Roland Rangefinder Camera (120 rollfilm)
Photo thanks to [email protected]
The Roland camera shown here was made circa 1934-37 by Plasmat GmbH in Berlin (Germany), and
featured a telescoping front lens on a 120 rollfilm body making 6x4.5cm images. The rangefinder
is coupled to the lens. This camera was designed by Dr. Winkler with Dr. Paul Rudolph, whose
70mm f/2.7 plasmat lens of six element design was a major selling feature for this camera
(at the high price, for the depression, of $93-143 per McKeown's Price Guide for Antique and
Classic Cameras 1992-3 p. 278). Early model had a built-in meter, which the second model
lacked, but it added an automatic exposure counter. Because of the association with Dr. Rudolph,
and the high optical quality (for its time), these cameras usually sell for well over $1,200.
The ROLAND was made from 1934-37, designed by Dr. Winkler and Dr. Paul Rudolph(also the designer of the PLANAR and TESSAR Lenses). This ROLAND is the second model with Fast 2.7/70mm Lens and Compur Rapid 1 to 400 Shutter. This is a Unique Design incorporating a Coupled Rangefinder in the 4.5 X 6.0 cm 120 Film format.