Rollei 50mm F/4 Distagon HFT (SL66) Lens Review

The Rollei 50mm F/4 Distagon HFT is a wide-angle lens designed for the Rollei SL66 medium format camera system, featuring the Bayonet VI mount. At 50mm on a 6x6 medium format frame, this Distagon provides a field of view roughly equivalent to a 28mm lens on 35mm film, making it a classic choice for landscape, architecture, and environmental portraiture. The HFT (High Fidelity Transfer) coating was Rollei's proprietary multicoating technology, intended to reduce flare and improve contrast. This is a used lens in excellent condition, sold through KEH at $528. The SL66 is a well-regarded but niche system, and lenses for it remain sought after by collectors and medium format film shooters who appreciate the platform's tilt and shift capabilities. Availability can be inconsistent, so finding a clean copy at a fair price is often the deciding factor for those working within this ecosystem.