Rolleiflex TLR cameras are widely considered the gold standard of medium format cameras. Some even say they’re the Rolls Royce of TLRs. Posthumously famous photographer Vivian Maier used a Rolleiflex. That’s not a shabby endorsement! With this in mind, I was interested in one that popped up on Facebook Marketplace a while back. The seller was giving it away for a song because the shutter was “stuck.” I brokered a deal and handed over some United States currency in the parking lot of a QuikTrip in exchange for the camera.

I wasn’t able to get it to fire either, but was confident hopeful the problem was a minor one. I took it home and really gave it a once-over. It didn’t take me long to realize the shutter problem wasn’t even a problem. It is a design of the camera that a lever/switch sits on top of the shutter release to prevent accidental exposures. The switch is simply moved out of place when the user is ready to take a shot. It should have been obvious to me upon first inspection, but for some reason I missed it. I blame it on having never handled a Rolleiflex before and being unfamiliar with it.

I honestly can’t remember exactly how much (little) I paid for this camera late last year. I’ve gone back through all my Facebook messages and can’t find any record of the original ad or my conversations with the seller. I feel a little bad about grabbing the camera so cheaply, but at the time of the sale, we both believed it didn’t work…and I was taking a risk on it. Sometimes you gamble and it pays off.

The viewfinder itself was bright and clear, which was nice. The inside was clean and undamaged. It came with an original lens hood which was a cool bonus. The body of the camera itself was in pretty rough cosmetic shape, though. Fortunately, the lenses were clean with no haze or fungus to worry about. As long as the taking lens is good, that’s really what matters. The taking lens on this camera is a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 75mm f/3.5. Exquisite German engineering.

My research has revealed that this camera is the Rolleiflex Automat Model 4. It was manufactured between 1951-1954. This camera is at least 72 years old (at the time of this writing).

Of course the true test of a camera is putting some film through it. Over two weekends I shot a roll of Kentmere Pan 200, then a roll of Arista EDU Ultra 400 with it. The former was developed in Kodak D-76, stock solution, for 7 minutes at 69°. The latter was developed in Kodak D-76 1:1 for 12 minutes at just a hair over 68°.

As long as the taking lens is good, that’s really what matters.

I must say, the sharpness and clarity of the shots from both rolls blew me away. I am always in awe that camera gear this old not only still works but is capable of procuding such sharp images.

I’m strongly considering sending this thing off for a full CLA and leatherette replacement to ensure its continued functionality and to make it look as nice as it performs.