Neat video. I picked up a Rollei 35RF a few years back to use my M lenses. It’s a fantastic camera, really. I like how quirky it is too. It starts a lot of conversations.
Man your video quality and especially your humor filled narration is a breath of fresh air. Keep this up and you would have 100k subscribers in new time, will suggest to do more of film shooting video.
Also be more consistent uploads and focus on the reel trends to gain more subscribers, people already have small attention span these days so it would be hard to grow a channel only long format videos and uploading only occassionally
I have the old small Rollei35, but with this you only can guess the distance in focussing. So, I love my Nikon SLR-stuff like F5, but my back tells me, when I took to much gear. The adorable M6 is too expensive-its not just the body, the optics are expensive too. But I will search for this Rollei-looks like fun! You used the cinestill Films-i love them. Greetings from Germany
Literally nobody bought it... i worked at Rollei back then... nobody wanted them and at some point some of us just walked into our warehouse and took some and nobody even cared... it was one of the biggest reasons Rollei is what it is today
went to ebay and there are two, one at £2k and the other £3k. I would probably spend the little bit extra for the Leica for the service and part support
As well as digital, I have Olympus E-PL8, E-P7 and LUMIX G90, for film photography I use Contax G1, and Minox 35. The Contax is totally opposite to the Leica/Bessa/Rollei. It is basically an all electronic rangefinder, with AF, power film transport, automatic metering and exposure. It looks very similar to the Rollei/Bessa, but is a more modern take on what a rangefinder camera should be.
Nice job of shedding some light on this camera. A really well done video. When I was looking for an alternative to my M6 I wound up choosing the Minolta CLE and I find it to be a great camera. But I can definitely understand the appeal of an all-mechanical camera that is only a couple decades old. The lens offerings for the Rollei 35RF were a bit odd (as are the resulting frameline choices). But overall this looks like a great option and what camera isn't without its quirks? I hope that it serves you well for a long time to come.
Looks like yours is a beast of a camera too! When I was looking for a film camera, my very first item in my checklist was fully manual (with the exception of a light meter) since I haven't used auto exposure since my first month ever holding a camera, and the R2/35RF just happened to be one of the cheapest fully manual M-mount cameras I could find with a good reputation. Very quirky once handling in person. Probably won't last as long as any Leica but I'll make it last!!!
@@kaichuuuuuu Don't get me wrong as I feel very fortunate to own my M6 and do enjoy shooting with it. But in all honesty the hype surrounding Leica cameras these days is ridiculous. You summed things up pretty well by pointing out that the lens is what makes the image while the camera provides the majority of the user experience (obviously I'm paraphrasing here). I'm guessing that you'll be able to enjoy your Rollei for a very long time. As film photography continues to enjoy such a strong resurgence, more and more new people are getting involved from a business standpoint (including camera repair). I tend to be optimistic as here in Portland we enjoy multiple film labs, film camera shops, and film camera repair facilities. With an all-mechanical camera likely the biggest concern would be a failure of the light meter, in which case if not repairable you could always resort to using either the Sunny 16 rule or an external light meter.
I have the MC version of that 40mm and love love love it. Bought it for my M3 and use it on my X-T10 as well. This may be a good option if it has the 40mm frame lines.
The Rollei 35RF was just one of several rebadge jobs made by Cosina and sold by which ever company had their name on the plate. Another was the Zeiss Ikon whatever of the same vintage. Under the skin, they are the same Bessa with a few style changes to color or shape of control knobs. They are all excellent, so buy the least expensive. The viewfinder is so nearly as good as the Leica that you'd not notice any difference unless you already owned the Leica, but then you would be shopping for a Bessa, would you.
Nice Vid! And great little camera! Underexposing film is a no-no. It is better to over expose, You can recover details from over exposed film, unlike digital where you can recover from shadow.
Thank you! And turns out the “blown out” highlights were from the scans! Think I’m going to use a different lab for scans or just start scanning my own stuff that I’ve had success with so far
I like older things mostly, for instance I think a plain, rectangular Rollei 35 with black and silver and the knobs on the front is the perfect camera look, but I actually don’t finf the M6 attractive. I think because I like the contrast of the silver and black. I have to say, even though its not “old” looking, I far prefer the look of this to the M6, I think it looks fantastic with the tiny bits of red. Modern cars do this sometimes to enhance a boring look, I’m thinking of this black Volkswagon I see all the time that has little touches of red here and there. I REALLY like the look of this camera, I would say its look is confidence inspiring. It looks classic enough to be a camera I’d like, but modern enough to look like it will work. I wish it was even more “budget.” Got excited when I saw the thumbnail but I don’t have the ability to spend money on interests unfortunately.
Rollie cameras in general faced all the consequences you mention - now brand sells cheaply made rebranded tat - cursory price check of the 35 - upto 3K
Everytime someone makes a video like this the masses jack the prices on eBay. I purchased a brand new Bessa R3A for 850 in 2011 and now they go for what an m6 did at the time. I paid 750 for a boxed m4-p at Simon's camera in Montreal the same year. The mindless have jacked the prices on any m, m39 or contax/nikon rf mount equipment regardless of performance just to be seen with something "fashionable".
M-mount is all expensive haha but $600 is absolutely "budget" relative to $2000+ for an M6. If all-around budget is your goal, L39 or SLRs will be the places to look
@quite1enough I got stupid lucky and you can actually find the exact one I bought on ebay. Just gotta be constantly looking out! Reddit is a great source as well in r/photomarket
@@kaichuuuuuu I can't buy anything from eBay anyways, due to regional restrictions :( but I got lucky with Nikon F4s in my region, which I found for like $180 in pretty good condition
I still see multiple under 700-800 but I did start seeing crazy prices about a week prior to publishing the video. Crazy, but I also think a lot of listings are trying to bundle with the Zeiss lenses which are worth more than the camera
Okay I really haven’t heard of that one. Looks kinda cool. Although personally I find these middleground cameras between L39 and M Mounts a tough sell. I would first get something like a Canon P/7, then something like an M4/6 and only afterwards look into the middle section because they are a pretty penny but don’t offer the same repairability as the Leicas. Nevertheless the Rollei 35RF comes onto the list 😂
@@anta40 I think the 7 viewfinder is really nice (the P is alright) and honestly the M6 or MP didn’t feel like such a big upgrade to the one in the 7 imo.
I love my Bessa R. The rangefinder patch is so bright and its a really easy camera to use!
Bessa R is M39 mount. I still have it.
My bessa r patch is so dark compared to my m5
I bought a M39 to Z adapter and now use the Voigtlander lenses on my Z6II. Love my R but film is so expensive now.
Neat video. I picked up a Rollei 35RF a few years back to use my M lenses. It’s a fantastic camera, really. I like how quirky it is too. It starts a lot of conversations.
Man your video quality and especially your humor filled narration is a breath of fresh air. Keep this up and you would have 100k subscribers in new time, will suggest to do more of film shooting video.
Also be more consistent uploads and focus on the reel trends to gain more subscribers, people already have small attention span these days so it would be hard to grow a channel only long format videos and uploading only occassionally
I have the old small Rollei35, but with this you only can guess the distance in focussing. So, I love my Nikon SLR-stuff like F5, but my back tells me, when I took to much gear. The adorable M6 is too expensive-its not just the body, the optics are expensive too. But I will search for this Rollei-looks like fun! You used the cinestill Films-i love them. Greetings from Germany
6:45 update: meter’s perfectly fine, the scans’ auto exposure settings seemed to blow out the highlights. Future photos will look noice
Never thought I'd watch a camera review by a giant lizard monster.
Great stuff!!
Great video! That camera looks more like a Contax G1/G2 to me but with Lecia M6 features
Literally nobody bought it... i worked at Rollei back then... nobody wanted them and at some point some of us just walked into our warehouse and took some and nobody even cared... it was one of the biggest reasons Rollei is what it is today
went to ebay and there are two, one at £2k and the other £3k. I would probably spend the little bit extra for the Leica for the service and part support
As well as digital, I have Olympus E-PL8, E-P7 and LUMIX G90, for film photography I use Contax G1, and Minox 35. The Contax is totally opposite to the Leica/Bessa/Rollei. It is basically an all electronic rangefinder, with AF, power film transport, automatic metering and exposure. It looks very similar to the Rollei/Bessa, but is a more modern take on what a rangefinder camera should be.
Nice job of shedding some light on this camera. A really well done video. When I was looking for an alternative to my M6 I wound up choosing the Minolta CLE and I find it to be a great camera. But I can definitely understand the appeal of an all-mechanical camera that is only a couple decades old. The lens offerings for the Rollei 35RF were a bit odd (as are the resulting frameline choices). But overall this looks like a great option and what camera isn't without its quirks? I hope that it serves you well for a long time to come.
Looks like yours is a beast of a camera too! When I was looking for a film camera, my very first item in my checklist was fully manual (with the exception of a light meter) since I haven't used auto exposure since my first month ever holding a camera, and the R2/35RF just happened to be one of the cheapest fully manual M-mount cameras I could find with a good reputation. Very quirky once handling in person. Probably won't last as long as any Leica but I'll make it last!!!
@@kaichuuuuuu Don't get me wrong as I feel very fortunate to own my M6 and do enjoy shooting with it. But in all honesty the hype surrounding Leica cameras these days is ridiculous. You summed things up pretty well by pointing out that the lens is what makes the image while the camera provides the majority of the user experience (obviously I'm paraphrasing here).
I'm guessing that you'll be able to enjoy your Rollei for a very long time. As film photography continues to enjoy such a strong resurgence, more and more new people are getting involved from a business standpoint (including camera repair). I tend to be optimistic as here in Portland we enjoy multiple film labs, film camera shops, and film camera repair facilities. With an all-mechanical camera likely the biggest concern would be a failure of the light meter, in which case if not repairable you could always resort to using either the Sunny 16 rule or an external light meter.
Love your video style, Kaichu! Really insightful stuff 🙌
I was looking for one when i wanted a rf. Went with the cle instead but the rollei is such a pretty camera.
I have the MC version of that 40mm and love love love it. Bought it for my M3 and use it on my X-T10 as well. This may be a good option if it has the 40mm frame lines.
The Rollei 35RF was just one of several rebadge jobs made by Cosina and sold by which ever company had their name on the plate. Another was the Zeiss Ikon whatever of the same vintage. Under the skin, they are the same Bessa with a few style changes to color or shape of control knobs. They are all excellent, so buy the least expensive. The viewfinder is so nearly as good as the Leica that you'd not notice any difference unless you already owned the Leica, but then you would be shopping for a Bessa, would you.
man this was a great video, it has really inspired me to shoot film! couldn't be happier to subscribe to your channel 😌
Thanks for the sub and glad I could help get you out there and shoot!
wow I actually really like this. Looks like a Contax G2 with an M-mount
Nice bro. Loved this. Very informative
Nice Vid! And great little camera! Underexposing film is a no-no. It is better to over expose, You can recover details from over exposed film, unlike digital where you can recover from shadow.
Thank you! And turns out the “blown out” highlights were from the scans! Think I’m going to use a different lab for scans or just start scanning my own stuff that I’ve had success with so far
*This is a comment about how I am so very upset that you have brought attention to this unknown/unloved camera and now the prices will go up on eBay*
wow, great video and narration, I did sub! thank you!!! I did not know about this camera!
Nice! Love it! Though I'd go for Konika Hexar RF. It has 1/4000,
I like older things mostly, for instance I think a plain, rectangular Rollei 35 with black and silver and the knobs on the front is the perfect camera look, but I actually don’t finf the M6 attractive. I think because I like the contrast of the silver and black. I have to say, even though its not “old” looking, I far prefer the look of this to the M6, I think it looks fantastic with the tiny bits of red. Modern cars do this sometimes to enhance a boring look, I’m thinking of this black Volkswagon I see all the time that has little touches of red here and there. I REALLY like the look of this camera, I would say its look is confidence inspiring. It looks classic enough to be a camera I’d like, but modern enough to look like it will work. I wish it was even more “budget.” Got excited when I saw the thumbnail but I don’t have the ability to spend money on interests unfortunately.
Amazing video. Incredibly easy decision to sub. Also I want this camera
5 seconds in and I subscribed. Love the vibe!
this camera is very beautiful imo
Outstanding vid, very helpful 💯💪
It looks more like a contax with the color scheme with the voightlander body
This is much more reasonable purchase than the m6, I really dont care about the brand but the lens
Washington dog park. Love that spot
nice camera
im at 1:33 and if this video doesnt mention the Contax G- Series of cameras then this person didnt do enough research
not a single mention of the Contax G-Series cameras as both the bessa and this were clearly influenced by the Contax design.
Why? Contax G is a highly automatic rangefinder which I explicitly said I didn't care for. Fair enough on the design part
is it crazy that upon being threatened at the beginning of the video I liked and subscribed cuz I'm scared of being ambushed lol
It’s a simple Voigtländer, get a Zeiss variant, Voigtländer, too, but better VF or just a Minolta CLE.
Where is Voigtlander and the reboot of their rangefinders????? the film market is screaming for more rangefinders.
But the CLE has no metering in manual
I believe the Rollei 35 is not a range finder camera.
He did say rangefinder “style”, which is true, but yeah, it’s zone focus only.
Part of the 0.8% 👌🏼
Much love!! 🫶
Rollie cameras in general faced all the consequences you mention - now brand sells cheaply made rebranded tat - cursory price check of the 35 - upto 3K
this one also price go up pretty high i think. it’s shame
Everytime someone makes a video like this the masses jack the prices on eBay. I purchased a brand new Bessa R3A for 850 in 2011 and now they go for what an m6 did at the time. I paid 750 for a boxed m4-p at Simon's camera in Montreal the same year. The mindless have jacked the prices on any m, m39 or contax/nikon rf mount equipment regardless of performance just to be seen with something "fashionable".
Just looked up eBay prices. Not exactly budget one...
M-mount is all expensive haha but $600 is absolutely "budget" relative to $2000+ for an M6. If all-around budget is your goal, L39 or SLRs will be the places to look
@@kaichuuuuuu I couldn't find options for $600 tho 😭
@quite1enough I got stupid lucky and you can actually find the exact one I bought on ebay. Just gotta be constantly looking out! Reddit is a great source as well in r/photomarket
@@kaichuuuuuu I can't buy anything from eBay anyways, due to regional restrictions :( but I got lucky with Nikon F4s in my region, which I found for like $180 in pretty good condition
I wish I never found out it was pronounced roll-eye
Surprised you didn't comment about the "Voigtlander" pronunciation!
@@kaichuuuuuu I was too angry to care xD
🤣🤣🤣⚰️
hi Kaichu, I subscribed, please don't break into my home, I'm still finding money to replace the door from when a green platypus broke it down
Well there goes the 35RF prices…
contax g1 design... rollei copied or it's just coincidence?
Incredibly short RF base, ridiculous frame line selection. Ick!
Why? Early 90th cameras akin to F801s cost 30-50€ on flea market and are definitely worth the money.
Please find me a 50€ manual M-mount rangefinder
is it just me or these go for 2000$ on ebay?
I still see multiple under 700-800 but I did start seeing crazy prices about a week prior to publishing the video. Crazy, but I also think a lot of listings are trying to bundle with the Zeiss lenses which are worth more than the camera
Are you an engineer? I've never heard normies call out fillets and chamfers for what they are.
@@helpmeimconfused haha I was studying architectural engineering. You’re the first to notice
@@kaichuuuuuu real recognizes real haha
Gee…if only people had been born, say 35 years before the creator and owned several rolleis. Nahh that could never happen.
Lmao this is going for 2 grand on ebay like wtf
The real answer…. There is no budget alternative. Every alternative is gonna cost at least $1k
The Bessa R is sub-$1k. I literally got my 35RF for $600 including international shipping
Good AI voice, but it’s pronounced Rollee, not Rolleye.
The same way Leica is pronounced Leeca
No, it's pronounced as Rollay. 😆
@ Thank you.
*checks ebay*
*Is over $1000*
budget my ass
Crap.
Okay I really haven’t heard of that one. Looks kinda cool. Although personally I find these middleground cameras between L39 and M Mounts a tough sell. I would first get something like a Canon P/7, then something like an M4/6 and only afterwards look into the middle section because they are a pretty penny but don’t offer the same repairability as the Leicas.
Nevertheless the Rollei 35RF comes onto the list 😂
What about Bessa R? Canon P, 7 etc are fine... but the VF is smallish for my taste (yep, I've used various Ms).
@@anta40 I think the 7 viewfinder is really nice (the P is alright) and honestly the M6 or MP didn’t feel like such a big upgrade to the one in the 7 imo.