Rollei 35 buy, good idea?

[lawnpotter]

I am thinking about looking for a cheap Rollei35 for around a hundred dollars. Are the batteries easy to find ? Can I use without batteries using sunny 16? Are the cheaper Tessar lenses still really good? Thanks for the help.

 

[lawnpotter]

Oh, also I forgot to ask. Are these cameras easily repaired by a local technician? Thanks

 

[FrankS]

Rollei 35: a classic camera! Everyone should have one.

 

[lawnpotter]

Thanks for the replies

Thanks for the replies

I found one made in Singapore with a Tessar lens. Are the Singapore ones basically as good as the German ones? Are the lenses the same quality between the German ands Singapore Tessar lenses? Thanks

 

[tripod]

All those Rollei 35 models (T, S, TE, SE) after the original that was called "Rollei 35" with Tessar lens, were assembled in singapore, I believe. No problem there. The original German Rollei 35's may cost a bit more.

 

[tripod]

The 35B and LED models are cheaper and were built to a lower standard than the other models.

 

[tripod]

Here's a good link to the various models. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollei_35
Google search Rollei 35 brings up lots of informative sites.

Pitxu, I have a T, an S, and a B35. The B35 is my car camera, always within reach.

In the past, I've had a TE and an SE as well, but I prefer the meter needle readout in the top decks of the T and S, rather than in the viewfinder as in the TE and SE models.

 

[lawnpotter]

Thanks what does the LED mean is that the meter it uses? Thanks

 

[lawnpotter]

Thanks, so how do the meters work in the german ones? Are the Led meters less desirable? Thanks

 

[tripod]

That Wikipedia link I provided is very informative.

original German Rollei 35, T, and S, are all match needle in the top deck.

TE and SE models have LED readouts in the viewfinder.

check the sire for the lower end models

LED vs needle meter readout is a subjective preference.

 

[lawnpotter]

Thanks Pitxu, I am off to work now.

 

[rich815]

I have a 35T (Tessar) and 35S (Sonnar), both made in Singapore. They both have very sharp lenses and I paid $90 USD and $150 USD, respectively. Good prices, yes, but they did both need complete CLA's due to lens mis-alignment and film advance issues. I warn you that most cheap ones found will likely require such work (even though both were sold to me as: "works great!", one from a local "reputable" dealer at a camera swap, the other from a seller on the classifieds here on this site). Ones from reputable sources with recent CLAs will cost about $200 USD+. They both have wonderfully sharp lenses the Sonnar being sharper wide open and with a bit more contrast. Personally, for B&W work, I prefer the Tessar, which stopped down to f/5.6 or more is simply wonderful and sharp as a tack (remember, though, only after I got the CLA!). The German ones supposedly used more metal inside particularly with the gearings which I understand are plastic in the Singapore models and the latter are thusly more prone to film advance and gearing problems----but something easily fixed by someone with access to parts for repair, but that will cost you. One last thing to watch for is that the lens extends and then clicks and locks into extended mode and is firm in that placement. Some have loosened in time and are not too firm which could affect even sharpness on the film plane. Great cameras overall, cute and compact and nice performers but a bit heavy for their size.

 

[jky]

Reading this thread makes me wish I still had my R35! Such beautiful cameras in my opinion. Love the top mounted match needle metering, love the quality (no difference between Germany & Singapore), the heft (made the little thing very stable), the lenses (indistinguishable from 5.6 on up). And of course - the style factor 😉 Isn't that the reason we have these gems anyway?!...

 

[tripod]

I used the S for a walk along the river today. These Rollei 35s are about 1/2 the weight and bulk of a full size camera, but full value for quality.

 

[tripod]

Bwah-haa-haaa! 🙂

 

[lawnpotter]

Thanks for the replies

Thanks for the replies

I am going to buy one. I think I will put my leica cl body up for sale

 

[tripod]

Now don't be hasty selling a CL! It's got lens interchangeability potential that the Rollei 35s do not.

 

[richard_l]

I am going to buy one. I think I will put my leica cl body up for sale

My experience has been with the Rollei 35 and 35 S. The 35 is the original Tessar model, essentially the same as the 35 T, and the 35 S is a Sonnar. These have match needle metering, visible in a window on top of the body. You can get an adapter for using standard silver oxide batteries. IMO, the Rollei Sonnar lens is as good as the Summicron-C or M-Rokkor 40 mm, but for some reason I like the Tessar a little better, both for color and B/W. By the way, inexpensive filters for the Rollei 35 series appear on eBay fairly often. (The Sonnar and Tessar models take different sized filters.) You might want to keep your CL until you can move up to an M2 or M3.

Richard

 

[rich815]

Now don't be hasty selling a CL! It's got lens interchangeability potential that the Rollei 35s do not.

I'd agree. The Rollei 35's are great little camera but are no replacement for a CL by any means, IMO.

 

[richard_l]

The Rollei 35 obviously is not a replacement for a CL, just as a CL is not a replacement for an SLR. If what one want to do is use a 40mm focal length in good lighting at 'normal' distances and apertures (where the focussing accuracy of a rangefinder is not needed), then the Rollei 35 will serve as well as the CL, and it might even be more convenient in some ways (portability and stealth, for example) because of its compact size and shape.

Of my three favorite cameras, the Rollei gets the most use, followed by the Leica IIf, then the Leica M2. Sometimes fun takes precedence over versatility.

Richard