Status Report on your Fixed Lens Rangefinder Collection?

[Jeremy Z]

18 Rollei 35 (9 Sonnar, 7 Tessar, 2 S-xenar), 2 Minox GTE, 1 Minox 35 GT, 3 Oly XA/XA2, 2 Mju II, 1 Mju, 1 Oly OM1n, 1 OM2sp, 1 Nikon LiteTouch 28/3.5, 1 Vito II, 1 Vito III, 1 Vitessa, 1 Minolta Freedom Vista 24mm, 2 Oly 35RC, 2 7SII, 2 QL17GIII, 1 Petri 35 color, 1 Keiv 4 w/ Helios 103, 1 FED 2 w/ I-10, 1 Zorki 3M w/ J-8, 2 Retina IIa w/ Heligon, 2 Retina II w/ Heligon, 1 Minolta Freedom Escort, 1 Nikon L35AF, 1 Yashica T3, 1 Yashica T5, 1 Canon Classic 120.

Most practical for daily use (top 5): Rollei 35 Sonnar, Yashica T5, Rollei 35 Tessar, Minolta 7SII, Nikon LiteTouch 28/3.5.
Fun to play with (top 5): Rollei 35 S/T/X, Vito II, Retina II, Minox GTE, Zorki 3M.
Value/cost ratio (top 5)：Rollei 35 Tessar Singapore, Retina IIa, Nikon L35AF, Oly 35RC, Minox 35 GT.

Very nice collection!

However....

It is almost a crime to have so many Rollei 35s and not one B 35 or C 35 among them. Yes, technically speaking, they're not quite as good as the 35 and 35 S, but the Triotar lens has character and is quite contrasty. They feel better in the hand, due to not having dials on the front of the body. Aperture in particular is easier to set; there's no lock, just click stops.

Not only that, but you have enough cameras I can tell you're a collector, not just a shooter. You probably could get a nice C35 for one of the 35 S', as the C 35s were a lot more rare. Then another S for a perfect B 35.

No Rollei 35 Classics, but that's not as much of a shame, as that's when Rollei was under new ownership and were just trying to cash out. (though they are good cameras)

 

[bitfeng]

Thank you for your comments I am hardly a collector - I just kept buying and never sold one.
Most of my Rollei 35s were bought as part/repair, then repaired by myself, to keep the cost down. The two-dial design on the front suits me pretty well, that is part of the reason for that I never got a C35 or B35. But will keep an eye on them.
Most of my Rollei 35S's focus needed adjustment, while the Tessar is generally fine. I wish the Tessar could be a little faster, since at F3.5 there is Yashica T5 right next to it, with all elements multi-coated.
As for Classics, I don't even like the look, not to mention they are very expensive. I like the simplicity of the 35/35S.

Very nice collection!

However....

It is almost a crime to have so many Rollei 35s and not one B 35 or C 35 among them. Yes, technically speaking, they're not quite as good as the 35 and 35 S, but the Triotar lens has character and is quite contrasty. They feel better in the hand, due to not having dials on the front of the body. Aperture in particular is easier to set; there's no lock, just click stops.

Not only that, but you have enough cameras I can tell you're a collector, not just a shooter. You probably could get a nice C35 for one of the 35 S', as the C 35s were a lot more rare. Then another S for a perfect B 35.

No Rollei 35 Classics, but that's not as much of a shame, as that's when Rollei was under new ownership and were just trying to cash out. (though they are good cameras)