Oct 27

Oct 27 Analog Series: The Story Behind My Antique Rolleiflex

Three Generations. One Rolleiflex.

The Rolleiflex 2.8F is a legend in the photography world — known for outstanding optics, precise manual control, and a cult following. And this one, in particular, is a treasured family heirloom with a bittersweet story.

Before coming into my possession, it belonged to my uncle, who inherited it from my grandfather, who bought it in the early 1960s. They both passed away long before my time. given the camera's sentimental value, my always mom thought this Rolleiflex was 'too precious to use.' So it stayed on a bookshelf in its original case, just waiting...

But I always felt this camera called to me. When I fell in love with photography and learned more about the history of the Rolleiflex 2.8F and our family story, I sincerely believed it was a shame to let a practically pristine Rolleiflex sit dormant. Once during my first high school photography class, I brought my Rolleiflex in to impress my teacher. Unfortunately, my attempt to shoot with it failed since the light meter dial was stuck and getting it repaired was far out of my budget. From there I felt a bit intimidated and so, it went back into its case and sat on the bookshelf for two more decades…

All this time, I've dreamt of restoring this camera to its former glory because a Rolleiflex was made to create!

This camera's adventures began in Chicago with my grandfather, moved to Sweden with my uncle and finally came to Amsterdam with me. Over the summer, I restored my Rolleiflex after 50+ years of sitting idle. I’m happy to report that the camera works like a charm thanks to an expert restoration by Amsterdam Camera Repair.

Although I never met my uncle or grandfather, this camera is one of the few family heirlooms I own. Using it gives me a strong sense of connection to them. We've all held this camera, adjusted the dials, and looked through the same viewing screen, each witnessing a completely different world. My imagination can’t help but wonder what they each saw through the lens or what it would have been like to share our passion for photography with each other.

Now, our beloved Rolleiflex weaves us together through a shared creative spirit and curiosity to explore our surroundings and document what catches our eye.

After decades of anticipation, I was a bit nervous to finally shoot my first Rolleiflex roll, and everything worked perfectly! She is a collector’s dream and in near-perfect condition, which says a lot for a camera almost 60 years old.

Shooting with black and white film gives such a timeless feel. After lunch with a friend, we took an afternoon photo walk along Prinsengracht to shoot my first frame with a quintessential historical view of Amsterdam. There’s no limit to how many times this picturesque corner has been photographed, drawn, or stored in people’s memory over the last 400+ years.

Vintage canal boat crossing Reguliersgracht, heading towards the Amstel River

An elderly couple walking their dogs over De Duifbrug

I’ve dreamed of using this camera ever since my first photography class back in high school, and after waiting so long, I was a bit nervous to get my chance finally. As with any new (vintage) camera, it’s best to shoot a test roll for assurance that everything is working properly and honestly, I had no idea what to expect. I shot 12 frames with an experimental mindset, cautious not to get my expectations too high. I tinkered with its unique light meter and experimented with framing my shots in a backward view. All these factors make me even more thrilled that every shot worked out!

Of course, I had to shoot one frame as a classic reflection self-portrait. Looking back at myself in this window, I see more than just my reflection. I see a journey back in time, a sense of family reconnection that I've been anticipating for decades.

I feel a new spark of creative inspiration and look forward to the adventures together with my Rolleiflex!