Help pricing my Rollei 35SE

[scottgee1]

After a lot of soul (and bank account) searching, I've decided to sell my 35SE. Initially I hoped to trade it for a Canon AF lens and posted an ad to that effect but realize that's probably silly.

Someone has already expressed interest in buying it so I set about trying to determine a fair asking price. I found only one in completed status on eekbay and none listed at KEH so that makes triangulating a bit difficult. The RFF search engine didn't find any listings which I found a bit strange until I remembered past experience with it. 😱

It's black, fully functional (including the meter) and doesn't even have any dents! It will also include a Telex RF, a hood and some filters.

Anyway, I'd appreciate input from those of you who follow the market for such things.

TIA!/ScottGee1

 

[KoNickon]

I've seen them offered in the $200 range, and sold for that much also.

 

[michaelging]

I bought mine for $230 a couple of years ago in Black, working meter and case. Great Little camera.

 

[Wetzlarfan]

I believe (rightly or not) that it makes a great deal of difference as to whether the lens was made in Germany or SE Asia. The German made ones command a premium - if the buyer knows this.

 

[sepiareverb]

I believe (rightly or not) that it makes a great deal of difference as to whether the lens was made in Germany or SE Asia. The German made ones command a premium - if the buyer knows this.

I concur, German lens is more desirable. But I think all the SE have the German lens? There have not been many around lately, two years ago they were everywhere on ebay, but hardly any now, so that might add a little to your asking price. A fantastic little camera if one is a capable scale focusser.

In excellent condition I think $230 is a very fair price.

 

[Highway 61]

I believe (rightly or not) that it makes a great deal of difference as to whether the lens was made in Germany or SE Asia. The German made ones command a premium - if the buyer knows this.

All lenses ever fitted on any Rollei 35 were made in Germany.

The camera bodies were assembled in Singapore from 1972 to end of production (but for the "Classic" collectors reissues).

The 35 SE has both the most interesting light meter of all the series, and the best lens (the Sonnar 40/2.8 HFT). Not only the best lens of all the Rollei 35's series, but the best lens ever fitted in a camera this size.

That said, several parameters have to be counted in. The Rollei 35's (but for the 35 version fitted with a rare S-Xenar 40/3.5 Schneider lens) are not seldom found for sale, and many people now consider a good capable digital compact camera as for their daily companion.

$200, with a 10% bonus if the camera condition is really over the top.

As for "Singapore" Rollei 35's being inferior in quality to "Germany" ones : it's a hoax.

 

[easyrider]

I would ask $350 if it is in really good shape.

I sold a Contact T3 to a member here for around that price. Can't bear to part with my original black Rollei35 that I bought in Germany in 1969. I rarely use it now but I shot all of my kids' pictures with it. I never did get used to the autofocus T3 although the pix were extremely sharp.