Jump to content

rollei cam i found in closet


Recommended Posts

Nice little camera. Yes any flash will work in the hotshoe, though you need one that will be manageable with the somewhat awkard mechanics of the camera. You can find a lot more information through the Rollei Club website - http://www.rolleiclub.com/rollei/35/rollei_35_history.htm -

as well as here - http://www.rolleicamera.com/main.htm

 

If everything works well, these cameras can take really sharp and elegant photographs - as good as anything many larger cameras can do.<div>0077Va-16208884.jpg.5bf8f2056619545eba44b1a4c88d533b.jpg</div>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Jason,

 

you found arguably the finest classic compact camera of all in your closet. The multicoated Sonnar lens is a Zeiss lens licenced to Rollei; it plays in the same league as Leica optics. Some people lament the lack of a rangefinder or any automatic functions; admittedly this is hardly the right camera for action photography, but it gives you total control about all camera functions, which may be what you want joining a photo class. You may want an external rangefinder for close distance work, but normally guessing the distance will do due to the DOF of the 40mm lens. You better avoid flash work, the hot shue on the bottmom of the camera is very cumbersome. If the camera hasn't been used for a while the mechanical shutter may need a CLA, just check if 1/2 second sounds like half a second. The camera originally takes a PX27 5,6V mercury battery not available in the US any more, but Stephen Gandy writes that it works with the modern 6V PX27 as well (no liability for this info). Check Cameraquest for further information. Have fun with it!

 

Peter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Rollei 35SE was the last of the production Rollei 35 cameras. It has an LED display in the viewfinder for metering, but it otherwise is the same camera that was in production since the 1960s. I think regular production of the Rollei 35 lasted into the early 1980s.<p>

 

By the way, I saw "regular production" because Rollei has produced a number of expensive commemorative models since that time -- a la Leica, though not nearly as prolific as Leica in this respect.<p>

 

I've bought camera batteries of different types from this place:<p>

 

<a href=http://www.camerabatteries.com/ target=_new>Camera batteries.com</a><p>

 

The lens on this camera is very sharp, although you'll want to stop down to f/4 or f/5.6 or smaller when taking closeups, especially if

you're guessing on the focus.<p>

 

The design of the camera keeps the film very flat, which probably is a factor in the sharpness of the images that you'll get.<p>

 

Using the camera requires adaptability on your part, and some people aren't able to alter their shooting style.<p>

 

When using a flash, find a smaller unit. It mounts to the bottom, and you hold the camera upside down with the flash above the lens to take your photo.<p>

 

Other quirks include the left-hand film advance, frame counter on the bottom, film-speed, shutter and aperture controls on the front, as well as the lens release (for the SE, TE and B models), hot shoe on the bottom, film rewind crank on the bottom, rewind lever on the back and battery chamber above the film cannister.<p>

 

A caution when using the camera. Don't force the film advance when you reach the end of the roll. The Rollei 35 cameras use a mix of metal and plastic/nylon gears, which can be damaged if the mechanism is forced. Like all precision gear, a lighter touch is best.<p>

 

My sample photo. I always liked this photo, because I think it's very peaceful:<p>

 

<center>

<img src=http://pages.prodigy.net/mm-elek/cameras/Waiting.jpg border=0 align=none><br><i><b>Waiting</b> -- 64k, taken on Kodak Technical Pan. Don't recall the exposure.</i></center>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a Rollei 35 with 40/3.5 Tessar lens and a Rollei 35S with

40/2.8 Zeiss Sonnar lens. both made in Singapore, both are excellent

camera<p>

Rollei 35 is a masterpiece by Heinz Waaske when he worked for

Rollei. He also designed Edixa 16, Edixamat, Rollei E110, Rollei A26

and several cameras for Minox GmbH( among them a 35mm rangefinder

camera)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The definitive book on Minox Rollei 35 is the book by

Jorg Eikmann and Ulrich Vogt: Kameras fur Millionen, Wittig Fachbuchverlag, Huckelhoven 1997.<p>

 

 

<center>

<img src="http://www.photo.net/bboard/image?bboard_upload_id=10647784"><P>

</center>

 

Plenty material photos, including the prototype Rollei 35 (Ur-Rollei 35),

Queen ER II with Rollei 35, Rollei plant in Singapore etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have Rollei 35S(black), Rollei 35(chrome), Rollei E110, Rollei A26, Edixa 16, Edixa 16M and Edixa 16MB, all Heinz Wasske design<p> <p> All of them except Rollei E110 has sharp lens and reliable mechanical shutter. My E110 is unsharp, and shutter failure prone.<p>

My favourites Heinz Waaske are black Rollei 35S and black Edixa 16MB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Photography historians have credited Rollei 35 as the single camera

which started the whole trend of compact 35mm camera. In its heydays,

several millions Rollei 35 in its various variations were sold.

It was the smallest full frame 35mm camera of its time. However,

soon afterwards, Minox came out with a sligthly smaller Minox EL.

Minox 35 in its various variations were also sold a few million units.

Rollei 35 and Minox 35 are now collector items.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...