My first 35 was a B35 bought at Woolco about 1975. Sold it a few years later. One of the first things I bought after joining eBay in 1998 was another B35. Great camera but weak lens mounting and finicky small controls. Loved the built in meter, Hated the bottom mounted flash!
The B 35 I mentioned above turned out to be missing a screw for the top plate, which I didn't notice in the auction photos. I ordered a screw from a Korean seller; took 3 weeks to get here. I went to put it in, and found out why the screw was missing: the hole is stripped. Seems to be plastic underneath. :bang:
There are only two screws holding that top plate on: one on each side, so it makes me nervous to be missing one. I think I will keep my eye out for a slightly bigger, more coarsely-threaded screw to put in there.
Compared to the original design, the film advance/shutter cocking works on the B 35 feels like its got rocks in it. I don't mind the lack of slower shutter speeds, though it would be nice to at least go down to 1/15 sec. for those really desperate moments. It's not really a tripod-type camera anyway.
My Rollei 35 (Tessar) won't go quite to f/22 or f/3.5. Works great otherwise, but it too needs a CLA.
Despite all this, I've been having better luck with my Rollei 35s than with my rangefinders. They're making great, sharp negatives. No foam is needed for these to be light proof, and they only need electronics for the light meter.
- I took a $10 gamble on a Yashica GSN at the thrift shop and lost. It needs at least the pad replaced, maybe more. I haven't decided if I'm going to open it up and have a go at fixing it myself or sell it as a parts camera for $10.
- Yashica Electro 35 CC in mint cosmetic condition. Paid $150 shipped for this one from a Japanese ebay seller. Its light meter seems unreliable. Sometimes over exposing and sometimes under. This one might also need the Pad of Death replaced. Hopefully, I'll gain valuable experience on the GSN and be an expert by the time I get to this little peach? I have high hopes for this one still, since it has a nice six element 35/1.8 lens.
- My other film camera, my granddad's OM1N, needs light seals replaced, which I'm procrastinating on doing, even though I have the kit on hand.
I've had an Olympus RC, Konica Auto S2 and Canonet QL17 III. The Oly needed a CLA but didn't feel worth it. The Konica had a laggy shutter at low speeds, and I like my Yashica GS better, for a 45 mm lens.
I guess my point to all this is that Rollei 35s seem to be more stout, despite their size and often dented up appearance.
The B35 and C35 are the best looking and the Triotar lens doesn't disappoint; it's the guts that let it down, in my opinion.
For my part, I need to quit buying these cameras, pick a couple that I like and have them properly serviced; enjoy what I've got.
