I am looking for a used manual pocket camera, I have Rollei 35 and Minox GTE in mind, what is the pro and con for each of this camera ?

-- Daryl McManus (dm077@atlantis.org), February 24, 1999

Answers

Daryl, both Rollei 35 and Minox 35 are fine cameras. I like them both. Each has its own strong points, both Rollei 35 series and Minox 35 series have great number of fans-- there are about 2 million Rollei 35 series cameras made, and about the same number for Minox 35mm. However new Rollei is quite expensive. Minox GT-E/GT-S is more affordable. Minox GT-E is lighter, has self timer and longer shutter speed up to 8 sec, and has 2x exposure compensation; Rollei 35 has no self timer, slowest shutter speed is 1/2 sec. Operational wise, you need to match the exposure needle of Rollei, one GTE, he exposure is automatic. But on the other hand, Rollei allow separate control of shutter dial and aperture dial. GT-E lens is multicoated, produces better color; but Rollei Classic has also a multicoated lens (expensive ) You really have to handle them yourself, and see which one you like best. Of course, it is best to buy them both :)

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), February 24, 1999.

Yes, the Rollei 35 lens must be pull out then twist clockwise to lock. When one retract the lens, one must first press down a button to unlock, then twist counter clockwise and push it back to collapse. The Rollei weights about 380g vs 200 g of Minox 35 camera.

Minox belongs to Leica, Rollei belongs to Samsung of south Korea.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), April 29, 1999.

Daryl, Forget about the Rollei, even if it's a fine little camera, it's not as convenient as a 35 Minox. Lenses are not as good, it's heavier, forget about it...

Emmanuel http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jean.jean

-- Emmanuel Renaud (emmanuel.renaud@wanadoo.fr), May 28, 1999.

I have to disagree with the contributor who said the lenses on a Rollei 35 were not as good as a Minox. I have both a Minox GT-E and a Rollei 35S. The Minox has a great lens. The Rollei does also. The lens on the Rollei 35S is a Carl Zeiss designed, manufactured by Rollei, HFT Sonnar optic. It is outstanding, even wide open. I also like the match needle metering on the Rollei. You hold at chest level and have all vital controls: distance scale on lens, aperture, and shutter speed all there to set. Then, put the viewfinder to your eye and take the shot. I agree that the Rollei is not as fast to get into action due to the necessity of pulling out the lens. It is also quite a bit heavier than the Minox. The the hot shoe on a Rollei 35 (pre 35 SE) is on the bottom, necessitating turning the camera upside down to get the light right. In summary, I have and enjoy both cameras. Both are modern classics of fine design and precision manufacturing. USED 35S cameras are selling for over $300 on eBay these days!

-- john coan (jcoan@alumni.duke.edu), October 02, 1999.

I agree entirely with the preceding answers.

I have the 2 personally, but I did not made myself yet of opinion concerning the difference in quality between optics (Rollei 35 T has been just bought).

Some notes:

Minox: the weight, the size, the case out of leather really essential (one can hang it around the neck), very great softness and flexibility of the release, long exposure times, retarder, protection of the objective...

Against: to carry out a spot measurement in simple manner is unpleasing (I measure, I compare, I remove the case, I change sensitivity ASA...) if not impossible.

Rollei 35: it is really very manual : I can choose my speed (what I can do only indirectly on Minox, and in a random way since the needle moves freely). Rollei is really a splendid object, entirely metal.

Against: no possibility of carrying it around the neck (just a dragonne of wrist), slowness to make a photograph : to leave the objective, to regulate, etc... But especially: brittleness and great age of the apparatuses of occasion : be careful with the problems of exposure meter ! I think it is necessary to find one in perfect state, or to abstain from it, because when that starts to get wrong, that really gets wrong...

-- Jean-NoC+l Buty (jnbuty@hotmail.com), November 06, 2000.

All have been said before, I guess.

Anyhow, I have recently invested in a Rollei and was not too pleased with the metring system (although the model is a 35TE). The Minox GTE has a better light eveluation (especially in low light condition). Plus the fact that Minox is a 35mm and Rollei a 40mm. Funnily it makes a difference when composing a picture.

But both camera are pleasant to use, the Minox is a bit quicker for "street" pictures. Just my 0.02 Euros here!!

-- Xavier Bille (hot_billexf@hotmail.com), February 10, 2001.

One note about Rollei

Rollei has become again a German company, after a group of Rollei employees bought back controlling shares from Samsung of Korea. Samsung still holds certain amount of shares in Rollei.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), February 10, 2001.

I have both cameras (plus a few more!).For razor sharp and luminescent black and white photos, use the R35 (40mm/3.5). For colour and light- weight, the Minox. The Tessar beats the Minox!

-- donald (donaldfs@chariot.net.au), March 17, 2002.

I recently acquired a Minox 35S, with Sonnar lens, it much better than my other Minox 35 with Tessar lens. Tessar is ok if stop down.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), March 21, 2002.