The Rolleiflex Black Baby 4×4 Camera

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“Black & Quack” 2015. With the “Black Baby” Rolleiflex 🙂

The Rolleiflex “Baby” models are twin lens reflex cameras made by Rollei. This particular model is the post war “Black Baby” and was made in 1963. The Rolleiflex “Baby” lineage goes all the way back to 1931 and ended around 1968.

The camera takes 127 film or otherwise known as 4×4 (cm) which is considered an obsolete or “dead” format because 127 film is no longer made, at least not in bulk or by major manufacturers.

You can find 127 film quite easily on eBay, but most of these are outdated and overpriced, and usually sold by Eastern European sellers. However, hang around and I’ll tell you where you can buy some fresh 127 film.

I have not used this camera extensively so this is by no means an official “review.” I initially got this as a collector’s piece knowing that I would not be doing much shooting with it.

THE CAMERA

The camera as is stated is pretty much a “baby” Rolleiflex TLR. You focus through the waist level finder using the knob on the left hand side and wind the film with the right hand knob. It’s basically a miniature Rolleiflex TLR.

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“Size Matters” 2015. The Black Baby Rolleiflex on the left, and the Rolleiflex 2.8C Xenotar for size comparison.

The shooting lens is a 60mm f/3.5 Schneider Kreuznach Xenar which is basically a Tessar type lens that should be quite sharp and contrasty.

In my experience, you can’t go wrong with either Zeiss or Schneider lenses and on these Rollei cameras, they are top notch.

The camera feels well built, but may be a little awkward to hold and use especially if you are used to “normal” sized TLR’s.

BOTTOM LINE

The Rollei “Baby” models are quite popular with collectors, with the “Baby Grey” being the most popular and abundant. These can go anywhere from $50 to $250 if priced fairly.

The Black Baby goes for a bit more. I personally find this one to be the most desirable model because it is the one that looks closest to a modern Rollei TLR.

I got mine for a little over $300, but I’ve seen sellers asking over $1000 for them. However, those over $1000 usually do not sell. Why? Because people aren’t stupid! They know that 127 film is virtually gone and you can get a 6×6 Rollei for that price. A fair price I would say would be from $300-450 for this particular model.

Even though 127 film is basically obsolete, you can now get 127 film, fresh, from…B&H! Yes, that’s right, good old B&H. The film is only available in ISO 100 speed and is called “Rerapan 100” and it is a little pricey at $11.99 for each roll. If you go in there, tell ’em Sam sent you 🙂

Although I would greatly prefer the added versatility of ISO 400 film and a lower price, I’m happy to have at least one source of fresh 127 film.

Some folks have taken the widely available 120 medium format film, cut it down and re-spooled it into 127 film. I have not had the time, the skills, nor the inclination to do that however, not that it seems that hard.

Needless to say, at $11.99 a roll, this camera will not be a daily shooter for me. As I said in the beginning, I basically bought it for my collection, and to be able to actually shoot it is an added pleasure.

I still have my first roll of 127 film in this camera. When I get the results, and if they’re good enough, I will update you on another posting.

While most of these “Baby” Rollei cameras are sought for collections, they are also great shooters, and they are an interesting part of the Camera Legend that is Rollei.

11 thoughts on “The Rolleiflex Black Baby 4×4 Camera”

  1. Nice. I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for 127, as it was the first film I shot, going on 40 years ago now. I didn’t know that B&H had any; the only source I knew of was The Frugal Photographer (dot com) that has several 127 films for sale, including one that’s ISO 400 b/w.

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    1. Hi Jim, thanks for reminding me, yes The Frugal Photographer was the first site I remember going to when looking for 127 film. However, I remember thinking it was some guy who was selling film from his home which is probably why I didn’t look further. But that is a good source. Freestyle.biz also sells the Rerapan 100, but it’s virtually the same price as B&H so I go with B&H for the faster service. Thanks again for checking out the article, appreciate it!

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      1. Freestyle also has fresh ReraPan 100 in stock at $11.99 per roll. I have several of those rolls sitting in my film fridge right now waiting to be shot in my parents Brownie Holiday Special that they used to take their honeymoon photos with 51 years ago. We’re going to try and re-create some of those photos with the camera down in D.C. in November.

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      2. Thanks for sharing that Gregg! I used to buy Arista film from them. Good to know of another source for this hard to find film. And I love the project you’re doing with your parents’ Brownie, very good idea! Looking forward to your pics. Best Regards, Sam

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  3. I got a Rolleiflex Baby grey in 1961, and it was superb. I almost always used it to make transparencies, and the definition was the best. Unfortunately, it was stolen around 1966. I still have around a thousand slides which I want to convert to digital but can’t find a scanner which handles that format. I can’t view them on a screen. either, as I can’t get replacement bulbs for my old projectors.

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    1. Hi Derrick, nice to hear of your experiences with the Rolleiflex Baby. They do take awesome pics! Sorry to hear that it was stolen and of your bad experiences trying to get the slides scanned.

      Depending on where you live, there are places, at least here in the USA that will scan the slides and put them on a cd for you.

      You could also get a flatbed scanner like an Epson V550 or V600 that should allow you to scan the images. You might need to buy an optional 127 film or slide holder but that won’t cost much extra. Hope this helps. Regards, Sam

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      1. Thanks for your reply. I have access to companies over here who will scan for me, but I’d really like to do my own, as I already do with my 35mm transparencies.

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      2. In that case get yourself the scanner and 127 adapter I mentioned and you can do it yourself with your home computer. It’s pretty easy and rewarding. Best, Sam

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