OT: Scale focusing tricks and using another classic... Rollei 35

Hi all,

 

I've recently gotten my old (first camera) Rollei 35 LED in working

order again and I was wondering if anyone on these minoxography

threads also has experience with the 35s? I was probably 12 when I

last used the camera and it was mostly used in "street shooter mode"

from my recollection (bright sunlight, f8). I plan on using it (or

my recently acquired 35 SE) as the primary camera for my lightweight

hiking epics on the AT and alpine-style ascents in the Rockies. I

want to know if anyone has any "quick tricks" for accurate

estimation of distances if you are using the full aperture of the

Sonnar lens.

 

Admittedly, apart from the mechanical aspect of the LED I'm not

overly impressed with the materials used on the camera. The lens

ring shutter speed selector was always sticky and there are fit-and-

finish inconsistencies with the ISO selector ring (doesn't seat even

on the top plate) and the tolerances between the Triotar lens barrel

and the sleeve it retracts into (wriggles around quite alot)... but

it was the first camera I started out with and as such merits a

place of nostalgia in my heart.

 

There's just something about using these photographic anachronisms

that can't be equalled by megapixel counts.

 

John.

John, many Minoxers use Rollei 35, I sometimes use Rollei 35 or

Rollei 35S.<p>

 

For accurate estimation of distance without rangefinder, see

 

<a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=003HEV">How to make a paper rangefinder </a>

Martin,

 

Thanks for the tip. This is really pushing the concept of "multi-use" items in my ultra-light hiking kit. Now I can really justify carrying a III (with the calibrated eye rangefinder on its base).

On the note of the Rollei 35 what is the minimum distance you feel comfortable using maximum aperture AND getting adequate DOF with your rangefinder method? I think at 2.8 and a distance of 4-5 feet you can "comfortably" be off by 0.1 m and still get good results in terms of subject sharpness?

 

John.

John, it is in the ball park, however I seldom use f2.8 on the Rolleis, as the sharpest point of Rollei lens is about f5.6 on the

35S.

John, I would agree that f/5.6 and smaller apertures were best choices for the Rollei. I sold mine after shooting literally thousands of slides. I bought into Minox 35 after that point and found the Minox better for me and my shooting style - plus much quieter, smaller, lighter, automatic etc.

I've seen the light falloff of the Sonnar design @ f2.8 but it would definitely be nice to get subject isolation from the lens so I plan on becoming proficient at scale focusing for at least the f4.0 aperture. I think that the performance of the lens at f4.0 is nearing its optimum (particularily for the Sonnar) and you've wasting your $$$$ if you don't exploit that feature.

I have no experience with the Rollei 35 (regular production series) but I find that the "cheapened cameras" like the 35 LED are exactly that... cheap. The prontar shutter on the LED has always been very loud (compared to the cloth shutter on my M3) and fit and finish of this model leaves a lot to be desired (from my experience). I hope this isn't the case with the 35 SE that I'm purchasing... to tell you the truth if it HADN'T been my first camera I wouldn't be expressing that much interest in it. Ahhh, the power of nostalgia.

 

John.

Amen!

Rollei 35 has a glorious history. The Ur-Rollei 35 of 1964 is credited by photography historians as the camera which started the

whole trend of compact 35mm camera, and its designer, Heinz Waaske as

the father of compact camera. <p>

Rollei 35 which first appeared in 1966, was the smallest full frame

35mm camera of its time<p>

Rollei 35 made from 1966-1974, including model T, S and other models. <p>

Rollei 35 series was very sucessful, more than 2,5 million cameras

sold, and was a gold mine for Rollei<p>

Heinz Waaske later also designed the famous Rollei E110/A110, Rollei

A26 and Rolleimatic<p>

In 1978 Heinz Waaske worked for Minox GmbH, designed several innovative cameras, including a MF rangefinder with interchangeable lenses. Unfortunately, these cameras never went into production.

Before joining Rollei, H.W worked for Wirgin where he designed

Edixa Reflex, Edixamat reflex, Edixa REX TTL, Edixa motoric, Edixa

Electronic, Edixa Stereo and Edixa 16 series of subminiature camera;

the later had a code name of KS typ 2, apparently H.W had a type 1

kleinsbild camera in mind, that could very well be a Minox style

subminature camera<p>

I own Rollei 35, Rollei 35s, Rollei A26, Rollei E110, Edixa 16,

Edixa 16M and Edixa 16MB<p>

I have a Rollei 35T everyday in my backpack, there is no question about taking or not a camera to anywhere I go.

Is there a serial number table to know what year my camera was assembled? I have a similar table for my Minoxes.