would you buy a Rollei if..............

lxmike

lxmike

M2 fan.
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'what the heck', I thought, so I hit the buy in now button, a black Rollei B35 is on its way, however it is a slightly challenged Rollei, a stiff shutter selection dial, a none working meter and a ding in the top plate. The shutter does fire on all speeds and the Triotar is scratch and fungus free. Now would you buy this...................................maybe not, however, the BUY IT NOW was for £9, I thought its worth the risk
 
A quick pic taken from the original listing, as per norm this Rollei has the 'compulsary ding' in the top:)
 

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I can't think of a reason not to. Love my 35S, wish I had brought it with me, but was limited in luggage weight.
 
Spicy said:
I can't think of a reason not to. Love my 35S, wish I had brought it with me, but was limited in luggage weight.
Click to expand...

I must admit I love the Rollei 35 series too, if anything for £9 the 35b will look good on the shelf next to my 35T
 
well I took a gamble £9 for \ Rollei 35B, with very stiff shutter selection ring, a ding on the top plate and a none working meter. All in all with postage £17, well its arrived. Cosmetically its in super super condition apart from the ding, after an hour of playing with the shutter selection ring, well its back to normal and no longer stiff but crisp and responsive, the glass is crystal clear and the focus smooth, the shutter speeds sound nice. It also came with a very good condition Rollei strap, Rollei case and UV filter. Now this I feel is a bargain for £9 (even with the none operable meter), I will shoot it as I have with other none meter working Rolleis I a have used in the past. I wish I was 'clever'enough to try and fix the meter
 
i still miss my 35LED - the shutter broke.
that camera taught me quite something about simplicity and effectivity.
 
The shutter speed dial is stiff. Many Rollei 35 cameras seem to have dings in the top plate, often on a corner.

The Triotar is a decent lens, although a Tessar is better, I think.

All of the speeds generally work on these models, because they don't have slow speeds.

The camera isn't a great camera when it comes to its mechanicals. I think it uses too many plastic parts.

However, for that price, it's a good deal. Just run a test roll through the camera. Make sure the negatives show even frame spacing and that the shutter fires correctly every time.

With this model, don't treat it harshly. Because of the plastic parts, it won't stand up to hard use.
 
ZeissFan said:
The shutter speed dial is stiff. Many Rollei 35 cameras seem to have dings in the top plate, often on a corner.

The Triotar is a decent lens, although a Tessar is better, I think.

All of the speeds generally work on these models, because they don't have slow speeds.

The camera isn't a great camera when it comes to its mechanicals. I think it uses too many plastic parts.

However, for that price, it's a good deal. Just run a test roll through the camera. Make sure the negatives show even frame spacing and that the shutter fires correctly every time.

With this model, don't treat it harshly. Because of the plastic parts, it won't stand up to hard use.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, the shutter dial is now fine and I will put a test roll through next week, I have used a 35B in the past an I kind of like the tritar lens:)
 
After reading all the posts I must say I probably would not have done it. OTOH
look what resulted! A great little calera in great nick.
 
the 35LED is very similar to your 35B, the main difference being a battery driven CdS meter with coloured LEDs to indicate over/under/correct exposure. it uses unobtainable quicksilver batteries.
i'm (not!!!!) looking out for the 35C, but that one is rare.
 
The PX27 cell was a mercury cell and was 5.6 volts. The replacement is a 6-volt battery, which might be close enough for this camera.

The one that you'll typically find (and the one that I've used) is the Excell PX27 - a silver oxide battery.

You might get away with using four S76 batteries, which is what I've done with a Minox.

It's possible that the Excell is simply four cased S76 batteries. I've never taken one apart.
 
The ding in the top is most likely from the zipper in the original Rollei case. If you put the case on upside down so the embossed Rollei name is facing the back of the camera, the zipper will rest against the rewind knob on the bottom (when zipped closed) instead of the top plate. Both of my Rolleis have this ding.
 
Unfortunately, it's rather uncommon to find a Rollei that doesn't have some type of ding. Love the little cameras, although not everyone can adapt to them.
 
leica M2 fan said:
After reading all the posts I must say I probably would not have done it. OTOH
look what resulted! A great little calera in great nick.
Click to expand...

many thanks for the reply, as I only paid £9, its a camera that I intend to always have at the bottom of my fishing bag, sunny 16 rule , alwaysthere to use
 
sebastel said:
the 35LED is very similar to your 35B, the main difference being a battery driven CdS meter with coloured LEDs to indicate over/under/correct exposure. it uses unobtainable quicksilver batteries.
i'm (not!!!!) looking out for the 35C, but that one is rare.
Click to expand...


funny enough only seen one 35c in real life at a camera fair many years ago
 
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131808

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131808

Great buy!
The Rollei 35's are subject to dings!
i wish it were the pouch..:bang:
The fact that the back is attached to strap, has resulted,
in mine having a smaller size, grips for my fingers..
Mine has no need for battery. The meter dead ages ago.
These modifications done by freefall and impact.
No slow speeds.. Yes i could have it serviced but won't.
i am to use it today with Fuji 400 color. A cheap version.
They, the Rollei 35 are great lil cameras.
Just darn hard to use easily.
 
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