Honeywell Rolleiflex Question

[JeffGreene]

After using my two Automats, I had the opportunity over the weekend to acquire what was initially described as a Rolleiflex E. When I was presented with the camera, I saw it was marked as a Rolleiflex 2.8F. It has a planar lens and a working meter. A couple of test rolls indicated that the film transport was gummy, but shutter and aperture seem fine. Despite this, I sent it off to Krikor for his overhaul. He accomplished a miracle with my first Automat which was beat to hell.

My question with this camera is that it says Rollei Honeywell on the waist level finder. The serial # was 2,45X,XXX. Can anyone explain the Honeywell connection? I would also be interested in production date information. Ferdi Stutterheim's site which includes the Prochnow, Parker, SiuFai and Club Rollei data provide mixed results. Dates range from 1960 to 1968.

I look forward to your knowledgeable responses.

 

[Mudman]

This is just a guess, but here goes. In the '60s, '70's, etc. Honeywell was a major importer in the US. For Pentax for example, many of the US Import cameras were marked Honeywell Pentax instead of Asahi Pentax. Maybe this is the same thing?

 

[JeffGreene]

That sounds right. I wonder if Honeywell owned Rollei at that point, given Rollei's many financial woes starting about that time.

 

[t.s.k.]

In the 60's Honeywell was the distributor for Rollei, among other things.

As far as dating your Rollei, I believe yours sits right on the cusp between the 12 and 12/24 counter - roughly 1965-1966.
But I've been known to be wrong before...

 

[JeffGreene]

My camera has the 12/24 switch. I think it dates from 1966, but would like confirmation.

 

[ChipMcD]

My camera has the 12/24 switch. I think it dates from 1966, but would like confirmation.

I had both a 3.5 F and an MX-EVS done by Krikor. Both were dated on the invoice when he sent them back, although the MX date per Krikor was 1956, although the serial numbers on <http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/index.shtml> dated it at 1954. I don't know which would be more authoritative, but Krikor worked for Rollei back in the day.

 

[JeffGreene]

Thanks, Chip. Krikor has worked on one of my MX-EVS Rolleiflexes (Type 1) which he dated to 1954. I guess I'll wait to see if he has a date for the 2.8F.

 

[ZeissFan]

Right - Honeywell had no camera manufacturing abilities. They were strictly an importer. Somewhere, I think that I have a Canon rangefinder marked "Honeywell."

By the way, some of the Rollei 35 cameras carry a small Honeywell plate.

 

[JeffGreene]

Thanks, Mike! I guess I wait until Tuesday, when Krikor said I can expect the new/old camera.