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Specification

Manufacturer description #1

System SLR camera 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 in / 6x6 cm with electronic control of all camera functions, interchangeable lenses with "linear motors" for shutter and aperture selection, interchangeable hoods and focusing screens as well as pre-loaded rapid change film holders.

Automatic aperture selection after presetting shutter speed. Selected aperture visible on the lens.

Electronically controlled exposure time with between-the-Iens shutter 1/500 to 30 sec., B.

Through-the-Iens light metering by silicon photo elements, centre weighted average light reading over the image area behind the mirror.

Electronic compensation for extraneous light originating through the view finder.

Rapid change of film by preloaded film holders. No need to reposition take up spool.

Motorised film transport with automatic stop at first frame.

Motorised film transport after every exposure (Single exposure or multi-exposures).

Frame sequencing time approx. 0.7 sec. (i.e. 3 frames every 2 seconds).

Automatic spooling off after the last exposure.

Power supply by interchangeable power pack incorporating rapid charge sinter cell Ni Cad batteries, rechargeable in approx. 1 hour using rapid charger. Capacity: approx. 1000 exposures, e. g. 80 rolls 120 film.

Hinged mirror, electric pre-release of mirror, pneumatic mirror damper.

Camera is designed for high-speed-multi-exposures of up to 10 exposures within 1 second on one frame. Preselectable intervals.

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For a number of years 35 mm cameras have been developed for amateurs and middle format cameras for primarily professional users in what appears to be quite a contrary degree of features and comfort - apparently under the force of certain regularity.

If TTL light metering, aperture or shutter speed priority, motor drive, shutter speeds in the long time range, etc. are an obvious "must" for some time already for 35 mm cameras, a technical progress for the professional application of the tool "camera" in the middle format only seems to have taken place very limited.

Apparently an extensive display of operating elements were considered identical with the ability to "get into the upper circles of photography". Possibly, because the great photographers of previous years achieved their outstanding performances with a maximum of manual ability? It is certainly permissible to state at this stage that a large number of those photographs which we still admire today did not result from the cameras used but were made in spite of devices in many aspects rather circumstantial. Good photographs are not made by the camera but by the creative phantasy of the person behind the camera. By the talent to condense relations, colours and shapes into the tight rectangle of a view finder. To see things and to hold them at the right moment.

Under the provisions to supplement the high quality characteristics of a middle format camera with all meaningful features of a high standard 35 mm camera, Rollei has developed the Rolleiflex SLX. And since this camera could not have been constructed on existing technique anyhow, taking the objections into consideration, the SLX contains constructional solutions which will certainly be the guideline for some time to come for what will be developed in the camera field in the future.

When the Rolleiflex SLX was developed the Rollei designers and technicians were set a major and complex task. The goal was to create a 6x6 camera which was both completely different and better than all the rest. It was to embody all that the medium format photographer had wanted for years - an accurate, practical and versatile camera with automatic exposure and film transport facilities. For this development work Rollei provided the full armoury of progressive camera technology and the latest electronics. In many cases, completely new technical ground had to be broken. For example, the solution found by Rollei for the drive for the shutter-speed and aperture mechanism was a linear motor - never before used in camera manufacture - placed inside the lens between the rim and the barrel.

When the Rolleiflex SLX appeared on the market, connoisseurs and experts were of the same opinion: this instrument was built with the camera technology of the future. Indications of this were not only the linear motors, but the integrated motorised film transport, plus the additional feature of a 14-terminal external outlet. This latter paved the way for the application of modern electronics and new technologies in the development of new kinds of ancillary equipment, and thereby a camera system of the future with limitless possibilities of extension. It was thus more than just a new camera that was developed, but an unconventional and fascinating instrument, a fully electronic, medium-format camera system in a class of its own, an undisputed fact which is borne out by the verdict of the technical press.

Manufacturer description #2

The Rolleiflex SLX - a truly unique medium format camera.

The SLX's sophisticated electronics represent a new type of exposure automation. Instead of pins and levers, the lenses for the SLX feature gold plated contacts which transmit shutter speed and aperture information from the integrated computer in the camera body to the lens diaphragm and shutter. Linear motors in the lens then electronically regulate the aperture and shutter speeds. The built-in motor drive transports the film after each exposure at a rate of 1.5 frames per second, with continuous or single frame advance.

With its 120/220 film capability, easy-load film cassettes, quick-charge Nicad battery (good for up to 1000 exposures per charge) high quality Carl Zeiss and Zeiss-designed lenses, and its wide range of accessories, the SLX has all the features even the most demanding professional could want.

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CAMERA TYPE: 6x6 cm (2 1/4 x2 1/4 in.) SLR with electronic control by integrated computer, shutter-preferred automation and built-in motor drive.

LENSES: Standard - 80mm f/2.8 Planar HFT®. Rollei bayonet with locking system inside camera body; gold plated 10-terminal electric board for transmission of control pulses for aperture and shutter operation; infinitely variable apertures f/2.8 to f/22 in automatic mode, 1/3 click stops in manual; depth-of-field scale; infrared index; focusing scale in feet and meters; front bayonet for filters and lens hoods; HFT® multicoating for reduced flare and better color rendition. Accessory lenses from 40mm to 350mm available.

METER SYSTEM: Center weighted open-aperture metering; 3 silicon photo diodes corrected for spectral sensitivity; electronic compensation for extraneous light entering from viewfinder; aperture determined from preselected shutter speed by integrated computer and set by linear motor in lens; two LED's in viewfinder indicate over or underexposure and measuring limits; aperture preview key for determination of reading or memory hold.

SHUTTER: Between the lens shutter, 1/500 to 30 sec., and B; speed set by user and electronically controlled via control pulses from computer in camera body.

VIEWFINDER SYSTEM: Removable folding focusing hood with interchangeable viewing magnifier 3.3x, sportsfinder for 80mm lens, mounting for accessory sportsfinder for 150 and 250mm lenses. Approximate viewfinder magnification 1.25x.

FOCUSING SCREEN: Interchangeable; standard screen - split image surrounded by microprism collar and square grid.

MIRROR: Instant return mirror with pneumatic damper. Mirror can be prereleased with the remote control cable when exposure is made in the manual mode.

POWER SOURCE: Rapid charge 9.6v Nickel cadmium pack with safety catch, overload fuse 0.8A-250V; extra fuse supplied with battery; battery capacity approximately 1000 exposures per charge; rapid charger 100-240 volts AC, 50/60 Hz with automatic rapid charge limit and indicator lights for normal and rapid charge; charging time depends on the condition of the battery - 10-15 min. charge yields enough power for 100 exposures; maximum charge time is 3 hrs.

BATTERY CHECK: LED in viewfinder lights when battery needs charging (enough power for approximately 40 exposures). If there is insufficient power for proper functioning, the camera will switch off through an electronic voltage control circuit.

FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION: Electronic flash synchronization possible at all speeds because of between-the-Iens shutter.

METER RANGE: EV 3-18.

ASA RANGE: 25-6400.

FILM TRANSPORT: Motorized film advance after each exposure by means of electro motor. When film cassette is inserted, film is automatically advanced to the first frame when shutter release is pressed. After last frame, film is automatically wound onto take-up spool. Frame sequencing is 3 frames every 2 seconds. Single frame or continuous operation possible.

FILM LOADING: Drop-in film cassettes. Cassettes can be preloaded for quick film reloading during long sessions. Same cassettes used for 120 and 220 film; no separate back or adapter needed for 220 film.

INTERCHANGEABLE BACKS: Back is removable to accept Polaroid or 6x4.5 cm backs.

Manufacturer description #3

The world's fastest rollfilm camera with an integrated motorized film transport (1.5 frames/sec.) and rapid film loading system: permits film change in less than 10 seconds. Supremely simple operation: Automatic exposure control fully operative even with closeup accessories, with manual override; you only focus and shoot. Camera with exceptional and unusual pictorial scope, for example multiple exposures with the ME 1 multi-exposure unit; up to 10 exposures/sec. on one frame. Wide versatility with extensive accessories system.

Further features include: Automatic runoff of film end; exposure automation (aperture selection) with shutter speed priority, stray light compensation, manual exposure settings; leaf shutter in all lenses, driven by linear motor coils, shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1/500 sec., flash synchronized at all shutter speeds; various finder systems and focusing screens; various backs, including a Polaroid instant-picture back with, darkslide, extensive accessories system.

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TYPE: Automatic motorized 6x6 cm single-lens reflex camera system with electronic control by built- in process computer; through-the-lens exposure automation (shutter speed priority); automatic film threading and winding off.

FEATURES: Rollei bayonei mount with automatic contact matching for interchangeable SLX lenses; interchangeable backs, finder units and focusing screens; prethreadable quick-change film chargers for 12 or 24 exposures 6x6cm (2 1/4 x 2 1/4 in.) with 6x6 back or for 16 or 32 exposures 4.5x 6 cm (1 3/4 x 2 1/4 in.) with 4.5x6cm back on No. 120 or 220 roll film respectively; self-resetting switchable frame counter with multiple indication, film type display; two shake-free electric contact releases, cable release socket; hot shoe, lockable PC socket, X-synchronized from 30 to 1/500 sec.; film length feeler system, interchangeable nicad power pack, triple function central switch, motorized film transport for single shots and sequences up to 1.5 frame/sec.; universal 14-pole outlet socket for special remote releases, control units and accessories; quick tripod coupling, 1/4 in. and 3/8 in. tripod bushes, rotating carrying strap eyelets.

EXPOSURE METER SYSTEM: Three large-area silicon photocells with corrected spectral sensitivity behind instant-return mirror, centre weighted foil-area reading with electronic compensation for stray light through finder; metering range 1 to 33,000 cd/m² (3.2 to 100, 000 asb) with 80mm f/2.8 lens, equivalent to EV3 to EV18 with 100 ASA film; process computer handles meter reading and controls aperture in lens by linear motor drive; automatic indication of wrong exposure and metering limits by two LEDs, meter preview key for reading memory and indication of wrong exposure or metering limit; additional meter limit indication in shutter speed knob; film speed settings from 25 to 6400 ASA (25/15 deg. to 6400/39 deg. ISO).

FINDER SYSTEM: Removable folding hood with 3.3x interchangeable magnifier and sports frame finder for 80mm lens; alternative 41 deg. and 90 deg. prism finders or rigid magnifier hood with adjustable eyepiece; visualfinder magnification in folding hood 1.1x with 80 mm lens; interchangeable bright matt screen with split-image wedge, microprism ring and square line grid; depth-of-field preview with meter preview key, prereleaseable instant-return mirror with partially transmitting multicoating and pneumatic mirrorbrake.

POWER SUPPLY: Quick-change nicad power pack with automatic contact and safety lock, rechargeable sinter nicad accumulator of 8 cells (1.2 volts each) with M 0.8 A/250 volt overload fuse; automatic voltage check before every exposure, manual voltage check by meter preview key; capacity up to 1000 exposures per accumulator charge. Rapid charger (110-220 volts 50/60 Hz) with automatic rapid charge limiter, rapid and normal charge signals; rapid charge time up to 1 hour depending von accumulator conditions; 12 volt input from motor car battery, normal charging time approx. 14 hrs.

INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES: Rollei bayonet mount, lenses lock into camera body, built-in electronically controlled leaf shutter in each lens with timesfrom 1/500 to 30 seconds and B; 10-pole contact strip for aperture and shutter control signal transfer, continuous automatic aperture settings with aperture display, switchable manual aperture settings in 1/3 stops; depth-of-field scale, distance scale in metres and feet, infrared index; lenses from 40mm to 350mm with two front bayonet mounts for filters, lens hood and bellows hood.

From the editor

Manufactured 09/1976 – 07/1985.