Rollei XF 35

[giellaleafapmu]

Dear folks,

I have a Rollei XF 35. It has a nice lens and it takes nice pictures but I really cannot get to work with it because of the completely automated exposition mode. I had then two thougth. the first it is to sell it and change perhaps with a Rollei 35. But first I would like to know what its extimated value could be (I guess very little). The second is a bit more strange and it is to try to trick the exposure system.
Does anyone know whether one can find somewhere how the system works and whether one could build up a manual exposition system for the camera? After all there is an automatic system which controls
shutter and F-stop, so sutter and diaphragm get some information from a cellule. I don't see why one could not tell manually the shutter and diaphragm what to do. I know this would imply acting very heavily on the camera and possibly distroying the automatic system or even the whole camera but I don't mind breaking something if I learn something in the process...

Giella lea Fapmu

 

[iggers]

The Rollei XF35 is program automatic only. Totally automatic from 1/30 to 1/650. It chooses the combination of f/2.3 to f/16 (?) and 1/30 to 1/650. There is no manual override. About the only thing you can do is to adjust the film speed setting for exposure compensation. There is nothing else.

The XF35 has a poor reputation for build quality.

Value? In working condition, on that huge auction site, count on $50 to $80. A lot less than a Rollei 35, which tends to go for $100 to $200 or even more.

 

[DougK]

The values iggers stated for the value of an XF35 sound about like what I paid for mine. I wish I hadn't. I knew it wasn't going to be as good as the other Rollei models but I was expecting a better built camera than what I received. One gentle bump against the corner of my desk and the vertical alignment on the rangefinder was completely whacked. Live and learn, I suppose, although I could use this as a repair practice camera.

 

[john neal]

I have had both the Rollie and Voigtlander (vf135) versions of this camera - great Sonnar lens, but annoying auto exposure system that, for me anyway, is always 1 or 2 stops under exposed (both cameras, different ages & conditions). It makes a nice P&S thanks to the quality of the lens, but is just not flexible enough - changing the asa rating is possible, but it only goes up to 400, so there is no chance of pushing Tri-X.

As to value, I have noticed that the prices are starting to creep up in the far east, I recently sold one on the video game for £54 in average condition to a guy in Japan who was well pleased with it. In Europe, they can be had for quite a lot less, say around €30 to 50 (similar to the $ value above).

I'm still not sure if I will keep the Voigtlander - it's minty and does work well if I remember to set the asa one stop lower than the film loaded (it's not a battery thing as it has a mercury cell fitted), but it is so frustrating to have no creative control, plus I'm trying to raise some Leica glass money. It will probably go on the video game described as "collectible" (they are v rare), in the hope that I can get a couple of Voigt collectors to bid against each other 😉

 

[Duncan Ross]

I got really burned with an XF. The ebay seller described it as top quality but when it arrived the control ring was jammed between A and flash and the rangefinder image didn't move regardless of the focus. And the meter didn't move despite a fresh battery. And the filter ring had been broken at the bottom and glued on so the threads didn't align.

Unfortunately they point blank refused to refund my money so I now have a Rollei XF paperweight. Pity because I was really looking forward to trying the lens which reportedly thrashes the Rollei 35 triotar.

My personal lesson - for me there isn't a Rollei that is affordable, usable, reliable and with a good lens so I gave up on them as a brand. And don't buy things on ebay from Germany. Swines.

Would like to try a VF101 tho.

 

[john neal]

I have a vf101 as well - smaller than the XF35, with a Tessar lens. The beuaty is that you can set the aperture and the auto exp sets the shutter speed, so you can play with the asa to overexpose (400asa limit though).

Results are superb and it's so easy to use - you can see the aperture and shutter speed in the vf and the rf is contrasty and easy to use. The only down side is that it takes 4 mercury cells! OK, it will work with just 2, but that's only recommended in an emergency.

Definitely worth the money if you want a pocket sized P&S cam with a great lens, expect to pay between £50 and £70. If you can find the Zeiss version (Ikon Contessa S310), they are worth an amazing amount to collectors.

 

[Duncan Ross]

I have a vf101 as well - smaller than the XF35, with a Tessar lens. The beuaty is that you can set the aperture and the auto exp sets the shutter speed, so you can play with the asa to overexpose (400asa limit though).

Results are superb and it's so easy to use - you can see the aperture and shutter speed in the vf and the rf is contrasty and easy to use. The only down side is that it takes 4 mercury cells! OK, it will work with just 2, but that's only recommended in an emergency.

Definitely worth the money if you want a pocket sized P&S cam with a great lens, expect to pay between £50 and £70. If you can find the Zeiss version (Ikon Contessa S310), they are worth an amazing amount to collectors.

I know, it sounds ideal. I am in the market for a 'carry-around' RF at the moment and am still undecided. Key factors are small size, ability to work in more-or-less manual mode (for using flashcubes; needs 1/30th or slower to sync, GN100ft@100ASA) and aperture or shutter priority (or even full auto) for normal shooting. The VF101 sounds perfect but maybe a bit pricey and hard to find. It's hunt around ebay time again!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[giellaleafapmu]

I have a vf101 as well - smaller than the XF35, with a Tessar lens. The beuaty is that you can set the aperture and the auto exp sets the shutter speed, so you can play with the asa to overexpose (400asa limit though).
.

First of all thank you for the replies.

Perhaps I was not clear enough. I know perfectly that the only override is the ISO setting, when
I wrote about "telling the speed to the shutter" I meant "by altering the internal circuit and making
it work in a way it was not designed to work". Screwdriver, welder...
This is why I was asking whether anyone knew where to find out out the auto exposure system of
this camera work.

I thought of this because, how it was pointed out in the replies, the flash guide number ring in reality
only seems to set the diaphragm (but I am not completely sure). Also the shutter seems to be a purely mechanical devise (it fires without batteries but it does at unknown speed). I guess that one should be able to convert the guide number ring into a properF-stops ring and then to alter the circuit which controls
the shutter so to be able to make it reading informations one give via some sort of ring instead of what
it comes from the cellule. Perhaps it could be more difficult to change it in such a way that it still
work also in auto-mode.

Does anyway have a repair manual of this camera?

Thanks again,

Giella lea Fapmu

PS
If I do not suceed with the modification (I mean if I realize I cannot do it and don't even start) I might have a near-mint Rollei XF for sale soon.

 

[john neal]

I know, it sounds ideal. I am in the market for a 'carry-around' RF at the moment and am still undecided. Key factors are small size, ability to work in more-or-less manual mode (for using flashcubes; needs 1/30th or slower to sync, GN100ft@100ASA) and aperture or shutter priority (or even full auto) for normal shooting. The VF101 sounds perfect but maybe a bit pricey and hard to find. It's hunt around ebay time again!

Thanks for the advice!

Duncan,

You may also want to consider the Konica Auto S3 - only slightly bigger than the vf101, 38mm f1.8 Hexanon lens (v good, similar to the Sonnar) with shutter priority auto & flash GN settings and a self-timer. This is also easy to convert to take a modern SR44 battery by fitting a diode behind the battery chamber. Could be easier & cheaper to find 😉

 

[john neal]

First of all thank you for the replies.

Perhaps I was not clear enough. I know perfectly that the only override is the ISO setting, when
I wrote about "telling the speed to the shutter" I meant "by altering the internal circuit and making
it work in a way it was not designed to work". Screwdriver, welder...
This is why I was asking whether anyone knew where to find out out the auto exposure system of
this camera work.

Does anyway have a repair manual of this camera?

Thanks again,

Giella lea Fapmu

PS
If I do not suceed with the modification (I mean if I realize I cannot do it and don't even start) I might have a near-mint Rollei XF for sale soon.

I think your question was understood, but the answer is probably "no" - I believe the program is in a comparator circuit which is a one-chip design, so you can't get at the workings. The aperture & speed are controlled by the trapped-needle method and I think those are too delicate to play with.

Sorry, I have never even seen a repair manual, but you might find one on the bay.