Franka Rolfix

Kei · Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Posts: 142 Location: S. Wales UK

I've filched my dad's old Franka rolfix which he inherited off someone in the family. It's in rather good condition considering its age, though the lens is showing slight signs of dust/haze between the rear groups. The shutter seems to be reasonably accurate down to 1/10s but gets a bit slow below this. Self timer usually works but it isn't 100% reliable. By comparison, the older more battered voigtlander compur shutter works perfectly across all settings.

Here it is compared with a mamiya 1000S and a voigtlander Bessa.

Medium Format Cameras by Kyle, on Flickr

Medium Format Cameras by Kyle, on Flickr

I've yet to run a film through it myself but I printed two shots from it onto 10x8" paper and scanned them a few years ago.

East Usk Lighthouse by Kyle, on Flickr

Penarth by Kyle, on Flickr

I'm planning on taking it on holiday as my second body instead of the mamiya as I can't afford the weight. Not sure what film to take as yet. I've got lots of expired agfa optima 200 that has been frozen, fuji astia 100 and a variety of fuji/ilford b&w. I think the slide film is probably unwise due to the lack of exposure latitude as I cannot be certain that the shutter is bang on.

uddhava · Expire: 2021-06-21

Nice shots, sounds like a good idea to take the Franka because of the size.

philslizzy · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 4748 Location: Cheshire, England

I have one, its a lovely camera. I quite like the Frankas. Nice shots and great scans.