Twin-Lens Reflex

Two-lens cameras, those using separate yet identical lenses for viewing and taking images date back to the mid-1860s. Though uncommon, the cameras were especially convenient for portrait photography as the two-lens design allowed the photographer an uninterrupted view of the subject while composing and taking the photograph.

Long before the Rolleiflex appeared and defined the breed, the Twin-lens reflex cameras were in quantity production. For example in 1899 the Magazine Twin-Lens “Artist” Camera was sold by London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, Ltd. The Magazine Twin-Lens had two lenses in an over-and-ender mounting on a moveable panel. Light from the upper lens was reflected to the underside of a ground glass with a mirror. The viewing screen was revealed from a door atop the box-shaped camera. To adjust the distance using a rack-and-pinion drive, the lens board was focused by a turning brass knob on the lower right side.

Magazine Twin-Lens “Artist” ca. 1899London Stereoscopic Company, Ltd., London, England.

In 1929 the Rolleiflex I was introduced by Franke & Heidecke of Braunschweig, Germany. The Rolleiflex was an instant classic. The twin-lens was improved and manufactured well into the 1990s and was copied by many companies. The 6 cm square format, being more than four times larger, made sharper enlargements than 35mm lens, which made it popular. Although it gave a mirror image of the subject, the large reflex finder screen was bright and made it easy to focus the 7.7cm f/3.8 Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar lens. Rolleiflexes were favourites of professionals and serious amateurs alike.

Rolleiflex I ca. 1929Franke & Heidecke, Braunschweig, Germany.

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A Brief History of Cameras

In 1934 the first twin-lens reflex was introduced by Zeiss Ikon AG. It was called the Ikoflex. It was a very sturdy camera, with a cast magnesium body, which in early versions was painted with a leather texture. Some of the features included a rapid film advance lever on the lower front. The Ikoflex was unique in that it ran the film horizontally rather than vertical. The Ikoflex used the No. 120 roll film and produced 21/4 x 21/4 inch images.

Ikoflex ca. 1934Zeiss Ikon AG, Stuttgart, Germany.

In 1939, the Universal Camera Corporation announced the Twinflex. It was a plastic twin-lens reflex that was unique because of its use of Univex 00 roll films. The camera was made of Textolite, a relatively new material from General Electric that was strong and stable, it could also be molded into complex shapes with a wide variety of surface textures. The price of the camera was never low even though the twin-lens concept wasn’t new. The adjustable focus allowed the photographer to sight the subject in the viewing screen, and turn the knob until it was a sharp image.

Twinflex ca. 1939Universal Camera Corporation, New York, New York.

There are a number of reasons why the twin-lens cameras became so popular. For one, the focusing was more accurate and less of a bother than with a view camera. The top lens was for viewing. The photographer could frame the subject with the waist level screen. The bottom lens took the picture. A single focus control moved both lenses together, so when the finder image was at its sharpest, the taking lens was set correctly. By 1936, Minolta was making its own models, and when the Autocord reached the market in 1955, the company was a well-established twin-lens maker. The Autocord is a 6cm square format camera and uses 120 roll film.

Autocord ca. 1955Chiyoda Kogaku Seiko K.K (Minolta), Osaka, Japan.

In 1983 the Rolleiflex 2.8F Aurum was introduced, it descended from a long, distinguished line of twin-lens reflex cameras dating back to the pioneer 1929 Rolleiflex made by Franke & Heidecke of Braunschweig, Germany. The Rolleiflex 2.8F took 12 6cm square images on a roll of 120 film, or twice as many on 220. The coupled meter, bright focus screen, Compur shutter and 80mm f/2.8 lenses made it a favourite medium format tool. It was especially useful for location shots where its ruggedness and reliability were important.

Rolleiflex 2.8F Aurum ca. 1983Franke & Heidecke, Braunschweig, West Germany.