How to Wind a Rolleiflex

A Rolleiflex is a Twin Lens Reflex camera similar to the one pictured here.

First released in 1929, the original Rolleiflex was a twin lens reflex (TLR) medium format film camera that uses 120mm roll film. Throughout its production, the camera's design remained essentially the same. The success of the camera was attributed to its compact design as compared to other medium format cameras and the quality of the Carl Zeiss lenses that were used in production. Advancing the film loaded in the camera is accomplished by using the crank on the right side of the camera.

Instructions

1. Pull out the film winding crank on the right side of the camera once the film is loaded into the camera so the handle is available to be used.

2. Turn the film winding crank in a clockwise rotation toward the front of the camera. While winding the film, look into the film counter window and look for the number "1." As soon as you see this number, advance the crank only far enough to allow you to close the lever back into its locked position.

3. Press the shutter release to take the picture. Advance the film again by winding the film crank until you see the number "2" in the film counter window. Repeat the process until the last picture is taken, then wind the remaining film onto the take up reel and remove the film so it can be processed.

References

• Cosmonet: The Classic Camera - Rolleiflex