daryl__ Posted February 24, 1999 Share Posted February 24, 1999 I am looking for a used manual pocket camera, I have Rollei 35 and Minox GTE in mind,what is the pro and con for each of this camera ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted February 24, 1999 Share Posted February 24, 1999 Daryl, both Rollei 35 and Minox 35 are fine cameras. I like them both. Each has its own strong points, both Rollei 35 series and Minox 35 series have great number of fans-- there are about 2 million Rollei 35 series cameras made, and about the same number for Minox 35mm. However new Rollei is quite expensive. Minox GT-E/GT-S is more affordable. Minox GT-E is lighter, has self timer and longer shutter speed up to 8 sec, and has 2x exposure compensation; Rollei 35 has no self timer, slowest shutter speed is 1/2 sec. Operational wise, you need to match the exposure needle of Rollei, one GTE, he exposure is automatic. But on the other hand, Rollei allow separate control of shutter dial and aperture dial. GT-E lens is multicoated, produces better color; but Rollei Classic has also a multicoated lens (expensive ) You really have to handle them yourself, and see which one you like best. Of course, it is best to buy them both :) <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5807459-md.jpg"><P><P> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5786350-md.jpg"> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted April 29, 1999 Share Posted April 29, 1999 Yes, the Rollei 35 lens must be pull out then twist clockwise to lock. When one retract the lens, one must first press down a button to unlock, then twist counter clockwise and push it back to collapse. The Rollei weights about 380g vs 200 g of Minox 35 camera. <P> Minox belongs to Leica, Rollei belongs to Samsung of south Korea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmanuel__2 Posted May 28, 1999 Share Posted May 28, 1999 Daryl, Forget about the Rollei, even if it's a fine little camera, it's not as convenient as a 35 Minox. Lenses are not as good, it's heavier, forget about it... <p> Emmanuel http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jean.jean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_coan Posted October 2, 1999 Share Posted October 2, 1999 I have to disagree with the contributor who said the lenses on a Rollei 35 were not as good as a Minox. I have both a Minox GT-E and a Rollei 35S. The Minox has a great lens. The Rollei does also. The lens on the Rollei 35S is a Carl Zeiss designed, manufactured by Rollei, HFT Sonnar optic. It is outstanding, even wide open. I also like the match needle metering on the Rollei. You hold at chest level and have all vital controls: distance scale on lens, aperture, and shutter speed all there to set. Then, put the viewfinder to your eye and take the shot. I agree that the Rollei is not as fast to get into action due to the necessity of pulling out the lens. It is also quite a bit heavier than the Minox. The the hot shoe on a Rollei 35 (pre 35 SE) is on the bottom, necessitating turning the camera upside down to get the light right. In summary, I have and enjoy both cameras. Both are modern classics of fine design and precision manufacturing. USED 35S cameras are selling for over $300 on eBay these days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean_noc_l__ Posted November 6, 2000 Share Posted November 6, 2000 I agree entirely with the preceding answers. <p> I have the 2 personally, but I did not made myself yet of opinion concerning the difference in quality between optics (Rollei 35 T has been just bought). <p> Some notes: <p> Minox: the weight, the size, the case out of leather really essential (one can hang it around the neck), very great softness and flexibility of the release, long exposure times, retarder, protection of the objective... <p> Against: to carry out a spot measurement in simple manner is unpleasing (I measure, I compare, I remove the case, I change sensitivity ASA...) if not impossible. <p> Rollei 35: it is really very manual : I can choose my speed (what I can do only indirectly on Minox, and in a random way since the needle moves freely). Rollei is really a splendid object, entirely metal. <p> Against: no possibility of carrying it around the neck (just a dragonne of wrist), slowness to make a photograph : to leave the objective, to regulate, etc... But especially: brittleness and great age of the apparatuses of occasion : be careful with the problems of exposure meter ! I think it is necessary to find one in perfect state, or to abstain from it, because when that starts to get wrong, that really gets wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xavier_dalfort Posted February 10, 2001 Share Posted February 10, 2001 All have been said before, I guess. <p> Anyhow, I have recently invested in a Rollei and was not too pleased with the metring system (although the model is a 35TE). The Minox GTE has a better light eveluation (especially in low light condition). Plus the fact that Minox is a 35mm and Rollei a 40mm. Funnily it makes a difference when composing a picture. <p> But both camera are pleasant to use, the Minox is a bit quicker for "street" pictures. Just my 0.02 Euros here!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted February 10, 2001 Share Posted February 10, 2001 One note about Rollei <p> Rollei has become again a German company, after a group of Rollei employees bought back controlling shares from Samsung of Korea. Samsung still holds certain amount of shares in Rollei. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
name_unknown105 Posted March 17, 2002 Share Posted March 17, 2002 I have both cameras (plus a few more!).For razor sharp and luminescentblack and white photos, use the R35 (40mm/3.5). For colour and light-weight, the Minox. The Tessar beats the Minox! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 I recently acquired a Minox 35S, with Sonnar lens, it much better thanmy other Minox 35 with Tessar lens. Tessar is ok if stop down. <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5807451-md.jpg"> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joonas_hyt_nen Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 I`m from Finland, and I went to buy a Minox yesterday, and I was told by the clerk that GT-E`s manufacturing has been ceased, because somekind of component shortage. So that`s no minox for me :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kivis Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 <p>Both of these units rock for a pocket film camera.</p> kivis Cameras, lenses, and fotos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_drew4 Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 <p>Rollei 35 vs Minox EL was my change of mind, many many moons ago! The Rollei made several extended trips and produced hundreds of beautiful slides, but the Minox EL was smaller, lighter-weight, and slightly faster to use. Lens quality on either choice was/is excellent. BTW: the Minox shutter is somewhat quieter. The Rollei S lens is slightly better than the Xenar and the build quality slightly better than the "non-S". Compared to the Minox GTE, I again favor the GTE and use it still. The GTE work flow is easier for me and the quality is there. Of course, this is based on 20+ years using the Minox and my old EL still works! One "con" argument favoring the Rollei (or not) is the all-mechanical construction and the shutter is mechanical. I have not had any issues with electronic shutters with the several Minox in my collection. The Rollei 35 is an excellent choice, if you can live with the workflow . . . and both brands are still repairable if needed - mechanical shutters need servicing too.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_moore5 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>I have a Rollei 35, a Rollei 35S and a Minox GT-E and use all three regularly. The Rollei 35S probably has the sharpest lens but I probably have the Minox with me more of the time and the results from it are excellent.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_defrancesco1 Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 <p>I can't believe this post has been running for 10 years!!! Surely, Daryl, you must have bought something by now!! Like some of the other responders, I have several Rollei 35s, Minox 35s and specifically the GT-E. The Rolleis are by far the most solidly constructed with the least amount of problems. On the other hand, most of the Minox 35s that I've had have had shutter failures. Cleaning the contacts has never fixed any of the Minox shutters on my cameras. I will say that these have all been the dreaded "L" cameras, that is EL, PL, ML....I think my AL, surprisingly enough, might still be in working order. I have most recently purchased a "new" old stock first generation (circa 1993-1994) GT-E and so far I am quite pleased with it. As far as the image quality, I don't think there is any real noticeable difference between a Rollei 35 and a Minox GT-E, at least not with print film. If you like the Rollei but want something a bit lighter consider a Rollei 35B (also known as B35) or a 35 LED. There is also a 35C, but it is somewhat rare and too expensive for a user camera. These all have the cheaper, supposedly inferior quality Triotar lenses, but again the practical difference in picture quality compared to the other lenses is slim to none. If you want reliability go with a Rollei. But at the same time, the Minox has a cleaner more pocket friendly design that is hard to resist even though logic and past experience tells me to stay away from them! The bottom line is they all have their merits and their pit falls, that's why I have several of both brands. I guess that is what makes a camera collector!</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_drew4 Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 <p>WOW! That has COLOR! :-)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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