*READ* Rolleiflex 2.8A (Type 1)

Rolleiflex 2.8A (Type 1)

• Camera Type: Medium Format Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) Film Camera
• Film Format: 120 film, 6×6 cm, 12 exposures
• Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 80mm F2.8 or Carl Zeiss Opton Tessar 80mm F2.8, depending on serial number and factory history
• Lens Mount: Fixed dual Bayonet II mount
• Focus Type: Manual focus
• Viewfinder: Waist-level reflex finder with Heidosmat/Heidoscop-Anastigmat 80mm F2.8 viewing lens; interchangeable focusing magnifier
• Shutter Type: Compur Rapid
• Shutter Speed Range: 1–1/400 sec + B
• ISO Range: Depends on Film Used
• Exposure Modes: Manual
• Flash Sync Speed: X-sync; later factory-modified examples may have MX synchronization
• Flash: External flash via sync connection
• Power Source: None
• Film Advance: Manual winding lever with automatic stop and exposure counter

Description

The Rolleiflex 2.8A Type 1 (K7A) is one of the most historically significant Rolleiflex models, introduced in 1949 as the first Rolleiflex with a fast F2.8 taking lens. Produced primarily for the American market, it represents an early step toward the high-end 6×6 Rolleiflex cameras that would later become widely recognized among professional photographers. Approximately 7,870 Type 1 examples were produced.

The camera uses a fixed 80mm F2.8 Tessar taking lens paired with an 80mm F2.8 viewing lens. Early examples were fitted with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar lenses, while later Type 1 cameras were fitted with Carl Zeiss Opton Tessar lenses. Because the exact lens can vary according to serial number and factory history, the individual camera should be identified by its serial number before describing the taking lens as either Jena or Opton.

The Type 1 is distinguished from the later 2.8A Type 2 by its Compur Rapid shutter, with speeds from 1 second to 1/400 second plus Bulb. It uses the distinctive Bayonet II accessory mount and features a waist-level finder with interchangeable magnification loupe and parallax compensation. The focusing mechanism and large 6×6 viewing screen provide the characteristic composing experience associated with classic Rolleiflex TLR cameras.

As a medium format TLR, the Rolleiflex 2.8A is particularly suited to portraits, studio work, street photography, still life, and carefully composed landscape photography. Its 6×6 cm negative provides substantially more film area than 35mm, while the F2.8 taking lens offers useful subject separation and low-light capability for its era. For collectors, the Type 1 is especially interesting because of its early production position and the variation between original Jena Tessar examples and later Opton-fitted cameras.