |
561,270-578,297 | 1923 |
578,297–631,501 | 1924 |
631,500-648,500 | 1925 |
666,790-703,198 | 1926 |
722,196-798,251 | 1927 |
903,100-908,150 | 1928 |
919,794-1,016,885 | 1929 |
922,488-1,239,697 | 1930 |
1,239,699-1,365,582 | 1931 |
1,364,483-1,389,279 | 1932 |
1,436,671-1,456,003 | 1933 |
1,500,474-1,590,000 | 1934 |
1,615,764-1,752,303 | 1935 |
1,674,882-1,942,806 | 1936 |
1,930,150-2,219,775 | 1937 |
2,267,991-2,527,984 | 1938 |
2,527,999-2,651,211 | 1939 |
2,652,000-c2,678,000 | 1940 |
2,678,326-2,790,346 | 1941 |
2,800,000- ? | 1942 |
Post-War Production
3,000,000-3,200,000 | 1945-1949 |
3,200,000-3,470,000 | 1949-1952 |
3,470,000-4,000,000 | 1952-1955 |
4,000,000-5,000,000 | 1955-1958 |
5,000,000-6,000,000 | 1958-1961 |
6,000,000-6,000,000 | 1961-1964 |
7,000,000-8,000,000 | 1964-1967 |
8,000,000-9,000,000 | 1967-1970 |
9,000,000-10,000,000 | 1970-1975 |
Carl Zeiss Oberkochen
![Rollei planar serial number decoder Rollei planar serial number decoder](/uploads/1/1/9/3/119386966/410828022.jpg)
Part of the serial number sequence of lenses made by Zeiss after World War II at Oberkochen/ West Germany [1]
Rollei Planar Serial Number Lookup
Serial nº | Year |
10,000-500,000 | 1946-1951 |
500,000-1,100,000 | 1951-1953 |
1,100,000-2,600,000 | 1953-1959 |
2,600,000-3,000,000 | 1959-1961 |
3,000,000-4,000,000 | 1961-1965 |
4,000,000-5,000,000 | 1965-1969 |
5,000,000-6,000,000 | 1969-1971 |
6,000,000-7.300,000 | 1971-1975 |
Notes
- ↑ 1.01.1Wilkinson, M, and C Glanfield. 2001. A Lens Collector's Vade Mecum, CD-rom Version 3F. Edited by A. N. Wright. Cornwall, UK: David Matthews Associates. Chapter 7, Page 99-101.
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If you are interested in buying some rolleiflex cameras or accessories,
Visit: http://www.dzp-camera-cafe.com/
Source: https://www.clarenceho.net/gadget/RolleiTLR/index.php
My first medium format camera was a twin lens reflex (TLR) camera. TLR cameras have separate lenses for viewing the scene and taking photo. The image from the viewing lens reflects by mirror onto a ground glass with the image reversed left-right. It takes some time to get used to.While deciding which TLR to buy, I did a little research on the Rolleiflex and Rolleicord. The following is my findings that I hope you will find useful when choosing your Rollei TLR.BTW, I finally picked a Rolleicord V with Xenar 75/3.5 as my first TLR. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rolleiflex and Rolleicord | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rolleiflex was first introduced around 1928. The original Rolleiflex had either a 75/4.5 or a 75/3.8 taking lens. Subsequent Automat and E/T/F models had 75/3.5 lenses. In 1949, another series, the Rolleiflex 2.8, was introduced with 80/2.8 lenses.Besides the Rolleiflex lineups, there is also a low cost camera series – Rolleicord – introduced in 1933. These cameras were targeted toward the budgeted users. Cranks were replaced with winding knobs for film advance. Also the shutter need to be cocked separately. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Different models of Rolleiflex and Rolleicord TLRs are fitted with different taking lenses: Zeiss Triotar Triotar is a 3 elements lens. It is usually found on pre-war models and usually not coated. Soft at the corners, even when stopped down. Maybe not suitable for landscapes, but many photographers love to use it for portraits. Zeiss Tessar The famous Zeiss design. 4 elements in 3 groups. The post-war version is usually coated. Image quality is acceptable even when wide-open. Becomes very good after f8 or f11. Schneider Xenar Schneider’s copy of Tessar. Both Tessar and Xenar share the same design. Zeiss Planar Available in 75/3.5 and 80/2.8 versions. The 75/3.5 version is either 5 or 6 elements in 4 groups. The 80/2.8 version is 5 elements in 4 groups. Schneider Xenotar Both the 75/3.5 and the 80/2.8 versions are of 5 elements, 4 groups design. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Which One to Buy? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First, ignore all the confusing models. Simply pick the lens your want. But which lens is better? It is commonly agreed that, at least when judged by sharpness, Planar/Xenator is better than Tessar/Xenar which in turn better than Tritor. But there are endless debates between Planar vs Xenator and Tessar vs Xenar.My advice is: unless you are a collector, need to shoot in low light, or very into TLR, otherwise choose either the Tessar or Xenar 3.5 versions. They are priced more reasonable and good enough for most users. But if you can afford it, of course you won’t go wrong with Planar/Xenotar 3.5 or even the 2.8. Choose Triotar if you are on a tight budget. Once you figured out which class of lens to go with, I suggest you to forget Planar vs Xenator, or Tessar vs Xenar. I don’t think you will find any different in daily use, unless you like to shoot newspaper to look for sharpness. Next is to choose whether you want a Rolleiflex or a Rolleicord. Rolleiflex models are priced higher. Some people think the winding crank on Rolleiflex is easier to work with than the knob on Rolleicord. But I actually find the knob to be more user friendly for handheld. I also prefer the Rolleicord that requires separate action for cocking the shutter. I found it more logical to cock the shutter just before taking a picture. Anyway, you mileage may vary. The best place to find a used TLR is on Internet auction sites. There are usually plenty of them to choose from. And they are usaully reasonably priced, except those collectable models. Look for cameras with clean glass, working shutter, smooth film transport, and most importantly — the one that is priced reasonably. Don’t get too excited on a particular item and place bid that is higher than the set price in your mind. Remember, there are plenty of TLRs out there. Personally, I would suggest to go with at least a Rolleicord V. Cameras older that this model are usually beaten to death. Note that in Rolleicord, only the Vb model has a user changable viewfinder and screen, if that is important to you. Also, when you are buying a 30+ years old camera, forget about the built-in lightmeter, if there is one. It is usually not in working order or inaccurate. You are better off with a handheld meter. And finally, if you can’t find a Rolleflex or Rolleicord suitable for you, there are still many choices out there. Some of my suggestions are Minolta Autocord, Zeiss Ikon, Yashica etc. Stay tune for more of my reviews on these TLRs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tips on Using a TLR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Model References | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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