Rollei SL35 vs SL350: The Final Battle of German Craftsmanship

[Mileswan92]

Over the past year, I have been devoted to collecting Rollei’s SLR products — a legendary brand once dominant in the twin-lens reflex world of the 20th century. The SL35 and SL350 have been my main focus. I was fortunate enough to find both cameras, in excellent cosmetic and working condition, one in New York and the other in mainland China.

However, just last week, my “rare” SL350 suddenly jammed — the film advance lever froze, and the mirror got stuck midway. I had no choice but to send it for repair. During this process, I had the opportunity to observe its internal structure closely. Here’s what I found:

1. The experienced technician quickly fixed the jammed film advance lever. But while trying to repair the non-resetting frame counter, he discovered that part D, made of plastic, had suffered serious fatigue and lost its elasticity. This defect made the repair impossible.
2. Upon further inspection, we found that the entire assembly containing part D was riveted rather than screwed together — a puzzling design choice by Rollei, as it makes maintenance far more difficult.
3. During disassembly, another tiny yet crucial component caught our attention — part A, the light meter switch that activates the meter when the film advance lever is pulled. Unfortunately, this part too was made of plastic, and as expected, it snapped during the process, leaving an unrepairable crack. Considering the rarity of spare parts, this means the camera’s once-functional light meter is now permanently dead — a tragedy for any collector.
4. As for the long-debated question — which camera truly represents Rollei’s peak in SLR mechanical precision, the early West German SL35 or the later SL350 — here is my conclusion:
   a. The early German-made SL35 feels more solid and refined in the hand than the SL350. I believe the main reason lies in the plating process. The early SL35’s chrome finish has a deeper, more lustrous shine, while later Singapore-made SL35s and the SL350 have thinner plating with a paler tone and finer grain — more delicate but somehow less substantial. According to ChatGPT’s analysis, this difference likely stems from changes in manufacturing techniques and reduced plating thickness in later production.
   b. Viewed from 2025, both cameras are outdated in terms of features. The SL350’s improvements, while notable at the time, add little real value today — after all, most of us now rely on modern light meters. What’s worse, the extensive use of plastic parts inside the SL350 feels like a betrayal of the “Made in Germany” spirit.
   Personally, I prefer and recommend the early German-made SL35. Its operation is simpler, its mechanics more direct, and it represents the beginning of Rollei’s SLR story — a glimpse of its former engineering glory. The SL350, on the other hand, marks the end of that chapter — a technically interesting but ultimately insignificant conclusion, like a feather drifting onto a pond without leaving even a ripple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

[Paul Howell]

It is sad, but common for later models to be made with less expensive materials. The very expensive Rolli 2000, the full system body with film backs, integrated motor drive dont seem to have held up as well as 80s vintage Nikon and Canon.

 

[Mileswan92]

My Advice on Choosing a Rollei SL35

When selecting a Rollei SL35, I recommend prioritizing models with serial numbers starting with 400xxxx. Based on the information I’ve gathered, these were early West German units (produced before 1972, or at the latest by 1974) and are known for their exceptional build quality and craftsmanship.

Once the serial numbers exceed 403xxxx, many units were manufactured in Singapore—though a few German-made examples still appear. However, at that stage, noticeable changes began to appear in exterior finish, chrome plating quality, shutter curtain material, and body engravings. These later units are generally not the optimal choice for collectors seeking the finest SL35s.

As for pricing, Rollei cameras are often sold together with Carl Zeiss QBM-mount lenses. A total price below 120 USD can be considered reasonable, provided the lens glass is clean and free of defects. On many platforms, exceptionally low prices can sometimes appear — that’s where your luck and courage come into play.

(A side note: Rollei’s serial number system is notoriously chaotic, making it nearly impossible to determine the exact production year from the number alone. Compared with Leica or Schneider, this is rather disappointing — perhaps even one of the reasons Rollei eventually went bankrupt.)

 

[Mileswan92]

It is sad, but common for later models to be made with less expensive materials. The very expensive Rolli 2000, the full system body with film backs, integrated motor drive dont seem to have held up as well as 80s vintage Nikon and Canon.

Paul, you’re absolutely right. From the moment Rollei decided to move its production to Singapore, it lost any real connection with the idea of being “top-tier.” Even its so-called high-end models like the SL350 and later the Rollei 2000 series fell short — burdened by weak body design and cheaper lens materials. If it hadn’t been for the messy entanglements among Carl Zeiss, Voigtländer, and Schneider at the time, Rollei’s downfall might have come even sooner.

 

[Mileswan92]

As for the Rollei SL350, I honestly don’t recommend buying it.

1. Production numbers were only a few thousand units, which can hardly be called mass production — it feels more like a prototype run. After disassembly, its structural strength is poor, repairing it is extremely difficult, and the heavy use of fragile plastic parts means that, fifty years later, finding one that isn’t basically a piece of junk is nearly impossible.
2. Even if you’re lucky enough to find a working unit, the price is far from reasonable. At around $400 or more, it feels like it’s waiting for a deep-pocketed Rollei collector rather than a practical user. Personally, I’d rather go for a Nikon from the same era, or spend a bit more and choose a Leica.
3. One important precondition for everything I’ve said above: you’ll need to be able to tolerate an atrocious-looking camera.