what are your experiences with the rollei 35?

Ces1um · Oct 1, 2017

While I'm always doing my best to fend of GAS there are a few cameras out there that I doubt I could resist I I found at a yard sale. The brownie hawkeye and the rollei 35. Not exactly sure what it is about these two other than I just love the looks of them. It's not a logical decision.

I've been very tempted to buy a rollei 35 lately. Probably the 35s but I'm not married to that. I was wondering what people thought of the camera? Whatdid you find were it's strengths and weaknesses? Do you enjoy shooting with it, or is it lacking? I understand the issues of it being zone focus, uses an obsolete mercury battery, and still cost top dollar. How do people find the left handed/upside down flash/backwards loading/top down settings adjustment idiosyncrasies? Quirky and fun or a major annoyance? Would you buy the brownie hawkeye instead? I'm interested in others points of view here. Don't hold back! Thanks for your opinions.

Paul Howell · Oct 1, 2017

Rather than the Rollei I would look for a Petri Color 35, scale focus compact, but it has a full read out in the viewfinder include the scale the lens is set to, the film advance is traditional easy to use, the lens while not a Zeiss is a very good 4 element design, and cost a lot less than a Rollei. Only downside is the Battery compartment is located in the film body, so you to rewind or use a changing bag to replace the battery. I use hearing batteries which only last a few months.

guangong · Oct 1, 2017

I bought my Rollei 35 on the very day that it was introduced to th market for sale. An extremely rugged camera. I have dropped mine many times over the course of many years...even to the extent of "body and fender " work and it just keeps going. I would suggest one of the early ones with f3.5 lens. Later Rolleis with faster lenses are of little benefit since focusing is by quesstimation. While not familiar with the Petri camera mentioned, Petri cameras were never known for their build quality. The idea of a Rollei 35 is mechanical simplicity, portability and the ability to use filters.

4season · Oct 1, 2017

I've tried the Rollei 35SE twice. No particular reason for that model save that I was able to get a good price both times. For me, while it's capable of good photos, I found it more awkward than charming but YMMV.

Gerald C Koch · Oct 1, 2017

A very nice little camera hardly larger than two cassettes. In order to achieve this small size some compromises in design had to be made. However one soon gets familiar with things. My only caution is that the meter is always on so keep the camera in its case or remove the battery when it is not being used. You can use Wein cells or a converter as battery replacements.

Bill Burk · Oct 1, 2017

I find internal reflections showing up on my slides.

Mine is significantly a "user" grade, so take my caution with a grain of salt.

But the path from lens to film doesn't go through as black a chamber as it might for other 35mm cameras.

sportster44 · Oct 1, 2017

I love my 35se..... always loaded with film, and always goes with me. Once you get past the controls and really use it, it works great. Strengths.... very portable, manual controls, no electronics to fail. Weaknesses.... scale focus.... pain in the a $$ when you want to use the camera with a wider aperture

mgb74 · Oct 1, 2017

I have the 35S. Never use with flash. Takes great images.

There is a significant range in quality and performance in the various Rollei 35 models, so it's best not to paint with too broad a brush (good or bad) unless talking about a specific variation.

Chan Tran · Oct 1, 2017

Back in the late 70's when I could buy these cameras new. I did consider the 35s and the Minox but in the end when Olympus introduced the XA I went for it.

Ko.Fe. · Oct 1, 2017

Petri-shmetri again? Good luck to find not trashed one and at reasonable price.
So, from theoretics to real users.
I had Rollei 35 original and nothing fancy twice. First made in somewhere where it is hot and humid. And second, just for curiosity MiG. Same...

First, it is not always easy to find one with working meter, but possible. I did it twice. Second, if you can't find battery for it, it sucks. But has nothing to do with the battery.
Third, most of original Rollei 35 will have sticky slow speeds. But it is easy to work around and get it works again. Fourth, S is nothing special, but speculatns asks more money for it.
Once the lens is out and fixed it is very easy and cool camera to operate. Some describe it as "if my Leica craps out, I have this one as backup and no one will ever noticed it wasn't taken with Leica 1K$ lens."

IMO.

Theo Sulphate · Oct 1, 2017

For a long time I ignored them, but seeing one in person made me appreciate its build quality (mine is made in Germany) and I have a fondness for intricate objects that I know will not be made anymore.

It's a bit fiddly to use, but I enjoy it. I have no plan ever to use flash on it.

laser · Oct 1, 2017

Excellent image quality for distant subjects. "Guess-and-by-gosh focusing" does limit the usefulness of the camera.

Trask · Oct 1, 2017

I have a 35S -- bought it in the late 1980s new. Great camera, once you learn how to operate it. I appreciate that it's entirely manual. The Sonnar lens is very sharp -- I've taken some very nice pictures with it. I have a Petri Color 35 that I picked up a couple of years ago; it's nice, too -- see the Cameraquest article on it if interested, and take a look at the Rollei 35 page there as well. I don't find the Petri lens quite as sharp as the Sonnar, but for what it is it's fine.

House · Oct 1, 2017

I purchased a Rollei 35S a few years ago when I felt that I needed a camera that I could slip into my pocket and forget about it until I needed it. It's great, the Sonnar lens is as fantastic as you think it would be. While it isn't the first camera that I would choose, I'm sure it'll be the last compact camera standing once the others give way to electronic rot.

quine666 · Oct 1, 2017

My 35s goes with me all winter. The Sonnar lens is terrific. The brightline viewfinder is a pleasure to use.
For scenics, you can set the hyperfocal distance on the lens directly. For closer shots, I carry an accessory rangefinder and set the lens and the rangefinder to the same distance, then move the camera around until the rangefinder images coincide. For the kinds of things I shoot, they tend to be at the hyperfocal or minimum focus distance, but YMMV.
The exposure controls are a little slower to use than many other cameras, but it does fit in your pocket. There is no auto mode, but the meter does work in manual mode, unlike the typical compact rangefinder.

guangong · Oct 2, 2017

Yes, after 45+ years I did have to have my Rollei 35 serviced by DAG just to keep it in tip top shape. Same with my Leicas, Leicaflex, Rollei TLR, and Minox cameras...they should be serviced at least every 40-45 years so that they will work way into the future. Their next service should be around 2050. If I buy any camera from eBay I always assume that it must be serviced, no matter what the seller says.

darkosaric · Oct 2, 2017

Great small camera with great lens. I have used Tessar f3.5 version for a year or so, then after drop on solid concrete from 2 meters high - something happened to the lens, and I have moved to other cameras.

2 examples:
Dead Link Removed
Dead Link Removed

dpurdy · Oct 2, 2017

I carry my 35S in my pant pocket sometimes when I travel. I have practiced a bit with guessing focus. I never use the meter though it works. I keep a bit of electrical tape over the meter window.

OlyMan · Oct 2, 2017

I once did try to buy a 35S. It was about 10 years ago when I first joined eBay. I quickly found that their cult status had pushed the prices up to beyond what I was willing to pay for a fixed lens viewfinder camera with guestimate focussing. Though that doesn't mean I think they're not worth it; it depends what you want. Just looked again at completed items and amazed at the variance in prices, anything from £35 to £290 for effectively the same camera. I'd be livid if I was the guy selling the one which only brought £35, but as a potential buyer it's guaranteed I'd be watching the once destined to bring £290. Way too much for my pocket. For that price I can buy a camera where I can actually focus the thing at anything other than infinity without relying on The Force

E. von Hoegh · Oct 2, 2017

I have the 35s, I like it. It's got a high funk factor, it's tiny, the meter is good, and I have a shoemount RF that I can put underneath to take advantage of the lens.
I don't like the flash arrangement though.

I also have the Minox 35 GL which gets used a bit more. This one has an issue, there is a switch that is actuated when a flash is slid into the shoe. The switch sets the shutter to 1/125, and it sticks. So if you mount a flash, you have to take the top off the camera to get automatic shutter speeds back when you remove the flash. Otherwise it's 1/125th all the time. I need to make a new spring for the switch.

AgX · Oct 2, 2017

E. von Hoegh said:
I don't like the flash arrangement though.

In those cases were a flash mounted under the lens would give nasty effects, namely portraiture, this camera is most often turned vertically anyway.

John Koehrer · Oct 2, 2017

It's no big thing to use the camera upside down with flash. The weakness is from someone forcing the lens to collapse
without pressing the release

dpurdy · Oct 2, 2017

For those photos I loaded of the Las Vegas Skyline and the chicken heads in Mexico... in reality they are remarkably sharp. Much sharper than in the APUG upload.

Hatchetman · Oct 2, 2017

I have a 35SE which I enjoyed using fine enough. It was definitely in the rotation. Then it fell about 2 feet onto a wooden floor and knocked something loose and it has a massive light leak. Been sitting in my closet broken for about 3 years. Don't want to give it away for a song but don't want to spend $100+ to fix it.

Huss · Oct 3, 2017

I found the meter's sensitivity seriously lacking, it's pretty much as useful as Sunny F16. And the estimate focusing is a bit of a buzz kill wide open.
A camera like the Agfa Optima 1535 is nearly as small, but has a coupled RF and much more sensitive light meter, reading down to several seconds.
The Rolleis are cool looking.

what are your experiences with the rollei 35?

Advertiser

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency