Rollei Single-Lens Cameras

Today photographer and camera collector Karl Krämer presents to FotoTV and viewers his extensive collection of Rollei cameras with a focus on the single-lens Rolleiflex cameras, their functions, features and optics.

The first camera that Krämer displays is the Rolleiflex SLX developed in the 1970’s, which he personally still uses today, he especially like the quality optics for his black and white shooting application when shooting in the studio.

Rolleiflex at one time had lenses manufactured for them by both Carl Zeiss and Schneider Kreuznach. Rolleiflex even licensed lenses through their factory, of course, all three types of unbeatable German quality. Some of the Rolleiflex models were manufactured in Germany as well as in Singapore, although the latter not being much worth to collectors.

In Krämer’s opinion Rollei came about developing and producing the numerous interchangeable lenses and single lens system is because photographers requirements for their applications and tasks were not met using set focal distance. The possibilities were endless when using interchangeable lenses and improved their work considerably. Rollei was also the first manufacturer to develop autofocus lenses for middle format cameras, another milestone for excellent German craftsmanship.