The Rollei 2.8GX
The major difference between the previous 2.8GX camera and the 2.8FX is mostly cosmetic. The camera is covered with brown alligator embossed calf's leather. Chrome plated edges on the back add to the camera's sophisticated & elegant appearance. The logo on the front of the camera is the same which adorned Rolleiflex cameras of the 1930s.
The well-proven carrying strap eyelets of earlier models have been re-introduced. Rollei's legendary twin-lens reflex camera with an 80 mm Planar f/2.8 HFT lens; comes with protective lens cap, carrying strap and size III filter bayonet.
A Photographic Legend
Photography has its legends. One of these is undoubtedly the twin-lens Rolleiflex for 6x6cm. When first introduced in 1929, this style of camera was a sensation and the principle behind it was a real stroke of genius. The Rolleiflex was to have a decisive influence on the history of photography during the ensuing decades. Wherever some event occurred that was to decide the course of history, someone was capturing it on film using a Rollei.
This is why twin-lens reflex camera enthusiasts and top professionals have repeatedly asked Rollei to continue this classic camera design - but with all the added advantages of modern technology. The result is the Rolleiflex 2.8 FX; the classic twin-lens design with the exposure features of a modern automatic Rolleiflex camera.
The 6x6 Format
Many photographers prefer the 6x6 format. It allows part of the image to be subsequently enlarged in a horizontal or vertical format without any need to have the orientation of the picture fixed right from the start. 6x6 has more than 4x the area of 35mm.
The tiring "against-the-eye" viewfinder has been done away with and with it the uncertain feeling that some details could have been missed in the small image field. The large bright image in the ground-glass focusing screen gives the photographer the feeling of being part of the scene and a greater chance of realizing his/her creative ideas. The larger format also ensures superior resolution for details which is also valuable during slide projection.
Ease of Use
The 2.8 FX can be used as a companion camera to your automatic camera. The extremely quiet shutter makes it ideal for every situation where discretion is required. Its lightweight and ease of handling is an advantage when you want to be at the ready for spontaneous photo situations where ranging focal length is not required. Modern TTL exposure metering and flash metering at the film surface provide the ideal combination of tradition and progress. ]
In addition, the camera features a fold-away crank that moves the film with a quick swinging motion, simultaneously cocking the shutter and advancing the frame counter - but still allowing multiple exposures. Other features include film speed adjustment of 25-6400 ISO, cable release socket, lockable shutter release and flash hot shoe with center and control contacts for dedicated operation with any flash units using the SCA 300 System.
High-Quality Lens
The Planar 80mm f/2.8 lens is a top-of-the-line lens design and features very small curvature of the image field and very high color correction. With the special Rollei HFT coating, this lens provides great resolution, excellent contrast and outstanding color brilliance. Color LED indicators in the viewfinder show "under/over" exposure in half stops. The center-weighted integral metering characteristic is decidedly practical. Exposure balance is obtained by the follow-up principle, with aperture or speed priority.
TTL Flash
Modern TTL flash metering also presents no difficulties for the 2.8 FX using the Rollei SCA 356 adapter and an automatic flash unit on the SCA 300 system. With this combination, a sensor measures the light reflected from the film surface during exposure. The flash control electronics in the Rollei 356 adapter meters out the flash energy required for the exposure.
As well as automatic flash units, any other flash unit can be directly connected to this camera. The TTL automatic flash system is then inoperative and the flash control is provided by the flash unit.
The Rollei Advantage
In conclusion, the Rollei 2.8FX is the latest development in Rollei's TLR camera series. It is a reliable, mechanical camera with 70 years of development behind it. These latest Rolleiflex cameras are familiar and easy to use.
They feature a renowned Zeiss-licensed, Rollei-built 80mm f/2.8 Planar lens and incorporate center-weighted TTL light metering with a viewfinder read-out and the capability of TTL "Off-the-Film" flash exposure. Compact, portable and quiet, the 2.8FX is a successfully updated, classic medium format camera.