Rolleiflex SL35 Detailed Review and Demonstration
Ғылым және технология
A detailed introduction to the hidden Gem, the Rolleiflex SL35, the first 35mm SLR film camera by Rolleiflex. This can be a good upgrade path for the 10,000+ Rollei35 fans on this channel. We also briefly cover the later Rolleiflex 35mm cameras and their re-branded Voigtlander versions.
When you mention Rolleiflex one image comes to mind, a high quality, expensive medium format Twin lens reflex or TLR film camera.
If you are really keen on the evolution of Rolleiflex medium format cameras, you will know about the excellent Rolleiflex SL 66 which was medium format but an SLR, not a TLR. You might also recognise the Rolleiflex SLX, SLX2 and the rest of that family which we covered separately on this channel. These high quality medium format cameras are largely responsible for the fame and reputation of the brand.
Rollei also produced the popular and highly sought-after Rollei 35 family of 35mm cameras. Those were viewfinder cameras.
What’s missing from this picture is the whole range of Rolleiflex 35mm SLR cameras. There is very little on this subject on KZread in the English language. There is more in Japanese and Spanish. So, I will do my duty to tell you what you have been missing.
This Rolleiflex SL35 from 1970 (to 76) was their entry into the 35mm SLR market in direct competition with Japanese brands such as Pentax and Minolta.
The next model from Rollei was SL350 which came out in 1974 (to 1976) with the same body shape but had Open Aperture metering like all competing cameras. This model was made only in Germany in Chrome and Black. All later models were made only in Singapore.
In early 70’s Zeiss Ikon stopped production, then in 1972 Rollei saw the chance and acquired the Voigtländer brand from Zeiss including its camera designs.
In 1976 (to 80), Rollei introduced the next generation of SLR cameras, the SL35M based on the Voigtlander designs from Icarex 35S or SL 706 but with plastic top and baseplates. There were no technological breakthroughs though. SL35m was also re-badged as Voigtlander VSL 1.
Same year 1976 (to 80) SL35ME was introduced with Aperture priority Automatic shutter. This model was also re-badged as Voigtlander VSL 2.
The final model in 1978 (to 82) was SL35E which was smaller and lighter. Its Voigtlander version was called VSL 3E.
The lens is interchangeable and has a proprietary bayonet mount called QBM or Quick Bayonet Mount. There are adaptors for M42 and Leica LTM (Leica Thread Mount) to also fit onto this camera.
The lenses made for the QBM mount included:
• Carl Zeiss
• Rollei
• Rolleinar
• Schneider
• Voigtlander
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Пікірлер: 11
Such a great great video! Thank you for sharing.
@TechHeritage
Ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
These videos are quite presentational and informative but also very enjoyable. Love it.
@TechHeritage
2 ай бұрын
Glad you like them!
I loved this camera from the first time I handled and shot with it while working in a camera store in the 1970s. Fit and finish is better than a Pentax Spotmatic, which I also love. I have two of the original German-made models, one each in black and silver finish, and several contemporary lenses (although I am adding more Zeiss-designed lenses, the Rolleinars are also quite good). My user collection also includes two of the last model - the SL 35E, which is also beautifully designed and made. My advice is to avoid the troublesome M and ME models entirely - more money to spend on lenses, although I do have a couple stashed away for nostalgia. Superb video, as always. Andy
@TechHeritage
2 ай бұрын
Thanks for the positive comment and sharing your great experience. If you get a free moment, it would be greatly appreciate if you could explain the problems that you encountered in M and ME. Your direct experience can be helpful in future reviews of those models.
@andrewhowarth4578
2 ай бұрын
@@TechHeritage The ME models have generally less attractive fit and finish, with the plastic body covering shrinking unacceptably. I had two M models and one ME, and all had complete electronic shutter failure. I sent one of the M's off to a local camera repair person, who told me this was a "board failure" and unrepairable at a reasonable cost. He said that you could sub in a unit from a parts camera, but it would likely fail as well. The LED displays tend to fail suddenly, then randomly start working again. The E models seem to have fully corrected both of these deficiencies. I've been using them for several years with no failures except for the red LED that gives battery check and self-timer indications. Andy
@TechHeritage
2 ай бұрын
Thanks for the detailed feedback. This is very helpful to me and others.
Hi, thanks for the video, my lens is similar but hard to find informations on, can you help? OPTON Pl 1.4/50 Oberkochen. Look like it was made in West Germany
@TechHeritage
23 күн бұрын
Thanks for watching. Pl stands for Planar. Oberkochen Opton is the re-baged name for Carl Zeiss. It was intended for selling in East Germany. It was made in West Germany like the regular named Carl Zeiss Plannar lenses. You probably know about the sensitivity regarding the use of the Carl Zeiss name between West and East Germany. I have covered that story in the video on Carl Zeiss and Contax RTS.
@alixlaine8927
23 күн бұрын
Thx!!! Is it less commun than a lense named as Carl zeiss ?anyway it is amazingly sharp 😉