2010/7/25 David Sadowski <dsadowski@xxxxxxxxx>: > http://www.novacon.com.br/odditycameras/rolleiflex.htm > > The same web site that had the Kwanon write-up also has info on > numerous other odd cameras, including a circa 1940 Rollei 35mm TLR. Very nice photographs. That 35mm TLR prototype was a project to keep alive the Rolleiflex 4x4 spirit after an attempt to develop a Rolleikin for this camera that had major problems because the 127 film chamber room was not enough for the special 35 mm spool. The 4x4 had no good sales and Reinhold Heidecke was very enthusiastic about the camera, it explains why he resurrected the 4x4 during the '50s. The 35mm prototype was based on the pre-war 4x4 and it was developed from 1940 to 1941. One of the main problems for this prototype was the film vertical run, the vertical format was the natural way to shoot the camera and it required awkward positions for the horizontal format like the 6x6 with the Rolleikin, but the Rolleikin was used for specific situations only. The prototype did not have automatic shutter tensioning with the film advance, the film counter stopped with the exposure 36 and it was reset to zero by hand, the camera couldn't compete against other 35mm cameras seriously without major changes. The 9x9 prototypes were developed in 1931, 10 years before the 35mm prototype, there is a slight error in the page about it. Interesting Brazilian web site, they were Russian-Soviet cameras and lenses importer for Brazil from 1967, they had a technical service dedicated to review and to adjust the items before to sale them, they evolved along the years and they manufacture special pieces and special cameras and stereo cameras and microscopes and telescopes requiring special and dedicated specs. Carlos --- Rollei List - Post to rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx - Subscribe at rollei_list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'subscribe' in the subject field OR by logging into www.freelists.org - Unsubscribe at rollei_list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the subject field OR by logging into www.freelists.org - Online, searchable archives are available at //www.freelists.org/archives/rollei_list