Which Rolleiflex Rolleinar Close-Up Lens is Right for Me?
by Dan Wagner
All Photos © Dan Wagner 2023
Rolleiflex photographers prize Rolleinar close-up lenses for their sharpness, lightweight, compact size, and ability to bring them closer to their subjects. The Rolleinars pictured above consist of a viewing lens paired with a close-up lens. They come in three mounting sizes, Bay 1, 2, and 3—also referred to by Roman numerals I, II, and III, and in three strengths 1, 2, and 3—1 being the weakest. In general, the Rolleinar 1 provides the most useful strength for shooting portraits.
The photos pictured in the gallery above were taken with 1, 2, and 3 strength Rolleinars.
The viewing lens is matched to the strength of the close-up lens, and when mounted properly with the red dot on top will correct for parallax error. Viewing lenses are easy to disassemble for cleaning. For storage, the viewing and close-up lenses mate together, and include a brown leather case. Filters and lens hoods work well with Rolleinars. Just make sure that the close-up lens is mounted first.
The close-focusing ranges on Rolleiflex cameras with 75mm lenses such as the T, 3.5, and Rolleicord are:
Rolleinar 1: 39.3-17.7” / 100-45 cm
Rolleinar 2: 19.7-12.2” / 50-31 cm
Rolleinar 3: 12.6-9.4” / 32-24 cm
On a Rolleiflex 2.8 with an 80mm lens the close-focusing ranges are:
Rolleinar 1: 39.3-18.5” / 100-47 cm
Rolleinar 2: 19.7-12.6” / 50-32 cm
Rolleinar 3: 12.6-9.4” / 32-24 cm
The only Rolleinar made for the Rolleiwide 55mm lens camera was a Bay 4 number 2 with a close-focusing range of 19.7-9.8” / 50-25 cm.
For Tele-Rolleiflex users there are Bay 3 0.35 and 0.7 strength hinged Rolleinars. The hinged model mounts to the camera’s lenses and allows the Rolleinar to be swung out of the way when not needed. One downside of this feature is that filters and lens hoods will have to be removed and installed as required. The added bulk and weight of Rolleinars make the already front-heavy Tele-Rolleiflex feel more unbalanced. Nonetheless, Rolleinars in combination with the camera’s 135mm lens do make it possible to get closer to subjects. Hinged and regular Rolleinars may also be used in combination. The close-focusing ranges are:
Rolleinar 0.35: 110-53.1“ / 280-135 cm
+ Rolleinar 1: 30.3-24.4“ / 77-62 cm
+ Rolleinar 2: 18.1-15.7”/ 46-40 cm
+ Rolleinar 3: 13.0-11.8“ / 33-30 cm
Rolleinar 0.7: 54.3-36.6“ / 138-93 cm
+ Rolleinar 1: 24.4-20.5“ / 62-52 cm
+ Rolleinar 2: 15.7-14.2“ / 40-36 cm
+ Rolleinar 3: 11.8-11.0” / 30-28 cm
I hope this information will make your Rolleiflex Rolleinar adventures easier and more successful. Thanks for visiting The Cranky Camera!
