If you shoot everything at f8 then everything will be in focus. Trust me.

1. To pull out the lens, you do not need to press the “release button” on the top. This button only needs to be pressed to unlock and mount the locked lens. It has no function when the lens is inserted. 2. When loading the film, you should not/do not need to operate the quick shift lever to thread the film onto the spool. After the film cartridge is inserted on the right side, the film is pulled out over the film stage so that both sides of the perforation are caught by the teeth of the film transport wheel. Then fold the film pressure plate onto the film and hold it in place. Now insert the beginning of the film deep into the take-up spool and use the toothed edge disc attached to the bottom of the take-up spool to wind the beginning of the film in the direction of the arrows printed on the spool. This ensures that the film is securely threaded onto the spool. Put the back of the camera on and only now pull out the lens and transport the film to image 1 using the quick-shift lever. 3. The term on-off switch is misleading. The button on the top, next to the shutter button, only unlocks the lens and not, as one might think with the term on-off switch, the exposure meter is also switched on and off. However, the shutter release is locked until the lens is extended, so you can say that the camera is "switched off". The exposure meter, on the other hand, is always on and constantly measures the exposure, which is why, in order to save the battery, you should always keep the camera in the dark, for example in the leather case that was specially supplied with the Rollei 35. The light meter is fairly/sufficiently accurate. And it's not a rangefinder camera (you can't measure the distance and then set it precisely), but a viewfinder camera where you have to estimate the distance, which is really easy ... with a little practice.

We subscribed after 1 minute of watching. LOVE how natural and peaceful it feels to watch you on camera.

Nice presentation! I've used one of these Rollei 35s about 15 years ago, as a pocket camera for skiing. It produced mixed results but I loved to take pictures with it, it was very satisfying. I think I still have it, I guess I'll search for it and give it a try. Thank you for the presendation, now I've remembered how to use it! I'm gonna shoot 35mm film again, yeey!!!

I once owned a 35 TE and adored its classic look and portability, and what impressed me the most is its metering system is still reliable after several decades! The reading is almost the same as that of my Nikon ZFC in most lighting circumstances.

This is the greatest YT camera review I’ve seen in a long long time 👏👏 thank you so much…… I need to lift my game 😅

Amazing video, Sam! It even made me want to own a Rolei 35S. And, keep up the amazing work on your videos, I love watching them!

Such a lovely and informative video! Thank you :)

What a super review. Thank you very much for sharing. Some great photographs too.

Sweet little tool! Can really get candid with it. Gteat learning advice and glad you enjoyed it. ❤🎉

I have been using Rollei 35s since right after they were introduced in the US and currently own a black 35S and 2 chrome original Rollei 35s, all made in Germany. I have never had a problem focusing and solved metering issues with a compact Sekonic hand held meter. It looks like yours has the required ding in one corner. A fun video! Thank you!.

Very nice video. Thanks for all the info, and you passion making it. Rolleis are great.

Thanks for making this wonderful video - I am gonna "bribe" my family to pass me their old Rollei 35, love it, perfect street photography camera :)

thank you , My mom gave me her old Rollei 35 , I needed a starting point to figure it out , you just did that . Susccribed😊

Such a cute camera, you have a great eye for some interesting frames. Thanks for the video on this camera!!

Sam this was wonderful! I have a black 35 SE…I’ve owned it for years but never actually put film through it! I’m also a wide-open shooter most of the time so the guess-focussing puts me off. But, I think this camera is a marvel of design…it looks so beautiful on my shelf! I could quite happily collect them and I don’t think many modern cameras even come close design-wise. Also I think the 40mm lens is perfect for walk around pictures (I used to have a Leica CM for travel…another beautiful 40mm camera). Thanks for inspiring me to take a different approach and take mine out with me 😁

This is a tempting camera. I’ve always loved the look of this one and I don’t really have a camera that is small enough to carry easily. I like your introduction to it and it makes me want to keep an eye open on eBay for a good deal on one.

I have the 35SE and used it as a companion camera with my Mamiya C330 6x6 medium format camera. The Rollei for the quick shots. I used slide film in that one. I was really quick with it using DOF scale and measure the light from a neutral point on the ground. I also had a rangefinder accessory I could slot into the flash shoe for low light close focus shots. I bought the 35S like you have as an additional camera because I liked its more classic look regarding the metering system (although slower to use than the 3 led metering in the 35SE). I still have all these cameras and always hoped that someone would create a proper "digital film" cartridge. Note: Make sure you play with the lower shutter speeds regularly (below 1/30 s) when not using the camera much because these seize up in storage!

Lovely camera. Your video made me buy one today. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Dresden, Germany

Pretty great photos and sharped lens

Some lovely photos Sam! Don’t give up shooting bnw. It’s beautiful on its own. Yes the size is great and I’m proud to own a rollei35 made in Singapore (where I’m from). I just keep my zone focus at f8 and f8- infinity so everything is sharp. It’s really a great compact pocketable camera. Once you master zone focus, you would enjoy it a whole lot more

Another camera I knew nothing about and now i want it 😁

❤great review

Regarding your focusing issues, my Rollei B35 still had its manual. On the focusing ring the 6 ft and 20 ft are marked in red as the prime focus distances (6ft for close up, 20ft for landscapes). Between the aperture ring and the focus ring are four dots. The two outer dots are for the depth of field at F16 and the two inner dots are for F8. So set at F16 and 6ft everything from 4ft to 10ft will be in focus. If you turn the camera upsidedown the measurements are in metres on the other side of the lens.

I just got the 35 SE. Using 8+ aperture is the way to go! I am going to give it a try.

The best is your dislike, very honest indeed and sums up the problems you can have with this jewel of a camera. Once you know how to handle it is is the tool of an artist, keep on, all the best, Andreas❤

Awesome video as always! I had a Rollei 35 SE for a while, but couldn't get used to zone focusing so I sold it. One of the few things I regret in life..lol edit: also, you were in my neighborhood! I recognized a couple houses that I walk by often and the big white building that I've taken a few photos of myself...and Ventura Blvd in general.

I got one of the cameras the Rollie 35s I paid £27.00 for it from a charity shop in London few years ago and it got the original strap and lens cover and case and it got a front filter and it still works well and I can get great pictures as long as you understand how to use it especially for MANUAL focusing

I have a 35 SE. The jewel in the crown of the 35 series, and that Sonnar lens. It is simply a superb camera, just need to get the focus near enough accurate.

The PX625 battery is no longer made as it was a mercury cell. There are adapters available that use modern batteries but tend to be either very expensive or inappropriate in that they do not adjust the voltage from 1.55V to 1.35V (same as the original mercury cell). A zinc air battery is another option although they tend to be expensive and have a relatively short life. Using the sunny 16 rule or a handheld light meter may be the best option.

Have 4 and find the light meter very useful for gauging correct exposure

Rollei 35 series are not rangefinder cameras, but zone focus camera. If you want small compact rangefinder camera, take a look at Olympus XA. It's as small as rollei, while the body is made of plastic, they used pretty durable and solid one. The lens on it also pretty nice and sharp and open up to f2.8 with aperture priority. The "proper" way of shooting rollei 35 is just to put it at f8 and treat it as p&s, they are amazing for street. Happy shooting!

My father use to have a Rollei. What he used it for, I don't know. Great history on the camera.

Just bought this camera and stumbled upon your vid. Nice to see a female creator talking about cameras in a mostly male dominated niche. Nice video, keep up the good work :)

Hello! Have you tried to put a filter on it? Is it easy? Just screw on or do you have to remove something from the lens to put the filter on? Thank you!

SAM : I sent your video to a dear person ... in Vietnam , she is sweet lovely lady , that was given the Rollei by a man from Europe , and she loves her camera ... I hope Dao enjoys this video and you cheer her up , she has a lovely copy of this delightful versatile camera ... and I always wanted one too. Thank you Sam , for this wonderful video !! 🙏🏻

for shooting people, my rule of thumb with this camera is that half body shot - set to 2m, full body shot -set to 3~6m (leaning toward 6). btw this is zone focus camera - not range finder

Incredibly inspiring. I really like the Rollei 35 models and I definitely want to add one to my retro canera collection. That orange/red Fiat 500 was a very cool photo 📸 I've added your channel, hopefully you'll connect with a retro film photographer?

After a long few months of camera collection I’ve finally given in and boughten a regular Rollei 35! It’s probably gonna be one of the last I actually but with my own money, but hopefully it works well.

My mom found one of these in a field when she was a little kid, gave it to the police because the RAF was operating in the region at that time. Later she was allowed to take it back when nothing was found and it ignited her passion for photography. I'm trying to reactivate the camera now but my mom hasn't used it in decades and thinks it might be broken but we will seee

It took 2 seconds til i thought: "can i be friends with you?" instant sympathy.

I shoot a Canonet QL17 which is just as small as a Rollei however lacks the uniqueness of those dials and controls. Also a rangefinder but it does have a focusing patch to assist with focusing, another good option for your next tiny camera if you don't already have one. ✌

Rangefinder has a patch that allows you to know whether the image is in focus or not

What app were you using to gauge the light?!

What do you use for video editing? I love the cards for each section and how the text wiggles a bit!

What app did you use at 14.07 ?

Sam do you use Android or iPhone as I have amazing film camera apps for you that give amazing film look and all the Fujifilm and Kodak Colors from your phone.

Viewfinder camera is without any focus. Rangefinder has the patch in the middle. Tbh both rely on zone focusing. I had an SE and LED which I sold. I have an external cold shoe meter which I used when I needed a general meter.

what meter app do you use?

精彩!

nice video... what's the name of the app at 14:08 ??

The cinestill probably didn't come out blue because of your developing, but because it's a tungsten based film and therefore meant to be shot in "warmer" white balance environment (aka tungsten light rather than daylight)

Very nice 👍 now i feel bad that i just sold this camera.

The blue photos. Is it because of the 800T roll? T means Tungsten which is meant to be used under artificial warm light or in low light “night” scenarios. English is not my first language, i hope i didn’t say something in a rough way. Love those videos tho.

The car at 17m 10s was a Mk 1 Austin Mini Cooper which is a British Car and is probably from the 1970s or 1980s.

I strongly recommend you to recalibrate your focus ring, it will "automatic" loose after a few year LOL

Hello may I know what camera you used for filming outside?

I don’t think the all black one looks as special. Maybe since so many cheap tiny point and shoots I grew up with are all black, the two colored Rollei really looks like (what it is) a 35mm camera shrunken down into a kawaii package. Its my favorite camera…..that I don’t own yet. If you want to see a cute and different half-frame, look up the Bell and Howell (Canon) Dial. I just bought one as my first film camera in years. I think its adorable, and it wasn’t until after I already ordered it that I realized that in order t stop using my phone as a camera…I got a camera….that looks like a phone. 😂

Hi Sam, Have you tried the Olympus 35 RC rangefinder camera manufactured by Olympus in Japan in the 1970s. They claimed it to be the smallest 35 mm rangefinder with automatic exposure control and manual override. Its viewfinder readouts for selected aperture/shutter speed settings were unique for such a small camera, measuring 110×70x50 mm. Like the Rollei it used 1.35V mercury batteries, no longer available but you can get it adjusted for use with SR 44 batteries at 1.55V or use it fully manually. I have one and it's great to use. 👍

It's not a rangefinder. A rangefinder is a mechanism to assist correct focusing - as you find on Leica M cameras.

Buy an old cold shoe range finder eg. Medis and that will let you measure distance whilst still keeping things vintage - if that's how you like it 😄

You can use 675 hearing aid batteries for the lightmeter ;) You don’t even need an adapter for those. The lightmeter is very accurate and never let me down on color/bw-negative film. For color positive Film you might want to use an external one…

Stephen Shore also used a Rollei 35, he shot an entire book with it.

where is a good place to buy this camera?

Ive been wanting a Rollie for a while now, god I hope prices don’t up for these

Zone focus

You can buy a classical distance meter made by Leica for $137. It is too compact.

If you load the camera when it just grabs the film leader and then close it allready then you can actually can get arround 39 photos out of a roll😉.

That camera is so small :O

it is a viewfinder camera not a rangefinder camera

GAS; Gear Acquisition Syndrome 😋

During the Eighties and Nineties I owned and used Olympus XA, Minox 35, Olympus Mju II and the Rollei (It is pronounced "Roll-Eye" not "Roll-Ehh" btw.) 35 SE with the Sonnar lens. The Rollei 35 SE had sharpest lens and flared the least. It is up with most very good interchangeable prime-lenses only surpassed by the very best. If it had a rangefinder it would have been too good to be true but if you have trouble guessing distance there are accessory rangefinders available which are contemporary to your Rollei and can be a useful teaching-tool until you get a feel for it.

Regret getting the XA2 instead of this.

ローライ35Ｓカメラ女子→アニメたまゆら

You're not looking through the lens. You're looking through a little window that's offset from the lens. That's why you don't have WYSIWYG. This has nothing to do with it being a 'rangefinder'. Because it's not. Maybe you didn't say it was, you just said it's similar to one. I can't be bothered to go back and check.

Please try to pronounce Rollei right. It is not a Rolleeeeeehhh 🎉. At the end the sound is like at the end of Shanghai.

what is your instagram?