S.H.
Picture taker
Hello!
For more than a year I wondered if a Rollei 35 was a good idea as a small camera, to be in my pocket as much as possible. At first it appeared quirky, and scale focus, coming from rangefinder cameras, ... meh.
But I use old cameras on a regular basis, and the ergonomics of the Rollei 35 are not worse than most "classic" cameras (Rolleiflex, Exakta for example) And scale focusing... I got used to pre focus my lens looking at the scale and correct while looking in the finder even with my Leicas and my Nikon F to be quicker.
So I found a plain old Singapore made (cheap !) Rollei 35 to do a test roll (Ektar 100). So far, I like it. As the shutter release is a bit hard and the body tiny, I feared some movement blur. Of course, I did not nailed the focus every time. And with backlight (picture 7), I think the Tessar can flare a bit. But it was very funny to use, it delivered contrasty and sufficiently sharp pictures, and I could not rely on depth of field, lens "character", ... my usual tricks to build an interesting picture. It was light, subject and colors alone. Very refreshing.
It is a very positive experience, but are there any "tricks" to get the best of this little gem? Is a collapsible hood or a softie really needed? Also, could I expect a different rendering if I had used a Sonnar?
Here are some pictures, feel free to comment
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
For more than a year I wondered if a Rollei 35 was a good idea as a small camera, to be in my pocket as much as possible. At first it appeared quirky, and scale focus, coming from rangefinder cameras, ... meh.
But I use old cameras on a regular basis, and the ergonomics of the Rollei 35 are not worse than most "classic" cameras (Rolleiflex, Exakta for example) And scale focusing... I got used to pre focus my lens looking at the scale and correct while looking in the finder even with my Leicas and my Nikon F to be quicker.
So I found a plain old Singapore made (cheap !) Rollei 35 to do a test roll (Ektar 100). So far, I like it. As the shutter release is a bit hard and the body tiny, I feared some movement blur. Of course, I did not nailed the focus every time. And with backlight (picture 7), I think the Tessar can flare a bit. But it was very funny to use, it delivered contrasty and sufficiently sharp pictures, and I could not rely on depth of field, lens "character", ... my usual tricks to build an interesting picture. It was light, subject and colors alone. Very refreshing.
It is a very positive experience, but are there any "tricks" to get the best of this little gem? Is a collapsible hood or a softie really needed? Also, could I expect a different rendering if I had used a Sonnar?
Here are some pictures, feel free to comment
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
bitfeng
Well-known
Congrats! Rollei 35/35S are very good cameras and I always carry one with me. Like many other people, I feel Tessar is a little sharper and Sonnar is creamier. For Tessar it is just hard if not impossible, to find a miulticoated filter. I am tired of cleaning convex surface.
I always check the focus at 1 meter prior to using any newly acquired Rollei35/35S.
35S/Ultramax400/CVS 1-hour/Plustek 7600.
35S/Profoto100XL/Target/Plustek 7600.
I always check the focus at 1 meter prior to using any newly acquired Rollei35/35S.
35S/Ultramax400/CVS 1-hour/Plustek 7600.
35S/Profoto100XL/Target/Plustek 7600.
bitfeng
Well-known
Your Tessar pictures are a little softer than I usually get. Not sure what scanner you use. The following was taken with Tessar/ultramax400/plustek 7600@3600dpi. See the crop for resolution.
crop
crop
petronius
Veteran
Welcome to the club of Rollei 35 addicts.
I never felt a quirkiness when using my Rollei 35 models. The fact that the settings can be seen from the top pleased me from the start. When holding the camera the aperture ring gives me a good grip. I often use a homemade everready case (a former Minox 35 case).
I used a soft release, but found it not pleasing, same thing with an external rangefinder. My 35S and 35T have lens hoods (one rubber, one metal). I have no filter on any of my lenses.
Have fun with your Rollei; we have a Rollei 35 picture thread here
If you are interested, in my blog are examples from Tessar, Sonnar and triotar lenses
I never felt a quirkiness when using my Rollei 35 models. The fact that the settings can be seen from the top pleased me from the start. When holding the camera the aperture ring gives me a good grip. I often use a homemade everready case (a former Minox 35 case).
I used a soft release, but found it not pleasing, same thing with an external rangefinder. My 35S and 35T have lens hoods (one rubber, one metal). I have no filter on any of my lenses.
Have fun with your Rollei; we have a Rollei 35 picture thread here
If you are interested, in my blog are examples from Tessar, Sonnar and triotar lenses
ZeissFan
Veteran
Usually, the problem with the ergonomics comes from using one camera and only one camera. So, when presented with something different, it is too much of a challenge.
I find it best to approach without any preconceived notions of how a camera should operate. I've had various models since the late 1970s and have always had fun with them.
Like other, I find the Tessar to be a sharper lens and the Sonnar to have a bit more character -- and less leeway for focusing errors when shooting wide open.
I find it best to approach without any preconceived notions of how a camera should operate. I've had various models since the late 1970s and have always had fun with them.
Like other, I find the Tessar to be a sharper lens and the Sonnar to have a bit more character -- and less leeway for focusing errors when shooting wide open.
S.H.
Picture taker
Thank you all!
Here is a 100% detail from 5):
Looks OK to me ; I use an epson V750, it is not the best scanner for 35mm by far anyway. Some pictures (not shown) are not always sharp : misfocussed, movement blur perhaps.
Nice blog petronius, I'll explore it.
Mike : you are right about ergonomics. Since the 1st time I held a Rollei 35 I used a wide range of cameras, so the Rollei feels quite nice now.
Here is a 100% detail from 5):
Looks OK to me ; I use an epson V750, it is not the best scanner for 35mm by far anyway. Some pictures (not shown) are not always sharp : misfocussed, movement blur perhaps.
Nice blog petronius, I'll explore it.
Mike : you are right about ergonomics. Since the 1st time I held a Rollei 35 I used a wide range of cameras, so the Rollei feels quite nice now.