Rollei 35 S In Depth Review + Photos | The Best Compact 35mm Film Camera

[@Audrey-fu7bi]

Using Black and White Film, using a 625a 1.5v battery, (dirt cheap) I’ve seen great results. If your battery doesn’t make the light meter respond, don’t assume it’s broken. Clean the Copper tabs of any corrosion, and make sure your battery is placed in right, and the door is screwed shut well.

[@andrewinaustintx]

Excellent video - a tiny masterpiece that in capable hands can achieve outstanding photography on the go.

[@projectanalogphotography8253]

It truly is a remarkable piece of equipment. I find myself carrying this camera more than my Leica at times thanks to its small size and outstanding performance.

[@laurengoode7324]

This is a great video about this camera, fantastic example shots too. More people interested in in the Rollei 35 need to watch this!

[@ivan9066]

Great video, btw I think the minox 35 is smaller than the Olympus XA P.s. you can use a 1.5V battery just compensate the iso with about +1 stop. Eg- if you're shooting 200 film, set it as 100 or 160 iso

[@lynnemaclean7201]

Very nice review. Thank you 😊

[@williwillyyy4927]

Great review

[@mojamoja3906]

Nice Video! I love Rollei 35S.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

It is actually PRONOUNCED ROLL-EYE, great video by the way. I may grab one of these to mess around with.

[@doogster07]

Great video!

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Awesome presentation thanks. I'm loving reconnecting with old film cameras, there's an 35SE in a local opshop excellent condition for 130NZD I'm having that one Liked and subbed

[@simonflugel7938]

Adding to that, the chrome version has brass plates top and bottom where as the black one is made out of aluminium

[@niallmurray9725]

Great ‘review’ just what I was looking for. The info regarding battery was especially helpful! Thanks 🙏

[@eyewandersfoto]

At this point (and for quite some time) the Olympus XA has nearly the same sort of cult following as the 35. They're incredibly different shooting experiences and really the only thing they have in common is their size. Both are fantastic machines in their own right. But anyone looking for the Rollei 35S model specifically these days would do well to seek out the 35 S-Xenar (Singapore) model instead. It's every bit as good, most often in better condition, and half the price or less. (And before anyone tells you the Sonnar is the better choice here, ask how often they shoot this camera at f/2.8 and how many times they've picked Sonnar shot out of a lineup with Xenar shots in a blind test... cuz the answer will be "seldom" and "never".) :)

[@iainhenstridge6343]

The XA is a great camera and much easier to use than the Rollei. Ultimately the Rollei is a better performer with patience. I have an and each of the Rollei models and I would not say that the S-Xenar is better than the Sonnar. It matches the Tessar exactly however and is therefore superior for black and white work. However for colour, the HFT coatings on the Sonnar edge it above all others for me.

[@rrvrs4115]

2:16 couldn’t I skip the battery all together if I attach a light reader on the shoe?

[@danc2014]

Yes a meter like TTartisan Light Meter will fit but the shoe is on the bottom.

[@rodgercarey3480]

@@danc2014KEK makes one specifically for Rollei 35 S

[@erwinderop8778]

Hello there, your video was verry helpfull. Thank you for that. I was wondering if you can shutoff the lightmeter in order to save the battery. Cant find any info on that. Grtz from Belgium. (Rollei 35s black)

[@projectanalogphotography8253]

Thanks for the comment! Unfortunately no, there is no way to “turn off” the light meter. Instead, when the light meter is in total darkness (such as your camera bag) then it won’t use any energy. So when you aren’t using it, just be sure to place it in a bag that’s totally opaque.

[@erwinderop8778]

@@projectanalogphotography8253 thank you for the tip. Grtz.

[@lensarticulate]

I read somewhere that for some fully mechanical vintage cameras it’s not good for the shutter mechanism to change the speed after already having cocked the shutter. So say that you cocked the shutter at 1/60th of a second, but the lighting situation changed and you want to bump the shutter speed up to 1/250th, doing so could damage those components. Is that true for the 35s?

[@danc2014]

Since the camera needs to cock the shutter to stow the lens, it almost away cocked before you set the exposure for the net shot.

[@AbdullahIbneMasud]

Do you mind doing a user guide for the Rollei 35 s as I picked it up but I'm still confused on how to use it.

[@KonSimpl72]

Great, informative video. What would be the proper ~$40 adapter for a modern SR43 battery that you mention in the article, try as I might, I've failed to locate one, any link(s) would be greatly appreciated.

[@joseerazevedo]

Hi! Thanks for the review. One doubt I've heard about its operation but I don't know if it's true: do you have to keep the shutter button pressed until the shutter closes? Thanks

[@east_photoz]

What are the frame lines exactly. Is the smaller one for correction for being closer up

[@randallstewart175]

I bought a used 35S a few years ago, having a non-function meter. I gave it to a shop "specializing" in Rollei 35 repairs, and $100 later they returned the camera with a CLA, meter working, and through in a re-calibration to 1.5 volt batteries. A week later, the meter stopped working, so back it went. A week later, the camera returned functioning properly, for a couple of days when the meter failed again. I did not go back to the shop, as this problem was either beyond their ability to repair, or their willingness to properly diagnose the problem. I'll fix it myself, as the problem is almost certainly that battery corrosion leaked into a wire lead running to the battery compartment. Alternative problem may be a cracked solder joint in the circuit. Either way, it's not a big deal to fix if you have the tools and a YT video showing how to pop the top plate off the camera.

[@shademanirvanipour6870]

I got one of these Rollei cameras from a charity shop in London and I paid £27.00 for it and it got original camera case and lens cap and strap and front lens filter and my one is made in Singapore and got the 40MM F2.8 sonnar lens and is sharp on all Apratures

[@edwintan73]

which model do u recommend ? 35 /35s /35SE?

[@OdysseyOverland4x4]

Huge fan of the 35S. Biggest reason would be that they can be CLA’d. I’m personally a fan of the analog metering system in general though.

[@derekhackert4585]

buying the more expensive battery adapter shouldnt really matter. just buy the cheaper one and adjust the iso dial so that they match if the readings are off. from my experience theres little to no diff. hopefully that saves people some $$$$$$

[@csb65536]

Is that a Pioneer RT-707, or a 701 behind you.

[@projectanalogphotography8253]

Good eye! It’s a 707! Restored it a while back.

[@randallstewart175]

I noticed that right away, as might has deteriorated and awaits a restoration, maybe even by me. (RT-707)

[@PocketUau]

It’s a shame they didn’t make it ever so slightly larger to make way for a thicker gauge of aluminum. It dents and bends if you’re not delicate with it.

[@jeroenkommer6467]

You can always travel to Russia where these mercury batteries are stil being made and sold

[@williwillyyy4927]

You do all

[@randallstewart1224]

Based on my personal experience, I'd recommend contrary to the video to not buy original Rollei lens shades for your Rollei 35. They re made of a rubber material, designed to collapse flat when you are casing the camera. Anything you will find now is around 50 years old, and that rubber has rotted. It will split at its folds in short order. Better to buy a new, third party knock-off or even a solid generic hood. There are many made in China and a few from Germany which work and look just fine.

[@mikewong9513]

It’s ‘Roll Lai’, not Rolli …..

[@aragon1r1]

As soon as I heard you call it “Roll-ee” instead of “Roll-eye” I had to stop watching