Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Film Cameras
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I currently own 3 Rollei 35 cameras of various models. Very high quality; great lens quality, particularly for the 35S & 35SE models with Sonnar lens. Not a point & shoot camera, because with no automation it is slow to use; focus is set by guessing the distance. The Negative: the light meter battery. 35SE & 35TE models can use a modern 6 volt silver oxide, even a lithium; at any battery store. All other models with battery powered meter originally used a mercury cell, no longer available. Today, for infrequent use, an "air cell" [Wein]; must replace every 6 months & they are expensive. For frequent use, spend to have the meter modified to use 1.5 volt silver oxide {76), installed with a battery adapter off ebay. [$50 - $100 with a full clean, lube & adjust as well.] This replaces the 625 mercury cell specified. Or, use a seperate, working meter [not so cool]. Summary: once past the battery issue, this is a slow operating camera, to be used by a methodical, thinking person. If you qualify, it will return stunning photo quality and travel anywhere in a pocket. [Take that TSA.] 2nd Conditional Negative: if you shoot lots of flash pictures, buy something else. The flash hot shoe mounts to the botom the camera. [No place else to fit it.] Either you accept people pictures with a shadow on top of the nose, or you use the camera upside down. [Both ideas suck.] Cheaper but nce options: Petri Color 35; Ricoh 500g [both of same vintige, with same battery issue.Read full review
If you are an old fart or old fashioned person that shoots film, you know the value of a fine Zeiss Tessar or Sonnar lens, plus the Rollei name. This is basically pretty good stuff, although condition is important because these are 35-45 years old at this point. There are a few problems that tend to crop up from neglect and non-use, and they are tough to fix. Slow shutter speeds and non-working light meters are common. It can be difficult to find someone who will do a clean/lube/adjust these. It's even more difficult to find someone who knows how to fix a broken ground wire caused by a leaky battery. An additional problem is that the new batteries sold for these are different voltage from the original mercury batteries which have been discontinued. So exposures likely will be off... These cameras were developed for outdoors use, being quite small and fairly light. The first time I heard of this camera was at a slide show about a Mt Everest climb, back in 1979 or so. The photos were incredible, and at the end the climber pulled the Rollei 35 out of his pocket and said "this is what I used". I've been hooked ever since, although as more time goes on it gets harder to find one in acceptable condition. Oh and then you get to deal with the quirking design and zone focus. Good luck.Read full review
The first thing most people do when taking a picture is put the camera to their eye. With this model, you take care of all the settings first,then you frame your subject last. A little counter intuitive. Many of the functions are not where they are on other cameras. This is necessary because of it small size. The camera is also extremely well made (all metal) and perhaps a little over engineered. A case in point would be how the wrist strap is attached to the body of the camera. All in all, I'm glade I got this camera.
If you are willing to work for a great picture, it is worth the time and effort. This is a retro camera. It only focuses in approximation-no raingefinder here. The images I took with this camera wiere crisp and clear. You have to work to get an image and you may shoot a rollto get one shot. It is worth it. File developing is problematic and mail order is the way to go.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Rollei 35 S Silver Limited Edition Sonnar 2,8/40mm Of this beautiful and rare Rollei 35 S Limited Edition, only 3000 were made with the distinctive Oak Leaves Wrath (USA only), and 5000 without the oak leaves.. The camera has silver leatherette instead of black, and the body metal parts are silver colored. The lens is a Sonnar 2,8 40mm with HFT coating, made by Rollei. The Rollei 35 S Silver were made in Singapore from October 1978 until July 1979. There was no obvious reason for the release of this special model, though some suspect it marked the celebration of a production output of 1,5 million Rollei 35 cameras.