Rollei 35 QZw - anyone use one?

[valdas]

Got my film back. Result. Great exposures, the lens is insanely shap

Maybe some pictures? I am intrigued...

P.S. you were faster...

 

[sepiareverb]

I just came upon one after your thread started and jumped on it as it was a camera I really wanted back in the day. It is going back tomorrow. Noisy as can be, heavy for a P&S, and crummy exposure compensation.

 

[Huss]

I just came upon one after your thread started and jumped on it as it was a camera I really wanted back in the day. It is going back tomorrow. Noisy as can be, heavy for a P&S, and crummy exposure compensation.

Noisy? Yep.
Heavy? It's a big titanium camera with big dials and a mongo 1/8000 sec shutter.
Exp compensation? I just use it in manual if I need that. Or push the two buttons. But I agree it's not like using a Contax G2. The price to pay for the Porsche design.

Before you send it back, can I ask where you got it from? I can PM you..
🙂

 

[Huss]

I just came upon one after your thread started and jumped on it as it was a camera I really wanted back in the day. It is going back tomorrow. Noisy as can be, heavy for a P&S, and crummy exposure compensation.

I bought the camera that you sent back.
🙂

I'm returning the one I bought from Adorama as there seems to be a shutter problem. On some exposures - at higher shutter speeds - there is a hard vignette on the top left corner. It is inconsistent.

I had put several rolls through it and saw the issue when I developed them at the same time (I was on a trip). Still very happy with the performance, just need to get one that works properly all the time. The one I bought from Adorama was missing the flash, which is kinda weird as they come in a set and is unique to this camera. The way it connects it cannot be used with anything else.

Further observances now I've used it more - the focus lock with half push of the shutter also is an exposure lock. It would be better if that was separate but still cool to have. The problem with this is if you prime the camera by half pushing on the shutter button - so it can take a pic with zero lag - the exposure is also set. Which means that it may be completely wrong for your actual scene. The work around is to set the exposure manually, which is what I do with most of my Leicas so not a big deal.
It is a very interesting camera though. Superb lens, with what seems to be a very simple interface, but because of what it offers - full manual, program, shutter or aperture priority exposure - it actually is not for novices but for experienced photographers who understand all those parameters.
In all the exposure modes (apart from program) you have full control of all shutter speeds and apertures. Cameras like the Fuji Klasse do not allow that, there's always some limiting factor.

Looking at the exposures I made, most were at 28mm so this version (the 28-60) is definitely the right one for me vs the 38-90.

Shot on Portra 400:

 

[Huss]

Yes, it's obvious. But why there is seconds shutter in the lens if there is focal-plane shutter? This excludes the use of TTL like in Leicas or Contax Gs. Very strange to me.

Okay, I figured this out. It is not a shutter, as I mentioned, but the aperture mechanism.
As the camera's exposure meter does not read through the lens, it allows Rollei to have the resting state of the aperture fully closed. Because it is electronically actuated, it then allows to have aperture and shutter priority modes (as well as program and manual) with the bonus of never having to worry about burning a hole in the shutter if the camera is left with the lens pointing at the sun. I've seen many Leicas with repaired/patched shutter curtains because the owner did that by mistake. You don't have to worry about that with the Rollei.

Leicas and Contax Gs are ae or manual only. They do not have shutter priority or program modes.

 

[Huss]

Even BooBoos appreciates the Porsche design, titanium build and 1/8000 sec shutter...

 

[Huss]

Portra 400 in the Rollei

 

[p.giannakis]

Portra 400 in the Rollei

Very nice picture!

 

[f16sunshine]

My dog would love to be your dog in that moment ^^^
Beautiful day you had there Mang!

 

[BillBingham2]

Portra 400 in the Rollei

Wonderful exposure too.

B2 (;->

 

[Huss]

Thanks peeps! The Rollei has the quickest manual overide - just make sure the shutter speed and aperture dials are not on A. I gave this a 2 stop over as it was backlit on the beach . Scanned w my DSLR.

FYI this is the beach in Carmel CA. If u have a dog and happen to be in the area you must visit!

 

[taomei]

Side note: Does anyone know where to repair one? I got one with a film takeup that doesn't seem to want to pick up film.

 

[Huss]

Side note: Does anyone know where to repair one? I got one with a film takeup that doesn't seem to want to pick up film.

Give Walter’s camera repair in Los Angeles a call. They try to
fix stuff even if parts r no longer available. Most shops dont touch stuff if they cant get replacement parts.

 

[Huss]

QZ35W, Kodak ProImage 100, D850 scan.

 

[ForestCap]

QZ35W, Kodak ProImage 100, D850 scan.

wonderful shot. the colours somehow remind me Joan Cornellà's comics..

 

[Huss]

wonderful shot. the colours somehow remind me Joan Cornellà's comics..

Thank you Yang!