Rollei's Rolleiflex 2.8C TLR — 6x6 on 120, f/2.8 taking lens, leaf shutter, 1952.
The Rolleiflex 2.8C was a further step in the f/2.8 Rolleiflex line from Franke & Heidecke in the early 1950s. Introduced in 1952, it followed the 2.8B within the f/2.8 branch of the Rolleiflex TLR range. It sits among the brighter-lens post-war bodies of the series.
This is a twin-lens reflex (TLR) exposing 6x6 frames on 120 roll film, with separate viewing and taking lenses on one front standard and a waist-level finder over ground glass. The f/2.8 taking lens is fitted behind a leaf shutter in the front standard, and automatic film loading spaces the frames. Verify the taking-lens make and shutter engravings on the individual camera.
The f/2.8 taking lens suits portrait and professional work in the square format alongside general documentary use, with the brighter aperture helping in lower light. The waist-level finder favours composed framing, and the mechanical build gives operation that does not depend on a battery to fire.
For a used example, examine taking and viewing lenses individually for haze, fungus and separation, noting only the taking lens affects images. Check focus-knob smoothness, confirm the leaf shutter and aperture operate across speeds on the front standard, test the film-wind and counter, and check ground-glass brightness for accurate composition.