mark_pw
Established
What should be checked before buying a Rollei 35 camera? 
Camera body - check if the back cover for possible light leaks
Battery leakage - check if there is any corrosion sign in battery compartment
Rollei Lens - should be free from fungus and scratches, some dusts are acceptable given the age of the camera
Lens barrel - it must be dent free, fine scratches are acceptable
Light meter - check by a separate light meter to confirm its accuracy
I hope you find it useful.
Detailed descriptions at http://daddiest.com/used-rollei-35-buyers-checklist/
Camera body - check if the back cover for possible light leaks
Battery leakage - check if there is any corrosion sign in battery compartment
Rollei Lens - should be free from fungus and scratches, some dusts are acceptable given the age of the camera
Lens barrel - it must be dent free, fine scratches are acceptable
Light meter - check by a separate light meter to confirm its accuracy
I hope you find it useful.
Detailed descriptions at http://daddiest.com/used-rollei-35-buyers-checklist/
dct
perpetual amateur
I speak from personal experience adding:
Check for properly working film advancing and shutter cocking mechanics (with a cheap test film roll)
I decommissioned my Rollei 35 after the second failure in this particular field.
Check for properly working film advancing and shutter cocking mechanics (with a cheap test film roll)
I decommissioned my Rollei 35 after the second failure in this particular field.
CliveC
Well-known
Damn, the rangefinder on mine must be broken. 
Seriously though, also check the slower shutter speeds.
Seriously though, also check the slower shutter speeds.
dotur
od karnevala
It works on mine! 
mark_pw
Established
Damn, the rangefinder on mine must be broken.
Seriously though, also check the slower shutter speeds.
Yes, many of the existing Rollei 35's 'B' is dead. The 'B' just acts like 1/2s or shorter.
philipaloft
Member
If you have an urge to take apart a camera down to the last screw and rebuild it, the Rollei 35 is a good candidate.
It all comes apart with screws and well made parts, and for a non-engineer like myself, it seemed intuitive.( and kindof simple).
I did not work on the lightmeter, however.
Philip
It all comes apart with screws and well made parts, and for a non-engineer like myself, it seemed intuitive.( and kindof simple).
I did not work on the lightmeter, however.
Philip
Brian Legge
Veteran
Does the aperture work?
I picked up an 'as is' which seems in decent condition but when set to f/3.5 is closer to f/5.6 and is totally stopped down when set to f/8. I put a bit of time in to exploring it last night but didn't get to the internal coupling yet. I learned that the spring which pushes down on the aperture lock is a pain to get back in to place though.
I picked up an 'as is' which seems in decent condition but when set to f/3.5 is closer to f/5.6 and is totally stopped down when set to f/8. I put a bit of time in to exploring it last night but didn't get to the internal coupling yet. I learned that the spring which pushes down on the aperture lock is a pain to get back in to place though.
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