Rollei 35's

[Keith]

About a year ago I spotted this on eBay from a seller who obviously wasn't used to dealing in cameras and mentioned that he suspected the camera was broken because it wouldn't wind on ... and he couldn't seem to get the lens to come out! I took a chance and won the camera for $60.00 (yes sixty) and I'm sure that all you fans of this quirky little device know exactly what the problem was ........... yes nothing!

He just didn't know how to release the lens. It is absolutely perfect and came with the original case and strap!

[richard_l]

I have a silver Rollei 35 (original Tessar model) and a black 35 S. One or the other of these is with me almost all the time. Even when I also carry one of my Leicas, a Rollei generally gets the most use, since 40mm is the ideal focal length for me, and I like both the Tessar and the Sonnar better than the Summicron-C or M-Rokkor.

Richard

[richard_l]

Originally Posted by Steve Bellayr

I've just ordered the MR-9 and 386 batteries for my 35. Discussions around net state that is the best way to go.

Definitely the way to go. That combo works perfectly in both of my Rolleis.

Richard

[rogue_designer]

Peter - I have bought mercury battery adapters from www.criscam.com in the past - been very happy with the quality. They are a touch pricey at about $30 US per adapter, but you only need one per camera (less if you move it around depending on how many cams share the same battery type) and they use easy to find, inexpensive silver batteries.

the V27px is the one to replace the PX27 your SE uses. I'm planning on buying one for the TE I purchased from Frank.

Hope that helps. Better in my mind than some of the options.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by physiognomy

Steve, could you point me towards some more info... I have not thought too much about what I will do when my 35SE battery dies.

Peter

[physiognomy]

Originally Posted by rogue_designer

Peter - I have bought mercury battery adapters from www.criscam.com in the past - been very happy with the quality.... The V27px is the one to replace the PX27 your SE uses. I'm planning on buying one for the TE I purchased from Frank.

Thanks for the tip! I really appreciate it... Eventually I will need to get something sorted for my QL GIII etc, so I might as well order a MR-9 adapter as well. Are these adapters a candidate for the most expensive camera accessory by weight?

Peter

[Trius]

Frank: I am shocked and saddened by your incorrect use of the apostrophe in the title of this thread.

[rogue_designer]

Originally Posted by Trius

Frank: I am shocked and saddened by your incorrect use of the apostrophe in the title of this thread.

This from somebody with three exclamation points in their sig?

[FrankS]

Originally Posted by Trius

Frank: I am shocked and saddened by your incorrect use of the apostrophe in the title of this thread.

Once you master the rules Earl, you are free to break them. It just looks better to me this way.

[scottgee1]

For real fun, take an R35 out in public, put it on top of a stout tripod/head and make some shots. They're smaller than most heads!

The good news is that the Sonnar and Tessar lenses justify careful use. Haven't used any of the three element variants.

Consider too an auxiliary rangefinder for situations where you have the time and inclination to set precise focus.

Weird, wonderful cameras!

my two lux worth/ScottGee1

[micromontenegro]

For a tenfold increase in the wierdness factor, look for the hidden flash synch connector!

[physiognomy]

Here's the link Daniel mentioned... (click). I did a google search for Rollei 35 & slow speeds, & you get a few interesting pnet threads, but not this one.

Thanks for reminding me about this info Daniel!

Peter

[rogue_designer]

Thanks for the link Peter (and Daniel) - don't know how brave I am, I tend to use these cams mostly in bright daylight, so maybe the slow speeds won't be as critical for a bit, and I'll get a pro to work on it.

We'll see.

[Trius]

Originally Posted by rogue_designer

This from somebody with three exclamation points in their sig?

When the Leafs are involved, the rules do not apply. That is serious business, OK Bub? Or would you like to experience boarding, charging and high sticking all in one hit?

[rogue_designer]

Originally Posted by Trius

When the Leafs are involved, the rules do not apply. That is serious business, OK Bub? Or would you like to experience boarding, charging and high sticking all in one hit?

That's a good point, fairly made. Especially given the current state of my beloved Blackhawks. Exclaim away my friend. Exclaim away.

[physiognomy]

Originally Posted by Trius

... Or would you like to experience boarding, charging and high sticking all in one hit?

I thought we were talking about the lilliputian Rollei 35.... Man, the topic of sports comes into play & the macho bravado just oozes out from nowhere Lucky those guys on skates wear pads & carry big sticks or they might get into real trouble!

Peter

[tajart]

some have called it the mercedes of small cameras.

[PhotoMat]

For those of you suffering from insomnia, here is a link to an in depth article on the mercury battery options and solutions -- it's probably more than anyone wants to know about replacements for mercury cells and is sure to induce some serious head-nodding. Of interest, however, is the detailing of some of the shortcomings of other adapters currently on the market, the MR9 being among them.

I purchased two adapters from Frans de Gruijter for roughly the price of one MR9 unit. I've used these adapters in various cameras, including my Rollei 35S, without any problems. For the do-it-yourself types, you can purchase a kit for even less money.

Happy reading!

http://www.stutterheim.nl/rollei/dow...t-adapt-US.pdf

[shutterfiend]

Just received my 35S last night!!! The light-meter doesn't work. To my shock and horror I found a battery in the compartment. Did the vinegar thing but it didn't help. I think I'll send it out.

Mine uses a 625 battery though. Is there another model that uses mercury batteries?

[scottgee1]

Originally Posted by shutterfiend

Just received my 35S last night!!!

Cool!

Originally Posted by shutterfiend

The light-meter doesn't work. To my shock and horror I found a battery in the compartment. Did the vinegar thing but it didn't help. I think I'll send it out.

Why do you need a battery? Does the shutter work? Aperture setting? Do you have another meter? If so, I'd suggest you venture forth with it and shoot a test roll, i.e., run through all the shutter speeds, check focus accuracy, etc.

If it works otherwise, you can decide if you want to have it fixed or use a hand meter. If it doesn't, it saves second trip to the repair shop.

Remind me, did it come with any kind of guarantee/warranty?

Originally Posted by shutterfiend

Mine uses a 625 battery though. Is there another model that uses mercury batteries?

35, 35T, 35S, 35 Classic. May be others; someone?

Keep us in the loop and have fun!/ScottGee1

[FrankS]

The models with the meter needle on the top deck use mercury PX625 1.3v batteries, the later SE and TE models with meter led's in the viewfinder use a larger 5.6v mercury battery.

It is very common for cameras that used mercury batteries for the wire from the battery chamber to be corroded off. If you are handy, you may be able to fix this yourself.

[shutterfiend]

Sounds good Scottgee1! I'll shoot a couple of test rolls. I do have a drem instoscope!!! I'm getting better with it all the time.
FrankS, I don't think I'm up to opening it up by myself... yet. I didn't waste any time with the $20 Ricoh 35. But this one is over 6 times that much. I think I'll run a few rolls through it first. So it doesn't feel like a total waste when I mess it up.

[aflexer]

I've bought a Rollei 35, Tessar 3.5 a few month ago. It cost only 54 Euros on Ebay. OK, the battery contact was quite badly corroded but could be cleaned. It is my main camera now and I've used only Kodak BW400CN so far.

Although I normally live in Vienna, I am in Japan right now. My little Rollei did turn some heads around here!

Here is a portrait of my grand parents. I like the fact that grandpa is in focus but grandma not!

time 1/30, f 3.5, BW400CN, scanned from negative.

Best, Arthur

[jmilkins]

Originally Posted by rogue_designer

This from somebody with three exclamation points in their sig?

Isn't this that "rule of thirds" thing?

great battery link thanks!

My 35SE came from a trade here - very happy with the little cam -oozes quality and style. It has mysterious wear on the advance lever....but the rest is A+ condition.

[cameramanic]

I bought a 35 T a few weeks ago, Excelent condition. got three filters and a soft case with it. Ebay price in Uk is normally about £100, I paid £40 to a private seller
I am very pleased with it.

[Jeremy Z]

I had one, a 35S like yours. Mine was Singapore (were all the S's Singapore-made?)

I paid too much for it. Mine had a dent on one upper corner and some idiot had painted over where the paint had been worn through.

Anyhow, I sold it in a moment of insanity. I think this time, I'll go for a 3.5 model of some sort.

One problem I had with them is that I'm not that great at guessing distances, so I missed any kind of action with it.

Also, I probably don't have to tell you this, but if you take flash pictures with it, turn it upside down, lest you get nasty shadows.

My grandpa had a German B35, with the Zeiss Triotar; he said it made the most contrasty images of any of his cameras of the day. He traded it in on an EOS 850 outfit in the late 80s, the bugger. It had a chip in the lens that didn't seem to effect images.