Rolleiflex 2.8E

The fast f/2.8 aperture before built-in metering.

1956–1959 6x6 on 120 film Made in Braunschweig, Germany
Rolleiflex 2.8E twin-lens reflex camera

Photo: Michele Campeotto from Italia · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source

Specifications

Taking LensCarl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8 or Schneider Xenotar 80mm f/2.8
Viewing LensHeidosmat 80mm f/2.8
Lens Elements5
ShutterSynchro-Compur
Shutter Speeds1s - 1/500s + B
Light MeterSelenium (built-in)
Filter MountBay III
FocusingCrank with auto film stop
  • First Rolleiflex with built-in meter
  • Selenium cell exposure meter
  • 2.8E2 and 2.8E3 variants exist

History

The 2.8E brought the wider f/2.8 aperture to photographers before built-in meters became standard. Its bright viewfinder and excellent low-light capability made it popular with available-light photographers.

Innovations

  • Wide f/2.8 aperture

Collector Notes

Added the built-in meter that became standard on the 2.8F.

Current Market Prices (USD)

ConditionPrice Range
Poor$400 – $700
Average$700 – $1000
Good$1000 – $1400
Excellent$1400 – $1900
Mint$1900 – $2600

Source: eBay 2024

Manuals & Documentation

Shoot with your Rolleiflex 2.8E

metergeist is a free light meter app and film roll tracker built for TLR and medium format photographers. Meter light, load film, track every frame.