Please start with the "Short-cut to the First Exposure". Only two pages, but they will tell you in rapid fashion all you need to know.

The handling of the model 2.8 F shown here and of the 3.5 F (which is identical in all constructional features) is then explained once more in detail, step by step. The first part covers its everyday use: it contains the standard rules for picture-taking; thanks to Rollei's automatic principle, these are simpler than ever before. The second part deals with the additional features of the camera, useful from time- to time to master special photographic problems.

The aim of this booklet is to facilitate getting quick information on all necessary details and also to help you to take full advantage of the great capabilities of your Rolleiflex.

ROLLEI-WERKE FRANKE & HEIDECKE

I. The Rollei In Everyday Use

                                                               Page

   Short-cut to the First Exposure            4 - 5

   Ever-ready Case                                       6

   Lens Cap                                                   7

   Neck Strap                                                7

   Loading the Camera                          8 - 10

   Focusing for Sharpness                          11

   Setting the Exposure                        12 - 13

   Selecting the Shutter Speed            14 - 15

   Depth-of-Field                                1 6 - 1 7

   Releasing Shutter                                    18

   Film Transport                                         19

   Shutter Tensioning                                  19

   Unloading the Camera                            20

   Care of the Camera                                 21

II. Special Applications

                                                               Page

   Sports Finder                                           22

   Self-timer                                                 23

   Tripod                                                      23

   Flash Shots                                      24 - 25

   Diaphragm                                               26

   Double Exposures                                   26

   Use of Filters                                           27

   Correct Exposure (Reflected and

   Incident Light Measurement)            28 - 29

   Adjusting the Exposure Meter                 30

   Exposure Value                                       30

   Changing the Magnifier                           31

   Changing the Back                                  31

   Rolleikin                                                   32

   Rolleiflex Accessories                      33 - 34

Short-cut to the First Exposure

(I) DIN—ASA Setting

Immediately after loading the camera: gently press knurled knob and set to the DIN or ASA value of the film used in camera—important for getting correct exposure. 

Set filter scale to zero ( --> page 27).

(2) Focusing

Raise rear edge of focusing hood.4www.butkus.org

Composition and sharpness can now be examined on the focusing screen; turn the focusing knob until principal object appears with maximum sharpness. For more critical observation of the image, raise magnifier by gently pressing the direct view finder panel. Direct view finder ~ page 22.

(3) Pre-selecting Shutter Speed

Turn speed selector wheel, using right thumb, until the desired shutter speed (red figures) appears in the center of the peep window. Selecting Shutter Speed ~ page 14.

(4) Setting the Exposure

Turn stop selector wheel, using left thumb, until both pointers of the exposure meter are in line which each other.

Just one more glance—to check framing and focus—and the Rolleiflex is ready to shoot.

Incidentally, by pre-selecting the diaphragm opening, the depth-of-field required can be determined first (A page 16). To line up the exposure meter pointer, turn the speed selector wheel: click shutter speed into position and make final adjustment with diaphragm wheel (A page 14).

(5) To Release Shutter

Swing the safety lever from If, (locked) to (unlocked) position; press shutter release.

(6) Film Transport

Swing out crank and turn with one continuous swing — forward to stop and back again to stop.

This operation cocks the shutter, advances the film to the next frame and sets the picture counter to the next exposure. The Rolleiflex is ready for the next picture.

This operation cocks the shutter, advances the film to the next frame and sets the picture counter to the next exposure. The Rolleiflex is ready for the next picture.4www.butkus.org

Ever-ready Case

To open: lift the top from the rear (I) and fold forward and down. Before closing the case set camera to (1)

Removing the camera: swing locking levers on either side of strap holder downward (2) — the two sides of the case can now be spread apart. Lift crank outward, spread the sides slightly and pull camera forward.—To insert: spread the two sides of the case slightly, guide the raised crank through opening from the inside and lower the camera backwards into the case. Press the sides together and swing locking levers upward.

Detaching the front (if required): press clip downward (3), remove the front flap, lifting it backward.—To attach: insert the front flap in hinge and close ever-ready case.

Lens Cap

To remove: lift the lower part by the tab at the lower edge and fold it against the upper part; remove cap from the bayonet by turning it counterclockwise (4).

To attach: fit the folded cap into the viewing bayonet and fold down after a short turn (5).

Neck Strap

To attach: insert the retaining prongs at the ends of the strap into the strap holders ton camera or ever-ready case) and they will immediately snap into position.4www.butkus.org

To release: press the retaining prongs together and pull strap (6).

The leather loop and snap buttons on the left side of the ever-ready case serve to hold the protective leather cover for the light meter in place. It is necessary to un-snap the lower left button before opening the case, when the meter cover is used. 

Adjusting to DIN/ASA speed ratings (1): determine the speed of the film used (to be found on the packing or an accompanying instruction sheet), which will be indicated in DIN or ASA values. Gently press and turn knurled knob until the corresponding speed rating appears above the indicator mark in the DIN or ASA window. (The dots correspond to intermediate film speeds, ~ page 27.)

This setting has to be adjusted whenever a different speed film is used.

Setting the filter factor (a): Under normal shooting conditions, turn setting button to zero. Set the corresponding filter factors only

when using filters requiring a prolonged exposure (--> page 27).

Setting the film type (as a reminder) (2): Turn the knurled knob at the focusing knob to set the film type—black and white, color artificial light, color daylight, color negative.

Advancing the film to No. 1: Turn crank continuously until it stops—past a slight resistance during the last turn, when the counter mechanism engages—and then in opposite direction until it stops again A). The crank is now locked in its starting position. The film frame counter indicates No. 1, shutter is cocked—the film is in correct position and ready for the first exposure.

Focusing for Sharpness

To open the focusing hood: lift rear edge of hood 0 and raise cover. To close: fold in both sides A).

To raise magnifier: press direct viewfinder panel inward, following this simple method: grip upper edge of hood with two fingers, pushing the panel gently inward with the fingertip (a). Always hold magnifier close to the eye.— To close: push magnifier support down Q).

Focusing: Turn the focusing knob until the picture is pin sharp, or until the two halves of the image meet in the Rangefinder Wedge (Center of the view finder).4www.butkus.org

If you select the shutter speed first:

turn the speed selector wheel fright) until the desired instantaneous shutter speed (red figure) appears In the center of the indicator window, and then adjust the diaphragm opening:  

turn the diaphragm wheel Cleft), until both exposure meter pointers are lined up 

—you can always be sure: the exposure will be correct.

This is an easy rule. All you have to do is to watch two pointers. Thus Rollei clearly signals:

The exposure is correct, when both pointers are aligned.

Any sudden change in light intensity—indicated by the moving meter needle—can be noticed instantly and can then be compensated for by the proper pointer adjustment. With the camera ready to shoot, correct exposure is kept under constant control, even up to the actual moment of exposure.

The exposure meter is directly cross-coupled to the speed and stop settings. Adjustment according to the meter automatically sets the depth-of-field indicators well. This facilitates focusing even further. Now you can also pre-select the diaphragm opening, without checking the diaphragm setting,—depending upon whether you prefer a faster shutter speed (A page 14) or a greater depth-of-field (A page 16). The correct speed/stop relationship is positively controlled by the two pointers.4www.butkus.org

Selecting the Shutter Speed

The red section of the scale denotes instantaneous, shutter timed speeds, in fractions of a second (500 = 1/500th sec., 1 = 1/1 = 1 sec.). Intermediate values between clicks cannot be used therefore: always set shutter so that desired speed figure is in the middle of the indicator window. This rule also applies when pre-selecting depth-of-field. Only after clicking the speed into position can the final adjustment of the exposure meter pointers be made with the diaphragm control wheel. The green section of the scale is for time exposures only and indicates the required exposure time in full seconds. It is used only when unfavorable lighting conditions require greater exposure, while at the same time further stopping down in order to gain depth-of-field. After lining up the exposure meter pointers, the green numbers indicate, in full seconds, the time the shutter has to be kept open (A time exposures, page 18). Intermediate values can be used in the green shutter speed section.

What Shutter Speed?

Selecting a sufficiently short shutter speed is an important factor in getting a sharp picture.

First rule: in hand-held shots, use fast speeds to avoid camera movement. The longest permissible shutter speed is 1/30 sec. Safer and most widely used: 1/60 and 1/125 sec.

Second rule: In scenes involving motion, the faster the objects move, the shorter the exposure has to be, to prevent a blurred picture.

As a guide: sport scenes 1/500, running children 1/250, quick marching pedestrians 1/125, people walking leisurely 1/60 or—from some distance—1/30. To eliminate the possibility of blurred scenes, remember this. general rule: the danger of subject movement is greatly reduced by increasing the taking distance and shooting as nearly in line with the direction of motion as possible, in other wards, rather from the front than from the side.4www.butkus.org

What About Depth-of-Field?

A sharp focusing screen image indicates that the camera is focused correctly on the main subject.

But both before and behind the plane of sharp focus there is always a sufficiently sharp zone. The range of this "depth-of-field" is shown by a white band on the focusing knob: the length of the white band indicates on the distance scale the depth-of-field available.

The indicator band changes when the diaphragm selector wheel is turned, permitting a quick and direct coordination of shutter speed and depth of field. The faster the film, the easier is it to take care of special needs calling for short shutter speeds and great depth-of-field.

The zone of definition does not break off abruptly, but gradually changes to unsharpness. Therefore it is difficult to define the exact limits of the depth-of-field. Maximum definition always prevails at the focusing distance.4www.butkus.org

When Does One Need Depth -of- Field ?

Extended depth-of-field becomes very helpful when taking surprise snapshots sport scenes with constantly changing subject distance and subjects with extended depth.

Snapshots with the camera pre-focused to the anticipated distance: work with extended depth-of-field to compensate for changes in the focusing distance. (Sports Finder page 22.)

Landscapes with foreground: to extend the depth-of-field as far as possible into the foreground, do not set the camera to 00, but turn the focusing knob until the no mark is opposite the end of the indicator band.

Subjects with great depth: focus separately on the nearest and farthest point bracketing the subject. Turn the focusing knob so that the white band reaches both distance figures. f necessary, extend depth by turning selecting wheel.

Up to the moment of exposure all camera settings are kept under perfect control: sharpness, framing, exposure, shutter speed and depth-of-field. They can be readjusted instantly if the subject so requires.

To unlock shutter release: move release guard from locked Id, to lower unlocked (I) position. 

Snapshot Exposure (1/500 - 1 sec.): press shutter release gently, selected speed goes off automatically.

Time Exposure (" B", over 1 sec.): press shutter release and hold for required time. Shutter will close when you let go.

Long Time Exposures ("B"): press release and lock with safety guard Terminate exposure by releasing lock. (Caution: Do not shake camera! Shield the lens with your hand when opening and closing the shutter.)

Cable Release: insert in cable release socket with safety guard locked.4www.butkus.org