Rollei 35 RF ???

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George Bonanno

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Does anyone have any thoughts, pro or con, on the Rollei 35 RF kit with the 40mm lens ? I'm considering buying one since I never really bought a new quality RF film camera. I'm thinking it might be a good everyday, take anywhere shooter. I love my IIIf with a 50mm lens which I've been using forever. But the 40mm lens and the thought of a new quality camera seems attractive. Also, from what little I've read the 40mm frame line is not distracted with other frame lines on the Rollei. I'm not a lens or camera junkie. I just like taking lots of people pictures. Oh, the meter thing is not an issue as I mostly guesstimate exposures. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]TIA,[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]George[/FONT]
 
the 35 RF is the same as the VC Bessa R2 with a different outside look and 40mm frame lines instead of 35mm. From what I have heard the 40mm lens on that camera is a real nice piece of kit but have never seen samples. The camera is fine, I have my eye out for a bessa r2 myself, but the bessa is cheaper then the rollei, you are just buying the name there. For the most part if you like it then do it, but if you are looking at one of those 800 dollar kits I would wonder if that lens is worth it....might be, if it were me though I would look for a good deal on a bessa r2a and a 40mm 1.4 nokton single coated for about the same price and you gain some stuff over the 35 rf/bessa r2.
 
I think the real value of the Rollei kit is the Sonnar, and the 2-year warranty. But the R2A w/ Nokton 40/1.4 would be just as sweet. Personally, I like the looks of the Rollei, and I'll admit just having the Rollei name is tempting.
 
The 40mm Sonnar is sentimental to me as I grew up in the era of the famous Rollei 35 S which was fitted with a 40mm/2.8 Sonnar lens.

The price of 35RF has drop a lot. I saw a few recently on ebay selling below US$1000 with the Sonnar lens.
 
The finder magnification of the Rollei RF is about .7, while the magnifcation of the Bessa R3M is 1:1. In my quick tests, the Rollei's finder seemed elegant and spare--like the M2's--and easy to use. The R3M seemed a little like an M3's but larger and it was difficult to catch sight of all four corners at once. I did prefer the appearance of the Bessa to the Rollei's less understated looks.

The 40mm Sonnar, of which I am a great fan, has a different look than the 40mm Nokton, less razor sharp perhaps wide open but with a gentler and longer transition between in focus and out of focus areas. Colors may be more saturated with the Sonnar and there also may be a longer scale of hues.
 
I use my 35 RF full finder for 28mm framing and so far it works for me. The 35 RF range finder can close focus to 0.8m, although the 40mm Sonnar supplied can close focus to 0.7m.

The 40mm Sonnar as usual has a smooth character. However personally I find the 40mm Sonnar on my Rollei 35 S is sweeter.
 
Thank you all for the comments.

I think if I were to make the plunge the Rollie 35 RF with the 40mm Sonnar might be right for me. B&H has the kit listed for $999.95. That's not exactly chump change but it seems it is a fair price. What's mostly attractive to me is the 40mm focal length lens. If the 35 RF came with a 45mm lens I would buy it because that FL complements my normal vision perfectly. I just don't understand why 40mm or preferably 45mm lenses are not a common option on most interchangeable lens 35mm RF cameras. I have a Yashica Electro 35 fitted with a 45mm lens and it's the perfect combination for me. However the camera is not working and needs a complete overhaul after all the years. At this point what's best for me is to go to B&H and handle the 35 RF Kit. If it's right I'll get it. If not then I'll bring the Electro 35 to Essex Camera, get it fixed and start using it again.

Best,
George
 
It's a good camera.

It's a good camera.

I bought the set you mentioned in early July for 990000 Korean won which is roughly $990. It was my first RF. I've been using SLR of some 20yrs and it took me some time to getting used to the feel of RF camera's and this camera was perfect. The focusing was easy, lens was fairly sharp and gives good contrast. and the carea was light compared to my brothers leica MP. But to me The camera look and felt like voigt's bessa camera(I later found out) which was almost 2/3 the price. I think this is a point you should consider. except for the price tag, the camera is good quality.
 
The Sonnar 40mm is key to me after using the little Rollei 35s (sonnar) as my walk-around camera for over a year, now. As I flip though favorite B&W photos, the Rollei comes up often (others are a Rolleiflex and a Nikon SLR). However, I wanted the rangefinder focusing (vs the Rollei zone focusing), plus an internal light meter, so I just bought a new Bessa R to mount an almost new Sonnar 40/ 2.8 that I found. The first rolls are being processed, so I'll find out if the new rig matches the old, as I expect. Meanwhile, the basic body matched with a superb lens seems to be the way to go (for me). The outfit cost me $650 US. ps: I'm getting ready to put the Rollei 35s in the classifieds.
 
If you really like the 40mm focal length, like I do, then the Rollei is preferable to the Bessa R3 because those framelines are easily in view rather than way out at the far edges. Some folks have trouble seeing the whole 40mm frameline at once even without glasses, and I can sympathize with that, having the same situation with 35mm frames on the M2.

The Minolta CLE has been my favorite RF since new, and its 40mm framelines are quite easily used, since it even has clearly visible 28mm framelines too. Other than the original Rokkor, I also use the 40mm Nokton and 43mm Pentax-L. If I were to get a Bessa RF, it'd likely be the Rollei version just for those 40mm frames!
 
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George Bonanno said:
Thank you all for the comments.

I think if I were to make the plunge the Rollie 35 RF with the 40mm Sonnar might be right for me. B&H has the kit listed for $999.95. That's not exactly chump change but it seems it is a fair price. What's mostly attractive to me is the 40mm focal length lens. If the 35 RF came with a 45mm lens I would buy it because that FL complements my normal vision perfectly. I just don't understand why 40mm or preferably 45mm lenses are not a common option on most interchangeable lens 35mm RF cameras. I have a Yashica Electro 35 fitted with a 45mm lens and it's the perfect combination for me. However the camera is not working and needs a complete overhaul after all the years. At this point what's best for me is to go to B&H and handle the 35 RF Kit. If it's right I'll get it. If not then I'll bring the Electro 35 to Essex Camera, get it fixed and start using it again.

Best,
George
Click to expand...

George, I had the 35 RF for a couple of years & still miss it - but I kept the Sonnar. The 40/2.8 Sonnar is a beautiful lens especially for shooting people. Wide open there's a little softer than stepped down, but this is a little kinder to people's faces than some of the razor sharp lenses out there. The lens is very, very well made. The camera is a basic manual rangefinder. At the current cost for the kit of $999, it's a fair price.

When Popular Photography tested the Rollei 40/2.8 Sonnar, they found it to be a little on the long side for a 40 - actually 42 mm focal lenght by their measurements. So, it's actually closer to your desired 45 mm.
 
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Yes the frame line moves as u close focus. Accuracy I do not know as never do rigorous tests. So far I have no problems even with fairly close shots.
 
Thanks Fuwen,

I think I'm going to take the plunge and order the Rollei with the 40mm Sonnar. I like your family pictures taken with that lens... very true to life... in my eyes.

And thanks to Huck Finn for noting the lens is closer to 42mm. That's a big plus for me.

If and when I get the camera I'll post some pics and my thoughts. Personally, I think this might be the best RF film camera for me considering all the other options available.

Best to all,
George
 
Good luck George, and when the time is appropiate, kindly post us some exhuberant porn pics, close focus.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
George Bonanno said:
Thanks Fuwen,

I think I'm going to take the plunge and order the Rollei with the 40mm Sonnar. I like your family pictures taken with that lens... very true to life... in my eyes.

George
Click to expand...

Glad that those pictures help and surprise that u manage to find those taken by the 40mm Sonnar. The 35RF/40mm kit was bought after I have 3 young kids so really have no time to test the lens to its limit other than family photos of my kids. Prior to that I have been a SLR user for many many years, and still is a keen SLR user. In fact I still prefer to use 50/1.4 wide open up close on a SLR than range finder.
 
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