Made in Germany

Rollei X-Act2
Rollei LensControl S
Precision and Flexibility in Technical Photography
 Working Principle of Rollei X-Act2 Monorail Camera

The optical bench The standards

The basis of this monorail camera is an extremely The front and rear standards are identical. The only
robust extruded profile 365 mm in length. Its ample difference is their mirror-inverted position. Each has a
width of 49 mm ensures backlash-free movement of circular aperture of 85mm diameter for the lens panel
the three shift slides. Focus is adjusted separately and and the interchangeable back, respectively.
without risk of collision on the front and/or rear stand- The massive frames with self-locking fine controls for
ards via self-locking fine controls with vernier scales. direct horizontal and vertical shifting are located at
the interior edge of the shift slides. They are mounted
With the two standards in their end positions, the
on rotary tables of 58mm diameter that allow vertical
maximum bellows extension is 194 mm. The base slide
tilting. The axial point of the rear standard coincides
at the bottom, which incorporates the tripod sockets,
precisely with the film plane; in the case of the front
allows the entire unit to be shifted axially over its
standard it is located approximately in the diaphragm
full length.
plane. The intersections between the vertical axes and
the optical axis are, at the same time, the yaw-free r
centers of rotation during horizontal shifting.
Sophisticated technology using planetary gears guar-
antees maximum precision and a reading accuracy of
0.25° for this important movement.
Three integral spirit levels are provided to check the
orientation of longitudinal and transverse axes.
All settings are direct; they can be read off with high
accuracy (0.05 and 0.25 mm) and are thus highly
reproducible. The self-locking fine controls guarantee
safe clamping, and even in the case of vertical
rotation only minimal force is needed due to the
large friction surface.
Each of the two standards can be shifted over the
entire length of the optical bench. They can be
positioned very closely together, allowing the use
of even very short-focus lenses. The X-Act System
permits the use of both direct and indirect shift. Rollei X-Act2.
The complete system in a space-saving systainer.
The camera can be moved fully mounted. Separate
compartments are provided for the accessories.

2
 d

c c

b p

o
e

a
m
k

l
t s

a Rollei X-Act2 Monorail Camera n T2 adapter for 35mm SLR cameras

b PanShot interchangeable back with dust cover o Sliding adapter for connection of independently
(optional accessory) made accessories

c Collapsible finder hood p Adapter base for Rollei viewfinders

d Magnifier with base frame q Adapter frame accepting independently made

magazines/digital backs
e Rollei System 6000 lens adapter
(Hasselblad, RB 67, international back)
f M39/M40 behind-the-lens shutter
r LensControl S central control unit
g Size 0 + 1 ElectronicShutter
s Size 0 mechanical Copal view-camera shutter
h Matte box
t SL-66 lens adapter –
i Rollei 4560, lens normally or reverse-mounted
motor-driven 4.5 x 6 magazine

j Digital backs with Rollei adapter

k Standard bellows

l Wide-angle bellows with recessed lens panel

m Wide-angle bellows 3
 X-Act2 Monorail Camera
with type 4560 roll-film magazine and PanShot
Studio Kollmorgen

Architectural photography with Rollei X-Act2 and Camera untilted Extending depth of field according
Rollei type 4560 roll-film magazine. to Scheimpflug
Camera setup for low perspective plus rise of front A rigid camera can only be focused for a plane per-
standard to avoid converging verticals. pendicular to the optical axis. By swinging or tilting
the front or rear standard, however, depth of field
can be made to extend into space and thus match
the position of the subject in space. As a result, the
X-Act2 monorail camera achieves impressive depth of
field even before stopping down the lens. This depth
of field, extended according to Scheimpflug, is the
result of object, focusing-screen and lens planes
intersecting at suitable angles.

*
Camera tilted to extend depth of field by * Depth of field obtained by
the Scheimpflug rule stopping down
** Common intersection

**
4
Compatible Adapters Rollei Type 4560 Magazine
Universal standard magazine for 4.5 x 6 photography
Rollei Sliding Adapter on size 120 and 220 roll film. Automatic film advance,
This allows the use of many different independently laminar drawslide and preloadable film inserts. Can be
made accessories and will integrate the X-Act system attached either vertically or horizontally.
neatly into the existing systems of other manufacturers.
Hasselblad Magazines
The sliding adapter has two holders on its base plate
(left for viewfinders, right for film magazines). A12, A16, A24 and Polaroid magazine as well as all
digital backs sold for Hasselblad cameras.
Viewfinder System
Mamiya RB Magazines
All Rollei focusing screens as well as the collapsible
finder hood, the magnifier with base frame and the All magazines and backs (both analog and digital)
rotatable 45° prism finder. provided for the use with Mamiya RB cameras.

International 6 x 9cm Back

All film magazines and digital backs for the interna-
tionl 6 x 9 back.

5
 X-Act2 Monorail Camera
with digital backs and PC control

▲ Rolf Nachbar ▼ Werner Gradert ▼ Klaus Harenberg

6
Digital Backs
With the aid of the universal Rollei adapter system,
practically any digital back of prominent manufacturers
that is commercially available can be attached to the
Rollei X-Act2 without any problems.

LensControl S Unit
This is a battery-powered electronic control unit for
Rollei electronic shutters and the synchronization of
Rollei backs.

◆ For Rollei ElectronicShutter and lens adapters,

Rollei magazines and digital backs (in conjunction
with Rollei PanShot Interchangeable Swivel Back)
◆ Power supply of all components by dedicated
rechargeable battery
◆ Controlled by two shaft encoders and 13 buttons
◆ Numerous custom functions (timer, etc.)
◆ All readings displayed on LC graphics display with
provisions for illumination

7
 X-Act2 Monorail Camera
with DSLR and SLR

Choose Your Tools

On the one hand there are 35mm films whose shoot pictures you could not
definition and resolution leaves nothing to be desired. or only with difficulty take
The color characteristics of the images can be control- with an outfit based on
led by a suitable choice of films. Powerful film scanners 35mm camera bodies.
make it possible to digitize analog material with out- Architectural photographers
standing quality and to integrate it into the digital thus are able to shoot even
workflow. high buildings without con-
verging verticals, table-top spe-
On the other hand there are digital SLR cameras with cialists will make the plane of best
sensors the size of APS or 35mm film and a resolution focus coincide with the requiremens of their
of 6, 8, 11 or even 14 megapixels (as of summer 2004). subject – or do just the opposite to focus the viewer’s
And the results can be varied in many different ways. attention precisely on a small detail.
As an alternative, RAW files may be used that can
serve as “digital negatives”, creating optimum condi- The compatibility of the X-Act2 System with analog
tions for further editing of virgin data in a computer. and/or digital SLR cameras – that are usually in
your bag anyway – lets you enter the realm of sophis-
The Rollei X-Act2 lets you use the benefits of analog ticated technical photography with ease, and at
SLR cameras just as easily as those of digital SLRs. reasonable cost.
With a commercial T2 adapter*, practically any analog
or digital 35mm-based SLR camera can be mounted
on the rear standard. And format orientation is a cinch: *T2 adapters are available for:
The camera attached to the standard can be rotated Canon EOS, Canon MF, Canon EX1/EX2, Contax.
quickly and easily to either vertical or horizontal format. Leicaflex, Leica R, M42, Minolta AF, Minolta MF,
Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Rollei SL35
A combination of X-Act2 and SLR or DSLR camera
can be used with different lenses. In conjunction with
a large-format lens, however, full use can be made of The photos on page 9 were taken with X-Act2
8 the camera movements of the X-Act2. This lets you and DSLR.
▲▼ Pro Art / Bernd Kamrath

▲▼ Klaus Harenberg

9
 View-Camera Lenses with Rollei ElectronicShutter and LensControl S Unit

Rollei ElectronicShutter a b c d e
Size 0 and 1 Rollei electronic shutters integrate a
number of attractive view-camera lenses into the
X-Act system.
The compact design of the camera leaves an adequate
margin of camera movements for view-camera lenses
even at short focal lengths and when focused for
infinity. The fastest shutter speed of size 0 Rollei elec-
tronic shutters is 1/500 s, of size 1 shutters 1/300 s.
Apertures are automatically controlled in increments
of 1/10.

For further details, please see the Rollei Electronic-

Shutter catalog.

a Front component of lens

b Rollei ElectronicShutter
c Size 1 lens panel
d Retaining ring
e Rear component of lens

LensControl S is more than just the designation of The following custom functions are available in the
Studio Kollmorgen

the control unit developed for X-Act cameras: menu mode:

It stands for the underlying X-Act principle.
◆ Self-timer / Multiple exposures / Time exposures /
At the heart of the system are the view-camera lenses
Bracketing
with Rollei ElectronicShutter and the medium-format
lenses of the Rolleiflex 6000 System with their exclusive ◆ Deactivate ON timer / Set shutter speed
Rollei Direct Drive shutters. These allow external control ◆ Select leading or trailing sync
of all camera functions and, in combination with the ◆ Select aperture increments for independently
film magazine and digital backs, provide an unequalled
made lenses
measure of operating comfort.
◆ Select memory 1 – 4
The dedicated rechargeable battery in the LensCon-
trol S unit provides power to the camera and makes ◆ Illuminate display / Select language
the entire system in any configuration independent ◆ Display EV
of an AC supply. ◆ Switch ISO

Separate standard and menu modes allow for a wide

◆ Compensate exposure
variety of functions without compromising clarity. In ◆ Reset all custom functions
the standard mode controlling shutter speed, aperture
and shutter release, only the four buttons in the upper
part of the operating panel are active. Aperture and
shutter speeds are set on two handy dials (shaft encod-
ers) and simultaneously displayed on the monitor.
Custom functions from the menu are included in the
standard display. To save power, the LensControl S has
an ON timer to switch the unit off after two minutes.

10 Photo taken with view-camera lens and maximum shift

 Specifications

Rollei X-Act2 Monorail Camera Accessories for Rollei X-Act2 Monorail Camera: Charger cable for LensControl S unit
Professional optical-bench view camera with three axes, Wide-angle bellows For trickle charging of NiCad battery in LensControl S
yaw-free. Bench slide with tripod socket adjustable unit. Conncected to the LensControl S unit via the
PanShot charger.
over entire length of bench.
Adapter system for rapid changeover between
viewfinder and magazine back. Size 0 ElectronicShutter
Dimensions Electronic shutter taking view-camera lenses. Attached
Length 365 mm, width 185 mm, Collapsible focusing hood with focusing to the X-Act camera via size 1 lens panel (No. 98 988).
height 235 mm magnifier (2x) Controlled by LensControl S unit.
For precise ground-glass viewing on PanShot Top shutter speed: 1/500 s.
Weight
adapter system. f-stop increments: 1/10.
Approx. 4.3 kg net, plus lens and back
High-D focusing screen Size 1 ElectronicShutter
Bellows extension
Offers exceptionally brilliant image for precise Same as size 0, but with top shutter speed of 1/300 s.
Effective 59 – 194 mm, measured from lens flange
camera setting.
to film plane Lens panel for size 0 Copal shutter
Rollei magnifier
Focusing Lens panel for size 1 Copal shutter or Electronic-
3x magnifier with detachable base for viewing in
With two self-locking fine controls, Shutter sizes 0 and 1
transmitted and incident light.
each with 67.5 mm travel, The lens panel is needed in addition to the shutter for
In conjunction with base frame (No. 63 048) suitable
vernier reading to 0.05 mm. using view-camera lenses on Rollei technical cameras.
as focusing magnifier for PanShot adapter system.
Shift movements Its 3x magnification makes it an alternative to the Rollei System 6000 lens adapter
Horizontal and vertical shift of front collapsible focusing hood. For the use of interchangeable System 6000 lenses.
and rear standards: ±15 mm, self-locking, Controlled by LensControl S unit.
Base frame for Rollei magnifier
reading to 0.25 mm.
45° prism finder Type 4560 roll-film magazine
Swing For 4.5 x 6cm photography on size 120/220 roll film,
Provides an unreversed viewfinder image during
Both standards ±15°, reading to 0.25°, with integral motor drive, reversible for horizontal or
waist-level viewing.
fine control, yaw-free. vertical format.
Rollei LensControl S unit
Tilt Adapter frame for use of type 4560 magazine
Central control unit for setting shutter speed and
Both standards ±15°, reading to 0.5°.
aperture plus custom functions. Large display monitor. Connecting cable for type 4560 magazine
NiCad battery 10V, 1.25 A/T
Power supply of LensControl S unit.

Type N rapid charger

For rapid and trickle charging of NiCad battery.

Subject to change without notice.

e c
e
l
b

m
n

a Optical bench f
b Front standard
c Rear standard
j
d Base slide
e Standard bellows a
(interchangeable for i
wide-angle bellows) g
f Lateral shift
g Rise/fall
d d
h Focusing
h
i Horizontal shift k Lens adapter m Lens panel
j Tilt clamp l Electronic view-camera shutter n Rollei PanShot interchangeable back
11
Overview of system components of Rollei X-Act2 Monorail Camera

digital (Back adapter

for special purposes)
(98 924)
Back adapter for All digital backs
Hasselblad magazines for Hasselblad
Apo-Symmar 150 mm f/5.6 Makro Planar 120 mm f/4 (98 959)
Matte box (98 531) (66 300)
(98 080)
Digital connecting cable
(36 705)

Focusing screens
Apo-Symmar 90 mm f/4
(63 348) Rollei
lens adapter Wide-angle bellows
(12 782) (98 965) Rollei
Sliding adapter viewfinder insert (10 772) (97 069)
(99 090) (98 927)

M 39 / M 40 M 39 / M 40
lenses Behind-the-lens shutter
(59 926)

Size 1 Magnifier Collapsible

lens panel and base frame finder hood
(98 988) T2-Adapter for (59 551) (56 900)
SLR cameras (63 048)
Electronic Shutter/ Electronic Shutter/ (99 100)
size 1 size 0 Rollei X-Act2 (wide-angle
bellows
view-camera lens view-camera lens Monorail Camera recommended) with Rollei adapter, from
(98 991) (98 989) (10 742) Eyelike, Imacon, Leaf, Phase One, Sinar
Recessed lens panel with
integral wide-angle bellows
(99 101)
Connecting cable Digital back
LensControl S/PanShot
(36 700)
Rollei SL 66 Rollei SL 66 PanShot Focusing screens
lenses adapter (22 493)
(99 135)

NiCad-battery (10 772) (97 069)

Power-supply plug 12 V (39 715)
Sucher
(30 019)

180 Ah
Magnifier Collapsible
and base framel finder hood
Einhell Powerstation Battery box PowerInterface Flexible arm with LensControl S Type N rapid charger (59 551) (56 900)
(30 036) (30 017) ball-and-socket head (64 872) (64 899) (63 048)
(64 875)
Car-battery charger cable (30 020)

analog

All magazines for RB 67 magazine Magazines

Apo-Symmar 150 mm f/5.6 Makro Planar 120 mm f/4 Hasselblad International 6 x 9 back
Matte box (98 531) (66 300)
(98 080) (Back adapter for
special purposes)
(98 924)

Back adapter Back adapter for Back adapter

Apo-Symmar 90 mm f/4 Hasselblad magazines Mamiya RB 67 for Horseman 6 x 9
(63 348) Rollei (98 959) (98 957) (98 958)
lens adapter
(12 782)
Focusing screens
Wide-angle bellows
(98 965)
M 39 / M 40 M 39 / M 40
lenses Behind-the-lens shutter Rollei
(59 926) Sliding adapter (10 772) (97 069)
(99 090) viewfinder insert
Size1 (98 927)
lens panel
(98 988)

Electronic Shutter/ Electronic Shutter/

size1 size1 Magnifier and Collapsible
T2-Adapter for baseframe finder hood
viewcamera lens viewcamera lens SLR cameras
(98 991) (98 989) (59 551) (56 900)
(99 100) (63 048)
Recessed lens panel with (wide-angle bellows
integral wide-angle bellows recommended)
(99 101) Rollei X-Act2
Monorail Camera Connecting cable
View-camera lenses in Size 0 + 1 lens panels (10 742) 4560 magazine to
size 0 + 1 Copal shutter (98 987), (98 988) LensControl S
Instant-film attachment 4560 magazine (36 700)
(Fuji,Polaroid) with adapter
(97 979) (14 987 + 10 776)
NiCad battery
Rollei SL 66 Rollei SL 66 (39 715) PanShot Focusing screens
lenses adapter (22 493)
(99 135)

(10 772) (97 069)

Printed in Germany · PA 03.08 · gb · 75200.00.351

Power-supply plug 12 V Viewfinders

(30 019)
LensControl S
(64 872)
180 Ah

Einhell Powerstation Batterybox Power interface Flexible arm with Type N Magnifier and Collapsible
(30 036) (30 017) ball-and-socket head rapid charger base frame finder hood
(64 875) (64 899) (59 551) (56 900)
Car-battery charger cable (30 020) (63 048)

Franke & Heidecke GmbH, Feinmechanik und Optik

Salzdahlumer Straße 196
D-38126 Braunschweig
www.franke-heidecke.net
Certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001