Rollei B35 or 35

<p>Hi</p>

<p>I am super new to the Rollei range but I'm quite experienced in manual photography with rangefinders, and really want to experiment with scale focusing. So my question is, should I go for the Rollei 35B or 35 as a starter? I like that the B doesn't need a battery for the meter, which I would want to use, certainly to start as I'm figuring out how to use it, but the 35 seems to have much better reviews.</p>

<p>I'm basically looking for a nice image and to learn more about this style of photography. The price differences are quite big so I'm leaning more towards the cheaper B, but would appreciate any comments from more experienced photographers.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>Dawn</p>

<p>Make sure the meter is still working -- selenium meters are not immortal. For that matter, neither are the CdS meters. I'm a big fan of the Rollei 35, proper, and actually do most of my shooting these days with it by Sunny-16 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunny_16_rule ), which works just fine with C-41 negative films anyhow.</p>

<p>Here's the B35 in action in <em>Close Encounters of the Third Kind</em></p><div></div>

<p>Ha, that's brilliant. All the more reason to buy it!</p>

<p>I'm told the B35 is in full working order but I won't know until I receive it, the fun of buying old cameras I guess :) Think I'll take the risk...</p>

<p>Just looking at the Sunny 16 rule, which I always dismissed as being too complicated, and for some reason it now makes perfect sense. This means I wouldn't need a meter so either camera would work well (is that right, or does the 35 need to to power something else?).</p>

<p>The Rollei 35 or B35 are not rangefinders as they have no rangefinder. </p>

<p>Oh, I know, I wasn't suggesting they did, I was just giving a bit of background as to my experience.</p>

<p>It scale focuses but with my 40 f2.8 at f8 set to 6-10' I have had no problems getting subjects in focus.</p>

<p>Would you say that the f2.8 lens is worth the extra money then, even though I'd probably never use anything lower than f4 with that camera, as I'd be street shooting mostly?</p>

<p>With reasonably fast modern films (not like the CE3K version in the dark) you probably don't need a fast lens version. With the shorter lenses, you have a lot of depth of field anyhow to get around the scale focus uncertainty. My Rollei 35 has the Tessar 40mm f/3.5 and it worked/s fine for me. I don't think you need a battery for anything but the exposure meter on any of them.</p>

<p>My own adventures with a Rollei 35 are recounted at<br /> http://www.photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00YZKs</p>

<p>However for street shooting, there are other cameras with slightly longer lenses, some of them actual, honest-to-god rangefinders, that you might at least look at -<br /> e.g., the Canonet cameras, including the very inexpensive Canonet 28 and its kin (e.g., http://www.photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00Zeih )<br /> <img 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" alt="" /></p>

<p>Often the wider aperture lenses are of better quality or closer manufacturing tolerances than their less wide cousins....sometimes it is because of a different lens design, or sometimes it is just because they could price it higher, that greater attention was paid to fit & finish. I can't say if that is the case here though.</p>

<p>To the orginal B35 vs. 35, both lenses are f3.5, but the B35 has a three element Triotar rather than a 4 element Tessar or Xenar like the 35. If you focus accurately you might see a difference wide open. Bigger concern, though, is the B35 shutter is B plus 1/30 through 1/500. The 35 also includes 1/2 sec through 1/15. The 35S has a five element f2.8 Sonnar lens if you want a wider aperture. I own all three.</p>

<p>Thanks Mike, that makes sense of the price differences but perhaps makes it worse because I now want to spend more and buy the better lens! Do you have a preference over the three you own?</p>

<p>JDM, I have a rangefinder (Minolta AL) which I love, I just really like the idea of scale focusing, which can be done on the Minolta but the compactness of the Rollei really appeals. I use a Fuji x100s and Canon 6D for work but I'm seriously bored with digital, so the Rollei and Minolta will be for the fun stuff :)</p>

<p>I went for the B35 in the end, I just couldn't justify the £100 price difference, and if I love it I'll just buy the better version down the line.</p>

<p>Thanks for all your advice, I'm sure I'll be back with more questions once it arrives :)</p>

<p>When I purchased the 2.8 new, then Modern Photography did chart tests on the 2.8 Sonnar & the Tessars & concluded the Sonnar had the edge. I used it mainly at events &, with the flash shoe on the base, you need to flip it over for flash pictures which made it awkward to use. But, it was not only very small & compact but tough. Rollei ran an ad based on the experience of a paratrooper who, in a practice jump, had his copy fall out of his backpack & fall to the ground undamaged.</p>

<p>Ha, that's good to know if anyone gets angsty about me taking their picture :)</p>

<p>Out of interest, what film do you use with your Rollei? I'm just using cheap Fuji Superia X-TRA 400 whilst I'm learning, but I'd like to get something better in the future.</p>

<p>I think most of the B35s were the Triotar - a decent lens. I don't think you'll have much to complain about it.</p>

<p>I found the Tessar, as with other Tessars I have, to be quite good, much more than just "good enough".</p>

<p>I never tried the Sonnar on the Rollei 35, but it's a superior lens in the Zeiss arsenal otherwise.</p>

<p>I think you made a good choice, Dawn. The "Rollei experience" isn't for everyone since the control layout is a bit different. So this is an inexpensive way to try it. I do prefer the Rollei 35S for the extra speed of its f2.8 lens, but I'm still happy with my well-used Rollei 35 (f3.5 Xenar) and my Rollei B35. The B35 is quite a bit lighter than the other two so you may have an easier time keeping up with it. I've been pleased with my B35 and the limited shutter speed range really isn't an issue for me. I generally shoot no wider than f5.6 if light permits. I'm posting a few B35 images to show you its capability. I think you will like the portability of the camera.</p><div></div>

<p>I tend to keep ISO 200 or 400 Fuji color negative film in it most of the time, but sometimes like to shoot some black and white as well. </p><div></div>

<p>Wow Mike, they are stunning! I had no idea the camera was capable of that sort of quality. Obviously it's down to how good the photographer is but it's something for me to aim for. </p>

<p>I'm using 400 film so I can shoot at f8 or f11 in drizzly London, and still have some room with the focusing. Does it make a huge difference grain-wise d'you think, shooting 400 rather than 200?</p>

<p>Another thing to consider is the weight. The 35B is so light weight that you will hardly notice it in a pocket. The regular 35 with the f3.5 Tessar and the 35S with the Sonnar are 3 or 4 ounces more and you will really feel that in a pocket. I had a 35B back in the 70's when they first came out and it was a neat little camera. </p>

<p>There isn't much difference in grain between ISO 200 and 400 color print film unless you underexpose. Underexposure generally brings out the worst in graininess for color negative film. With black & white film you'd see more of a difference depending upon film and development. I use Plus-X (ISO 125) and Tri-X (ISO 400) for most of my black & white work. I develop the film myself.<br>

Here's a shot from a roll of Fuji Superior 400 for comparison.</p><div></div>

<p>I am one of the very few original owners of the B35 - since the mid 70s when it was given to me by my parents. I used it a lot back then, have to grab it from the drawer some day again. <br>

I always wonder why they chose the Triotar lens for the B35. This lens is everything but sharp to the edges wide open. It was also used on pre-war Rolleicord models, and some photographers preferred it to other lenses for portraits since it was somewhat soft wide open. If possible, stop it down to f/5.6 and beyond. (There were better choices for f/3.5mm 40mm lenses back then, even the Novar lenses from the same manufacturer were better than the Triotar). <br>

If you choose to buy anything from the Rollei 35 series, do NOT look for an item without dings and scratches. The aluminium housing is very thin and soft, and flawless items now sell for much more than the original price (when they were sold out in the late 70s, you could get a f/2.8 Rollei 35 for less than 250DM or 125EUR/USD - brandnew!). If you do not mind some scratches you can save a lot of money. There was a later version of the B35 with a silicon cell battery driven meter and LED indicator in the viewfinder. My father used this model later but was not satisfied with the reliability of the meter system. </p>

 

<p>The later version was called the Rollei 35 LED. Same lens, shutter, and light body with battery compartment on top instead of in the film chamber like the Rollei 35 and 35S. Unlike the B35, the meter is coupled on the LED. However, even though the meter of the B35 is uncoupled I never found it inconvenient. My 35 LED, though has faired as well as my other Rollei gear. Six months ago the shutter stuck open and will not close. I would rather have had the meter pack it in instead of the shutter.<br>

All the Rollei lenses (Xenar, Tessar, Sonnar) have remarkably even illumination across the frame from one stop down from maximum and minimal at wide open. By comparison my Olympus XA still vignettes even stopped down. <br>

Dawn- be sure to check the accuracy of the meter on your B35. If it's off by one or more stops I'd return it or ask for a partial refund since it was advertised in full working order.</p>

<p>Winfried (what a great name) - I doubt I'll stop down further than f8 whilst I'm getting used to the focus, and use my Minolta for low light stuff. I had a look at the LED ones and didn't like them as much, I'd rather not have to rely on a battery if at all if possible. And I have no problems with scratches, as long as the lens is clean and everything's working, I'm good to go.</p>

<p>Mike - I will check the meter against my phone app and return it if it's not working properly. I emailed the seller to confirm it was working before buying, he checked it and said it was perfect so fingers crossed.</p>

<p>I've just been to my local vintage camera shop to pick up a case and saw the Rollei B35 in the flesh - it's tiny! Definitely the cutest camera I ever did see :)</p>

<p>Dawn, the 35B is a perfectly acceptable tool to start experimenting of whether you like the Rollei 35 design, for all of its qualities and akward solutions, or not. But "l'appetit vient en mangeant", and if you like the little beast then you ought to know that in my personal experience the Sonnar versions (35S and SE) are in a completely different class altogether. This might arguably depends on the fact that I works exclusively with slide film that is notoriously unforgiving, but I'm sure the sharp difference in quality will show with other film types as well.<br>

If you eventually decide to go down this particular road, then the 35S is probably the best choice. The SE has a better battery arragement and one that is more easily adapted to current standards (neither the battery the 35S was designed for nor the different SE size are any longer in production), and this of course reflects on prices.</p>