Rollei 35 vs Oly xa2 ?

lawnpotter said:
Is the tessar lens on the rollei 35 far superior to the lens on the XA2 and XA . Also, is the XA2 and XA bigger than the Rollei 35. THanks
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The Tessar 40/3.5 lens performs better IMO, has an entirely different look and feel to the images. It is also far easier to use with filters, essential for B&W work (for me anyway).

The XA/XA2 are slimmer and the cover over the lens makes them easier to stick in a pocket. That said, I find the Rollei 35 easier to use.

I owned three XAs, one after the other, and liked them a lot. But all three ultimately died of mechanical failures (the film transport seems to be somewhat fragile). About the time the third was dying, I bought a used Minox 35EL inexpensively. The improvement in the lens quality was stunning, and was similarly tiny. Then I got my first Rollei 35 with Tessar 40, and it out-performed both of the others.

The XA died and I didn't replace it. The 35EL was sold to a friend, who's still using it. I replaced it years later with a 35GT-E which I still have and occasionally use. The Rollei 35 Tessar lived with a friend in NY for 15 years after I bought the black Rollei 35S, then came back home, now lives with a friend in South Africa who still uses it. I still have the 35S, and it remains my favorite compact 35 of all.

G
 
I had an XA and spent a ton of $ on it. The electronics and the mechanics were problems. The lens was good, but I'll never buy another.
 
I guess I was lucky, had two xa's and a xa4.. Never had a problem...

Like Godfrey, I had Rollei T, TE and S as well as Contax T. My all time favorite is the Contax T followed by the Rollei S.

Gary
 
These two are hard to compare in my book. Heavy manual camera vs light and small AE-only camera - obviously, you just can't compare them on equal grounds. Decide which features you need more.

No point in having heritage of Rollei and Sonnar lens if you will hate carrying it around. Nor point in owning XA2 and hate it's AE or shutter release each time you use it. Decide.
 
Sad story: bought an XA from a London dealer at Christmas. I put two rolls of film through it and the focus lever locked up solid. Luckily, I was just within the guarantee period and the dealer is refunding my money.

I think I may see a 35T in my future...

;)
 
The XAs are great snapshot cameras. The Rolleis are good enough to provide a professional level back-up. The ergonomics are a bit quirky, but aside from the accessory shoe placement, I'm not sure what else could be better optimized (maybe the left-hand shutter advance switched to the right?).

The Rolleis are quite a bit heavier and less quick to access if they've been stored (less retracted and cap screwed on), but much more robust. Both my XAs have faded/virtually-unusable rangefinder patches, likely due to their age. The electronics are also a bit iffy, also likely a factor of their age. The image quality is pretty good, and they are hugely awesome for pocketability and AE (open, give to friend/stranger, and forget). Can't really do that with a Rollei unless you set up focus/exposure beforehand -- don't bother trying to explain it to anyone who is not a competent manual camera photographer. Never used an XA2 though.

I'd say the differences are such that a Rollei vs XA2 comparison really shouldn't be all that difficult. It will *REALLY* depend on how you're going to use them.
 
Both are nice, but in different ways. The Rollei is really nice. It has a very bright viewfinder, and the controls feels well thought out, at least in the original model. I had the idea from the internet discussions that it would be a hassle to work with, but I was pleasantly surprised, to be honest. They are for some reason easily dented, and the locking mechanism for the lens can get wrecked by careless handling. Mine was on its last legs and gave up the ghost, but a friend coaxed it back to life and uses it to this day.

The Rollei is slower working than an XA2. My XA2 comes along just about anywhere, which means I see and capture more photo opportunities even when I am not in photography mode. The clamshell is nice, and the lens is good enough. The only niggle I've had is that it is 35 mm, a bit too wide but it's a tradeoff for increased depth of field for a scale focus camera. I would give the nod to the Tessar being a bit sharper (just a feeling, nothing scientifically backed up) than the XA2 lens.
 
Hi,

I've had a few XA2's and XA's over the years and only had problems with one and it was an XA bought new - it went back to Honduras Street twice.

But - a big "but" btw - talking about QC is pointless since they all (Olympus, Rollei and the Minox mentioned) will be second-hand and the previous owner(s) will be the most important factor and one you'll not discover for a while.

The first point to make is that the XA's of all descriptions are easy to use and can be repaired because there are specialists about who will restore them for you.

The XA, brilliant but fragile if dropped. RF can be hard to use but is spot on and that means f/2.8 can be used without too many worries. Mild vignetting but who cares? Chose the aperture and the speed is shown in the VF. Bulky flash but it can be left at home for those occasions when you don't want it or must not use it. And expensive to buy.

XA2 is a fast pocket camera. Open the cover and it switches on and is focussed at the most usable distance. Push a lever up or down for closer or landscape (or vice versa). Lens isn't so fast but in practice I've never noticed it as a problem. Same comment re flash. Above all, dirt cheap.

XA3, like the XA2 but 4 DX contacts inside and +1.5 EV for backlight like the XA. Same flash comments and price varies from dirt cheap to middling dear.

XA4, I've not owned or used one and can't comment.

XA1, total ignored by soi-disant serious photographer but loved by the users. Dirt cheap and no batteries required. Turns out a decent photograph in practice, if you know what it's limitations are meaning back light but there's always flash or using 400ASA at the 100ASA setting: these are the only two settings to it.

Regardless of the model, all the XA and variations can be carried all the time and mostly used all the time if you don't mind carrying the flash as well, or using 400 ASA film. Probably the best film, pocket camera ever made until the AF's like the Leica minis, Olympus mju's, Konica A4 and Pentax ESPIO mini appeared. Then there's the APS Contax Tix and others in that class or nearly in that class.

I've large guess and focus cameras but they don't compete with the above for grab or normal photography; mostly because you have to stop and think about the settings and worry...

Regards, David
 
I love my Minox GT that has never failed me in twenty years. I am aware that many people have experienced problems with the shutter magnet of Minox cameras. I am so satisfied with my Minox that I never tried a Rollei 35.
 
Hi,

I like the little Minox 35ML I picked up a while ago but am now looking for an accessory range-finder for the hot shoe and one marked in feet. Precise focussing would squeeze the full potential of the lens out. I do use it at f/8 and guess the distance but always feel it's wrong.

Regards, David.
 
I own the following at present: Olympus XA, XA2, XA4, Rollei 35, 35T and Rollei 35S. I enjoy using the XA for night shots, the XA4 for landscapes but overall the Rollei 35S is my favourite of the bunch
 
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