Rollei XF 35 with 40mm f2.3 Zeiss HFT

[giddygoat]

hi, never actually ventured into rangefinders before but came across this one for sale. am contemplating. may i know your opinions of this camera and also what i should look out for?
thanks all

 

[Parchiao]

Same stuff to watch out for. Sticky aperture, jammed winder, fungus or fogging of the lens, micro-scratches on the lens, light leak etc. Bigger concern will be the repair costs. I was about to purchase a Canon QL17 until I found out that overhauling the darn thing could costs as much as SGD250, when the cost of a minty one on eBay costs only SGD100. I can't imagine how much it will cost to overhaul the rollei. Another thing to consider is that the production methods of older glass is inferior to current day methods. As much as it is a Zeiss glass, I doubt that it will measure up against modern zeiss glass. One benefit I can think of is the lack of mirror slapping, as such, you should theoretically get sharper pictures. If this is gonna cost you a few hundred dollars, you might be better off considering a used Minilux, T3 of even GR1V.

 

[giddygoat]

thanks for the advice. i was a bit wary also cos it's a pretty old cam. and the guy wants 380 so dunno if i should. was mainly looking for a small portable cam to carry around and kinda prefer film than digicams.
anyway, just toying with the idea.
anyone used it before? how's the picture quality?

 

[Parchiao]

Try this link for one review. Sure that there should be more reviews around.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/classic35mmcompacts/message/1489

eBay seems to be selling this for approximately USD100.

 

[giddygoat]

great! thanks again. doesn't sound like it's worth 380 but then yahoo auction always have inflated prices one. must admit, got a bit interested cos of the zeiss name. shallow, hor :embrass:
extremely grateful for your help.

 

[Nescafe]

I'd got one b4. Image quality is quite good, but the metering and hence the AE was erratic. I sold it only after 1 roll. (paid S$200, sold actully trade-in value at S$150.)

Don't waste time lah.

 

[giddygoat]

ok, really glad i checked with you all first. thanks for your help, everybody

I'd got one b4. Image quality is quite good, but the metering and hence the AE was erratic. I sold it only after 1 roll. (paid S$200, sold actully trade-in value at S$150.)

Don't waste time lah.

 

[Nescafe]

IM(!H)O, to enjoy the fun of RF, you just can't do it for under $500 (cam+std lens)

OK, zorki, FED are real manual RF for a few hundred bucks, but there is no QC to talk about. Also, u don't get that smooth, precision feeling associated with a good RF.

Canon LTM RF are not bad, but with lens probably costs about $500.

Rollei 35 or 35S are great, but no RF (estimation focusing)

Maybe start saving and look out for a Leica IIIf, or Contax T. See:

Contax T

 

[giddygoat]

sigh! :dunno:
it's always money. still studying so i don't think i'll blow 500+ on an RF. maybe when i'm working.......
thanks all. you help is much appreciated. i'll probably postpone my RF adventure till later. happy shooting