"accepts optical flat glass"

Hello everyone,

 

I came across the description "accepts optical flat glass" regarding

some Rolleiflex TLR cameras in the current KEH catalogue. Are the

dedicated Rolleiflex filters not flat, or how should I understand

this? Just curious as to what I am missing. Thanks in

advance...Markus

It means that that particular Rollei TLR has provisions for inserting a piece of optically flat glass at the film plane. It is a specially cut piece of glass made by Rollei (back in the old days-good luck finding one now). The idea here is that it keeps the film quite flat. It does do that, but there are problems with dust, etc.

Thank you, Greg, for your prompt reply. I feel I should have known this... Markus

The cameras are easily recognised by the three way pressure plate. The ever-ready cases

dedicated to these cameras had a built-in pouch for the flat glass. In the "used" trade

camera and case may get separated. Apart from breaking, this is one way the glasses get

lost. It is worth while to check old Rolleiflex cases on offer for the pouch and its possible

content. A few flexes I bought over the years came with the original case and I was

fortunate to find the flat glasses in the pouch. It is interesting that film flatness was an

issue even in the 1960s.