Author Topic: New toy - Rollei B35 (Read 19820 times)

Suzi Livingstone · « **on:** July 02, 2012, 10:38:07 AM »

I fancied taking some 35mm shots again but didn;t fancy returning to lugging a big old SLR around so I bought one of these little cuties - I actually wanted a Rollei 35 classic until I saw the price tag (eeekkk).. anyone else got one of these? Any pro's, cons?

Windy · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2012, 10:47:05 AM »

I've owned one of these since the early 80's, my first real camera and it's still going strong. It's my 'take everywhere' camera.

a B35 flickr set

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2012, 10:51:28 AM »

Quote from: Mr Windy! on July 02, 2012, 10:47:05 AM

I've owned one of these since the early 80's and it's still going strong. It's my 'take everywhere' camera.

a B35 flickr set

Thanks Windy, some great shots there, can;t wait to try it out. That's what I want too, a little cam I can just pop in my pocket and take everywhere. I love your 35T too. Sweeeet.

Windy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2012, 02:48:02 PM »

The 35T was my dad's. Passed on to me and I passed it on to my eldest son. He was looking for a small film camera and I couldn't bear to part with the B35 as it was my first camera so he got the better deal.

Photo_Utopia · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2012, 04:04:33 PM »

I had one that I only recently sold, its a quirky camera capable of excellent results. Here is mine:
http://photo-utopia.blogspot.co.uk/2007/10/rollei-35.html

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2012, 04:20:51 PM »

Quote from: Photo_Utopia on July 02, 2012, 04:04:33 PM

I had one that I only recently sold, its a quirky camera capable of excellent results. Here is mine:
http://photo-utopia.blogspot.co.uk/2007/10/rollei-35.html

DROOL

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2012, 06:39:11 PM »

I have a 35S, but I know people who love their B35 (like Mr. Windy). It's quirky but a ton of fun.

I like the top-down double-index-finger controls of the 35S. I always hold mine waist-level, figure exposure, DoF, etc., then bring it up to my eye to compose (or sometimes not

). For the 35S, the battery compartment is on the inside, which means most of the time I'm shooting sunny/16.p

I love my little Sonnar, but I'd sure like to take that Triotar for a spin.

I've thought about getting a BeLOMO Vilia just for a cheapish 40mm triplet.

My Rollei 35S set. Can't wait to see your results!

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2012, 07:59:44 PM »

Also, one of my favorite Rollei 35 blogs:

http://rollei35andpolypanf.blogspot.com/

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2012, 09:12:45 AM »

Quote from: Jack Johnson on July 02, 2012, 06:39:11 PM

I have a 35S, but I know people who love their B35 (like Mr. Windy). It's quirky but a ton of fun.

I like the top-down double-index-finger controls of the 35S. I always hold mine waist-level, figure exposure, DoF, etc., then bring it up to my eye to compose (or sometimes not ). For the 35S, the battery compartment is on the inside, which means most of the time I'm shooting sunny/16.p

I love my little Sonnar, but I'd sure like to take that Triotar for a spin. I've thought about getting a BeLOMO Vilia just for a cheapish 40mm triplet.

My Rollei 35S set. Can't wait to see your results!

Nice stuff Jack, can;t wait to take mine out for a spin

AJShepherd · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2012, 07:05:55 AM »

Yes, I always wanted a Rollei 35 but couldn't quite justify the cost of a 35S to myself, so I got a B35 instead.
It's a lovely little camera.

b35-014 by Antony J Shepherd, on Flickr
Really must run another roll through it soon!

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2012, 08:50:23 AM »

Sweet!

LT · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2012, 08:59:57 AM »

I had a Rollei 35 for a while. It was nice enough, and amazingly well designed and constructed. I just found it to be too small. My hands arent particularly big (my wife just laughs at them every time she sees them, they are that pathetic), but I struggled with the controls on this camera and foudn the lack of a RF bothered me somewhat - especially for wide apertures.

It is a camera design icon for sure (like many Rolleis ... 'flex TLR, SL66, 3003 etc etc), and gave super sharp images.

Even the queen has one, so you are in good company Suzi

Pic courtesy of Rolleiclub.com

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2012, 09:14:53 AM »

Quote from: Leon on July 04, 2012, 08:59:57 AM

I had a Rollei 35 for a while. It was nice enough, and amazingly well designed and constructed. I just found it to be too small. My hands arent particularly big (my wife just laughs at them every time she sees them, they are that pathetic), but I struggled with the controls on this camera and foudn the lack of a RF bothered me somewhat - especially for wide apertures.

It is a camera design icon for sure (like many Rolleis ... 'flex TLR, SL66, 3003 etc etc), and gave super sharp images.

Even the queen has one, so you are in good company Suzi

Pic courtesy of Rolleiclub.com

Her Madge appears to have the pricier one, bah. I'm looking forward to being able to just pop it in my coat pocket every day and not worry about lugging a camera bag about. I want to start taking more spontaneous shots again but cheaply and not on my blinking Android phone, so this seems ideal

sapata · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2012, 12:23:19 AM »

Beautiful camera Suzi... I had one on my wishlist at some point but had to drop it.

LT · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2012, 07:35:23 AM »

Quote from: Suzi Livingstone on July 04, 2012, 09:14:53 AM

Her Madge appears to have the pricier one, bah.

it's worse than that Suzi - it is the Gold Plated ltd edition version (as it would be):

Image courtesy of Rolleiclub.org

LT · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2012, 07:39:43 AM »

I exchanged mine and got one of these. Still made by Rollei, albeit under the Voigtlander marque and was before the Cosina group bought the Voigtlander name. It was not a huge amount larger than the 35, but had RF focusing and Aperture priority. Much easier to use.

Image courtesy of 35mm-compact.com

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #16 on:** July 05, 2012, 07:50:33 AM »

Quote from: Leon on July 05, 2012, 07:39:43 AM

I exchanged mine and got one of these. Still made by Rollei, albeit under the Voigtlander marque and was before the Cosina group bought the Voigtlander name. It was not a huge amount larger than the 35, but had RF focusing and Aperture priority. Much easier to use.

You know, I went hunting for one of those after you mentioned it in the "pocketable rangefinder" thread a while back, and they aren't easy to come by stateside. Seems like a fun camera, though.

Photo_Utopia · « **Reply #17 on:** July 05, 2012, 08:33:47 AM »

Having owned a Rollei 35 if I had to go the small 35mm route again it would be with this:
http://www.cameraquest.com/petri35.htm

©Photo from Cameraquest
The Petri 35 may be easier to find in certain parts of the world.

Mark Antony

Chi Bellami · « **Reply #18 on:** July 07, 2012, 09:37:02 AM »

Hi, I recently purchased a B35 from a local charity shop and I was very impressed with it's construction, quality and ease of use. Settings are obviously totally manual so no battery required but the built-in selenium exposure meter comes in handy. Because it's manual it makes you think about the best aperture and shutter speed compination for a given subject. I love the way that the lens collapses into the body to make it even more pocketable. I have a number of other compact 35mm cameras (Olympus XA, Chinon Bellami, Canon MC and Voigtlander VF101) but the B35 is definitely one of my favourites. Be aware that although its a lovely camera, the Voigtlander VF101 is significantly heavier and bulkier than the B35.

Rollei B35 with Metz Mecablitz 171 Flash by Chi Bellami, on Flickr

Francois · « **Reply #19 on:** July 07, 2012, 05:02:22 PM »

I think you struck a good deal there.

And Welcome Peter

fox · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2012, 04:34:15 PM »

Great little camera the B35, it was my travel camera, and often my main camera for about 15 years.

That is, until I got an SE35 which is even better. As has been mentioned here, the Sonnar lens produces stunning results, better I'd say than most SLR lenses, but that's Zeiss for you. The SE's build quality is top notch, very solid and reliable

Once you get used to the fiddly nature of operation, and the scale focus, there's little to better these little beauties

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #21 on:** July 13, 2012, 05:02:24 PM »

Quote from: Leon on July 05, 2012, 07:35:23 AM

Quote from: Suzi Livingstone on July 04, 2012, 09:14:53 AM
Her Madge appears to have the pricier one, bah.

it's worse than that Suzi - it is the Gold Plated ltd edition version (as it would be):

Image courtesy of Rolleiclub.org

WANT!

Francois · « **Reply #22 on:** July 13, 2012, 08:55:48 PM »

Well... you can get metallic gold paint at the auto supply store

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #23 on:** July 14, 2012, 04:50:04 AM »

Quote from: fox on July 12, 2012, 04:34:15 PM

That is, until I got an SE35 which is even better.

I knew the battery compartment was on the outside, but I didn't realize it used a CdS cell and a modern battery. Now I'm jealous!

Quote from: Francois on July 13, 2012, 08:55:48 PM

Well... you can get metallic gold paint at the auto supply store

Hello. Metallic gold Sharpie!

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #24 on:** July 29, 2012, 04:41:49 PM »

Idly thinking about printing out a Human Rangefinder Card and taping it to the back of my Rollei.

Or, I could get the coolest thumb tattoo ever!

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #25 on:** July 29, 2012, 10:07:40 PM »

Quote from: Jack Johnson on July 29, 2012, 04:41:49 PM

Idly thinking about printing out a Human Rangefinder Card and taping it to the back of my Rollei.

Or, I could get the coolest thumb tattoo ever!

That IS neat.

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #26 on:** October 29, 2012, 12:49:56 AM »

Hey Suzi! Show us your shots!

No pressure,

-Jack

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #27 on:** October 29, 2012, 10:25:57 AM »

Quote from: Jack Johnson on October 29, 2012, 12:49:56 AM

Hey Suzi! Show us your shots!

No pressure,

-Jack

I wish I could. I got halfway through a roll of HP5 and something in the camera has jammed! I can't get the damn thing to work now, and after trying everything bar removing the film I am flummoxed by the thing.. and its now sat on my bookshelf until I think what to do with it next. I now have a new toy to play with- a Hasselblad 500cm - so I'd kind of forgotten about the B35!

Late Developer · « **Reply #28 on:** October 30, 2012, 12:46:52 PM »

Hi Suzi.

I have the name and address of a chap who spent 40 years working on Rolleis. He CLA'd my Rolleiflex 3.5t (did a really good job) and he's a big fan of the Rollei 35.

I think he's only working part time now but, if you want the details, please PM me. He's based in Bishops Stortford.

Paul.

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #29 on:** October 30, 2012, 01:24:58 PM »

Quote from: Late Developer on October 30, 2012, 12:46:52 PM

Hi Suzi.

I have the name and address of a chap who spent 40 years working on Rolleis. He CLA'd my Rolleiflex 3.5t (did a really good job) and he's a big fan of the Rollei 35.

I think he's only working part time now but, if you want the details, please PM me. He's based in Bishops Stortford.

Paul.

Thanks Paul, I will pm you. I was going to give it to a friend to take to his camera repair man next time he goes but the more the merrier

KevinAllan · « **Reply #30 on:** October 31, 2012, 06:41:20 PM »

I had a Rollei 35LED for a short while then sold it. I had wanted a model from this line for a while, but didn't really get on with it. I purchased a battery in the hope of getting the meter working, but the meter wouldn't play ball. So, combined with the quirkiness, the fact that I would need to carry a meter as big as the camera made me decide to sell it.

Late Developer · « **Reply #31 on:** November 01, 2012, 07:20:34 PM »

Quote from: Suzi Livingstone on October 30, 2012, 01:24:58 PM

Quote from: Late Developer on October 30, 2012, 12:46:52 PM
Hi Suzi.

I have the name and address of a chap who spent 40 years working on Rolleis. He CLA'd my Rolleiflex 3.5t (did a really good job) and he's a big fan of the Rollei 35.

I think he's only working part time now but, if you want the details, please PM me. He's based in Bishops Stortford.

Paul.
Thanks Paul, I will pm you. I was going to give it to a friend to take to his camera repair man next time he goes but the more the merrier

Hi Suzi,

The chap whose name I sent you is a true specialist. He also bought all the remaining Rollei parts when the company he worked for shut and if anyone can repair a Rollei in the UK, it's going to be him. Hope you get on okay with it as it looks a beautiful little gem of a camera.

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #32 on:** November 02, 2012, 08:49:21 AM »

Quote from: Late Developer on November 01, 2012, 07:20:34 PM

Quote from: Suzi Livingstone on October 30, 2012, 01:24:58 PM
Quote from: Late Developer on October 30, 2012, 12:46:52 PM
Hi Suzi.

I have the name and address of a chap who spent 40 years working on Rolleis. He CLA'd my Rolleiflex 3.5t (did a really good job) and he's a big fan of the Rollei 35.

I think he's only working part time now but, if you want the details, please PM me. He's based in Bishops Stortford.

Paul.
Thanks Paul, I will pm you. I was going to give it to a friend to take to his camera repair man next time he goes but the more the merrier

Hi Suzi,

The chap whose name I sent you is a true specialist. He also bought all the remaining Rollei parts when the company he worked for shut and if anyone can repair a Rollei in the UK, it's going to be him. Hope you get on okay with it as it looks a beautiful little gem of a camera.

It is an adorable little thing, and such a handy size, so I will definitely get in touch with him.. thanks again