Rolleiflex SL66

Rolleiflex SL66
	Rolleiflex SL66
Overview
Type	Medium format single-lens reflex camera
Focusing
Focus	manual
Exposure/metering
Exposure	TTL exposure
Flash
Flash	hot shoe

Last updated September 26, 2024

The Rolleiflex SL66 is a line of medium format single lens reflex cameras made by Rollei, in regular production starting from 1966 until Rollei's bankruptcy in 1982. The SL66 represented a change in direction for Rollei, which until that time had focused almost exclusively on its popular twin lens reflex cameras, the Rolleiflex and Rolleicord.

The Rolleiflex SLX, which was introduced in 1973, effectively replaced the SL66, although the older camera continued in production. After reorganization, Rollei resumed production of the SL66 and introduced the SL66E; variants of the SL66 were introduced and produced until the line was discontinued in 1992.

History

In 1957, a gentlemen's agreement between Reinhold Heidecke, inventor of the Rolleiflex TLR, and Victor Hasselblad, inventor of the Hasselblad SLR, was reached to ensure that Rollei would not manufacture SLR cameras, and Hasselblad would not manufacture TLR cameras. However, the rapid adoption of SLRs during the 1960s meant that Rollei risked falling behind in this market at a time when demand for TLRs was decreasing. In 1964 plans were made to create a new, technologically advanced SLR to be introduced at the 1966 photokina festival.

Although Rollei never officially discontinued the Rollei SL66, it was removed from their promotional support and dealer catalogs in the UK from 1976 and for all intents and purposes was replaced by the Rolleiflex SLX. The UK importer was Rollei themselves. The Rolleiflex SL66 did not feature in Rollei's worldwide product catalog in 1980, and the US importer's July 1979 dealer price list has no SL66 cameras nor 40mm, 250mm, or 500mm lenses. This strongly suggests that the camera was effectively discontinued from 1976 until the launch of the SL66E in October 1982 after the restart of camera production following the first bankruptcy.

Three additional cameras based on the SL66 were released starting in 1982: the SL66E, SL66X, and SL66SE. Compared to the SL66, the SL66E, introduced in 1982, adds three silicon photodiodes (SPD) for center-weighted averaging metering through the lens (TTL). In addition, the SL66E is capable of TTL flash exposure control.^[1] It uses a single 6 volt PX28 (4SR44) battery.^[2] Compared to the SL66E, the SL66X drops ambient light metering but retains TTL flash exposure control using an SPD, while the SL66SE has an upgraded ambient light meter capable of autoexposure and switchable between spot and center-weighted averaging modes, using one or five SPDs, respectively.^[3] The SL66SE remained in production until 1992.

Design

Like the Rolleiflex TLR and the Hasselblad SLR, the SL66 uses 120 or 220 rollfilm to produce frames of up to 6×6 cm (nominal); the actual image size is based on imperial units, measuring 2+1⁄4×2+1⁄4 in (57×57 mm).^[4]^: 16 The camera has a modular design; the central camera body incorporates the single-lens reflex mirror and focusing bellows, with interfaces accommodating interchangeable lenses, viewfinders, focusing screens, and film backs.^[4]^: 20 With the standard (80 mm) lens and folding waist-level finder, the SL66 measures 173×115×103 mm (6.8×4.5×4.1 in) (L×H×W) and weighs 1.9 kg (4.2 lb); the 6×6 rollfilm magazine adds 445 g (15.7 oz) unloaded and 47 mm (1.9 in) to the length.^[4]^: 26

Basic operation

The body is equipped with a front lens standard which extends on a bellows for focusing, controlled by a large knob which falls under the photographer's left hand while using the camera. The maximum bellows extension is 50 mm (2.0 in), which gives a magnification ratio of approximately 1⁄2× using the standard (80 mm) lens.^[4]^{: 19, 27–28} This enables several features unique to the SL66:

Reverse-mounting lenses. Most SL66 lenses (with the exception of the very wide or very long lenses) could be reversed and mounted to the camera without adapters, for use in close-up macro photography. The maximum magnification ratio with a reversed standard (80 mm) lens is 1.5×.^[4]^: 19
Lens bellows to accommodate focusing when the lenses are reverse-mounted. Again, this is impossible for most SLR cameras without special adapters.
Lens tilt movement. The lenses could be tilted up to 8 degrees either up or down, to take advantage of the Scheimpflug principle, enabling greater depth of field, especially in close-up photographs.^[4]^: 65

An additional extension bellows was available, which allowed a total maximum focus extension of 280 mm (11 in).^[4]^: 22 The focusing knob has built-in focusing distance and depth of field scales for 50, 80, 150, and 250 mm lenses.^[4]^: 28

The shutter release is on the bottom front corner of the camera, falling under the photographer's right hand.^[4]^: 31 Shutter speeds are selected by a knob operated by the photographer's right hand and range from 1 to 1⁄1000 sec in whole steps.^[4]^: 30 A crank unfolds from the shutter speed knob to wind the film and tension the shutter;^[4]^: 32 a double-exposure control is provided, allowing the photographer to tension the shutter without winding the film.^[4]^: 76

The SL66 and its derivatives are equipped with a mechanically-timed focal-plane shutter, using two vertically-traveling cloth blinds; the maximum flash synchronization speed using the focal-plane shutter is 1⁄30 sec.^[4]^{: 14, 28–30} 80 mm and 150 mm lenses with built-in leaf shutters were introduced in January 1970, which enabled much higher flash synchronization speeds up to 1⁄500 second.^[4]^: 30 However, with these lenses, the leaf shutter requires manual cocking (tensioning) before each exposure which is not particularly convenient.

Backs

Film is loaded into interchangeable backs; these each have a dark slide which allows for mid-roll film changes. To avoid inadvertently spoiling the film, the dark slide must be in place shielding the film before the back can be removed; in addition, the dark slide can only be stored in the top of the magazine when the camera shutter has been cocked, preventing exposures when the dark slide is in place.^[4]^{: 26–27, 184} Both 6×6 and 645 rollfilm backs were available; the 645 back produces images that are 1+3⁄4×2+1⁄4 in (44×57 mm), and separate 645 backs were available for vertical and horizontal orientations.^[4]^: 27 In addition, sheet film and Polaroid backs were available.^[4]^{: 175–191}

Lenses

Because the SL66 body has an extending bellows for focus, the only control on most lenses is for preset aperture selection; lenses with leaf shutters also have shutter speed and cocking controls. All lenses are equipped with an automatic diaphragm; viewing and focusing are performed at full aperture, and the camera stops down the aperture to the preselected setting after the shutter release is pressed, just before exposing the film. A depth of field preview control is provided on the front lens standard, just ahead of the magnification scale on the side of the bellows support.^[4]^: 32

Interchangeable lenses for Rolleiflex SL66 cameras^[4]^{: 238–263, 312–318}^[5]
FL (mm)	Apr.	Name	Series	Construction		Min. Focus	Dimensions			Notes
FL (mm)	Apr.	Name	Series	Ele	Grp	Min. Focus	Φ×L	Wgt.	Filter	Notes
Fisheye lenses
30	f/3.5–22	F-Distagon (HFT)	SL66	8	7	0.0 m (0 ft)	108×115.5 mm (4.3×4.5 in)	1,130 g (40 oz)	25, internal
Ultra wide angle lenses
40	f/4–32	Distagon HFT	SL66	10	9	0.5 m (20 in)	125×104 mm (4.9×4.1 in)	1,218 g (43.0 oz)	Bay VIII
Wide angle lenses
50	f/4–32	Distagon (HFT)	SL66	7	7	0.5 m (20 in)	94×79 mm (3.7×3.1 in)	555 g (19.6 oz)	Bay VI
Normal lenses
75	f/4.5–32	PCS-Rolleigon HFT	SL66	11	9	0.4 m (16.93 in)	103×161 mm (4.1×6.3 in)	1,313 g (46.3 oz)	Bay VIII	Perspective control lens bundled with ball/tilt adapter
80	f/2.8–22	Planar (HFT)	SL66	7	5	0.2 m (6.5 in)	79×63 mm (3.1×2.5 in)	300 g (11 oz)	Bay VI
80	f/4–32	Distagon (HFT)	SL66	5	5	0.2 m (6.5 in)	82×86 mm (3.2×3.4 in)	638 g (22.5 oz)	Bay VI	Includes leaf shutter
Portrait lenses
120	f/2–16	Planar (HFT)	SL66	7	5	0.4 m (14 in)	90×87 mm (3.5×3.4 in)	810 g (29 oz)	86
120	f/5.6–45	S-Planar (HFT)	SL66	6	4	0.4 m (14 in)	79×91 mm (3.1×3.6 in)	435 g (15.3 oz)	Bay VI	For macro photography
150	f/4–32	Sonnar (HFT)	SL66	5	3	0.6 m (2 ft)	79×94.5 mm (3.1×3.7 in)	545 g (19.2 oz)	Bay VI
150	f/4–32	Sonnar (HFT)	SL66	5	3	0.6 m (2 ft)	82×94 mm (3.2×3.7 in)	705 g (24.9 oz)	Bay VI	Includes leaf shutter
Telephoto lenses
250	f/5.6–45	Sonnar (HFT)	SL66	4	3	1.4 m (4 ft 9 in)	79×143 mm (3.1×5.6 in)	665 g (23.5 oz)	Bay VI
250	f/5.6–45	Sonnar Superachromat	SL66	6	6	1.4 m (4 ft 9 in)	?	?	?	Includes one CaF element
500	f/5.6–45	Tele-Tessar (HFT)	SL66	6	5	6.1 m (20 ft)	100×308 mm (3.9×12.1 in)	1,640 g (58 oz)	95 / Bay VII	Pre-set (not automatic) diaphragm
1000	f/5.6	Mirotar	SL66	6	4	14.7 m (48.3 ft)	277×405 mm (10.9×15.9 in)	16.5 kg (36 lb)	rear	Special order item from Zeiss
1000	f/8–64	Tele-Tessar (HFT)	SL66	4	4	14.7 m (48.3 ft)	218×820 mm (8.6×32.3 in)	8.74 kg (19.3 lb)	Bay VI	Pre-set (not automatic) diaphragm

In addition to the lenses listed, Rollei offered adapters that allowed the use of Zeiss Luminar macrophotography lenses (with focal lengths of 16, 25, 40, 63, or 100 mm) or a blank adapter that could be drilled to accommodate other lenses with a maximum size of 58 mm (2.3 in).^[6]

Viewfinders and focusing screens

As standard equipment, the SL66 comes with a folding waist-level finder with a built-in magnifier and a ground glass focusing screen with a central microprism spot, grid lines etched at 11 mm (0.43 in) intervals, and an integrated Fresnel lens.^[4]^: 98 The viewfinder displays an image 55×55 mm (2.2×2.2 in), which is 93% of the area recorded on the film.^[4]^: 99 The magnifying lens in the viewfinder could be changed.^[4]^: 104 Other available viewfinders include:

Folding hood with sports finder, which is similar to the standard waist-level finder, but includes a folding frame for eye-level viewing^[4]^{: 103–104}
Rigid magnifying hood, which accommodates waist-level viewing with better shielding of the focusing screen^[4]^{: 106–107}
Exposure meter hood, which is similar to the rigid magnifying hood with a built-in exposure meter that uses five CdS photoresistors; four are used in a frame-averaged arrangement, and one can be swung down and used to measure the central spot area (15%)^[4]^{: 149–155}
Pentaprism finder, which provides an eyepiece at 45° from vertical, and rotates to allow viewing from the side or front; sports finder frames could be attached^[4]^{: 107–111}

The screen could be changed to one of several alternatives:^[4]^: 112

Focusing screens for Rollei SL66 cameras
Catalog	Grid	Fresnel field lens	Central focusing aid(s)	Notes
560 060	Yes (11 mm)	Yes	Microprism (15 mm dia.)	Standard screen^[4]^: 94–95
560 050	Yes (11 mm)	Yes	Split-image rangefinder (5 mm dia.)	^[4]^: 115
560 040	Yes (11 mm)	Yes	No	^[4]^{: 117–118}
560 180	Yes (11 mm)	Yes	Microprism (15 mm dia.) and split-image rangefinder (5 mm dia.)	^[4]^{: 116–117}
560 030	No	No	No	^[4]^{: 117–118}
560 100	Yes (11 mm)	Yes	Clear with crosshair and measuring graticule	^[4]^{: 118–119}

Related Research Articles

A single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is a camera that typically uses a mirror and prism system that permits the photographer to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured. With twin lens reflex and rangefinder cameras, the viewed image could be significantly different from the final image. When the shutter button is pressed on most SLRs, the mirror flips out of the light path, allowing light to pass through to the light receptor and the image to be captured.

A camera is an instrument used to capture and store images and videos, either digitally via an electronic image sensor, or chemically via a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. As a pivotal technology in the fields of photography and videography, cameras have played a significant role in the progression of visual arts, media, entertainment, surveillance, and scientific research. The invention of the camera dates back to the 19th century and has since evolved with advancements in technology, leading to a vast array of types and models in the 21st century.

A rangefinder camera is a camera fitted with a rangefinder, typically a split-image rangefinder: a range-finding focusing mechanism allowing the photographer to measure the subject distance and take photographs that are in sharp focus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twin-lens reflex camera</span> Type of camera

A twin-lens reflex camera (TLR) is a type of camera with two objective lenses of the same focal length. One of the lenses is the photographic objective or "taking lens", while the other is used for the viewfinder system, which is usually viewed from above at waist level.

In photography, a viewfinder is a device on a camera that a photographer uses to determine exactly where the camera is pointed, and approximately how much of that view will be photographed. A viewfinder can be mechanical, with simple optical components, with precision optics and optical functions, or a digital accessory device used with digital cameras.

Rollei was a German manufacturer of optical instruments founded in 1920 by Paul Franke and Reinhold Heidecke in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, and maker of the Rolleiflex and Rolleicord series of cameras. Later products included specialty and nostalgic type films for the photo hobbyist market.

Rolleiflex is the name of a long-running and diverse line of high-end cameras originally made by the German company Franke & Heidecke, and later Rollei-Werke.

Kiev is a Soviet and Ukrainian brand of photographic equipment including cameras manufactured by the Arsenal Factory in Kyiv, Ukraine. The camera nameplates show the name "KIEV", with older cameras using "КИЕВ" or "КИЇВ" in Cyrillic.

Bronica also Zenza Bronica was a Japanese manufacturer of classic medium-format roll film cameras and photographic equipment based in Tokyo, Japan. Their single-lens reflex (SLR) system-cameras competed with Pentax, Hasselblad, Mamiya and others in the medium-format camera market.

The Olympus OM System was a line of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras, lenses and accessories sold by Olympus between 1972 and 2002. The system was introduced by Olympus in 1972. The range was designed by Yoshihisa Maitani, chief designer for Olympus, and his staff; OM stands for Olympus Maitani.

The Rolleiflex SL35 is a range of SLR cameras manufactured and sold by the German camera maker Rollei from 1970 to 1982. This range of cameras uses 35mm film. The camera bodies were initially made in Germany. After Zeiss Ikon discontinued camera production, Rollei acquired the Voigtländer brand and camera designs in 1972, and began producing a second generation of SLR cameras in Singapore starting from 1976. Some of those second-generation cameras were rebranded and marketed as Voigtländer VSL.

The Mamiya C220 is a lightweight twin-lens reflex camera made in the early 1970s by the Japanese camera manufacturer Mamiya. The camera has interchangeable lenses ranging from 55 mm wide-angle to 250 mm telephoto and accepts 120 and 220 rollfilms. The rack and pinion focusing system with a bellows makes it possible for close-up photography without attachments. The straight film path has no sharp turns for absolute flatness of the film.

The Contaflex series is a family of 35mm Single-lens reflex cameras (SLR) equipped with a leaf shutter, produced by Zeiss Ikon in the 1950s and 1960s. The name was first used by Zeiss Ikon in 1935 for a 35mm Twin-lens reflex camera, the Contaflex TLR; for the earlier TLR, the -flex suffix referred to the integral reflex mirror for the viewfinder. The first SLR models, the Contaflex I and II have fixed lenses, while the later models have interchangeable lenses; eventually the Contaflexes became a camera system with a wide variety of accessories.

The Minolta X-1 was the professional model in the Minolta SR-mount line of single-lens reflex cameras (SLR), released in 1972 after ten years of development, which was the first X-series camera in the Minolta SLR system; prior to the X-1, specific Minolta SLR models were branded SR-T, and afterward, they included X in the name. The X-1 was the first SLR to combine an electronically-controlled shutter with interchangeable viewfinders.

Contarex is a line of 35mm single lens reflex cameras (SLRs) made by Zeiss Ikon. It was first presented at Photokina in 1958 and initially scheduled for delivery in the spring of 1959, but it was not made generally available in the United States until March 1960. The first model is popularly known as the Contarex I, the Bullseye, or the Cyclops, after the prominent light meter window above the lens, in front of the pentaprism. The camera was aimed at the high-end and professional markets; in 1961, the retail price was $499.

The Fuji GX680 is a series of single lens reflex system cameras for medium format film produced by Fujifilm with interchangeable camera lenses and interchangeable film holders for the unusual film format 6×8 cm on 120 and 220 roll film. The distinguishing feature of the Fuji GX680 is the articulating front standard, which runs on a rail connecting lens and camera body by a bellows; the interchangeable lens is permanently mounted to a lens board.

The Mamiya Press is a line of medium-format rangefinder system press cameras manufactured by Mamiya. The first model was introduced in 1960, and the final model was discontinued in the 1970s. It was targeted at the professional press photography market, and a wide array of accessories was offered.

The Mamiya C series is a line of twin-lens reflex medium-format system cameras manufactured by Mamiya between 1956 and 1994. It was developed from the Mamiyaflex series of cameras built from 1949 to 1956. The Mamiya C series was initially aimed at the professional market.

The Mamiya RB67 is a professional medium format single-lens reflex system camera manufactured by Mamiya. There are three successive models: the RB67 Professional, RB67 Pro-S and RB67 Pro-SD. It is primarily designed for studio use, but can also be used in the field.

The Rolleiflex SLX is a line of medium format single lens reflex cameras made by Rollei, in regular production starting from 1976. The SLX incorporated electronic autoexposure and motorized film transport, competing directly with the integrated-motor Hasselblad 500EL/M and effectively displacing the earlier Rolleiflex SL66 line, although the older camera continued to be produced.

References

↑ "Rolleiflex SL66E/SL66 (brochure)" (PDF). Rollei fototechnic. Retrieved 25 September 2024– via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
↑ "Rolleiflex SL66E (dealer's notebook)" (PDF). Rollei Division, Berkey Marketing Companies. Retrieved 25 September 2024– via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
↑ "Rolleiflex SL66SE Rolleiflex SL66X (brochure)" (PDF). Rollei fototechnic. Retrieved 25 September 2024– via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Mannheim, L. Andrew; Henle, Fritz (1975). The Rolleiflex SL66 and SLX Way . Focal Press. ISBN 0-240-50788-6.
↑ "SL66/SL66E Lenses" (PDF). Rollei Division, Berkey Marketing Companies. May 1983. Retrieved 23 September 2024– via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
↑ "Rolleiflex SL66 (dealer notebook)" (PDF). Rollei. 1974. Retrieved 24 September 2024– via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.

External links

Rolleiflex SL66 website (Information about all Rolleiflex SL66 camera models, lenses and accessories)
Rolleiflex SL 66 (by Ferdi Stutterheim)
DW Photo (Manufacturer of the modern medium format Rolleiflex cameras and repair) English and German
Paepke Fototechnik (Repair and maintenance of Rolleiflex cameras and other Rollei equipment) English and German
Rollei Repairs by Harry Fleenor (Repair and maintenance for Rolleiflex TLR cameras)
Rolleiflex SL66 Repair Shops World Wide (by Ferdi Stutterheim)
International Rollei Club (Largest Rollei website with details of all Rolleiflex equipment ever made)
Club Rollei User (Club for all Users, Collectors and Enthusiasts of Rollei photography)

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] "Rolleiflex SL66E/SL66 (brochure)" (PDF). Rollei fototechnic. Retrieved 25 September 2024– via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.

[2] "Rolleiflex SL66E (dealer's notebook)" (PDF). Rollei Division, Berkey Marketing Companies. Retrieved 25 September 2024– via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.

[3] "Rolleiflex SL66SE Rolleiflex SL66X (brochure)" (PDF). Rollei fototechnic. Retrieved 25 September 2024– via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.

[Mannheim-75-4] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Mannheim, L. Andrew; Henle, Fritz (1975). The Rolleiflex SL66 and SLX Way . Focal Press. ISBN 0-240-50788-6.

[5] "SL66/SL66E Lenses" (PDF). Rollei Division, Berkey Marketing Companies. May 1983. Retrieved 23 September 2024– via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.

[6] "Rolleiflex SL66 (dealer notebook)" (PDF). Rollei. 1974. Retrieved 24 September 2024– via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]