SUPERB! 1945 Rolleiflex Automat, Freshly Serviced, CLA’d

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use

Forget the socks... What he really wants for Christmas is a Rolleiflex.

If you’re familiar with the Rolleiflex and Rolleicord cameras you’ll know that it’s considered a cult classic by many fans. It was the camera of choice by pros until the middle of the 1960’s. And even today it’s still a camera that’s often mentioned on photographic websites as an excellent way to get into medium format. It’s a very famous design, which just like Leica, inspired countless copies over the decades.

This is a fine, early example of the camera that started it all. This is the the Rolleiflex Automat . This model was first produced in Germany by Frank & Heidecke in 1937 starting with serial number 568516. In 1939 a bayonet mount for accessory filters & close up lenses was added to the top viewing lens. The camera then stayed in production until it was again updated in 1949.

The serial number of the camera we have in this listing is 1090640. The lens serial number indicates that it was produced in 1945 as Europe struggled to come to terms with the dark years of WWII. Understandably this Rolleiflex is a desirable and significant camera. It can be difficult to find early examples in good working condition. Many were used very intensely and subsequently damaged, worn out or lost in action…

It uses normal 120 roll film.

Some 72 years after it was produced, this Rolleiflex is still in superb condition and thanks to the careful attention we’ve given it, everything on this camera works. As is nearly always the case, the original mirror has a couple of minor age spots but it still produces a good, usable image on the viewfinder glass Everything has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. Focusing is accurate. The film advance and film counter works correctly. The Compur-Rapid shutter fires well and all speeds (T,B, 1 Sec-1/500th) are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along nicely and the faster ones are clean and snappy.

The sharp Zeiss 3.5/75mm Tessar lens (four elements in three groups) has been well protected by the lens cap and is in superb condition. This lens is very clean. There are no scratches, just a couple of very light cleaning wisps, but you’ll need a magnifier to see it. There are no separated elements, crystallization or other problems and it’s capable of producing lovely photos with modern color and black & white films.

It comes complete with its original lens cap and an original brown leather camera case.

All in all, a very enjoyable vintage camera. Load it with your favorite film and keep it handy for that perfect shot you’ve been looking for. You know the one... the one with the perfect Ansel Adams light breaking through the dark storm clouds that leaves you wishing that you had a classic vintage camera with you…

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