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Rollei 35 or Minox GTE ?


daryl__

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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">

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  • 2 months later...

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.

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 4 months later...

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!

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  • 1 year later...

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...

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  • 3 months later...

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!!

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  • 1 year later...
  • 6 months later...
  • 6 years later...
<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>
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  • 3 months later...
<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>00UqEi-183581784.jpg.9505444a87df6d0f2f860ee31a03c3a4.jpg</div>
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