Rollei ROLLEIFLEX TELE Sonnar 135mm

This is a Tele-Rolleiflex, a near-mint condition camera purchased about seven years ago from a famous camera shop in NY.

ROLLEI FLEX Sonnar 135mm f4 Tele

I intended to use it for work, but considering the current state of film, I've decided to sell it without using it.

It's been 66 years since its release, and it's the first time I've seen a Rolleiflex that has retained such a like-new shine. The lustrous appearance of the leather case and the glossy finish of the body are enough to give any collector goosebumps. Just imagining the descriptive power of this camera, which even Avedon loved, is exhilarating.

Despite being such a perfect camera, I must mention two minor issues:

1) There is some coating peeling on both sides of the taking lens. In my experience, this shouldn't affect normal shooting, but it might cause unexpected flare when shooting at an angle with strong light, such as backlighting, at or near the widest aperture. According to a professional, it seems to be repairable. Personally, I like the flare in film, so I don't mind this level of peeling.

2) There is a scratch on the outside of the top lens. See photo 19. It's not a scratch that catches your fingernail, but a surface abrasion. It has no effect on the lens.

Other than these two points, this is a truly stunning and almost perfect camera. A professional also mentioned that they had never seen a Tele-Rolleiflex this clean recently.

Based on my own inspection, the shutter is working very well. If I had to nitpick, the 1-second setting might be slightly sticky, but it's only a slight difference. The light meter also works perfectly. Aperture and speed are fine.

The leather case is as you see in the photos. It's incredibly clean, but there are a few minor scuffs.

Serial number: Nr2690905

Features a Carl Zeiss Sonnar lens
Finder lens: Heidosmat 135mm f4
Taking lens: Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm f4

Released in 1959
A telephoto-dedicated camera with a Sonnar lens on an E2 body!
The lenses for the Tele-Rolleiflex are famous for their superb rendering!

The Tele-Rolleiflex was produced in approximately 8,500 units, making it a very rare item. Moreover, a working, usable camera in this condition is almost a miracle.

Thank you for your interest.