trying to decide between two cameras for a purchase...any help welcome!

JessicaDittmer · Feb 16, 2011

I'm looking at an Olympus 35 Trip and a Rollei 35B. Both film tested and in excellent condition. I'm leaning toward the trip....any thoughts?

Rick A · Feb 16, 2011

I'm a longtime Olympus fan, since the 60's, I'd most likely buy the Oly.

JessicaDittmer · Feb 16, 2011

that's what I'm leaning toward....LOL! It's less $ too!

Jeff Kubach · Feb 16, 2011

The Rollei 35B does have a excellent repution.

Jeff

Eric Rose · Feb 16, 2011

The Rollei is a very solid camera and takes tack sharp photos. There are no vignetting issues with the Rollei. I have both Oly's and a Rollei 35T. The Rollei is by far the superior camera imho.

Ian Grant · Feb 16, 2011

I think I'd prefer a Rollei B even if it is a little more expensive. I have two Trip's that need repairing and they are also reasonable cameras when working, but the Rollei looks nicer

Ian

bblhed · Feb 16, 2011

Why choose, you want both, go for it. Then again, I have sever GAS so whenever there is a choice between two I usually opt for both.

If you have to get only one now, get the Rollei now. Trips come up for sale all the time.

Paul Sorensen · Feb 16, 2011

The Rollei 35B appears to have a Selenium meter. I am wondering if it is starting to fade, as they all apparently do.

Rol_Lei Nut · Feb 16, 2011

The Rollei 35B (IIRC) is the one with the Triotar (three element) lens.
While capable of decent results, it's certainly not comparable to the Tessar and Sonnar lenses which have made the Rollei 35 cameras legendary.

The Rolleis notorious quirks with a less than top lens? Hmmmm....

mr rusty · Feb 16, 2011

OK, I have both. Both are good, handy cameras, neither are absolutely outstanding lenses, but IMHO the zuiko on the olympus possibly just has the edge. I used a 35B for many years from 1977 through mid 80's as my only camera and took many 100s of photos. Always OK, especially on the 4x6" prints of the day. Advantage of the olympus? - its faster to use - 4 step zone focus, point and squirt, but disadvantage you have little/no control over shutter speed (its either "fast" or "slow") and aperture. Advantage rollei - its super small, totally manual with unconnected meter, but it is flexible - good range of shutter speeds and stops. disadvantage, its slower to use - you have to pull the lens out, and it has the quirk that you must use it upside down with flash to avoid dark shadow halos over peoples heads! My trip stays in the car loaded with film as my "just in case" camera. I have to say, I hardly use the rollei now.

MattKing · Feb 16, 2011

This was shot using a Trip 35 - it enlarges well to 11x14.

And the 2-10 in the title refers to the $2.10 I paid for the camera

JessicaDittmer · Feb 16, 2011

looks like the trip was sold right after I posted this a.m. darn it....still looking at the Rollei - like I need another anything LOL! Like a hole in my head....can't help myself though.

Nicholas Lindan · Feb 16, 2011

Paul Sorensen said:
The Rollei 35B appears to have a Selenium meter. I am wondering if it is starting to fade, as they all apparently do.

Selenium cells don't have any intrinsic 'fade' to them.

If the meter cell isn't well sealed and the camera is stored in a humid environment then the meter cell will corrode. The problem is made worse if the meter is also exposed to light during high humidity storage as the generated voltage across the cell will speed corrosion. The sealing problem is greater with selenium cells simply because they are bigger - more area for possible leaks.

The cell used in the Rollei shouldn't have any problems. Cells from the 1930's - 1950's and from the FSU are another matter. Some cells were made with no seal and with spring electrical connections to the cell body.

Rol_Lei Nut · Feb 16, 2011

Maybe I'm belatedly asking the obvious, but what do you expect from such a camera?

The Rollei 35B (with a somewhat limited 3 element lens) could be fine for smaller enlargements (even up to 18x24cm, similar to 8x10 inches).
Beyond, you'd better off with a better model for good results.

If you explained what you wanted to do and which results you wanted from such cameras, maybe you'd get better advice.

JessicaDittmer · Feb 16, 2011

just for a fun smaller camera to take and shoot on a whim...I'd purchased a rollei xf35 and it arrived with a freely moving viewfinder glass so I can't use it...was just for fun and something different from my 120's.

Ian Grant · Feb 16, 2011

Nicholas, if Selenium cells don't "fade" why are there so many useless Weston meters and Leicameter's the cream of the Selenium meters ??? They do fade, they slowly stop reaching maximum readings and then it gets progressively worse.

Having said that I have a pre WWII Avo meter that's almost mint and still reads perfectly, just need Ilford to give the H&D film speeds for their current films.

Ian

Rol_Lei Nut · Feb 16, 2011

If you are happy with smaller enlargements, then go for the 35B (apart from the various caveats expressed in this thread).
IIRC, the 35B doesn't have a selenium light meter, though whether that's an advantage or disadvantage could be discussed...

For larger enlargements, go for one of the Rolleis with a Tessar or Sonnar.

The Olympus XA is also a good candidate, though with some optical quirks.

One of minox 35 models (if you can find a properly working one) could do very well.

Apparently some of the Rollei Pregos (Zoom P&S cameras) are very good.

But again, if you are used to 120, the Rollei 35B isn't the best compact camera to give you satisfying results.

Paul Sorensen · Feb 16, 2011

Rol_Lei Nut said:
IIRC, the 35B doesn't have a selenium light meter, though whether that's an advantage or disadvantage could be discussed...

I found it on Photoethnography.com. If that is not a selenium meter, I don't know what the heck it is... Karen also describes it as such in her overview of the camera.

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?Rollei35.html~mainFrame

IloveTLRs · Feb 16, 2011

Does the 35B have manual controls independent of the meter? I don't see anything ...

mr rusty · Feb 17, 2011

Does the 35B have manual controls independent of the meter? I don't see anything .

certainly does. Uncoupled selenium meter. 1/30 - 1/500 + B, 1:3.5 - 1:22 stop, focus 3feet - infinity. set the meter up to asa1600

nsurit · Feb 18, 2011

As mentioned above, how about the Olympus XA, not to be confused with the XA 2,3 or 4. Neat little rangefinder that closes into a clamshell. I have a 16X20 taken with one hand held. Worth a look. Bill Barber

IloveTLRs · Feb 18, 2011

mr rusty said:
certainly does. Uncoupled selenium meter. 1/30 - 1/500 + B, 1:3.5 - 1:22 stop, focus 3feet - infinity. set the meter up to asa1600

Well then I'd vote for the Rollei 35. The Trip is nice, but limited to only 2 shutter speeds. Shooting at night is very difficult.

JessicaDittmer · Feb 19, 2011

thanks for all the replies...I'm content at the moment to add to my hassy system and so I'll wait for now on more purchases....hard as it is for me. LOL

trying to decide between two cameras for a purchase...any help welcome!

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