Someone could make a digital back for Rolleiflex!

[Rob-F]

Has anyone thought of making a digital back for the Rollei models? The back could be replaced with one that has a digital sensor. An LCD screen could replace the exposure guide on the rear surface. The electronics could be placed at the bottom. The original back is L-shaped, the lower part curving around to make the camera's bottom surface. So the bottom part could be extended, making the camera perhaps half an inch taller to make a chamber for the electronics. There would be no modifications needed to the camera, other than substituting the digital back for the film back/pressure plate. The focus and shutter cocking would be the same as always, with the same controls. Viewing and focusing remain the same. Same Tessar, Xenar, Planar, or Xenotar lenses. The original back can be returned to service for shooting film when desired.

It could be a great thing for TLR fans wanting to go digital. I thought of this in the shower this morning, so I hope my idea is not all wet.

 

[zuiko85]

It is a great idea until you see the price! For myself I dream of a digital back for my OM-1.
For the Rollei I doubt the sensor would be larger than 40x40mm, cutting down the standard angle of view. Small production run would impact economies of scale, also keeping the retail high.

 

[DownUnder]

More Covid fantasies, hm? Ah, well, why not?

My in the shower creative moment is way simpler than yours - I wish someone would build an affordable Rolleiflex, and then we could worry about a digital back for it.

It's sort of let's invent the wheel first, before we build the car.

Fun thread, 'tho. It's good to read something to get the brain off lockdowns, social distancing and face masks.

 

[Rob-F]

Well, I didn't really expect to get flooded with enthusiastic responses. It was just something that occurred to me. Still, who's to say it wouldn't take off and be a great success. You never know. Remember, you saw it here first, right on RFF.

 

[CameraQuest]

Has anyone thought of making a digital back for the Rollei models? The back could be replaced with one that has a digital sensor. An LCD screen could replace the exposure guide on the rear surface. The electronics could be placed at the bottom. The original back is L-shaped, the lower part curving around to make the camera's bottom surface. So the bottom part could be extended, making the camera perhaps half an inch taller to make a chamber for the electronics. There would be no modifications needed to the camera, other than substituting the digital back for the film back/pressure plate. The focus and shutter cocking would be the same as always, with the same controls. Viewing and focusing remain the same. Same Tessar, Xenar, Planar, or Xenotar lenses. The original back can be returned to service for shooting film when desired.

It could be a great thing for TLR fans wanting to go digital. I thought of this in the shower this morning, so I hope my idea is not all wet.

Rollei already did that - for the Rollei 3003!

 

[Godfrey]

A digital back for a Rolleiflex TLR would be a cool thing, but the costs of designing, prototyping, and putting it into production would be very high. It would also be a rather awkward design ... despite the back curving around to the bottom, sensors are rather thick things and the supporting electronics plus battery power source would have to hang off the bottom and the back by quite a bit.

The least expensive sensor in this class would have to be the same Sony 33x44 sensor used in the Fuji and Hasselblad MFD cameras, and it all by itself isn't inexpensive, never mind the LCD display and all the other bits and pieces needed to construct a full working back...

And then there's the question of "Which Rolleiflex TLRs are you going to support?" Rollei made a LOT of different models and their backs are not all interchangeable.

As I said, interesting idea, but I suspect it will remain a thought project rather than become a product.

G