Rolleiflex in Color
After the first black-and-white test film of my Rolleiflex 3.5F model-3 (or « K4F », see details given below), I decided to do a negative-color film with a roll of Kodak Ektar 100. I expected for some weather improvements but finally it was essentially overcast during the session giving a very soft light to the scene. The sun came after on my way back for a moment only.
For all the frames, the Rolleiflex was equipped with the Rollei RII protecting filters (UV) on both lenses and the taking lens additionally equipped with the Rollei RII original shade hood. The film was exposed for 100 ISO. Light-metering was done using a Minolta Autometer III equipped with a 10° finder for selective measures privileging the shadow areas or with the integrating white dome for incident light metering. The camera was held using the brand-new leather neck strap for the Rolleiflex that I received from China.
Documentary smartphone picture.
March 25, 2025
Parc de la Tête d'Or
69006 Lyon
France
After the view #12 exposed, the film was fully rolled to the taking spool and was developed using the C41 protocol by a local laboratory service (one-hour service).
Digitizing was made using a Sony A7 camera (ILCE-7, 24MP) held on a Minolta vertical macro stative device and adapted to a Minolta MD Macro lens 1:3.5 f=50mm. The light source was a LED panel (approx. 4x5') CineStill Cine-lite fitted with film holder "Lobster" to maintain flat the film.
The RAW files obtained were inverted within the latest version available of Adobe software Lightroom Classic (14.2) and edited to the final jpeg pictures without intermediate file. They are presented either as printed files with frame or the full size JPEG together with some documentary smartphone pictures.
About the camera
I got this stunning Rolleiflex 3.5F from a French artist near Paris, France. The camera came in it original box and leather bag with accessories and a reference book year 1955. The whole kit is in a remarkable state of conservation.
The Rolleiflex 3.5F is the model-3 that Rollei-Werke Franke & Heidecke produced in about 50.000 units in Germany from 1960 to 1965. The Rolleiflex originates from 1928 for the very first model and was produced still in a limited number until the years 2000’s. The 3.5F model 3 was available etheir with a Schneider-Kreuznak Xenotar taking lens or the Call Zeiss Planar 1:3.5 f=75mm as this camera. The Rolleiflex, that was a quality reference for many professional photographers in the 50’s for the medium-format 6X6 camera’s. Many worked both with the Leica M3 (starting from 1954) as small-format 24x36mm camera and the Rolleiflex for other appliances. The Rolleiflex remained one of the most iconic and trusted camera of all the times.
This specific 3.5F is labelled on the right side with nice badge made of enameled brass « T » « Telos » that was the exclusive first French importer of Rollei to France until 1972.
The Rolleiflex 3,5 F model 3 is equipped with the Synchro-Compur central shutter MXV CR00 with cone-wheel differential. The distance scale is only in meters here with automatic DOF indication.
Serial number with ‘3,5F’ prefix on of top name shield.
I detailed the camera and accessories and studied carefully the user manual and the book to be more familiar with this beauty before waiting for a quiet moment to prepare for a test film. I did not trust the solidity of the old leather original neck strap to carry this precious machine on the field to avoid the real risk to drop the camera. I first used my modern Peak-Design Leach safe strap before using a Chinese nice remake of the original leather strap, reproducing even the famous « crocodile » connectors.
Rolleiflex in Color
After the first black-and-white test film of my Rolleiflex 3.5F model-3 (or « K4F », see details given below), I decided to do a negative-color film with a roll of Kodak Ektar 100. I expected for some weather improvements but finally it was essentially overcast during the session giving a very soft light to the scene. The sun came after on my way back for a moment only.
For all the frames, the Rolleiflex was equipped with the Rollei RII protecting filters (UV) on both lenses and the taking lens additionally equipped with the Rollei RII original shade hood. The film was exposed for 100 ISO. Light-metering was done using a Minolta Autometer III equipped with a 10° finder for selective measures privileging the shadow areas or with the integrating white dome for incident light metering. The camera was held using the brand-new leather neck strap for the Rolleiflex that I received from China.
Documentary smartphone picture.
March 25, 2025
Parc de la Tête d'Or
69006 Lyon
France
After the view #12 exposed, the film was fully rolled to the taking spool and was developed using the C41 protocol by a local laboratory service (one-hour service).
Digitizing was made using a Sony A7 camera (ILCE-7, 24MP) held on a Minolta vertical macro stative device and adapted to a Minolta MD Macro lens 1:3.5 f=50mm. The light source was a LED panel (approx. 4x5') CineStill Cine-lite fitted with film holder "Lobster" to maintain flat the film.
The RAW files obtained were inverted within the latest version available of Adobe software Lightroom Classic (14.2) and edited to the final jpeg pictures without intermediate file. They are presented either as printed files with frame or the full size JPEG together with some documentary smartphone pictures.
About the camera
I got this stunning Rolleiflex 3.5F from a French artist near Paris, France. The camera came in it original box and leather bag with accessories and a reference book year 1955. The whole kit is in a remarkable state of conservation.
The Rolleiflex 3.5F is the model-3 that Rollei-Werke Franke & Heidecke produced in about 50.000 units in Germany from 1960 to 1965. The Rolleiflex originates from 1928 for the very first model and was produced still in a limited number until the years 2000’s. The 3.5F model 3 was available etheir with a Schneider-Kreuznak Xenotar taking lens or the Call Zeiss Planar 1:3.5 f=75mm as this camera. The Rolleiflex, that was a quality reference for many professional photographers in the 50’s for the medium-format 6X6 camera’s. Many worked both with the Leica M3 (starting from 1954) as small-format 24x36mm camera and the Rolleiflex for other appliances. The Rolleiflex remained one of the most iconic and trusted camera of all the times.
This specific 3.5F is labelled on the right side with nice badge made of enameled brass « T » « Telos » that was the exclusive first French importer of Rollei to France until 1972.
The Rolleiflex 3,5 F model 3 is equipped with the Synchro-Compur central shutter MXV CR00 with cone-wheel differential. The distance scale is only in meters here with automatic DOF indication.
Serial number with ‘3,5F’ prefix on of top name shield.
I detailed the camera and accessories and studied carefully the user manual and the book to be more familiar with this beauty before waiting for a quiet moment to prepare for a test film. I did not trust the solidity of the old leather original neck strap to carry this precious machine on the field to avoid the real risk to drop the camera. I first used my modern Peak-Design Leach safe strap before using a Chinese nice remake of the original leather strap, reproducing even the famous « crocodile » connectors.