Identifying a Rolleiflex

Several years ago, I bought my first twin-lens reflex Rollei. The Rolleiflex was produced from 1929 until 2014, and it was not always clear when accumulated minor modifications turned one model into another. In fact, it can be quite difficult to identify the model and production year, information that may affect the value of the camera. Mine had an 80 mm f2.8 Carl Zeiss Planar lens, and it needed a CLA, but the seller didn't know much else about it.

However, last year the 350-page book "The Classic Rollei — A Definitive Guide" (Ammonitepress) was published by John Phillips, a Rollei aficionado. The book is full of information on Rolleiflex and Rolleicord cameras. With its help, I found quickly out that my camera was a Rolleiflex 2.8C, and the Carl Zeiss lens indicated that the camera was either produced in 1954 or the first half of 1955. It was also mentioned that 2.8C was not considered one of the more attractive models because of the "somewhat fussy appearance" caused by the plastic locking quadrants and stylized magnifier brackets. I'm still very happy with it, though.

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