The Rollei 35 S is a compact camera. It was built by Rollei in Singapore from the 1970s. A total of around 260,000 pieces were manufactured. It was offered in chrome and black.
The innovation compared to the Rollei 35 was a new lens. It is a Carl Zeiss Sonnar that was produced under license by Rollei and delivers the highest quality.
Camera functions
Lens
Despite its small format, the Rollei 35 S is known for producing high quality images, largely thanks to its remarkable lens.
The camera is equipped with a permanently integrated lens. In this case it is a "Sonnar 2.8/40" from Carl Zeiss. When the camera is not in use, the lens retracts into the body to maintain its compact shape.
The lens has a focal length of 40mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. It doesn't offer autofocus or rangefinder, so manual focusing is required. To avoid blurry images, a minimum distance of 90 cm from the subject should be maintained.
Exposure
The integrated measuring cells enable the camera to determine the optimal exposure settings. The exposure meter is designed for films with a sensitivity of ISO 25 to ISO 1600. Both aperture and exposure time can be individually adjusted, giving the photographer full control over the camera.
The aperture values are between f/2.8 and f/22, while the shutter speeds vary between 1/500 second and 1/2 second. This ensures that you are prepared for most shooting situations.
Additional functions
A special feature of the camera is the ability to achieve long exposures in which the shutter remains open for a variable duration. When using bulb mode or longer exposure times, it is advisable to mount the Rollei 35 S on a tripod.
Using a self-timer, such as for group photos or self-portraits, can also benefit from a tripod to avoid camera shake. There is also an interface for a cable release.
The Rollei 35 S allows external flash units or radio triggers to be connected via the hot shoe in order to optimize the lighting conditions. The hot shoe mount is located on the bottom of the housing.
Double exposures are not possible with this model because there is a special lock that prevents multiple exposures.
Size & Battery
With dimensions of 9.7 x 6 x 3.2 cm and a weight of 345 grams, the Rollei 35 S is a remarkably compact model, especially when compared to DSLRs or medium format cameras. It is made of high-quality materials and has a robust metal housing.
The model requires a PX625 battery (eBay / Amazon*), but it is no longer available. Alternatively, Weincell batteries (eBay / Amazon*) can be used.
Films for the Rollei 35
The Rollei 35 S relies on 35mm film, a format that is still very popular due to its simplicity and reliability. Therefore, some manufacturers continue to produce films for this format.
Suitable films currently available are Kodak Portra 400* and Kodak T-Max 400*, both of which provide solid results good for everyday use.
Other film brands available include Ilford, Fujifilm, Adox, Rollei and Vienna-based Lomography.
The color film should be developed using the C-41 process, a process offered by most photo labs. Some large drugstore chains in Germany also offer the development of color films. The developing steps for black and white film are slightly different than those for color film, but can be done at home with the right materials and instructions.
The negatives are the standard size of 24mm x 36mm, allowing at least 36 shots to fit on normal roll of 35mm film. The camera does not offer an automatic film transport function, so the film has to be transported manually after each shot, for which there is a quick-release lever.
Value of the camera
The market value of the Rollei 35 S varies depending on its condition and functionality. Although many units of this model were produced, it remains a highly valued piece that can be used without any problem. You can therefore expect to pay a price in the three-digit euro range. The current average price for a Rollei 35 S is 433,10 €.
