Vintage Compact 35mm options...

steven aimone · Oct 23, 2017

I have a collection of medium format film cameras and a growing assortment of 35mm film cameras as well. What I am missing is a compact 35mm, pocketable. I am considering a Rollei 35 or a Carl Zeiss Werra. Anyone experienced with either or both? Which would you choose and why? Do you have an alternative you prefer/recommend? Grazie

AgX · Oct 23, 2017

Welcome!

Likely a bit off topic, but I consider the Rollei 35 one of the most ugliest cameras, and the Werra, at least in its plain version, one of the most beautiful ones.

Theo Sulphate · Oct 23, 2017

Perhaps Olympus XA or XA2.

rgeorge911 · Oct 23, 2017

I believe you cannot go wrong with Rollei 35s. I have a Tessar model and a Sonnar model. I use the tessar with b&w film, Sonnar with color, generally. I used to have a beautiful Contax T, which had the added feature of rangefinder focusing, but the electronics were unreliable and unfixable. The Rolleis will outlive me, and I don’t mind guess focus.

I like the Oly XA, but the Rolleis are in a different class of workmanship.

Cholentpot · Oct 23, 2017

Voigtlander Vito II.

It's not as small and the lens as a bit long for a viewfinder camera but I use it and it just works well.

steven aimone · Oct 23, 2017

AgX said:
Welcome!

Likely a bit off topic, but I consider the Rollei 35 one of the most ugliest cameras, and the Werra, at least in its plain version, one of the most beautiful ones.

Visually I agree that the Werra is a most beautiful design, the Rollei 35 not so much (clunky might be the word). And it does count for something.

steven aimone · Oct 23, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
Perhaps Olympus XA or XA2.

The concensus on the web seems to be that these are terrific pocketables. But they are a bit newer than I had in mind.

steven aimone · Oct 23, 2017

rgeorge911 said:
I believe you cannot go wrong with Rollei 35s. I have a Tessar model and a Sonnar model. I use the tessar with b&w film, Sonnar with color, generally. I used to have a beautiful Contax T, which had the added feature of rangefinder focusing, but the electronics were unreliable and unfixable. The Rolleis will outlive me, and I don’t mind guess focus.

I like the Oly XA, but the Rolleis are in a different class of workmanship.

That durability and longetivity have great appeal for me. Thanks.

steven aimone · Oct 23, 2017

Cholentpot said:
Voigtlander Vito II.

It's not as small and the lens as a bit long for a viewfinder camera but I use it and it just works well.

Never knew of this one before now. A bit larger than I was aiming for but appealing, nonetheless. Thanks.

steven aimone · Oct 23, 2017

rgeorge911 said:
I believe you cannot go wrong with Rollei 35s. I have a Tessar model and a Sonnar model. I use the tessar with b&w film, Sonnar with color, generally. I used to have a beautiful Contax T, which had the added feature of rangefinder focusing, but the electronics were unreliable and unfixable. The Rolleis will outlive me, and I don’t mind guess focus.

I like the Oly XA, but the Rolleis are in a different class of workmanship.

Grazie Molto!

bdial · Oct 23, 2017

If the Rollei is too new, take a look at the Kodak Retinas. A bit bigger than the Rollei, and quite a bit heavier, since they are all metal, but still pocketable. And the Retina II's and III's have coupled rangefinders which the Rollei doesn't have.
Another to look at, would be a Minox 35.

darinwc · Oct 23, 2017

If you want a sharp, fast lens with accurate rangefinder focusing, get a Retina iia.
If you are cool with scale focusing and want the most compact all manual camera, get the rollei. Next would be the Olympus 35 RC.

They werra is not really pocketable, and not that small, so it is in the same class as a bazillion other somewhat compact rangefinders.

steven aimone · Oct 24, 2017

I recently purchase a Retina IIIc and sent it out for a repair and CLA. So I guess it is the Rollei or try out the Retina for awhile and see how its pocketability works out!

MattKing · Oct 24, 2017

You can do a fair bit with a Retina IIIc:

steven aimone · Oct 24, 2017

I am looking forward to exploring with it. Perhaps it will do the trick!

steven aimone · Oct 24, 2017

very fine image, btw!

Richard Searle · Oct 24, 2017

Olympus Pens are very pocketable. Is a half frame suitable for your purposes?

Marco Gilardetti · Oct 24, 2017

I also second the suggestion for a Minox 35. I own a 35GT since the early '90s; what I especially like about this camera is that it's a folding, although without bellows. When closed, the lens is protected and the camera can really be held in a pocket. It's so small that it's just a centimeter or so higher than the 135 mm film loader itself: you will no longer have any excuse for not carrying it always with you. Its full features are quite amazing: manual focus, manual diaphragm with aperture priority, self-shutter, cable release screw receptacle, even a hot shoe for flash. The lightmeter is reactive and very accurate and suitable for slides also.The lens (a Minotar 35mm f:2,8 if my memory doesn't fail) is unbelievably good and overperforms many cheap primes.

Many similar models with different performances were made so you can dig through them, the 35GT is just one of the family.

R.Gould · Oct 24, 2017

Almost any folder would suit your neds, The Zeiss Ikon Contessa, with the Tessar lens and Compur dhutter is truly small, and with one of the easiest rangefinders, second only to the Werra, which is by far te best rangefinder around, any of the Retinas, the smallest I have is the IIa, which has the lever wind on the top instead of the bottom, and does not suffer from the shutter cocking rack problems that some oof the others do. or what about the Contina? very small and easily pocketable,, there is also the Voigtlander Vitessa barn doors range, larger than some but surberb with either the Color Skoper lens or the best lens around, the Ultron, These are just a few suggestions for classic pocketable cameras that I own and use a lot I The Werra is a lovely camera, very unusual and takes lovely sharp photographs, and has a shutter with a top speed of 750, and often accurate, and for some models such as the Werramat has a couple of different lenses, the 36 and 100, but I would not say it was a truly pocketable camera, small yes, but with the lens attached you would need a large pocket,
Richard

Arbitrarium · Oct 24, 2017

Kodak Retina II. Genuinely pocketable, totally manual, coupled rangefinder, absolutely beautiful, amazing Xenon lens. Nothing negative to say about it.

AgX · Oct 24, 2017

It is heavy. But most vintage cameras are on the heavier side.

Arbitrarium · Oct 24, 2017

That's a good thing =P

guangong · Oct 24, 2017

Owning and having used all of the cameras mentioned except for Werra and Vito, and going from smaller to larger, the XA is very light, ingenious design but battery dependent. You can almost forget that it is in your pocket. Minox 35 (and I am a big fan of Minox) is a very compact camera but not only battery dependent but electronics are unreliable so, as much as I like their size and design, they languish in a drawer. Retinas are wonderful cameras with one week point: the ratchet for film advance can fail, for me, always at the wrong time. But they are fun to use. A Contessa is a great camera to hang about the neck and a work of art with the most over engineered case of any camera. It’s one of my favorite but not that small. Which leaves the little Rollei 35. Except for meter, no need for battery, bright viewfinder and extremely rugged and therefore not a lightweight. Bought my Rollei 35 on first day introduced for sale in mid 1960s with no regrets. Paid a lot more when dollars adjusted for inflation than they cost now. I also use a Zeiss T3 which I bought new, but I would not risk buying a used one for reasons already mentioned.

johnnyh · Oct 24, 2017

I would want to try an XA series or Minox 35 before committing to buy it. The electronics is getting old, and I found that the shutter release button of the XA has a 'dead feel' with respect the shutter action. Excellent lenses if they suit you.
The Vito is not quite so compact, but if you get one in working condition it's 'bomb-proof'; the Skopar lens is excellent, the Ultron magnificent in my experience.

removed account4 · Oct 24, 2017

retina or half frame pen F

Vintage Compact 35mm options...

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