Camera Geekery: The Rolleiflex 2.8f White Face 

Even though I don't have one anymore, TLRs are a life changing experience.

I’m privileged to own the 2.8F and I absolutely love it! Such a joy to use couldn’t agree more!

I own a 2.8f and a 3.5e. I have to say the 3.5 is my favorite! So sharp when focusing, and a joy to use ( The 2.8 has a cloudy screen which needs to be changed out) but they are simply incredible machines and you will be talking to people all day when it comes out!

Brilliant video, i own the older Rolleiflex 2.8C and it's my favourite 120 camera, the shooting experience is magical, pure bliss.

Your channel has helped give life to analog photography. Peace from MANHATTAN

As I type this a Rolleiflex 2.8 E is heading my way, it will make a great partner to my Rolleiflex automat. Thanks for another great video by the way.

I love my 2.8f! So great you did a video of it!!!

Such a beautiful example you have there! This will be one of the few film cameras I will own in retirement.

Always wondered how Vivian Maier get those great "candid street" shots using a TLR coz it took me forever to compose a shot with one.

The bicycle riding scenes have strong Golden Boy vibes. Love it!

What a great review, really enjoyed the sample photos as well. Thanks for sharing

I just brought a model t and have a prism viewfinder and 6x4.5 and that's the reason I brought it. Love it

Camera at its best engineering.. only few cameras were made like a Rolleiflex. 👍

Lets be honest, one of the best parts of a Rolleiflex TLR is the lens cap. They go all out with that metal, folding cap design.

The Rolleiflex 2.8F is among the favourite cameras in my toolkit. My particular copy is from 1969 and I purchased it from the original owner! Great overview of this awesome camera.

I remember shooting a book project early 2000s that involved a Rolleiflex TLR. We would have one week with the camera, then box it to mail to the next photographer. Unfortunately, I never got a copy of the book, though I still have some wonderful shots from the one roll I put through the camera. Also, got the JCH shirt in black, and it’s cool.

love the kankyo ongaku rolling in the background

Although I’ve never had the pleasure to use the Rolleiflex, I spent my formative years with a Yashica Mat which I enjoyed using. In high school I had access to a Mamiya C330 which blew me away- all the bonuses of leaf shutter with interchangeable lenses and pentaprism finders. There’s something about a TLR that I could never find with the Hasselblad; even with a pentaprism finder I found using it awkward.

I just came back from a photo walk in Nakano just 30 mins ago, I happened to meet two guys using their new Rolleis for the first time. One had a Xenar 3.5, the other had a Planar 3.5, we had a great chat about cameras and film. The 2.8F Planar is my holy grail camera though. Alas, all I had today was my little pocket rocket Olympus mju 1, it gets the job done!...😀

We need more of these clips, please

Best camera…ever.

Awesome! I love me a TLR, a Rollei is most definitely on the GAS list

Love using my Rolleicord VBII, couldnt afford the Rolleiflex.

one of my dream cameras

I had both the Planar 3.5f and the 2.8f (Whiteface) simultaneously at one point but decided to keep the 3.5 model. It's lighter and better balanced (2.8 version tilts forward when on a strap), slightly sharper and has more pleasing bokeh. Accessories are more affordable too. Want a 80mm 2.8? Get a Hasselblad.

Zenza Bronica S2A next please!

I have the 3.5F. It 's the goat among the cameras that I own.

am i the only one that also appreciates the wrist watch choice? Nice Rolex! Rolling with all the ROLLIES i see...😆

Just got this exact camera. Great camera.

The original instagram square 6x6 experience!

I’ve got two Rolleiflex cameras, and I really love them! Most beautiful camera ever made if you ask me. I went with the 3.5F Planar instead of the 2.8F, and I found one in mint condition a couple of years ago, with the leather case and lots of accessories. Occassionally I use one of them as a B-cam on commercial shoots. Could I ask what bag you’re using in this video by the way? Cheers, Eivind Rohne

I once found a Rolleiflex 2.8f in a sorry state in the mud of a building site in Woolwich in the early 70s, how it got there I don't know, but it had been run over by several lorries, I tried to restore it, but it was too far gone!

Expensive !! NO STRAP !!! one slip on those stairs ----

Fantastic review on Rolleiflex 2.8F White Face, very proffesional quality description, i am hooked on your channel. What film did you use,. What year is the camera, To get one like yours, where should the serial no. start, last where did you aquire it, Many Thanks,,. CANADA

I hope in someday you'll review Mamiya RB67.

Have both the 2.8F and 3.5F. Both are terrific and the image quality is identical. I actually prefer the 3.5F though, it just feels better in my hand. FWIW, I'd rather channel Virginia Maier than Arbus:)

What is the small light Meter you use Bellamy? 🙏Maybe a hedeco?

What Did you used to make the "macro" shots of the camera? Looks so trippy

May I just say… that camera is a nice piece of engineering… but so are Campag groupsets !🤗

I literally bought a 2.8F with Planar lens yesterday on Ebay. It won't get here for a few weeks though so can hardly wait. It doesn't come with the leather case or strap so am looking for carry bag and strap to put with it. I couldn't never use one without a strap like you do ... I'd be too terrified of dropping it. I'll probably go with the Peak Design strap. I like your messenger style bag you use in this vid, a good size for the Rollei + few other bits and bobs. Are you able to say what brand it is?

I had the 3.5F White Face. Found at an antique store. Paid $250. But I was scared to use it more since I knew the value. I eventually sold it for $1100. I miss it terribly.

Would love to experience one, how good does that shutter sound!

I really really love all your videos but can you please take off the wind mode on your lav? I'd say the cameras internal mic would even sound better than that. Again, saying as someone who really really enjoys your videos, no hate.

Thanks for this! Tell me... Many Leica Mp's brand new over there?

How is it to focus?...I heard that they were hard to focus with the standard screen,...but a lot better with the Bill Maxwell screen.

The camera needs a gentlemen hand; looks great, takes excellent photos. I own one too.

I am looking for someone to make a video on my Corfields WA67 AKA The Archiect Camera before I sell it. Its a very unique camera and I know there are not a lot around, there certainly isnt any on RU-vid. Is this something you would be interested in, I am based in London Fields E8?

I have never seen a whiteface with a planar? I thought they were all xenotars. Hi

Where can I buy one?

Great video Bellamy. Wear a helmet

Do you want to sell it ?

This made want one even more! But pronouncing Rolleiflex wrongly was a joke right? 😅

ROLLEI is pronounced roll-eye, it's German. Not role-ey or whatever... Nonetheless a cool video 👍🏻

I thought the white face is actually made of plastic? Could it be that the fetishism around this model is just for people who want to invest in cameras and not use them? Im not sure. If you get a Planar 2.8E or 3.5f you will save yourself a fortune. I have not noticed a difference in the quality of the photos and I've used Rolleis for 30 years.

Bellamy : drop the race thing.... terrible : " kisch " .... I photograph many faces, peoples. They are individuals , not skin tones.

I am a guy .... do not want to be Dianne ?? I do have a Rolleiflex 75mm3.5 D though.