Rollei 35S

Designed by the unparalleled "genious" Heinz Waaske, Rollei 35 is the originator of 35mm compact cameras. The first model was introduced in 1966, and its compactness astonished the world. In fact, Rollei 35 put an end to the era of half-size cameras such as OLYMPUS PEN, and yet it is still "compact" enough for the standard of compact cameras today.

This particular model, 35S, was released in 1974. It has a Sonnar 40m F2.8 HFT lens, which was developed by Carl Zeiss and manufactured by Rollei. It is faster by a half step than Tessar or Xenar 40mm F3.5 lenses for the previous models. The camera is not only compact, but also beautiful. The Sonnar lens is retractable, about which the aperture and shutter speed dials are placed symmetrically. The film winding lever is located on the top left, unlike other cameras that have the lever on the top right. The shutter is built in the lens, making the shutter release sound very low (like whispering) and camera shakes unlikely.

In spite of its pretty look, it is also a very challenging camera - you have to focus with the eye with the 40mm lens. Also, it is equipped with an exposure meter but its accuracy is questionable (especially when you think of its age). If you can overcome these difficulties and also choose an appropriate exposure level (I confess, I wanted to be a human exposure and distance meter for this camera), however, you will get superb images that surpass the quality of those taken by contemporary 35mm compact cameras or even by some low-to-middle-class SLRs.

I always put the camera with a hand strap in a genuine vinyl case when going out with it. I also have a genuine lens hood, but the camera cannot be put in the case with the hood. I think a hood is necessary anyway but the genuine hood must be attached after you pull the camera out of the case every time you shoot - that's not the right way you use this compact camera. One day, I happned to learn that the hood for CONTAX TVS II has the same diameter (30.5mm) as Rollei 35S so I tried it out. The TVS II hood nicely fit to my Rollei 35S, and more, the camera was able to slide into the case with the hood (and also a matching hood cap). The shading effect of the hood may not be enough for the Sonnar 40mm lens because it is a little too short, but it is better than nothing. So I have been using those hood and cap and pretty much satiefied. I also put a Heliopan UV filter on the lens.

Rollei 35S is not so easy to use, but I wish I could take it out of my pocket when I find something and shoot with it the way I like.

Rollei 35S
Lens: Sonnar 2,8/40 HFT
Shutter: Rollei Compur B, 1-1/500

References

1. Rolleicamera.com by John Waller
   
2. Evans, Arthur G. Collectors guide to Rollei cameras. Grantsburg, WI, US: Centennial Photo Service, 1986. ISBN 0-931838-06-1
3. Prochnow, Claus. Rollei 35 family: A review of the history of the Rollei 35 and the corporate history from 1920 to 1995. Braunschweig, Germany, 1994.