Question about a Rollei 35 SE that I've bought

[dd786]

Hey guys. Just bought a nice 35 SE. Hasn’t arrived yet and it won’t for a few weeks but it’s on its way.
Only thing is its missing the battery cover that holds the batteries and sits on the top of the camera blocking off the battery hole like the image I’ve just posted here.

Is there anywhere I can get a replacement.

Also, regardless of me sourcing a battery cover, can I use the camera without the batteries? As in like a meterless mechanical camera like a Leica M3 for example?

Thanks guys.

 

[petronius]

"...can I use the camera without the batteries?"

The answer is yes; you have to guess the exposure, but anything else will be fine!

 

[dd786]

Thanks Petronius, i figured such was the case.

Anyone else got any idea about finding a space battery cover?

 

[Dan Daniel]

The meter might work if you put a battery in the compartment without the holder. As long as it makes contact front and back. Use aluminum foil if you need to fill a gap front or back, but watch for shorting it out. Then tape on the top to hold the battery in.

Looks as if the 35TE has the same battery holder? Check this.

Contact Harry Fleenor at Oceanside Camera in California. He might have the part. Also contact any camera repair shop you can find to ask. Many will have boxes full of old cameras for parts.

This might be of interest- https://www.flickr.com/groups/60539930@N00/discuss/72157623982634279/
http://astroturtle.com/wp/2011/04/rollei-35-te-repairs/

 

[dd786]

Nice link, thank you Dan. Ill write to Harry too.

 

[Timmyjoe]

DAG has some miscellaneous Rollei 35 parts, you might also want to talk with him.

https://www.dagcamera.com/store/c4/Early_Rolleiflex.html

Best,
-Tim

 

[ForestCap]

I have the SE and I think the battery cover is just a carrier. So you can as well use tape to seal the battery in. Just ugly though.