Serial Numbers of Rolleiflex 2.8 TLR cameras

Photograph of a Rolleiflex 2.8 F. The so called ‘White-face’ around the Carl Zeiss Planar 1:2.8 f=80 mm taking lens is clearly visible. The flash synchro switch is set at electronic flash. Photo © 2020 F.W. Stutterheim.

Serial Numbers Lists

Rolleiflex 2.8 A

Start at №	End at №	Produced	Name according to Prochnow Features1	Taking Lens	Name acc. to Parker	Name acc. to Evans
1,101,000	1,116,999	1949-1951	Rolleiflex 2,8 A Compur-Rapid X/CR0 1/400s	CZJ Tessar Opton Tessar	Rolleiflex 2.8A Type 1	Rolleiflex 2.8A (type 1)
1,117,000	1,164,999	1949-1951	Rolleiflex 2,8 A Compur-Rapid X/CR0 1/400s Rolleikin II single format back	CZJ Tessar Opton Tessar	Rolleiflex 2.8A Type 1	Rolleiflex 2.8A (type 1)
1,201,000	1,204,999	1951	Rolleiflex 2,8 A Compur-Rapid MX/CR0 1/500s Rolleikin II 2-format back	Opton Tessar	Rolleiflex 2.8A Type 2	Rolleiflex 2.8A (type 2)

Rolleiflex 2.8 B

Start at №	End at №	Produced	Name according to Prochnow Features	Taking Lens	Name acc. to Parker	Name acc. to Evans
1,220,000	1,220,999	1952-1953	Rolleiflex 2,8 B	CZJ Biometar	Rolleiflex 2.8B	Rolleiflex 2.8B (type 1)
1,260,000	1,260,249	1953-1953	Rolleiflex 2,8 B	CZJ Biometar	Rolleiflex 2.8B	Rolleiflex 2.8B (type 2)

Common Features: Compur-Rapid MX 1/500s, M and X synchronisation.

Rolleiflex 2.8 C

Start at №	End at №	Produced	Name according to Prochnow Features	Taking Lens	Name acc. to Parker	Name acc. to Evans
1,260,250	1,285,999	1954-1955	Rolleiflex 2,8 C From No. 1,267,000 groove in tripod plate for Rolleifix.	CZ Planar	Rolleiflex 2.8C	Rolleiflex 2.8C (type 1)
1,292,000	1,299,9992	1952-1955	Rolleiflex 2,8 C	Schneider Xenotar	Rolleiflex 2.8C	Rolleiflex 2.8C (type 1)
1,400,000	1,475,405	1952-1955	Rolleiflex 2,8 C	Schneider Xenotar CZ Planar3	Rolleiflex 2.8C	Rolleiflex 2.8C (type 2)

Common Features: Synchro-Compur MXV/CR0, M and X synchronisation, delayed action.

Rolleiflex 2.8 D

Start at №	End at №	Produced	Name according to Prochnow Features	Taking Lens	Name acc. to Parker	Name acc. to Evans
1,600,000	1,620,100	1955-1956	Rolleiflex 2,8 D	CZ Planar Schneider Xenotar	Rolleiflex 2.8D	Rolleiflex 2.8D

Common Features: Exposure Value System, aperture wheel and shutter speed wheel coupled, push button to disconnect; Synchro-Compur MXV/CR0; M and X synchronisation; delayed action.

Rolleiflex 2.8 E and E2

Start at №	End at №	Produced	Name according to Prochnow Features	Taking Lens	Name acc. to Parker	Name acc. to Evans
1,621,000	1,665,999	1956-1959	Rolleiflex 2,8 E 2-range uncoupled Se exposure meter	CZ Planar Schneider Xenotar	Rolleiflex 2.8E	Rolleiflex 2.8E
2,350,000	2,357,999	1959-1960	Rolleiflex 2,8 E2 Optional 2-range uncoupled Se exposure meter	CZ Planar Schneider Xenotar	Rolleiflex 2.8E 2	Rolleiflex 2.8 E2

Common Features: Exposure Value System, aperture wheel and shutter speed wheel either coupled or uncoupled, also push button to disconnect; Synchro-Compur MXV/CR0; M and X synchronisation; delayed action.

Photograph of Rolleiflex 2.8 F ‘Whiteface’. The camera with #2478095 shows the so called ‘ear’ under the frame counter window, indicating the film transport is capable of 24 exposures, but it lacks the 12/24 switch. Photo © 2020 F.W. Stutterheim.

Rolleiflex 2.8 F and E3

Start at №	End at №	Produced	Name according to Prochnow Features	Taking Lens	Name acc. to Parker	Name acc. to Evans
2,400,000	2,442,133	1960-1966	Rolleiflex 2,8 F Flat Glass option	CZ Planar Schneider Xenotar4	Rolleiflex 2.8F	Rolleiflex 2.8F (type 1/2)
2,360,000	2,362,024	1962-1965	Rolleiflex 2,8 E3 F model, without coupled exposure meter Optional 2-range exposure meter Flat Glass option	CZ Planar Schneider Xenotar	Rolleiflex 2.8E 3	Rolleiflex 2.8 E3
2,442,134	2,454,999	1966-1967	Rolleiflex 2,8 F Flat Glass option 12/24 exp.	CZ Planar	Rolleiflex 2.8F	Rolleiflex 2.8F (type 1/2)
2,455,000	2,475,999	1967-1971	Rolleiflex 2,8 F 12/24 exp. Mid 1971: ‘White-face’5	CZ Planar	Rolleiflex 2.8F	Rolleiflex 2.8F (type 1/2)
2,476,000	2,479,999	1971-1973	Rolleiflex 2,8 F 12/24 exp. Flat film pressure plate, revised film-gate Mid 1971: ‘White-face’	CZ Planar	Rolleiflex 2.8F	Rolleiflex 2.8F (type 1/2)
2,950,000	2,984,999	1973-1981	Rolleiflex 2,8 F 12/24 exp. Flat film pressure plate, revised film-gate ‘White-face’	Schneider Xenotar CZ Planar	Rolleiflex 2.8F	Rolleiflex 2.8F (type 2)
8,300,001	8,301,500	1983	Rolleiflex 2,8 F Aurum	Schneider Xenotar	Rolleiflex 2.8F Aurum	Rolleiflex 2.8F Aurum
2,985,001	2,985,500	1984-1985	Rolleiflex 2,8 F Edition 1984 Platin 001/500 - 500/500	CZ Planar6 HFT	Rolleiflex 2.8F Platin	Rolleiflex 2.8F Platin Edition

Common Features: Single range exposure meter mechanically coupled to both shutter and aperture (except for E3). Synchro-Compur MXV/CR0, M and X synchronisation, delayed action.

Photograph of Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 1. Photo © 2020 F.W. Stutterheim.

Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 1 Series

Produced from	Produced until	Number	Name	Taking Lens	Particulars
08/1987	03/1994	10,200	Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 1, Black Series	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number Synchro-Compur X/CR0 shutter Aperture scale from 2.8 to 22 shutter speeds scale from 500 - 1, B From 1989 chrome ring around flash socket. From 03/1991 chrome frame around ISO memory compartment on the back.
1989	1989	1,500	Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 1, 60 Years Rolleiflex Edition Special Series	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Synchro-Compur X/CR0 shutter Aperture scale from 2.8 to 22 shutter speeds scale from 500 - 1, B
12/1991	1992	500	Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 1, Helmut Newton Edition Special Series	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Synchro-Compur X/CR0 shutter Aperture scale from 2.8 to 22 shutter speeds scale from 500 - 1, B
03/1994	01/1995	500	Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 1, Expression 94 Special Series	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Synchro-Compur X/CR0 shutter Aperture scale from 2.8 to 22 shutter speeds scale from 500 - 1, B
05/1994	12/1994	33	Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 1, Gold Expression 94 Special Series	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Synchro-Compur X/CR0 shutter Aperture scale from 2.8 to 22 shutter speeds scale from 500 - 1, B 65 years TLR Jubilee
09/1995	09/1995	130	Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 1, Japan Edition Special Series	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Seiko Nr 0 shutter, although Synchro-Compur cannot be ruled out. Aperture scale from 22 to 2.8 shutter speeds scale from B, 1 - 500 Serial Numbers 001/130 - 130/130

Common features: Centre-weighted average light-metering by two Si photo elements behind the mirror. X-synchronisation only. SL66-style strap hinges. The focusing knob has a rubber rim. The Planars were produced at the Rollei factory under licence from Carl Zeiss.

Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 2 Series

Produced from	Produced until	Number	Name	Taking Lens	Particulars
01/1995	12/1995	900	Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 2, 75 Years Rollei Edition Special Series	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Synchro-Compur X/CR0 shutter Aperture scale from 2.8 to 22 shutter speeds scale from 500 - 1, B or Seiko Nr 0 shutter Aperture scale from 22 to 2.8 shutter speeds scale from B, 1 - 500
07/1995	12/1996	1000	Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 2, Expression Series	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Copal Nr 0 shutter Aperture scale from 22 to 2.8 shutter speeds scale from B, 1 - 500
1996	1996	100	Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 2, Club Rollei Jersey Special Series	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Seiko Nr 0 shutter Aperture scale from 22 to 2.8 shutter speeds scale from B, 1 - 500
1996	2000	1000	Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 2, Royal Special Series	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Seiko Nr 0 shutter Aperture scale from 22 to 2.8 shutter speeds scale from B, 1 - 500
2000	2000		Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 2, ‘80 Years’ Focusing knob with annversary print Special Series	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Seiko Nr 0 shutter Aperture scale from 22 to 2.8 shutter speeds scale from B, 1 - 500

Common features: Centre-weighted average light-metering by two Si photo elements behind the mirror. X-synchronisation only, System 6000-style strap hinges. The slotted lid of the battery compartment in the focusing knob is obscured by an additional cover. The focusing knob has a chrome rim. The Planars were produced at the Rollei factory under licence from Carl Zeiss.

Rolleiflex 2.8 FX

Produced from	Produced until	Number	Name	Taking Lens	Particulars
2002	2015		Rolleiflex 2.8 FX	Rollei Planar 2.8/80 HFT Rollei S-Apogon 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Aperture scale from 22 to 2.8 shutter speeds scale from B, 1 - 500 Inner and outer Bayonet III as usual
2012	2015		Rolleiflex 2.8 FX‑N	Rollei S-Apogon 2.8/80 HFT	Coded Serial Number. Aperture scale from 22 to 2.8 shutter speeds scale from B, 1 - 500 Close focusing up to 55 cm Outer Bayonet IV, no inner bayonet For using filters an adaptor is needed and available from Rolleiflex USA.

Common features: Centre-weighted average light-metering by two Si photo elements behind the mirror. X-synchronisation only. Classic ‘alligator’-style strap hinges like 2.8 F. The S-Apogon lens is said to be similar to the Planar. That makes sense. Both lenses were produced at the Rolleiflex factory. My guess is that they are identical, except for he lens name.

Notes

[1]

Features are only described to distinguish between cameras from a single production run or in case of special interest. Not all features are listed. Back

[2]

Prochnow gives 1,292,999 as the highest number of this batch. I have been in contact with the owner of Rolleiflex 2.8 C № 1,299,993. The next batch starts at № 1,300,.. so I have set the highest number of this batch at 1,299,999. Back

[3]

This number range was allocated to Xenotars, however Planars are known. № 1444565 is equiped with Planar № 19665 from Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen. Back

[4]

Early Rolleiflex 2.8 F cameras with Xenotars were marketed at least in some countries in the 1960s. A U.K. sales leaflet with the Xenotar ordering code exists.
Anecdotal information: The leaflet shows the mysterious product codes like “XUCIX”. These were telegraph codes. At a time when mail took a long time to be delivered and the telephone was expensive and the lines were poor quality, ordering by wire was reliable but could be expensive too. To cut costs large companies would have a short ‘telegram address’ and products had short coded names in order to minimise the number of words and thus cost. The ‘Rollei-Werke Franke & Heidecke, Salzdahlumer Strasse 196, 68 Braunschweig, Germany’ used the telegram address ‘Rolleiflex Germany’. Just two words and the German Postamt would know where to deliver. When ordering a Rolleiflex f/2.8F Xenotar with coupled exposure meter with factory installed Flat glass and Flat glass back the content of your telegram would simply be “XUCIX FLADD”. Back

[5]

Mid 1971 a shiny silver name plate with small print around the taking lens was introduced. This was just a purely cosmetic change. Later it became the sought after ‘White-face’. Camera № 2473336 is a ‘Whiteface’. Camera № 2478095 is a ‘White-face’ but still has the film pressure plate with 4 long dents to cover the rails for 120 size film and 35 mm film when the Rolleikin is mounted. It has the camera-side without the 12/24 exposures switch. The pressure plate has two positions: 120 size and 35 mm. There is no provision for the Flat glass. The arrivals of the ‘White-face’ and the new new pressure plate did not coincide. The number of the first ‘White-face’ is unknown, the change happened in mid series. Cameras with the old style pressure plate were still made after № 2476000. № 2950197 has a White-face, a Planar lens and the old style grooved pressure plate. № 2954489 has a White-face, 12/24 exp, a Xenotar and the grooved pressure plate. Back

[6]

This batch of Planars was a special order with Carl Zeiss Oberkochen. Planars for the Rolleiflex had not been ordered for more than a decade. The Planars were multi-coated - probably T* - but labelled HFT for reasons of uniformity. HFT is Rollei’s registered trade-mark for multi-coating. Back