With the introduction of the Rollei 35 camera series, a monumental shift occurred in the camera industry. Designed in 1966 by visionary designer Heinz Waaske, the Rollei 35 marked a significant milestone in the history of photography. As a beacon of innovation and precision, Rollei 35 cameras were cherished by professionals and enthusiasts alike, especially for their compact design and exceptional functionality. This article explores the rich history and features of the Rollei 35 camera series.
A Groundbreaking Beginning: The Birth of the Rollei 35
When the Rollei 35 hit the market, the camera market was flooded with half-frame cameras that had started their journey in 1961. The Rollei 35 challenged the status quo: it was a full-frame 35mm camera with dimensions barely larger than a cigarette pack. This revolutionary design was the brainchild of Heinz Waaske, who aimed to create a compact yet powerful device.
Waaske collaborated with Compur to develop a special shutter that could accommodate a collapsible lens, further enhancing the camera's compactness. To efficiently utilize the limited space, a CDS light meter supplied by Gossen was integrated into the design, well-received for its accuracy and convenience.
Production in Germany and Singapore
The Rollei 35's journey began in Germany, where the first units were manufactured. However, in 1971, production was moved to Singapore. This division of production sites led to the widespread belief that German-made units were of better quality and commanded higher prices on the market. Contrary to this assumption, reports from camera repair professionals indicate that quality control at Rollei Singapore was on par with its German counterpart, resulting in no discernible difference in product quality between the two locations.
Model Differences
Although the models in this series share a uniform body structure with common features, including adjustable shutter speeds, manual distance estimation, and a self-resetting frame counter, the distinguishing factor lies in their lens offerings. Below, we delve into the nuances that differentiate these models in terms of their lenses.
Common Features for All Models
Shutter Speeds: Models with Tessar and Sonnar lenses offer shutter speeds ranging from 1/2 to 1/500 second. Models with Triotar lenses provide shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/500 second.
Viewfinder: All models are equipped with an Albada viewfinder without automatic parallax compensation.
Focus Adjustment: The series operates without a rangefinder, requiring manual distance estimation and adjustment.
Lens Mechanism: The retractable lens only functions when the shutter release is pressed.
Control Placement: Shutter speed and aperture are set via dials on the front of the camera, while the film advance lever is located on the left side.
Frame Counter: A self-resetting frame counter is located on the bottom of the camera.
Filter Thread: Each model supports a 30.5mm filter thread.
Differences by Lens
The main difference among models is indeed the lenses used. Although they are all 40mm lenses, the imaging performance varies somewhat.