Author Topic: Which Rollei 35? (Read 7571 times)

Urban Hafner · « **on:** July 25, 2014, 11:16:46 AM »

Great, you've done it again. Reading the Ultra-compact ultra-obsessiveness ;-) now makes me lust after a Rollei 35. I had a quick look on the web, but I must say I'm a bit confused by all the models that are out there. Are there any models to avoid? What about the batteries? Do they all run on the mercury ones or are there models that work with newer batteries? Any help would be appreciated!

hookstrapped · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2014, 11:29:20 AM »

A decent rundown but not much detail
http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/35classic/info/all_models.shtml

The Sonnar lens models, S and SE, are probably preferred.
http://www.cameraquest.com/rol35se.htm

(ignore what he sees about 40mm vs 35mm focal length -- he's so wrong :p )

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2014, 11:55:02 AM »

Thanks, I'll check out those links.

gsgary · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2014, 12:13:40 PM »

No batteries in 35B, there are some specials that go for almost £1400

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2014, 12:33:07 PM »

Thanks Gary,

and give that it's a Rollei, I guess even the B35 is "good enough"? Whatever that means.

gsgary · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2014, 12:41:35 PM »

Quote from: Urban Hafner on July 25, 2014, 12:33:07 PM

Thanks Gary,

and give that it's a Rollei, I guess even the B35 is "good enough"? Whatever that means.

You saw the jet engine that was shot with the aperture wide open at f3.5 and the one that I am sending in the card exchange is pin sharp

gsgary · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2014, 12:44:32 PM »

I only paid £40 for my 35B

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2014, 12:46:24 PM »

Thanks, someone already offered me to borrow their B35!

Late Developer · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2014, 12:47:02 PM »

I was looking at one of these a couple of months back and the guy demonstrating was at pains to ensure that I knew how to use properly as the collapsible lens will destroy the innards if pushed in whilst cocked (or uncocked, I can't remember which).

That said, the chap who services my TLR, worked for the main Rollei dealers / repairers for 30+ years amd he absolutely loves the "35". I think he mentioned he prefers the German made versions to the ones made in Singapore - but I couldn't tell the difference without the country of origin being shown on them.

gsgary · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2014, 01:02:13 PM »

Shutter has to be cocked to collapse the lens

02Pilot · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2014, 01:12:31 PM »

It's not really worth worrying too much about the lens variant, especially not for speed. The Sonnar is 2/3 of a stop faster than the others, but how often are you going to try to use that with a scale focus camera? The Sonnar, Tessar, and Triotar have different characters, but by f/5.6 or so they're all similarly sharp (maybe f/8 for the latter), and it's those middle and smaller apertures that you'll most likely be using, at least if you like your shots in focus.

I've been using hearing aid batteries in mine without problems. They seem to last pretty well. The meter's a little off (maybe a stop) but I really don't use it much anyway.

For general use, high speed film is usually a good idea in scale focus cameras, as it allows you to use smaller apertures, which in turn helps to make up for focusing errors by offering longer DOF.

mcduff · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2014, 01:36:55 PM »

Another good site for all cameras tiny is submin.com - the rollei section --http://www.submin.com/35mm/collection/rollei/index.htm -- has some buying tips.

I believe in my youth I may have had an original rollei with the tessar lens, and when I start hunting again that will initially what I will be looking for - tho like Gary had pointed out any of those lenses are awesome! If I could get a 35b for a good price like Gary's, I would snap it up. Speaking of lenses I think the collapsing mechanism is pretty solid and robust. I worry more about my Vito C's drawbridge than I did the rollei lens system. I know you can wreck it if you work at it but if I remember correctly it is pretty bullet proof. I am rough in stuff (if it is mine to abuse) and I thought this thing was a tank.

Has any one experience with the SE model? Back in the day I would have have loved a metre in the finder, tho is think now (through experience and not shooting narrow latitude chrome film) it is probably not as big if deal. I also know some of those early led displays are not great and have reliability issues. As the S and the SE seem to go for 50-100% more than a T or a regular 35.

hookstrapped · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2014, 12:17:53 AM »

The rangefinder Rollei 35

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Rollei_XF35

Just learned about this one. Sounds interesting.

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2014, 10:14:38 AM »

I have a problem with rangefinders due to my glasses anyway. So the zone focusing approach of the Rollei 35 is just fine for me. And I must admit I was quite surprised how cheap they are. Unfortunately I'm really tempted by the Sonnar, although I'm well aware of the fact that I will probably never use it wide open anyway.

gsgary · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2014, 12:46:25 PM »

Quote from: hookstrapped on July 29, 2014, 12:17:53 AM

The rangefinder Rollei 35

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Rollei_XF35

Just learned about this one. Sounds interesting.

Why did you post this

ive just bid on one

mcduff · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2014, 02:59:37 PM »

Haha. We will keep away Gary!

hookstrapped · « **Reply #16 on:** July 29, 2014, 03:37:03 PM »

I HEAR THEY'RE CRAP

gsgary · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2014, 04:17:49 PM »

Less than 2 day's to go and it's at £2.20

Hungry Mike · « **Reply #18 on:** July 29, 2014, 08:09:14 PM »

Looks like the seller of that £2.20 XF35 will only post to the UK. So its safe from McDuff and I!

thatguychad · « **Reply #19 on:** July 29, 2014, 08:52:07 PM »

Quote from: Hungry Mike on July 29, 2014, 08:09:14 PM

Looks like the seller of that £2.20 XF35 will only post to the UK. So its safe from McDuff and I!

<--- And this jerk bought the one that was BIN at $45.

Francois · « **Reply #20 on:** July 29, 2014, 09:12:43 PM »

Contact him and offer him 20 bucks more for international shipping... that might make him change his mind

gsgary · « **Reply #21 on:** July 29, 2014, 09:15:42 PM »

Quote from: hookstrapped on July 29, 2014, 03:37:03 PM

I HEAR THEY'RE CRAP

The lens is supposed to be amazing

hookstrapped · « **Reply #22 on:** July 30, 2014, 02:44:13 AM »

Quote from: gsgary on July 29, 2014, 09:15:42 PM

Quote from: hookstrapped on July 29, 2014, 03:37:03 PM
I HEAR THEY'RE CRAP

The lens is supposed to be amazing

(just trying to dissuade the poachers)

gsgary · « **Reply #23 on:** July 30, 2014, 09:32:50 AM »

Quote from: hookstrapped on July 30, 2014, 02:44:13 AM

Quote from: gsgary on July 29, 2014, 09:15:42 PM
Quote from: hookstrapped on July 29, 2014, 03:37:03 PM
I HEAR THEY'RE CRAP

The lens is supposed to be amazing

(just trying to dissuade the poachers)

They are all talk

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #24 on:** July 30, 2014, 10:23:04 PM »

So, we're all off to look at other cameras it seems.

For me it's again the 35mm folders. I owned a beautiful Kodak Retina IIc until recently. Too bad I sold that as it was in perfect shape. :/

For now I'll have to do with the Voigtländer Vito CLR from imagesfrugales. It's a bit big, but in perfect shape!

gsgary · « **Reply #25 on:** July 31, 2014, 12:54:04 PM »

Just won the Rollei xf35 for £8.50

hookstrapped · « **Reply #26 on:** August 01, 2014, 10:26:00 AM »

Quote from: gsgary on July 31, 2014, 12:54:04 PM

Just won the Rollei xf35 for £8.50

Nice!

Francois · « **Reply #27 on:** August 01, 2014, 03:31:59 PM »

Heck, I paid more than that for a FED

gsgary · « **Reply #28 on:** August 01, 2014, 11:06:35 PM »

Quote from: Francois on August 01, 2014, 03:31:59 PM

Heck, I paid more than that for a FED

And it doesn't have a Sonnar lens:

Francois · « **Reply #29 on:** August 02, 2014, 02:22:22 PM »

I know... Industar-61...

gsgary · « **Reply #30 on:** August 02, 2014, 05:55:57 PM »

Quote from: Francois on August 02, 2014, 02:22:22 PM

I know... Industar-61...

I've got 2 jupiter 8's and a jupiter12 and they take very nice pictures

Francois · « **Reply #31 on:** August 02, 2014, 09:49:07 PM »

Those are the expensive ones...
I'm sticking to el-cheapo ones for now. I just did a quick test on the Industar and it is surprisingly sharp... more than I expected.

02Pilot · « **Reply #32 on:** August 03, 2014, 09:37:54 AM »

The Industars are all Tessar variants, and most are quite sharp. I happily used the I-26M that came on my FED-2 before I jumped to the J-8 (Sonnar clone)/J-12 (Biogon clone) combo, which would still be my preference in many situations. That said, the FED wears a collapsible FED 50/3.5 (I-10) - also a Tessar - because of the portability.

gsgary · « **Reply #33 on:** August 03, 2014, 10:16:12 AM »

My friend that has loads of Leica's gave my a spare J8 and said they are a bit out on the Leica but it didn't look bad at all but they are very nice on my new Sony A7

02Pilot · « **Reply #34 on:** August 03, 2014, 12:41:09 PM »

Quote from: gsgary on August 03, 2014, 10:16:12 AM

My friend that has loads of Leica's gave my a spare J8 and said they are a bit out on the Leica but it didn't look bad at all but they are very nice on my new Sony A7

Dante Stella wrote probably the best piece out there on Soviet standard v. Leica standard lenses. The short version is that it is unlikely to matter much, if at all, and even then only wide open and close up.