Is the Rollei 35 considered a point and shoot or scale focus?

[68degrees]

Im not sure what the difference is between the Fixed Lens RF forum and the Other RF forum so correct me if I posted in the wrong forum but Im curious about the Rollei 35, what kind of camera is it considered? Point and Shoot or Scale Focus or something else. Thanks Also I understand there is no manual controls on any of the Rollei 35s is that right?

 

[btgc]

P&S is a deprecated and mostly, also misused term. This days there practically are no P&S cameras, originally this described dumb film cameras with very, very few user made changes or no at all. I say these days are compact cameras, and some of them have more intellect than their owners. Sure, one can use top end DSLR in P&S mode but that would be like calling lamborgini a family car just because some families can utilize them for their needs.

Regarding Rollei 35 it's easy - if one doesn't set exposure and focus, what pictures can you expect? Thus, it's mechanical compact camera. There's "Scales focus" subforum for this kind of cameras.

 

[KoNickon]

Scale focus. "Point and shoot" I think generally connotes an autofocus camera.

As for manual controls, the Rollei 35 is entirely manual -- shutter speed, aperture, metering, winding and rewinding.

 

[ZorkiKat]

It is a scale focus camera.

Any camera can be turned into a point and shoot. Certain settings- like the Hyperfocal Distance focusing method - makes even the most sophisticated one into a P&S.

Older cameras had a "Snapshot" setting - the focus and f/stop setting which one set the camera to and left there, shooting away snapshot-style. Even Leicas could be made to work this way. This eased possible focusing difficulties or minimised missed shots by making it possible to make quick exposures snapshot-style.

With the Rollei, setting its focus to 3 metres and its aperture to f/11 will make it a good snapshot/ P&S camera in good light.

And don't all cameras get pointed [at the object] first before it gets to shoot?

 

[Godfrey]

Rollei 35 - compact, mechanical, fully manual, scale focus cameras.

Whether they are point and shoots depends on how good you are with making settings that allow you to point and shoot. ;-)

G

 

[68degrees]

Rollei 35 - compact, mechanical, fully manual, scale focus cameras.

Whether they are point and shoots depends on how good you are with making settings that allow you to point and shoot. ;-)

G

how do you like them?

 

[MarylandBill]

how do you like them?

Their are a number of different varients on the Rollei. As a general rule the T, S, SE and TE are all regarded as excellent cameras; the other models have more plastic in them and simpler lens designs to keep the prices down and are less well regarded. To keep the camera small, they made a number of unusual choices with respect to how certain things work; some users have trouble getting past those differences, others have no problem.

--
Bill

 

[Godfrey]

Their are a number of different varients on the Rollei. As a general rule the T, S, SE and TE are all regarded as excellent cameras; the other models have more plastic in them and simpler lens designs to keep the prices down and are less well regarded. To keep the camera small, they made a number of unusual choices with respect to how certain things work; some users have trouble getting past those differences, others have no problem.

--
Bill

A small technical note on naming:
The original Rollei 35, made from '66 to '72 and prior to the release of the 35S, had the same spec as the Rollei 35T but was manufactured in Germany. They carry the Zeiss branding on the lens too. The 35T was the same camera, essentially, but like the 35S it was manufactured in the Singapore plant. The "T" was added after the release of the 35S to distinguish between the Tessar 40/3.5 and Sonnar 40/2.8 models, and carried forward into the "E" models.

The 35B (uncoupled selenium meter), 35C (no meter), and 35LED (uncoupled CdS meter with LED readouts) were lower cost cameras built on a plastic chassis with a simpler, less expensive Triotar 40/3.5 lens and simpler Prontor shutter. All were manufactured in Singapore. Still decent performers, much less expensive in the context of the day.

G

 

[Godfrey]

how do you like them?

The Rollei 35, particularly the 35S with the Sonnar 40mm f/2.8 lens, has long been one of my favorite compact 35mm cameras. The lens produces quality on par with the Leica Summicron-C 40/2 provided for the CL model, and the camera with lens collapsed is 2/3 the size of the CL — easily pocketable.

At one time I had a bunch of Rollei 35s (35, 35T, 35S black, 35SE, 35 Silber Anniversary, 35 Classic Platinum, and a couple of others). I've sold or given away to friends all but the black 35S (a 1973 example), which was my constant companion for almost two decades. Still working great, it's at the shop now for what is likely its first CLA (shutter was getting sticky at slow speeds). All the others I've kept track of are still working great too.

Great little cameras. Every photographer should enjoy one at some point.

G

 

[errorlogin]

Totally agree. Point and shoot, scale focus....whatever! Or all in one.

It's a lovely camera. And so small, that you can always carry it with you. That's a big advantage.

Here are mine, both recovered with Morgans goat skin leather: