Black Rollei 35

[lxmike]

Funny enough Michael I lived in Lancs for two years in the early 1980's, I have a soft spot for the county, I played a lot of football down their arround Wigan, Skelmersdale, Parbold, Bolton, Clitheroe, Neson etc..............happy days

 

[Michael Markey]

I'm from Tyneside but have lived in Co Durham for 12 years, I know Whitley Bay very well, I sea fish on a weekly basis and often fish King's beach whitley Bay, its cold, the North east had the snow really bad, three foot deep where I live, it stayed for two weeks. Anyway., I would love to pop down for the manchester RFF meet sometime

I`ll tell Bob France to drop you a pm when he sorts out the next.
We`ll make it Rollei meet.

 

[lxmike]

thats sounds like a good idea, I can get the train, (station at the top of my street), manchestre transpennie express, easy enough

 

[john neal]

I can vouch for Simon at Collectable cameras - one of the better dealers, and he will normally haggle

Definitely worth looking him up if you are ever in York on a Wednesday - he has a stall on the market most weeks

 

[lxmike]

Thats a handy tip John, will give him a look up next time I'm in York on a wednesday

 

[kuvvy]

I recsived a Rollei 35 LED yesterday from an Ebay seller and it looks okay so far though no film put through it yet. Cost me £35. I've also got a Rollei 35 arriving shortly but that cost me £85 at a BIN price. Haven't been shooting film in quite some time so I hope these will give me a boost to do some. Just about to order some film fro them but can't make my mind up as to what. reckon it's gonna be Tri-x. As you're already a Rollie owner Mike, have you got any recommendations?

Was in Manny yesterday Michael and ended up at Real Camera. Only came away with some batteries.

 

[Michael Markey]

Still finding my way around it Paul.
Only one film through.
My worry was the scale focussing but Ive initially set it to a few limited distances that I`m comfortable with like three / six or ten feet.
Loaded with HP5 rated at 800 to give me a bit of leeway and took it from there.
The real advantage is that you get really get in close ...less obstusive than even an M and quieter too.
As I said before the only thing I don`t like is the retractable lens .

You did well to come out with only batteries 🙂
I`m off to finish the second roll.

 

[FrankS]

If the retractable lens bothers you, simply leave it extended permanently.

I have a chrome 35t, and a black 35s that I got from John Neal (if my memory serves me well.)

 

[ZeissFan]

If you have overlapping frames, it could be caused by a broken plastic gear in the film advance.

In the earliest models, this was metal. This was changed to a plastic gear, roughly around the time that production shifted to Singapore. Later, Rollei returned to using a metal gear.

A heavy handed user might force the film advance when the end of the roll has been reached, breaking one of the plastic teeth.

This isn't a camera that stands up to hard use. Constant use -- yes. Hard, throw-it-around use -- no.

It also is a camera in that it's very common to see a corner ding or some type of damage to the top deck.

 

[oftheherd]

I have used and collected cameras for, well too many years, and I have never known a time where you can pick up Rollei 35's so cheaply, I know the digital revolution has had a knock on effect, but certainly on ebay Uk bargains are to be had. It funny really, I used to call it the Gandy effect, if Stephen gandy, (On his superb site) raved about a camera or Mantle in the Amateur Photographer, prices went up. for example on Ebay Uk at the moment Olympus 35 Rc cameras are going for premium prices. I wish their prices would come down and I would replace the one I lost

Not just mention by Mr. Gandy. Any time mention is made on any photo site (especially ours), and the thread gets reinforced by other's comments, you can expect to see that mentioned product suddenly have many ebay offerings. They seem to ooze from every crook and cranny. Magically, starting prices by sellers rocket over previous offerings as well.

Case in point: A few months ago, I began mentioning 9x12 camera. Others commented. I showed some photos as well. I had about a 2 week window of getting others at reasonable prices. Now you see even junk offered at bargains of $100 or more. They're mostly not selling, but the intrepid sellers aren't deterred, bless them.

 

[Michael Markey]

If the retractable lens bothers you, simply leave it extended permanently.

I have a chrome 35t, and a black 35s that I got from John Neal (if my memory serves me well.)

Thought of that Frank .
Even bought a small case that would accommodate it with lens extended.
Got cold feet however thinking that the lens tube maybe looked a bit fragile.

 

[john neal]

I have a black 35s that I got from John Neal (if my memory serves me well.)

Frank,

You did and I have regretted it ever since. Had to replace it, and managed to drop the new one on the 2nd outing :bang:

Now I have a nice dent on the VF end of the top plate and a slightly hesitant wind-on, which seems to be related to the extension of the lens tube. Could be CLA time already - aaarrrgghhh

Maybe I will just buy a reasonably priced T that I have seen to keep me going.......

 

[ZeissFan]

This camera might require some major repairs. It might end up being cheaper to replace the camera than to have it repaired.

There were more than 2 million of these sold, so they're plentiful on the used market.

 

[lxmike]

Hey Kuvvy glad your shooting film again, I have owned and sold and rebought various Rollei 35 variants, and personally I live the Triotar that is found on the 35B and the LED, but really all the Rollei 35 variants have something to offer

 

[lxmike]

Well the Rollei 36 arrived this morning, it needed a real clean, not much brassing, the lens is clear, no fungus and the shutter speeds although although sluggish at first are now freeing up, the speeds 1/500 to 1/30th are fine, 1/15th and below will need to either free up or I'll have it serviced. I cleaned the battery chamber and now the meter is working too. I cannot grumble, its a useable camera and only cost £35