Skip to product overview

Rolleiflex 2.8E TLR Camera

The Rolleiflex 2.8E is a film camera from Rolleiflex — known for its Medium Format 120 Film and Twin-Lens Reflex Design. Used copies start from $2,059.58 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Rolleiflex 2.8E TLR Camera

Rolleiflex 2.8E TLR Camera

Own One Like This?

Make room for more gear in minutes!

Sell your Rolleiflex 2.8E on GearFocus
Rolleiflex 2.8E — image 1
Rolleiflex 2.8E — image 2
Rolleiflex 2.8E — image 3
Rolleiflex 2.8E — image 4
Rolleiflex 2.8E — image 5
Rolleiflex 2.8E — image 6
Rolleiflex 2.8E — image 7
Rolleiflex 2.8E — image 8
Rolleiflex 2.8E — image 9

Rolleiflex 2.8F TLR Twin Lens Reflex Camera w/Planar 80mm f2.8-F

Condition: Good

Product Highlights

  • Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) Camera
  • Medium Format 6x6 cm Film
  • Carl Zeiss Planar or Schneider Xenotar Lens
  • Built-In Selenium Light Meter

Sell your Rolleiflex 2.8E on GearFocus

$2,059.58

🚚 Free Shipping

As low as $115/mo or interest free with

Shop with confidence. GearFocus Buyer Protection is included with every purchase.

Used Rolleiflex 2.8E Listings on GearFocus

Rolleiflex 2.8F TLR Twin Lens Reflex Camera w/Planar 80mm f2.8-F
Rolleiflex 2.8F TLR Twin Lens Reflex Camera w/Planar 80mm f2.8-F

Good

$2,059.58

🚚 Free Shipping

Camera Overview — Rolleiflex 2.8E

The Rolleiflex 2.8E is a twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera manufactured during the 1950s, representing a classic era of medium format film photography. Designed around the 120 film format, it delivers the larger negative area that medium format is known for, giving photographers a meaningful advantage in image detail and tonal rendition compared to smaller film formats. The camera features a fixed lens configuration, meaning the optics are permanently integrated into the body — a hallmark of the TLR design that contributes to the camera's compact, self-contained form factor.

Focusing is entirely manual, keeping the shooting experience deliberate and hands-on. The shutter is a leaf-type design, which is built into the lens assembly and is characteristic of TLR cameras from this period. For flash users, the 2.8E offers both a cold shoe and a PC sync port, giving compatibility with a range of external flash units.

Weighing in at 1,220g, this is a substantial, well-built camera that feels purposeful in hand. It accepts 120 film, which remains widely available today, making the 2.8E a genuinely usable vintage camera rather than purely a display piece. It is well-suited to photographers drawn to the deliberate, methodical workflow that medium format TLR shooting demands.

Key Features — Rolleiflex 2.8E

Medium Format 120 Film: Shoots 6×6cm frames on 120 film, producing a significantly larger negative than 35mm for greater detail and tonal depth.

Twin-Lens Reflex Design: Separate taking and viewing lenses allow composition through a waist-level finder while the film plane remains undisturbed.

Zeiss Planar 2.8/80mm Lens: The 2.8E is typically fitted with an 80mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Planar, a highly regarded optic known for sharpness and smooth rendering.

Synchro-Compur Leaf Shutter: Built into the lens assembly, the leaf shutter is quiet and allows flash sync at all shutter speeds.

Manual Focus Operation: Focus is adjusted via a knob on the camera body, encouraging a deliberate, methodical shooting approach.

Waist-Level Viewfinder: The reflex viewing screen enables low-angle composition and a distinctive shooting posture suited to portrait and street work.

Camera Specifications — Rolleiflex 2.8E

Rolleiflex 2.8E full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesPortrait, Street, Fashion
Hot ShoeCold Shoe (No Contacts)

Description — Rolleiflex 2.8E

The Rolleiflex 2.8E is a twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera produced between 1950 and 1959, built around the 120 medium format film system. Its fixed lens design keeps the camera compact and self-contained — a defining characteristic of the TLR format. Shooting is fully manual focus, encouraging a considered, methodical approach to image-making that many film photographers find rewarding.

The leaf shutter operates quietly and is housed within the lens assembly, as is typical of quality TLR cameras from this era. Flash users will find both a cold shoe and a PC sync port on the camera, covering a range of external flash connection options. The camera has a solid 1,220g build weight, reflecting the substantial construction standards of its manufacturing decade.

Because it accepts 120 film — a format still in active production — the Rolleiflex 2.8E is not just a collector's piece but a camera that can be loaded and taken out to shoot today.

Pros — Rolleiflex 2.8E

  • ✓Medium format 120 film compatibility delivers a larger negative compared to 35mm, supporting excellent image quality
  • ✓Twin-lens reflex (TLR) design is a proven, self-contained system with a fixed lens — no interchangeable lens complexity
  • ✓Leaf shutter mechanism is quiet and smooth, typical of quality TLR cameras from this manufacturing era (1950–1959)

Cons — Rolleiflex 2.8E

  • ✗Fixed lens only — there is no option to swap lenses or adapt other optics to this camera
  • ✗Manual focus exclusively, with no autofocus assistance, requiring patience and practice to achieve consistent results
  • ✗At 1,220g, the camera is relatively heavy, which may be a consideration for extended handheld shooting sessions

Videos — Rolleiflex 2.8E

Rolleiflex 2.8e versus Mamiya C330 — EduardoPavezGoye

Resources & Downloads — Rolleiflex 2.8E

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Rolleiflex 2.8E

What film does the Rolleiflex 2.8E use?+
The Rolleiflex 2.8E is compatible with 120 film, which is a medium format film type. 120 film is still manufactured and widely available from a variety of film suppliers today.
Can I attach different lenses to the Rolleiflex 2.8E?+
No. The 2.8E uses a fixed lens configuration, meaning the lens is permanently integrated into the camera body. There is no interchangeable lens mount on this camera.
What flash equipment is compatible with the Rolleiflex 2.8E?+
The camera features both a cold shoe and a PC sync port for flash connectivity. Note that it does not have a hot shoe, so electronic TTL flash communication is not supported — only mechanical sync via the PC port or passive mounting via the cold shoe.
When was the Rolleiflex 2.8E manufactured?+
The Rolleiflex 2.8E was manufactured during the 1950–1959 period. As a vintage camera of this age, prospective buyers should consider having the camera inspected or serviced before use.
How heavy is the Rolleiflex 2.8E?+
The Rolleiflex 2.8E weighs 1,220g. This is a solid, substantial camera consistent with the build standards of professional-grade TLR cameras from its era.
What type of shutter does the Rolleiflex 2.8E have?+
The 2.8E uses a leaf shutter, which is integrated into the lens assembly. This is the standard shutter design for TLR cameras of this type and period.

Similar to Rolleiflex 2.8E

Loading similar products...