Rollei's Wide-Rolleiflex TLR — 6x6 on 120, wide-angle taking lens, leaf shutter, 1961.
The Wide-Rolleiflex was a specialised wide-angle version of the Rolleiflex TLR from Franke & Heidecke, fitting a shorter-than-standard taking lens for a broader field of view. Introduced in 1961, it was produced in comparatively small numbers, making it one of the scarcer Rolleiflex variants. It sits within the classic Rolleiflex TLR family as a dedicated wide-angle body.
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. Its taking lens is a wide-angle optic giving a wider view than the standard Rolleiflex, sitting behind a leaf shutter in the front standard. Confirm the taking-lens make and shutter markings on the individual example.
The wider field of view suits landscape, documentary and interior work in the square format where the standard Rolleiflex lens would be too tight. Handling follows the familiar Rolleiflex layout of a waist-level finder and front controls, with mechanical operation that does not depend on a battery.
When buying used, compare taking and viewing lenses for haze, fungus and separation, remembering only the taking lens affects the negative. Check focus-knob smoothness, verify the leaf shutter and aperture work across speeds on the front standard, test the film-wind and counter, and inspect ground-glass brightness, which matters for the wider view.