Franke & Heidecke Rolleicord II Model 1

The valley behind Mount Cimone - Fomapan 400



Shepherd dog and sheep - Fomapan 400


Castello di Serravalle - Fujifilm Neopan 100 Acros



A car of almost the same age of my camera, but slightly less working ;) - Kodak Portra 160 NC

Few cameras have the charm of the old twin lens reflex cameras. Among these the Rollei, produced by Franke & Heidecke, have certainly a place of honor, just think how many photographers used them for definitely challenging works (like Richard Avedon for his first fashion pictures).

The one I'm showing today is a Rolleicord (the cheaper model of the more famous Rolleiflex) produced as far back as 1936 and equipped with a Carl Zeiss lens Triotar 75/3.5, which I had already talked about here.


Detail of a house in the complex of the parish church of San Pietro di Roffeno in Castel d'Aiano - Kodak Portra 160 NC

Needless to say, as soon as I had it in my hands and full revised (the mirror was missing) I immediately did put it on test and from a couple of weeks it has become the favorite company in my photographic excursions: the square format and the framing from above make me feel like I were in "holiday" using it, especially when compared to the 35mm digital cameras.


Portico of via dei Musei in Bologna - Kodak Portra 160 NC

The quality of the results? Well impressive considering that we are talking about a camera and lens of 80 years ago. Just a bit of aberrations at the edges of the image, but they tend to disappear once you close the diaphragm, while the sharpness is excellent.

I must admit it... I love it!