What film do I buy with a vintage Rolliflex camera?

Question

I am buying a vintage Rolliflex medium format camera but do not know the film options. Can I buy medium format film for this? Thanks.

Here is the camera I am bidding on

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180152810081&ssPageName=STRK:MEBI:IT&ih=008

Answer 1

Any medium format 120 roll film will work. I use films from Kodak, Fuji, and Ilford in my Rolleiflex, and all of them work very well.

220 will not work unless you're buying one of the later E or F models which had the optional 12/24 switch. In general, though, 220 is best avoided anyway, as the selection is limited as are the labs which will fool with it.

This is all assuming that you're buying a standard Rolleiflex. There are two exceptions to this. The original Rolleiflex, which had a knob winder rather than the crank of all of the later versions, used 116 rollfilm, which is no longer available. The Baby Rolleiflex of the late 1950s used 127 rollfilm, of which only one emulsion is currently available. Both of these models are fairly rare, though, so you're not likely getting one of these.

Also, a few other miscellaneous Rolleiflex notes. Most Rolleiflexes, with the exception of the early "Standard" models and the later budget Rolleiflex T had a mechanism to automatically sense the start of the film. On these, you need to feed the paper leader under the first roller, then over the second and third and hook it onto the takeup spool. Then, shut the back and crank until the crank stops.

EDIT:
What you're bidding on appears to be a very nice example of a Rolleiflex Automat 4, also known as the Automat X. It is not an Automat MX as the seller states in his title and description, however this truly makes no appreciable difference to 99.9% of photographers. The Automat X is only set up for use with electronic flashes, while the Automat MX has the ability to use flashbulbs in addition to electronic flash. Since almost anyone using flash is going to use an electronic flash anyway, the ability to use flashbulbs is of no great loss.

In any case, despite all my rambling which you're probably not interested in, the camera to which you've linked will indeed use 120 rollfilm. It will not use 220, nor can it be modified to use 220.

By the way, your camera also appears to have had the focusing screen replaced. The one installed has a split-image rangefinder, which makes focusing considerably easier. A Rolleiflex of this vintage would have originally had a plain ground glass screen. This replacement screen should be a big improvement over what would have originally come in the camera.

Answer 2

Film For Rolleiflex

Answer 3

You can find all the 120 roll film you want on ebay. Just ask the seller the Expiration Date. B&H, Adorama and KEH also sell your film.

Note: Unless you absolutely positively have your heart set on a Rolliflex but lose this auction, you might want to consider the Minolta Autocord or one of the Mamiya TLR cameras. Good luck.

ps: If you've never used a TLR, get used to some stares when you're out using yours. You may even attract a crowd since most people today are used to seeing tiny little digicams. Enjoy!

Answer 4

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Answer 5

For most of the Rolleiflex TLRs you can use 120 film. There are some that use 127 film which is still available but only from one company in Croatia. Tell me what model number and I will let you know what type of film.

Answer 6

120 is still being made, it's also known as 6x6 or 2 1/4. You should be able to get a variety of film from any professional supplier. B&H sells color and b&w print film as well as color and b&w transparency film.

Answer 7

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