Rollei Rolleiflex 2.8 E
The Rolleiflex 2.8 E is a medium-format twin-lens reflex camera shooting 6x6 on 120 roll film, introduced by Franke & Heidecke in the mid-1950s. It sat at the top of the Rolleiflex line when new, pairing an f/2.8 taking lens with a coupled light meter built into the nameplate.
At recent UK auction, hammer results for the Rolleiflex 2.8 E have ranged from around £460 to £4,000, with the £600 sale in January 2024 the most recent reference point for what a usable body is worth today. The spread is wide because condition, cosmetics and meter function drive price heavily at saleroom level, and an exceptional or collector-grade example can sell for several times what a tired user-grade camera fetches.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: January 2024
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2024 | £600 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 234) Title: A Rollei Rolleiflex 2.8E TLR Medium Format Camera
Description:
1956-59, black, serial no. 1663536, with Carl Zeiss Planar f/2.8 80mm lens, serial no. 2382366, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, VG |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2022 | EUR 2,000 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 41 (Lot AI_41_40979) Title: Rolleiflex 2.8E Sonnar prototype
Description:
Very interesting Rolleiflex 2.8E with rare Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 2.8/80mm with special serial number 11099-V8 (the 'V' stands for 'Versuch', experiment), some parts have been removed. The Sonnar 2.8/80mm lens can otherwise be only found on the Domnick Profi 6x6 camera prototypes. Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 4,500 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2017 | EUR 4,000 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 31 (Lot AI_31_35628) Title: Rolleiflex 2.8 E + Biotar Prototype
Description:
used body (light meter not operable) with prototype Biotar 2.8/80mm no.12099 V7 Nr.1, provenience: ex Rollei inventory Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2012 | EUR 1,500 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 22 (Lot AI_22_14514) Title: Rolleiflex 2,8E
Description:
mint metered 2.8E with Planar 2.8/80mm no.1857663 taking lens, Heidosmat 2.8/80mm no.756721 viewing lens (clean optics, cap), diffuser, strap, everready case, Rolleigrid focusing screen (box), hood (case), Rolleinar 1 (case), Rolleikin 2,8 (case), instructions Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2011 | EUR 460 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12630) Title: Rolleiflex 2,8E
Description:
nice, metered (meter not accurate) Rolleiflex 2.8E with Planar 2.8/80 no.2265864 taking lens, Heidosmat 2.8/80mm no.786297 viewing lens, slow speeds sticky, case, strap, Rolleikin 2.8 in case Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2011 | EUR 300 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12631) Title: Rolleiflex 2,8E Attrappe
Description:
very rare non-working display model in good condition Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2008 | EUR 400 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_16874) Title: Rolleiflex 2.8E
Description:
metered 2.8E in good working order, Planar 2.8/80mm no.2264117 taking lens, Heidosmat 2.8/80mm no.785005 viewing lens Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 900 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Rolleiflex 2.8 E worth today?
Most usable examples sell for several hundred pounds at UK auction, with a recent 2024 hammer result of £600 and older sales spanning £460 up to £4,000 for exceptional examples.
How much does a Rolleiflex 2.8 E sell for at auction?
Recent UK hammer prices have clustered in the mid-hundreds, though clean, fully working bodies and collector-grade cameras have reached into four figures.
Why do Rolleiflex 2.8 E prices vary so much?
Price is highly condition-sensitive: lens clarity, shutter accuracy, meter function and cosmetic wear each move the value significantly, which is why the saleroom range is so wide.