A review of the LEGENDARY Rolleiflex 2.8F

Join Jon Canlas as he reviews one of his favorite film cameras of all time. A camera he shot for years. The LEGENDARY Rolleiflex 2.8F twin lens reflex.

Jon also shares the tips and tricks you need to shoot this camera like a pro.

FILM IS NOT DEAD

#rolleiflex #120film #TLR

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[MrWilhinds]

I love the Harry Fleenor story. I have a 3.5 F with a working meter!! I bought her secondhand back in 1984-85.
It was manufactured in 1961, the same year I was born 😊!
If I’m walking around with my M6, only those that know notice. But everyone notices the Rollieflex and those that know get super excited. I love your videos. Keep up the great work.

[JacquesLaFleche]

So wonderful to have had the opportunity of photographing some of the heroes and legends of WWII. As a war photographer, I have wanted to honor those who served our country through artful portraiture. My great grandfather is 102 years old, a living war hero and lives across the street from me. It has been an intention of mine to photograph him in an honorable and special manner, perhaps using a rolleiflex now that I'm in the market. Thank you for sharing your portraits! It's inspired me to use the camera for just as honorable of purposes. @JacquesLaFleche

[steverosenblum]

Great video. The best thing about the video is you, Jon. Your integrity and personal authenticity just shows in every frame. I had a 3.5f for awhile but sold it last year to a fellow FIAB person who was thrilled to have it. I ended up missing using a Rollei, and recently bought a 2.8d Planar that had been CLA'd and I'm waiting for the Maxwell screen and then I will be good to go again. I love these old mechanical cameras--they are made like Swiss watches and are a pleasure to shoot.

[rogerbird]

I love my 2.8E. Beautiful camera. Wonderful to use. I now have my grail cameras; the 2.8, a Leica M5, and a Rollei 35T.

[mdevered]

I have a 2.8f, been building it up for the past few years, Its from 1953 and found it's way to Cape Town. What a glorious camera, thanks for the inspiring video to go out and shoot.

[markdankel]

This was teriffic. Warm, witty, entertaining and richly informative. Bravo!

[tonym]

What a great video, your personality and love for the Rolleiflex is real! I really enjoyed it. Thank you

[eyeofalchemy]

What a review! The personal thoughts really gives an edge here over other reviews. Thanks for the insight!

[Pokertyme]

Great video ! I have a couple of Rolleis and when they need a tune-up I send 'em to Harry.

[kronkite]

Really glad I found your Find Lab! Just bought my 4th Rolleiflex - a 3.5 after stupidly selling the others way back before prices skyrocketed!

Loved the football photos and the portraits, and have to admit when you got to the photo of Harry Fleanor’s dad I got goosebumps!

Mine isn’t Fleanored but the guy I bought it from stripped it to the bare chassis, with detailed photos of every component cleaned, re-lubricated, replaced and refitted so feels like new. I’d love the wide and tele versions one day, but need the lottery for that 😂😂😂

[ss-seze]

A few days ago I managed to get a Rolleiflex Old Standard. This camera has been my biggest wish ever since I started analog photography. A few years ago I also got a 1937 Rolleicord with its Rolleikin for 35mm film and it has been a very faithful companion. But the Rolleiflex is something special, simply the most beautiful camera that exists and that is exactly what motivates me a lot to roll and shoot, using Rollei cameras completely transforms the scene and throughout the time that I have been with Rollei they are always the center of attention of very interesting stories, but they are also excessively discreet cameras.

[Astyanaz]

I have had at least a dozen Rolleiflexes. Two or three 2.8As, a 2.8B, a 2.8C, and a 2.8E. The rest were 3.5s, ranging from the Old Standard to the 3.5E, along with four or five Rolleicords. I prefer the 3.5. There are few shots you need a 2.8 on that cannot be taken with a 3.5. It's only about half a stop. The 2.8 is larger and heavier. And get one without a meter, as that also increases the size. I got rid of my metered 2.8E with the express intention of getting a 3.5E without a meter.

[haimtoeg]

The reason the shutter is quiet is not that it's a leaf shutter. It's the lack of a mirror that flips. Leica M bodies are quiet and have focal plane shutters, hasselblads are noisy and have leaf shutters.

[gabgallant]

Very cool camera and informative video. I found a 2.8f white face at goodwill but it never worked. I’ll have to send it to Harry.

[garyjzhao]

Quite interesting to watch this right after your Yashica Mat 124G video. Which of the two do you prefer? Would you still recommend the 124G?

[rolandthomasset]

Hi ! Good job ! I just want to add my little note about parallax error and correction. I bought my fist 6x6 camera in ‘51 first Rollei in ‘53…..Parallax correction corrects the angle of view of your set of lenses so you do not end up with a slightly but annoying head cut off especially at close range. However, what you see in your finder still is not what you get !
You should test that carefully so that you will remain concious of it for a long time.
In the majority of your shots it will not matter and will swear you got what you saw !!
What is my point ? Well. there will be a time when something in front or in back of your subject will be important to you, this apply mostly to relatively close shots.
Behind your subject you may have a variety of backgrounds that you may want to see in your photo as you see them in relation to your subject or that you may not want, at least fully. This goes from WC to the Eiffel Tower or graffity. The solution is easy once you have identified that there could be this problem.
So, I bend my knees and look to see what my taking lens will see when I press the trigger ! That is it ! I get back to my normal shooting position and shoot. When using the sportsfinder the difference is bigger, of course, but just use the same technic.
As I am typing this on my tablet I can see my landline phone showing two rows of numbers on top of my tablet, if you see what I mean, and lowering my head to where my taking lens woul be, I only see what’s above !!
It works the same with objects that are between you and your subject.
It would be so much easier in person but I hope you try to see the point, I have always used this technique. Good luck !

[KhunTui-jlnj]

Please review

1. Double exposure
2. Film axis screw lock. Mine is 3.5 f can't lock.

[skinnybreakfast]

you know where you set the ISO, on that dial there is also another dial for 1, 2, 3, 4 etc.. is that for pushing stops? any clues or tips please?

[skinnybreakfast]

ur cool. subbed :) dad just gave me his 3.5f. learned some new things from you. thanks.

[carbonejack]

Enjoyed this video. I've got the 3.5. Got a good deal. Probably needs a CLA.