Unloading the Camera

After the 12th or 24th* exposure the film is finished: the crank is no longer locked and can be turned freely again.

To remove the film: roll up remaining backing paper with three full revolutions. Open back in subdued light. Pull out upper spool knob and remove film from the left. Fold backing paper (for convenient tearing when developing) and fasten down with sticker. Keep the exposed film away from light and return it to original packing.

To transfer the empty spool: pull out lower film spool knob and lift the empty spool out of the lower spool chamber. Insert the spool into upper spool chamber, fitting the slotted end over the winding key on the right side.

Load the camera with a fresh roll of film avoiding direct sunlight. Use your own body's shadow for protection.

*with 24 exposure set

Using the Sports Finder

Sport scenes and fast moving objects can be framed more conveniently through the direct view finder. Only a slight raising or lowering of the camera is needed to alternate between observing the center portion of the focusing screen (to control sharpness) and the full open view in the direct finder.

To open sports tinder: press panel inward all the way (1). To close: tap both sides of the hood gently (2) Always use the direct view finder close to the eye, looking directly at the subject without tilting the camera. 

Exposures with Self-timer

If you photograph a group of people or take a remembrance snapshot and you also want to appear in the picture, cock the self-timer before releasing the shutter. When pressing the shutter release, the shutter will open for the previously selected exposure time after a delay of approximately 10 seconds.

The self-timer can be used with all instantaneous speeds ]/500 - 1 sec. (red section of speed scale) and also for flash shots with the ,l contact setting. It operates only when the shutter is cocked.

To operate self-timer: cock shutter (film transport), move self-timer tensioning lever 0 in the direction of the arrow until it stops. Release shutter as usual.

Shutter and self-timer may be left tensioned even when camera is not in use—spring strength will not deteriorate.4www.butkus.org

Tripod Pictures

Length of tripod's screw must not exceed the normal 3/16" (4.5 mm)—if necessary, use a spacer of proper thickness. A reducing bushing is available for use with English thread (1/4"). More practical: the "Rolleifix" for instant mounting of camera to tripod.

Flash Shots

Modern flash technique permits taking snapshots even under lighting conditions which do not allow instantaneous exposures with a hand-held camera.

The Synchro-Compur shutter is fully synchronized. It fires high-speed electronic flashes as well as the slower flash bulbs at exactly the right moment to permit the fastest shutter speeds in both cases with the appropriate synchronizing setting.

Connecting the flash cord: insert the plug into the flash connector socket on the camera. —When disconnecting flash cord: swing locking lever at the socket downward and pull out plug.

Setting the contact to (X-contact) or  (M-contact): pull out the small knurled knob and swing synchro lever of the desired position.

The X-setting (for normal use) utilizes the full light output of the flash with the prescribed shutter speed and can also be used for shots with the self-timer. The M-setting is for flash bulbs only and synchronizes the fastest speeds, up to the top speed.

The correct exposure depends on the light output of the flash and the distance between flash and subject. Therefore, it cannot be determined with an exposure meter. Exact data regarding choice of proper contact, exposure time and diaphragm may be gathered from the instructions furnished by the lamp manufacturers.4www.butkus.org

Adjusting the exposure (as per instructions supplied by the flash manufacturer): Using peep window, select shutter speed first, then set diaphragm opening (A page 26). The exposure meter pointers are disregarded completely.

Diaphragm

In practical use, observation of the diaphragm is necessary only when shooting without measuring the exposure (flash shots, dim light, night exposures).

Higher number diaphragm figures indicate smaller openings and increased depth-of field (A page 16), but closing down to each succeeding stop cuts the light passing through exactly in half, requiring double the exposure of the preceding stop.

The correct diaphragm opening is indicated in the center of the peep window. Intermediate values can be used (f/3.5 is a midpoint stop between f/2.8 and f/4 in the international diaphragm scale).

To permit the use of the entire diaphragm range when taking manually controlled time exposures (over 1 sec.), keep the shutter speed scale set to the value "2" of the green section of the scale.

Use of Filters

Filters absorb light and therefore usually require a prolonged exposure. The necessary correction for each filter is indicated by the filter compensating number (A page 33) and is automatically taken care of when measuring the exposure by means of the filter compensating scale.

Adjusting the filter scale: turn the indicator knob until the corresponding compensating number of the filter used is opposite the reference mark. Adjust the exposure meter pointers as usual.

When removing the filter: return filter scale to zero!

In special cases (flash, high filter compensating numbers over—3) the filter is compensated for by decreasing the film speed by 3 DIN for each full value.4www.butkus.org

Three Ways to Correct Exposure

With the Rolleiflex, even difficult light conditions are no problem as long as you keep the following in mind:

Is there a great contrast in illumination between the main subject and the rest of the picture area? The choice of the proper measuring method depends on the correct answer to this question.4www.butkus.org

Normal object measurement

covers the average case: this is an evenly illuminated subject, with front lighting or the light partially from the side, well balanced differences in light and shade and no heavy shadows. (When shooting color, only front lighting will produce the most saturated colors.)

Incident light measurement (with diffuser)

This method gives a correct reading in those special cases of high-contrast subjects, where detail measurement cannot be achieved. Main uses: against-the-sun shots, objects with brilliant background (snow, water, beach) and close-ups of small objects with contrasty background. To get correct reading, point camera in opposite direction to measure the illumination received by the subject. Place diffuser in position over holding knobs on the photo cell and aim towards the light falling on the subject from the direction of the intended camera position

Incident light measurements are taken at the subject or at a position identically illuminated. The reading corresponds to an average subject brightness. According to whether the important part of the scene is darker or brighter than the average, the diaphragm should be opened or closed by 1/2 stop.

Re-adjusting the Exposure Meter

When the photo cell is completely covered, the indicator needle should be in zero position, pointing to the red reference line (a). If it is off this position, perhaps due to prolonged and heavy shaking, the meter can be re-adjusted as follows:

Loosen both screws on the front of the meter (I), until it can be removed from the focusing knob.

Turn adjusting screw on back of instrument (a) until meter needle points to the red reference mark 0.

IMPORTANT: Before re-inserting instrument: first set camera to DIN/ASA value 12, filter factor 0, shutter speed 1/500th sec. and diaphragm f:22, then insert exposure meter and tighten screws.

Table of Exposure Values

In case you are interested in knowing which exposure value corresponds to a given speed/stop combination, the table on the camera back provides this information: determine diaphragm and shutter speed the camera is set to and the exposure value will be found where the respective diaphragm and speed columns cross; for example: for f :5.6 and 1/30th sec. the exposure value 10.4www.butkus.org

Changing Magnifier to correct for Faulty Vision

For critical focusing without glasses, interchangeable magnifiers within the range from + 3 to—3 diopters are available. (Specify prescription for glasses.) If you want to change the magnifiers yourself:

Upper Magnifier: with the direct view finder open, grasp lens from above and below, pull it back and then lift it up and out (a). To insert: push magnifier forward against retaining spring and let snap into place. For convenient cleaning: fold down magnifier with the direct view finder open.

Rear Magnifiers: remove and open focusing hood (A page 32). Use both thumbs to grasp, from the inside of the rear wall, the two retaining clips on either side of the rear peep window and pull back retaining lever 0. After changing magnifier, push retaining spring forward until it snaps into place Clean magnifier with soft cloth.

Exchanging the Back

(to use the plate adapter)

To exchange camera back: open back fully, turn the safety latch below the right back hinge in the same direction 6) and remove back. To attach: with the safety latch in upper position, insert back first into the left, then into the right back hinge and close.

Using the Rolleikin

Inserting the Rolleikin Focusing Screen Mask:

To remove the hood: press the spring catches on either side of the hood and slide hood towards rear (1).—To replace: press hood down on track and slide forward until it locks.

To lift the focusing screen: take hold of the two sides of the frame, pull backwards slightly and lift (2)  Close by pushing downward.

Inserting the focusing screen mask: drop into place so that the notch and punched holes fit over the studs provided (3). The Rolleikin mask is now coupled to the automatic parallax correction of the camera.

Adjusting the film pressure plate ( --> page 9): slide plate downward until inscription 1 x 1 1/2" (24 x 36 mm) is visible.

Adjusting the ever-ready case to the larger diameter of the Rolleikin counter knob: remove leather insert at the left side after bending the metal retaining clips upward.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Rolleikin instruction sheet.4www.butkus.org