Rollei 35 RF

The Rollei 35 RF (2002) is a version of the Cosina Voigtländer Bessa R2 marketed not by Cosina but instead by Rollei, complete with a Rollei 40mm lens.

Like the Bessa R2, the Rollei 35 RF has a Leica M mount and a metal focal-plane shutter. Its TTL exposure meter requires batteries, but batteries are not otherwise needed. Shutter speeds range from 1 to 1/2000s and bulb (B), with flash sync at 1/125s on hot-shoe or PC terminal.

The most obvious differences from the R2 are the price (much higher) and somewhat gaudy appearance: more silver, and more prominent branding. Beside this badge engineering, there are other differences. The shutter-speed knob and the grip on the body are slightly redesigned and more importantly the framelines are for 40, 50, and 80mm.

This camera was so transparently a Cosina, and (complete with 40mm lens) its price was so high, that it was greeted without much enthusiasm when released. With or without its original lens, it is now (2006) easily found in like-new condition for well below its original price. Arguably it remains the best Bessa camera for people who wear glasses and primarily use a 40mm lens.

Links

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20050305012118/www.rollei-usa.com/compact/35rf.htm Rollei 35 RF] as written up by Rollei
* [http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=664 Rollei 35 RF review] at rangefinderforum.com