When I first started out on my photography journey while growing up in NZ my first SLR was a brand new Rollei SL35 given to me as a Christmas present by my uncle in Scotland. I remember at the time being impressed by it’s simple elegance and built like a tank solidity.
Sadly that camera was stolen after only a couple of years and with several moves around the globe the images taken with it have long since disappeared.
That camera did leave a lasting mark in my memory and many years later I spotted one for sale on a well known auction site, complete with M42 adapter, the 50mm f1.8 HFT lens, a 35mm ‘Horizont’ lens, Pentacon 200mm and an Avenar 135mm lens, owners manual, period carry bag and flashgun all for next to no money. This was before the resurgence of classic camera popularity.
It was one of the first of what would become my first classic camera collection and one of only 5 that would stay with me when I decided to sell everything off.
It sat in a cupboard for years but recently I pulled it out, checked it over and found it was generally still in good shape though shutter speeds were a little hit and miss.
It was sent to my local camera shop (who are excellent) and returned in fully working order for a very small amount of money. This also led to the purchase of Rolleinar 135 and 200mm lenses for it. I’m a soft touch!
The only controls are a shutter speed dial on the top plate, a film speed setting dial (built into the shutter speed dial), an exposure counter, stop down button that also operates the light meter and film advance lever. On the other side of the top plate is the film rewind crank which when lifted fully also opens the camera back for loading. Underneath is a button to disconnect the film transport to allow rewind of film, a tripod bush and the battery cover for the PX625 battery to power the light meter. On the front is a self timer.
That’s it. Nothing extra. Nothing fancy. Just the bare basics required to give the photographer full control over his images.
Running a film through it brought back memories of just what a joy it is to use. After years of digital cameras with intricate multilevel menus, features that seem to be there just to get the ticks in boxes it was refreshing in its purity of purpose. Strangely this was the first film I’d run through it since buying it nearly 20 years previously!
The viewfinder is bright and clear but has no split prism focusing. The only focusing aid is a microprism ring in the centre of the plastic matt screen. The metering works well with the needle moving up and down according to shutter speed and aperture indicating correct exposure when in the centre of two raised humps on the right of the viewfinder.
This is fine in good light and when the lens is wide open but it’s a challenge to see in poor light as metering is accomplished by stopping down the lens when the meter button is pressed. Under those conditions I find the only way to use the light meter is to fully open the lens then use that setting as the basis for working out the correct aperture/shutter speed I desire.
Film advance is nice and smooth and whilst not as smooth as some is certainly up amongst the best.
So how did I get on?
Well you be the judge.
All were shot on Iford HP5, the majority using the 50mm 1.8 kit lens.
I think it went very well and I’m certainly happy with the results. Importantly it taught me to slow down and think more about the image rather than succumbing to the modern ‘machine gun’ approach of digital cameras.
Share this post:
Comments
Gary Smith on Rollei SL35 – Reminiscing with a Re-Purchased SLR
Comment posted: 23/09/2025
Comment posted: 23/09/2025
CHRISTOF RAMPITSCH on Rollei SL35 – Reminiscing with a Re-Purchased SLR
Comment posted: 23/09/2025