Rollei 35 S

[wfwhitaker]

Sorry I mentioned it. Whatever...

 

[elekm]

Hey, that's cool. We can disagree in a civil manner.

You're right about the TE/SE having better meters. I believe they are silicon cells, correct?

In use, I just think Rollei strayed too far from the original concept of how the meter should work seamlessly with the controls at waist-level. I also have the TE and SE. Lovely cameras, but working that meter just doesn't do it for me.

 

[FrankB]

Likewise, I didn't mean to tread on your toes there, WF.

If you prefer the LED style 35 then you have an absolute right to do so. Let's face it; they are all absolutely superb cameras. Someone higher up the thread described them as 'loveable' and I think that nails it.

I'm currently wrestling with my urge to pick up another 35, a needle-match chrome Sonnar to compliment my needle-match black Tessar. Pure GAS, but there you go!

Will I carry both at once? Probably not (they're heavy little sods!). Will I be able to tell the difference in lens quality? Probably not. Will the extra stop make any difference to my shooting? Given that they're zone-focus, probably not. Is it a good use of the money? Erm, probably not, just at the moment!

Do I lust after it anyway? YOU BET I FLIPPIN' DO!

 

[vet173]

I've had 4, and still own 2 Rollei 35s models. The closest lens to it on any of the cameras I have ever owned, ( I belong to a camera collector club ) was a M-4 with a 50-f2 summicron.

 

[toyotadesigner]

If someone would say: We will do a professional shooting session, but I won't disclose wether it'll be portrait, landscape, etc, and you'll be allowed to carry only one 35mm camera and one lens for this day, I'd use the Rollei 35s - not any of my Nikons.

Reason: The lens is the best I can imagine. No distortion, no chromatic abberation, razor sharp with excellent contrast, and the 2.8/40mm is perfect for most situations.

I've even shot several portraits with it with some stunning results.

 

[vanspaendonck]

These shots remind me again that I should have my 35 SE in my pocket al all times.....

 

[Samuel Hotton]

I owned and used both a 35S and a 35T since the late 1970s, bought them in England. Great cameras both, I still use them occasionaly. Used to carry the T in the pocket of my flight suit. Other aircrew members carried the Olympus half frames. Rollei images always surpassed Oly images. Most of my images were color and enlarged to 4"x6", occasionally I'd enlarge B&W to 5"x7". Never could see any difference at that small amount of enlargement between the S or T. HOWEVER both cameras had a Rollei brand UV filter in place and a Rollei rubber lens shade always. Both cameras had problems with lens flare and artifacts in "Contre-jour" light. I feel almost to the point of saying "useless" when shooting against strong direct light. Several years ago I mounted both the S and T cameras on a alloy plate side by side and then mounting the plate on my tripod. I exposed same lot # rolls of color neg in each camera in various lighting situations. Yes the flare is still there and still objectionable. It is slightly different in each camera. I never thought to remove the Rollei UV filter as I always kept it on to protect the lens. I still don't see any difference in quality of images between the S & T at a 4 to 5 times enlargement. Great, Brilliant cameras. I'm happy with mine other than against the light photography.
All the best,
Sam H.

 

[tjaded]

Well, if the Fed Ex tracking is right I should have my new Rollei 35 S tomorrow! I'll add my two cents on it as soon as I have a chance to use it. I plan on having it with me with a roll of Kodachrome in it at all times. I also plan on being rich, so we shall see.....

Adios,
Matt

 

[Helen B]

...Great, Brilliant cameras. I'm happy with mine other than against the light photography.
All the best,
Sam H.

That hasn't been my experience. I've found both, but especially the T, excellent against the light.

Here are examples with the sun in, or almost in, the shot.

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Best,
Helen

 

[Samuel Hotton]

Those are beautiful Helen. Perhaps the flare and artifacts I'm getting is caused by the the UV filter on the lens. They are Rollei UV filters I'm using. I shall have to try the lenses without. I've NEVER seen images from EITHER of my cameras to compare with yours. You "Know your stuff", no question about it.
All the best,
Sam H.

 

[Eric Rose]

Well I don't imagine I will ever get my 35T back from my ex, so I just scored a XA for $27usd! With flash too. Hopefully it works LOL.

 

[FrankB]

I'm currently wrestling with my urge to pick up another 35, a needle-match chrome Sonnar to compliment my needle-match black Tessar. Pure GAS, but there you go!

Will I carry both at once? Probably not (they're heavy little sods!). Will I be able to tell the difference in lens quality? Probably not. Will the extra stop make any difference to my shooting? Given that they're zone-focus, probably not. Is it a good use of the money? Erm, probably not, just at the moment!

Do I lust after it anyway? YOU BET I FLIPPIN' DO!

Well, I never was much good at wrestling... It's currently waiting for me at the local sorting office. I'm at a conference this week and so probably won't be able to get my hands on it until Friday morning. I just hope it's as good as it looked in the pics!

My compliments to both Mike and Helen on their shots posted in this thread. I think I'll be trying a roll of Provia 100F through the Sonnar at some point in the not too distant future...

 

[tjaded]

Well, I got my Rollei 35 S today. I didn't get to spend much time with it though, but first impressions leave me intrigued. The last few months have been all 4x5, so the size is pretty much the polar opposite! I do like the feel of it, but we shall see how the real shooting goes. One thing is that is will most definitely need a CLA soon. The focusing ring is VERY tight and hard to turn. Until that gets fixed, I'm not sure what to say about the focusing needle system--seems a little odd, but time will tell. Thanks again for all the input on this camera. I am very happy that I will be doing a proactive thing with Kodachrome. That is very important to me, and this camera may just make it a long term reality.

Adios,
Matt

 

[elekm]

Sam, maybe you are getting some odd reflections under certain circumstances from the UV filter.

These are with the Tessar, shot in 1980, give or take a few months

​

 

[Mike Kovacs]

Wow, some nice shots added here.

I've always regarded a UV filter to protect your lens as fool's advice personally. I don't put a filter in front of the lens unless its necessary for a shot. I guarantee this is your flare issue.

 

[FrankB]

I think there's a note in the manual about the front element of the lens being deeply recessed to prevent damage, but I could be wrong.

Matt - You mentioned the focussing needle system. Did you mean the needle-match exposure meter system? Or something else?

 

[tjaded]

Hi Frank--
Yes, I meant metering, not focusing. I posted that only a few short hours after leaving the ER...I'm surprised that was my only typo (or was it??) Anyway, I'm using a hand held meter for now, I couldn't wait to get a roll of Kodachrome in there. I took about 15 shots on my lunch break today so results should be forthcoming. I'm using it like a tourist, just pointing and shooting--and it's a guilty pleasure! The lack of ttl focusing is super weird to me, but I'll get used to it.

 

[FrankB]

Just picked up my Sonnar from the post office. Cosmetically it's beautiful, the optics appear clear, the aperture opens and closes smoothly and the shutter speeds sound okay, all controls are smooth and the 'finder is clear and bright. No battery, so I've temporarily stolen the battery and converter from my Tessar. Meter is responsive and seems fairly sane.

I'll put a roll of Delta 400 through it this weekend and see what I get back.

Damn it Rollei, why'd you make these things so nice?!

 

[mike_j]

I have a 35T and rather fall into the 'hate it' camp. I always wanted one and finally got a mint, barely used, example a couple of years back but have never taken to it. It's heavy, slow and difficult to use, results are reasonable except at full aperture where they are decidedly soft.

A Canonet, Ricoh or HiMatic 1970's RF is a far better and cheaper camera for practical use in my opinion. The Yashica Electros are good (I have the GTN) if POD and seals are OK but although I like aperture priority I prefer to know the actual shutter speed.

 

[hka]

I have a 35T and rather fall into the 'hate it' camp. I always wanted one and finally got a mint, barely used, example a couple of years back but have never taken to it. It's heavy, slow and difficult to use, results are reasonable except at full aperture where they are decidedly soft.

Wich type of lens is mounted on this 35T?

 

[FrankB]

It's 40mm f3.5 Tessar.

I must say, I've never found the one on my Rollei 35 soft, but opinions (and secondhand kit) will always vary. The 35 is possibly the most "love it" or "hate it" camera ever made!

 

[tjaded]

I got back my first roll from the Rollei...I just forgot to put any examples up. Here is the first one:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I definitely need to do a CLA on it soon. I'm just not sure who I should send it out to. Any ideas on the best place that has a decent turn around time?

Adios,
Matt

 

[hka]

Just arrived, back from the repair for changing the batterytype and callibrating the exposure meter, my Rollei 35S with the famous Sonnar 2.8. I made already some pictures to see if the meter works as it has to be.
I've got this camera, before X-mas, from an old man who stopped photographing because of problem with eyes.
He did me a great favor...
The camera is in excellent condition and works well.

 

[FrankB]

I'm sorry to report that my experiment with the Rollei 35's has so far been a failure.

Despite putting the Sonnar and the Tessar in close proximity and giving them plenty of privacy, as yet there is no sign that they have produced a Triotar.

 

[mike_j]

Do try to use a Rollei 35 before buying. the handling is very quirky, you either love it or hate it (I hate it and have hardly used mine) I'ts a slow camera to use, results can be excellent.