Dear all,

I really like the tech info here and hope that this contribution whilst not technical is in the spirit of our forum.

I wanted the closest smallest thing to my Leica M to carry around. Searched many threads which confirmed the Rollei 35 SE (black) as my choice. After monitoring Ebay and making a few non winning bids I finally found a mint example (through a trading mag)in a private home not 10k from my home here in Sydney Australia.

The owner of the Rollei, a pro, was editing his gear. In conversation he learned that the Rollei would be a companion to my M6. He asked me to wait and left the room. He returned and handed me a beautifully lined wooden box with a special edition Jaguar XK50 M6 complete with engraved and numbered Elmar lens. He extracted the camera and handed it to me with its beautiful Jaguar green covering and extensively engraved top plate.

Now I know special editions aren't everyone's cup of tea but I was very pleased to see and handle it. A web search later on confirmed it to be the only one (of 50 total production) sent to Australia. It is a rare thing hidden away, the value of which precious few would know. I just happened upon it which made it a special surprise. He wasn't "showing off" at all but I think rather enjoyed another's appreciation.

I'm delighted with the Rollei - its quirky appeal, superb Sonar 2.8 40mm lens, and the world of hyperfocal focusing. I know they too are not everyone's cup of tea but their reputation for quality is certainly good and the results have really amazed me.

So there's a little Leica/Rollei story....have you found anything interesting lately?

-- Tim Gee (twg@optushome.com.au), April 01, 2002

Answers

I used a Rollei 35S for many years - good lens, nice pocketable package. But I never liked guess focussing a 40mm, and it is an awkward and rather slow camera to use (I take slides so I have to fuss about exposure being spot on). Lens is not as good as the 40mm Summicron/Rokkor, but works fine. Once you get used to an M though no other r/f or v/f camera seems to be as good as the "real thing".

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), April 01, 2002.

About a year ago I was at Rich Pinto's Photo Village in NYC when he did the same thing, but pulled out the M6 "King Bhumiphol" [sp?] gold- plated M6/50cron combo. It had been presold for $22,000 (gasp) so I handled it very, very briefly before it went back into the safe. Not sure how many of these made it into the US.

-- Anon Terry (anonht@yahoo.com), April 01, 2002.

I started freelance photography at about the same time that my fathers eyesight began to fail. He was the person who fostered my interest in photography in the first place, and I built my collection of user Nikon equipment based on the fact that all of his gear was also Nikon. One day a large package came in the mail and after tearing off the wrapping immediately recognized his old aluminum camera case. A note from my dad wxplained that he could no longer focus the cameras, so he'd rather see them go to good use. It was like opening a treasure chest, with an F-TB photomic, an FE-2and great prime lenses. The smallest thing in the box was a camera that I had never seen him use: a Rollei-35. The Nikon gear has come and gone, bodies and lenses have been upgaded (although the FE-2 is still going strong) and my love for manual mechanical cameras grew into an interest in Leica, but the one item that is always in the bottom of my briefcase is that Rollei-35. I call it my "point-and-think".

-- Pat Dunsworth (pdunsworth@aryarch.com), April 01, 2002.

I surprised he took it our of the box and let you handle it........oh actually I am not surprised, cause those Aussies are nice huys huh?!?!?! :)

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 01, 2002.

Gees, my spelling is terrible.

I meant: I am surprised he took it out of the box and let you handle it........oh actually I am not surprised, cause those Aussies are nice guys huh?!?!?! :)

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 01, 2002.

i have most of my Rollie 35,the poor one one,Tessar,not made in Germany.Due to its dumb strap attachment dropped numerous times! The meter is long gone.My quick modifications have made it slightly smaller than when new!It does shoot real sharp.i prefer sunnydays and f16 but have sneaked it everywhere...Very fun!

-- jason gold (leeu72@hotmail.com), April 01, 2002.

Actually Kristian he happens to be English. But then perhaps an Aussie would have loaned it to me for a week or two?!

-- Tim Gee (twg@optushome.com.au), April 01, 2002.