Rollei 35s

Another new to me camera, I just couldn’t resist! I brought it for only a few pounds, it has the case, but the zip has broken, still it protects the camera as a sleeve. The previous owner left a PX625 battery in it, that had corroded. I cleaned it up as best I could, but the meter has gone. The focus seemed fine and smooth and the shutter still seemed to fire ok, so I loaded in a partly used FP4 I needed to finish off and gave it a go.

The viewfinder is good and clear and it is nice to have control over the focus and aperture in something so compact. I suspect that most of you will know that this has a collapsible lens and shutter mechanism, to help make it smaller. The shutter must be “cocked” when collapsing, or damage may result.

There is something of a jewel like quality to it’s built and it’s quite solid. It’s amazing really that a 35mm film cassette fit’s inside. However the main word I would use in description would be fiddly. For me it’s too small, yes it’s a good camera, but I did find it a fiddle to use.

If I’m honest – if the meter was working I’d probably sell it on, with it out of action, it’s value is negligible, so I’ll hang on to it for the occasional use when the mood takes me and I just fancy something different – or very small!