Rollei Rolleiflex 2.8 A (Automat 2.8A)
The Rolleiflex 2.8 A (Automat 2.8A) is a medium-format twin-lens reflex camera made by Rollei, taking 6x6cm images on 120 roll film. It was introduced in the early 1950s as the first Rolleiflex with an f/2.8 taking lens, positioned at the top of the Rolleiflex range when new.
Auction data for the 2.8 A is thin: a single hammer result of £800 has been recorded at UK auction (2021), so a reliable median or range cannot be established for today's market. Because this figure is a saleroom hammer price it excludes buyer's and seller's commission, and condition, completeness and lens clarity drive most of the variation in what these cameras sell for.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prototype | — | — | 1 | £6,000 – £6,000 |
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: June 2025
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2025 | EUR 6,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | Prototype | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 46 (Lot A01858) Title: Rolleiflex 2.8A Xenotar prototype no.1100001
Description:
Extremely rare 1st type Rolleiflex 2.8 prototype with Schneider taking lens, in very good condition, with 2.8/80mm Xenotar no.2681294, note the absence of 'Xenotar', only 4 lenses produced as 'Muster' (German for sample) in 1951, body with special serial number no.1100001, all production models mounted with Zeiss lenses from body no.1101000. Estimate: EUR 2,800 - EUR 3,200 |
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| Apr 2023 | £250 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 223) Title: A Rollei Rolleiflex 2.8 A K7A Medium Format TLR Camera
Description:
1950-51, serial no.1114989, with a Zeiss-Opton Tessar T f/2.8 80mm lens, serial no.535726, shutter working, body F, wear and repainting, lens F-G, |
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| Aug 2022 | £338 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 471) Title: A Rolleiflex 2.8 A Medium Format TLR Camera
Description:
black, body G-VG, shutter working, with Zeiss-Opton f/2.8 80mm taking lens, optics G, some light haze to lens, with Heidoscop-Anastigmat f/2.8 80mm (Qty: 1) |
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| Nov 2021 | EUR 800 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 39 (Lot AI_39_39705) Title: Rolleiflex 2.8A
Description:
Rare 1st type Rolleiflex 2.8 in near mint condition and working order, with Zeiss-Opton Tessar 2.8/80mm only showing a very light haze and minimal cleaning marks, with shutter release extender, lenses cap, leather case and maker's box, note the 1/400 sec. shutter speed only found on these models Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Nov 2020 | £248 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 389) Title: A Rollei Rolleiflex 2.8A TLR Camera
Description:
1951, black, serial no. 1164201, with Zeiss Opton T f/2.8 80mm lens, serial no. 570888, body, G, shutter working, lens, G, some internal haze, with |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 4,500 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_36392) Title: Rolleiflex 2,8 A with Biotar Prototype
Description:
In excellent condition and perfect working order, with prototype Biotar 2.8/80mm no.12099 V6/1 (good optics with only minimal marks on front element) Estimate: EUR 3,200 - EUR 3,600 |
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| Nov 2011 | EUR 2,200 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 20 (Lot AI_20_13230) Title: Rolleiflex 2.8 Prototype
Description:
extremely rare prototype of the first Rolleiflex 2.8 camera (later called 2.8A), taking lens engraved: Schneider-Kreuznach 1:2.8/80 2681294 (no serial number, viewing lens engraved: Heidoscop-Anastigmat 1:2.8 f=8cm Nr.817855, both bayonett III lenses stand closer together than later versions, Compur-Rapid shutter in good working order, small focusing knob (similar to Rolleicord), according to Claus Prochnow the Rolleiflex 3.5 started with serial number 1100000, brown everready case with strap - this could be the very first Rolleiflex 2.8 ! Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Rolleiflex 2.8 A worth today?
Evidence is limited to a single 2021 UK auction hammer of £800, so a firm current value cannot be quoted; condition and lens quality will heavily influence what any given example sells for.
How much does a Rolleiflex 2.8 A sell for at auction?
The only verified UK auction sale in our records achieved £800 at hammer in November 2021, before commission.
Is the Rolleiflex 2.8 A the same as later 2.8 models?
No — the 2.8 A was the first f/2.8 Rolleiflex and was followed by later 2.8 variants, so price comparisons should be made against the same sub-model rather than the 2.8 series as a whole.