A Compact Classic - Rollei 35 - Alexander Mailänder Reautschnig

January 19, 2024 Alexander Mailänder-Reautschnig

The Rollei 35 is a classic compact 35mm film camera that gained popularity for its small size, innovative design, and exceptional performance.

If you want to use the smallest mechanical camera in the world for 35mm film, you just have to grab a Rollei 35.

The mastermind behind the construction of this technical masterpiece was Heinz Waaske. He was an engineer at the German camera manufacturer Wirgin but unfortunately the idea of such a small camera, first drawn 1962, was not really appealing to Heinrich Wirgin, the owner. Neither to Dr. Ludwig Leitz, chief technical engineer of Leitz and one of the constructors of the Leica M3. Mr. Waaske also asked Kodak - just imagine maybe a Leica 35 or Kodak 35…

In January 1965 Heinrich Waaske started to work at Rollei, famous for their 6x6 TLR and SLR cameras. Due to his bad experience in previous years Heinrich Waaske did not show his little camera prototype to his new employer. In March 1965 Rollei managing director Dr. Peesel saw the camera and was excited. He appproved mass production and at the Photokina in 1966 Rollei introduced the final camera with its well known name „Rollei 35“.

© Alexander Mailänder-Reautschnig

The first Rollei 35 is equipped with a collapsible Tessar f/3,5 40mm lens and a leaf shutter ranging from 1/2s to 1/500s and B. With this very sharp lens, a lightmeter and a simple viewfinder combined in a small and sturdy metal case this camera was a great success. Over the years and different models about 2 million Rollei 35 were produced.

A Rollei 35 T has been a steady companion in my camera bag for the last 3 years. In fact is was the second analog camera I owned and I still love it! It is small, reliable thanks to the mechanical shutter and the lens is pin sharp. I use this camera as a sort of photo diary, because I can easily carry it around with me and it is ready when I need it.

© Alexander Mailänder-Reautschnig

Due to the lack of a proper rangefinder you have to guess the distance to your subject which makes wide open shots not always a success. With a f-stop of 8 or higher it is relative easy to get sharp pictures thanks to two „snapshot“ markings on the focusing ring (3m and 6m). I prefer to set the aperture to f/8 or f/16 and focus on 6m , so the depth of field is between 3m to infinity and I can just use the sunny 16 rule for exposure or I use the built in light meter which works also fine.

The photos taken with it, especially with the Tessar lens (marketed by Zeiss in the 1930s as „Adlerauge“- "Eagle eye") are sharp and contrasty. I am often surprised by the results this little camera can produce. Sure it has some limitations but - to be honest - they can be a great opportunity to boost your creativity by taking a step back and thinking about a shot, which would be easier with a different camera. And thanks to its size of the pack of cigarettes and zone focusing you will can easily shoot unnoticed.

Speaking of the model range, there was the Rollei 35 T (Made in Germany) and from 1970 - after moving the production to Asia - the Rollei 35 (Made by Rollei Singapore). 1974 Rollei introduced the Rollei 35 S with the faster Sonnar 40mm F2.8 lens
1979 Rollei introduced the TE and SE series with an updated light meter and LED-indicators in the viewfinder. In 1981 the production of the classic models ended and Rollei closed the Singapore factory. After the bankrupcy of Rollei in 1982 some special editions of Rollei 35 cameras have been produced and sold under the name of Rollei Classic for a more exclusive market by the succeeding company Rollei Fototechnic. Rollei also produced a range of budget models with inferior Triotar lenses from 1969 to 1978.

I hope you enjoyed this short summary about the Rollei 35. If you are interested in buying one of these great little cameras visit our shop online or offline!