Rollei 35 RF & CV 40/1.4

Huck Finn · 11-15-2004

Guess what's the cheapest body around on which to mount the new Voigtlander 40/1.4 Nokton. That's right, it's the much maligned, overpriced Rollei 35 RF - now selling at Adorama for $499!

While the R2 is becoming hard to find (Stephen Gandy at Cameraquest is out of themn), the Rollei is still around. Any reason to actually get this camera/lens combo? Same reason one might choose a lower magnification M6 or M7: it's easier for eyeglass wearers to see the 40mm lens at this magnification (0.7). Oh, yeah, & it's $100 cheaper than the R3A. Like the R2 & the M6, it's also the last of the mechanical rangefinders, now that everything else has gone electronic.

With the great depth of field of a 40mm lens, the Rollei is perfectly capable of focusing the Nokton at f/1.4 - just as the R2 can focus the 50/1.5 & the 35/1.2. There are few bodies with 40mm framelines on which to use this intriguing new lens. It's either the R3A or the Rollei 35 RF among new cameras. Or else it's a 25-year-old CL or CLE. That's it.

Doug · 11-15-2004

Hmm, if I were thinking of future collectibility, the Rollei at that price is attractive. I have in the past bought up discontinued stuff from vendors specializing in such, for that purpose. But, with cameras, I remind myself, I AM NOT a collector!!

Unfortunately, I'm a real fan of 40mm lenses; always room for one more... and I'm happy with my old CLE, plus I have a finder to use a 40 on my Bessa-T.

FrankS · 11-15-2004

Very interesting point, Huck!

Now i'm really tormented/conflicted! I don't know whether to get a user M2 or 3, wait for the Zeiss RF, or get a Rollei! What to do, oh, what to do?

Huck Finn · 11-15-2004

Frank, as much of a collector as you are, maybe you should just buy all 3!

BTW, I just noticed that you live north of Toronto. I used to be something of a canoe collector. Bought 2 of them 2 hours north of Toronto - in Muskoka Lakes. Great country up there!

FrankS · 11-15-2004

So, I come across as a collector, do I?

I don't fit my definition of a collector and I tend to think kind of negatively about collectors because my conception of them is guys playing with their cameras and not using them, and I definitely use my cameras.

If I had the money though, I might buy all three, but that is not the case so I'm wondering which one. I guess I'm still looking for that perfect camera.

back alley · 11-15-2004

I guess I'm still looking for that perfect camera.

here's a hint...it starts with p

joe

Huck Finn · 11-15-2004

Sorry, Frank, no offense intended.

I just had the impression that you have a fair amount of equipment . . . and that you use it.

Doug · 11-15-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by backalley photo
here's a hint...it starts with p

Uhhhh, "p" for Petri? Or "p" as in Canon P?

FrankS · 11-16-2004

No offence taken!

suzums · 11-28-2004

what would you recommend for someone new to RF and with limited amount of money to spend?!

I've been looking at the rollei 35t for some time now, and i love quite close to singapore. might head down there to look.

but i've recently come by the bessa r2...

so which is a better choice?

Peter · 11-28-2004

Get the R2, you will not regret it. Sometimes what you desire is very different when you actually acquired it. I have been using the R2 for 2 years and it has given me great images and not to mention reliability.