Rollei's Rolleicord IV TLR — 6x6 on 120, waist-level finder, leaf shutter, 1953.
The Rolleicord IV continued the post-war Rolleicord line from Franke & Heidecke, the more affordable branch of the Rollei TLR range. Introduced in 1953, it followed the Rolleicord III within the series. It sits among the mid-series post-war Rolleicord bodies.
This is a twin-lens reflex (TLR) exposing 6x6 frames on 120 roll film, using separate viewing and taking lenses on one front standard with a waist-level finder over ground glass. A leaf shutter sits in the front standard behind the taking lens, and the body includes flash-sync provision. As a Rolleicord it used simpler controls than the Rolleiflex. Confirm the taking-lens make and shutter markings on the specific example.
The Rolleicord IV suits portrait, documentary and general square-format work, offering an accessible entry into the Rollei TLR system for students and those new to medium format. Handling follows the familiar waist-level TLR pattern with straightforward mechanical operation.
When buying used, compare taking and viewing lenses for haze, fungus and separation, remembering only the taking lens affects the negative. Check focus smoothness, verify the leaf shutter and aperture work across speeds on the front standard, test the flash sync, film-wind and counter, and inspect ground-glass brightness.