Camera Obsession: Rolleiflex SL35 with Carl Zeiss Glass

randy — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:21:33 +0000

I’m at it [again][1]. This time, a nice little [Rolleiflex SL35][3] with some fantastic [Carl Zeiss][2] glass; specifically, a Planar 1,8/50. These are supposed to be fantastic lenses (which I don’t doubt, but haven’t shot any film through it yet) and for what I paid for the camera *and* lens (a whopping $55 shipped), I couldn’t even come close to finding something in this class for my digital SLR. However, it’s not without it’s aged faults. The focusing ring is really stiff and if you’re not careful, it will actually turn past the stopping point and then the m/ft. markers are off.

Either way, this is a tank of a camera. Substantially heavier (and probably better built, no doubt) than my old Nikon Fe. The lens itself adds a considerable amount of heft to the camera. But, for a 40 year old camera, it’s in pretty good shape. Rolleiflex (Rollei) first made cameras strictly in Germany, then later opened up a plant in Singapore where it pumped out larger quantities. This particular camera (and lens) was made in West Germany. I can’t wait to shoot some film through little tank! Especially some of that [Kodak Ektar 100][4] stuff that just came out recently.

[1]: http://www.randys.org/2008/11/02/new-obsession-film-cameras-and-ebay/
[2]: http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Carl_Zeiss
[3]: http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Rolleiflex_SL35
[4]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sesser/sets/72157608821851295/

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Camera Obsession: Rolleiflex SL35 with Carl Zeiss Glass