Rolleiflex shutter speed selector

Hi everyone,

I am trying to understand the underlying form of my recently acquired

Rolleiflex 2.8C.

I see that both the small-ring selectors on the left and right of the lenses

can rotate continuously: I push a small button and then the ring rotates

freely, I release the button and the ring will not move.

I find the unlimited freedom of choice in the aperture possibly useful, but

what puzzles me it is the fact that also the shutter speed selector works the

same way. Does the Synchro Compur shutter provide a continuously variable

shutter speed?

Thanks for your help

I do not have the Rollei 2.8 C, so this is a guess. My Rolleiflex has a EV selector that once you set a shutter speed and F-stop then they can be locked together to let you adjust the camera using a EV scale. Many of the light meters of the late 1950's used this EV scale. I am sure someone will know for sure.

Actually, I find just now that the manual of the model 2.8C says that <Intermediate speeds may set at any points between 1 sec. and 1/10th sec. and between 1/25th sec. and 1/250th sec.> ...curioser and curioser...

Exactly Michael. EVS (aka LVS) was a BIG DEAL in the late '50s. Even then the industry was fond of dubious innovations to sell new cameras (WHAT, you're still using an old camera w/o LVS?}

BTW, I dearly love my 2.8E, but the EVS stays permanently UN-coupled (not possible with a 'C'}.

If you have to push a small central button in order to rotate the "ring", it would mean that it's not a 2.8C introduced in 1953. The 2.8C didn't have the EVS system a feature introduced in the 2.8D and followed also with the 2.8E, 2.8E2 and 2.8E3.

 

The 2.8C "speed" system follows the old style i.e. 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 etc. What you have to do in order to release the 2.8C "rings" is to press a small semi circular metal ring around both wheels when turning them.