Rolleiflex without a serial number

[jdriffill]

I have a Rolleiflex, Xenotar f2.8, no meter. Not sure what model it is, as there is no serial number. Neither under the taking lens nor above the name panel. I think it's an E or E2 or something similar. Does anyone know which this might be?

The back has a bulge, and the camera can take a sheet of glass under the film to keep it flat. The focusing hood can be slid off and the screen is removable.

Rolleiflex by John Driffill, on Flickr

L1009598 by John Driffill, on Flickr

Rolleiflex by John Driffill, on Flickr

Rolleiflex E(?) Xenotar F2.8 meterless by John Driffill, on Flickr

 

[David Murphy]

I'm not an expert, but the lack of a 35mm frame counter seems to indicate it's a 2.8F, but what I don't understand is the lack of a light meter. I thought all F's had meters. Perhaps it is an F and someone removed the meter? It's a very lovely Rolleiflex, whatever model it is!

 

[David Murphy]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is a 2.8E2. I saw a photo of the E2 without the 35mm frame counter, and apparently the meter was optional. I thought the glass film plate was a feature of the 2.8F, but perhaps the E2 had it as well, or it was added. The E2 was close in timeline to the 2.8F, making this quite possible.

I know there exist older Rollei's that were retrofitted by technicians with newer features and customizations, and I believe some were even done at the factory. There are also Rollei's assembled from parts from different, but similar models. In fact I know a technician personally who does this. Not sure what happened to the serial number, but perhaps some part swapping took place in the past to rehab this camera at some point. It doesn't seem to have lost it's fine pedigree however (IMO).

 

[DownUnder]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is a 2.8E2. I saw a photo of the E2 without the 35mm frame counter, and apparently the meter was optional. I thought the glass film plate was a feature of the 2.8F, but perhaps the E2 had it as well, or it was added. The E2 was close in timeline to the 2.8F, making this quite possible.

I know there exist older Rollei's that were retrofitted by technicians with newer features and customizations, and I believe some were even done at the factory. There are also Rollei's assembled from parts from different, but similar models. In fact I know a technician personally who does this. Not sure what happened to the serial number, but perhaps some part swapping took place in the past to rehab this camera at some point. It doesn't seem to have lost it's fine pedigree however (IMO).

I was about to say this, but I was beaten to it! The 2.8E2 has the removable waist level finder, and the E WLF is fixed and not removable.

Someone has also replaced the original Rolleiflex name plate on this camera with one from another camera.

There, mystery solved! But may I say, that is one fine-looking camera for its age (1960-1962).

All this said and done with, I have a 3.5E2 and you can take it from me that any E2 is a wonderful camera, as good as an F any day. But then I would say this about any Rollei TLR anyway, being obsessed with them and having used mine since 1966 with only two CLAs in over half a century to keep it functioning almost as good as when new.

The lack of a built-in meter is probably more a blessing than a hindrance - those meters were never that accurate anyway and were most likely set up for color negative film shooters.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Take off the focusing hood and look at the back of the name plate. Maybe someone wrote the original serial number on it when they installed the numberless plate? If not, look inside the mirror box, in the back.

 

[jdriffill]

Many thanks for all your observations. I have looked at the back of the name plate, and inside the mirror box, but have found nothing there.

I guess it looks as though the camera has been modified at some point and the part with the serial number replaced. I must take it out for a spin! All seems to be working very well. I am very happy to have a presumed E2.

I agree that the absence of a meter is no loss on one of these.

Thanks v much for your replies.

All best,
John

 

[JPD]

Yes, it is an E2. The serial number is supposed to be on the front, on the flat spot on the black "trim" below the taking lens. Both the nameplate and the front are correct for this model, so it is not a Frankenbuild. Maybe the camera was serviced and needed a new front, or perhaps it left the factory like this for some unusal reasons. Other than the serial number, everything looks correct. It has a flat glass back. Does it have glass in the film plane?

 

[jdriffill]

Yes, it is an E2. The serial number is supposed to be on the front, on the flat spot on the black "trim" below the taking lens. Both the nameplate and the front are correct for this model, so it is not a Frankenbuild. Maybe the camera was serviced and needed a new front, or perhaps it left the factory like this for some unusal reasons. Other than the serial number, everything looks correct. It has a flat glass back. Does it have glass in the film plane?

Unfortunately I do not have the glass for the film plane.

Thanks v much for your comments!