Magicflex PL 75/3.5

Historical Context


For decades, the excellence of Rolleiflex was based not only on its own outstanding manufacturing but also on strong support from Carl Zeiss (both East and West Germany) and Schneider. Together, these companies produced seven versions of symmetrical “double Gauss” lenses for Rolleiflex:


  • Biometar 80/2.8 (Carl Zeiss Jena, Rolleiflex 2.8B)
  • Planar 80/2.8 (Carl Zeiss Oberkochen, Rolleiflex 2.8C)
  • Xenotar 80/2.8 (Schneider, Rolleiflex 2.8C)
  • Planar 75/3.5, 5 elements (Zeiss, Rolleiflex 3.5E - 3.5F type 1/2)
  • Xenotar 75/3.5 (Schneider, Rolleiflex 3.5E)
  • Planar 75/3.5, 6 elements (Zeiss, Rolleiflex 3.5F type 3)
  • Xenotar 75/3.5 (Schneider, Rolleiflex 3.5F type 3; early samples could still be 5-element).

A legend, reborn


Imagine it’s the 1950s: you’re holding a brand-new Rolleiflex fresh from the factory, looking through the viewfinder and seeing the image exactly as Zeiss and Schneider engineers intended — with their legendary lenses at their absolute best. Not hazy, scratched, or weakened by separation, but clear, contrast-rich, and brilliant — while still preserving that unmistakable vintage rendering and the buttery-smooth bokeh that made the Rolleiflex legendary.


Unfortunately in 2025 the picture is grim: the overwhelming majority of these lenses are in catastrophic condition. It’s not even worth explaining to newcomers what they’re up against — it’s absolute horror.


Over the years, I’ve seen countless forum posts from frustrated owners asking for help with polishing, re-cementing, cleaning, or adjustments. These days, buying a Rolleiflex or Rolleicord Vb on eBay, unboxing it, shooting a roll or two, and then already wanting to resell it—if it hasn’t failed on the very first roll—has almost become the norm. Instead of the simple joy of using a camera with a truly great lens, most users are left with nothing but disappointment.


This brings us to the key question: how can the situation be changed overall?


The starting point is simple, yet crucial: having a high-quality lens, free from haze, scratches, and defects. That was exactly the challenge I faced — and ultimately solved.

Let me introduce the

Magicflex PL 75/3.5 lens

is based on the original five-element Double Gauss lens design described in U.S. Patent 2744447 (filed June 14, 1954).


The designers were Johannes Berger (creator of the Septon) and Günther Lange.


My idea was simple: I wanted the original classic lens design — the one from the patent — with all its strengths and subtle flaws that together create the unmistakable vintage look. But I wanted it without the drawbacks of the actual 1950s lenses we see today, often scarred by scratches, balsam separation, or worn-off coatings. In other words: authentic classic rendering, faithfully recreated 1:1


The original glass selection was simple yet highly effective: Schott SK16, SF14, SF15, LaK11, and SF4. One element, made from LaK11 (which contains lanthanum), was originally slightly radioactive, but in the modern version a safe replacement is used — offering improved optical properties with no loss in performance.


The inventors themselves noted that this specific arrangement of elements around the aperture created a precise balance of aberrations and delivered exceptional image quality. In other words, I already had all the information I needed.


I produced these lenses in small numbers, in two different versions:

  • one specifically for the Rolleicord Vb
  • and another identical to the Rolleiflex 3.5F Type 1/2 and 3.5E.

Each lens is individually crafted and carefully assembled by me here in Germany for every project.

This is not mass production — it’s artisanal precision.


Lens construction from the patent
Optical Characteristics of the Magicflex PL 75/3.5

  • Field curvature, astigmatism, distortion: curvature is noticeable but returns at the edges; astigmatism is well controlled; distortion <1%.
  • Spherical aberration: almost fully corrected.
  • Coma: weak at the edges, overall well managed.
  • Chromatic aberration: axial ~147 microns — excellent performance, better than many later lenses.
  • Vignetting: minimal.
MTF (5–10–20–40 lp/mm):
  • f/3.5 — high quality in the center, smooth falloff toward the edges.
  • f/5.6 — center improves further, but field curvature becomes more pronounced.
  • f/8 — nearly uniform across the frame.
  • f/11 — very fine and even performance.
  • f/16 — diffraction reduces sharpness.
At close focus (0.9 m), astigmatism increases, but distortion remains minimal.

Summary


The Magicflex PL 75/3.5 is a completely new lens, faithfully rebuilt 1:1 on the classic Double-Gauss design. It delivers soft, watercolor-like bokeh, rich contrast, and outstanding resolution.


Unlike surviving vintage Planar 75/3.5 lenses, the Magicflex PL 75/3.5 is entirely free from the usual issues — no haze, fungus, coating decay, or scratches.


Staying true to the Rolleiflex tradition, it offers an exceptional level of aberration correction, with spherical, chromatic, and coma aberrations all very well controlled.

In my opinion it is nothing less than a breakthrough for medium-format photography.


Mounting the Magicflex PL 75/3.5 on a Rolleicord Vb or Rolleiflex 3.5B opens new creative possibilities — effectively giving birth to “new” cameras built on legendary foundations for a price that makes owning a NEW Rolleiflex/Rolleicord Vb truly possible


Rebuilds with the Magicflex PL 75/3.5 are available exclusively in my shop.

Sample Images


All images made with the Rolleiflex Vb or Rolleiflex 3.5B used Magicflex PL 75/3.5 lens, enjoy!
All photo and video materials belong to magicflexcamera.com and are used for demonstration purposes only. Please do not use them in commercial projects.