Rolleiflex Automat II

Improved model

1953

Franke & Heidecke

Braunschweig

West Germany

Image of Rolleiflex Automat II Improved model

Lens:

f3.5, 7.5 cm Zeiss Opton Tessar. Iris diaphragm to f22. Serial no. 917326 .

Viewing Lens: f2.8, 75 mm Heidosmat. Serial no. 634835 .

Shutter:

Synchro-Compur, speeds 1 - 1/500, B. Delayed action. X, M Flash synchronisation.

Construction:

Metal body.

Format:

12, 6 x 6 cm exposures on 120 roll-film.

Focusing:

To 2 ⅔ feet.

Attributes:

Reflex viewing through second lens. Full-size ground glass focusing screen without condenser. Focusing magnifier. Direct-vision view-finder in hood.
Auto-stop on film advance, coupled to shutter.
Film advance tensions shutter. Automatic film counter. After the 12th exposure the film advance lever keeps winding. Depth-of-field scale. Exposure table on back.

Identification:

Accessory groove on base.

Serial Number:

1290558 .

With:

Lens caps. Lens hood, marked R1 in leather case.
H1 filter in plastic case, marked R. Light yellow filter in plastic case, marked 28.5. Green filter in plastic case, marked R. Orange filter in plastic case, marked 28.5. Light blue filter in plastic case, marked R, in box.
Rolleinar 1 set. Comprises: Rolleiparkeil 1, two Rolleinar 1, un-coated, marked 28.5. In plastic case.
Rolleinar 2 set. Comprises: Rolleiparkeil 2, two Rolleinar 2, coated, marked R. In plastic case. In box.
Rolleikin 35 mm film adapter. In leather case.
Plate back adapter. Comprises: camera back, 3 single metal slides, focusing screen in pouch. In box.
Rolleiflash. Case.
Rolleifix tripod adapter. Extension focusing knob. Ever-ready case. Outfit case.

The early model Automat 11 did not have a groove around the tripod socket, this was added latter enabling accessories such as the pistol grip and quick-release tripod attachment to be used. The back is removable allowing a plate back to be fitted.

This example has the cine-film counter fitted which is also compatible with roll-film, the pressure plate has two positions for either format. This version of the Rolleikin - c. 1949 - replaced the earlier version that required the back of the camera to be changed.

Coating on Rolleipars and Rolleinars was not introduced until around 1952.

The Rolleiflash fits on to the bayonet of the viewing lens, it could also be used up to 3 feet from the camera using the in-built lead. An open flash button is present. A second flash unit (a different model) could be connected to the first unit.

References & Notes:

BJA 1953, p. 73. BJA 1954, p. 226. Pearlman, Rollei Manual, 3rd ed. p. 60.

Early Photography