A question about the Rollei 35s.

[leica M2 fan]

I recently received a 35s (Black) from KEH but I'm having trouble getting the meter to work. I'm using a CRIS MR 9 adapter to use an SR 386 battery and it is installed correctly. How do I activate the meter? Do I just point at my scene? Do I push a button? I'm not seeing any meter deflection at all and maybe there's something simple I'm missing. Other than that no other problems- the camera is in pristine shape and looks very good. TIA for any responses.

 

[Mablo]

The meter should activate when you extract the lens and turn it in locked position.

 

[leica M2 fan]

Thanks I'll check it out. So once on like this is it always on? TIA.

 

[neelin]

The meter is ALWAYS on and battery longevity is good, as long as you keep it in a light proof case after shooting.

 

[Mablo]

Yes, Neelin is right and my memory was wrong. Extracting the lens activates the camera mechanism but the meter is on constantly.

 

[Sonny Boy Havidson]

On needle metered Rolleis, the meter is on constantly. On LED metered ones, it is on only when the lens is extracted.

 

[KoNickon]

I've found those CRIS adaptors sometimes don't give the best contact between the adaptor and the inserted battery. If you can find a 625 battery that'll confirm whether indeed the meter is working.

 

[brainwood]

It does sound like a dodgy connection tony , I'd check that first . I use a zinc air wein cell in mine which is direct replacement for original mercury px625 . I think I got it from the small battery company here in the uk but I'm sure there must be a US based supplier

Chris

 

[Edward C. Zimmermann]

Sorry but ....
On the the LED based Rollei cameras (35SE, 35TE, Classics) the meter is NOT on when the lens is extracted. When the objective is extracted the meter circuits do get activated but not the LED display. There is indeed a very minor current drain but its more a trickle than a draw. The meter goes on once the exposure button is slightly tapped. One of the design flaws is that the switch tends to get somewhat "bent" out of shape over time and the depth to activate the meter often becomes sufficient enough to trigger an exposure. Once the meter is activated it stays on until the lens is retracted. Once retracted there should be no draw on the battery.

 

[Bingley]

Hi Tony, I have the original model Rollei 35 with the match needle metering. Is that the same set-up as yours? I had to have my 35 CLA'd (slow speeds way off) so I had the tech adjust the meter voltage for a standard SR44 battery. Even so, the meter only works occasionally. When it does work, it's pretty accurate (as compared to my digisix) but there are times when it just doesn't respond. I hate to ask an obvious question, but have you tried a fresh battery? My meter appeared to have died completely recently, but I replaced the battery and it sprang to life.

 

[Edward C. Zimmermann]

Thing to keep in mind about the older Rollei 35S meter: its a basic, not very good, reflective meter. To call the circuit simple is almost an understatement! Simple Cds, pot and a voltage reference in the form of a Hg battery. In their day they were considered not terribly good... functionally a step down from Se meters..
And when they don't.. I said... simple circuit. 9/10 its simple battery corrosion--- remeber these once used Hg batteries which gas off--- followed by poor soldier joints..