At the time of its release, the Rollei 35 was the smallest 35mm camera in the world, renowned for its outstanding lenses. To the best of my knowledge, a total of over two million units were manufactured. Excluding the numerous limited special editions, the main production models consist of the following:

• Rollei 35 (1966–1975): Tessar 40mm f/3.5 – the iconic "original model" (Made in Germany until 1971, then Made in Singapore).

• Rollei C 35 (1969–1971): Triotar 40mm f/3.5 – a simplified budget version without a light meter.

• Rollei B 35 / 35 B (1969–1978): Triotar 40mm f/3.5 – featured a battery-free selenium light meter.

• Rollei 35 Xenar (1972–1973): Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 40mm f/3.5 – a rare variant equipped with a Schneider lens.

• Rollei 35 S (1974–1980): Sonnar HFT 40mm f/2.8 – the fast, premium model featuring Zeiss optics (Made in Singapore).

• Rollei 35 T (1976–1980): Tessar 40mm f/3.5 – the continuation of the classic Tessar model (Made in Singapore).

• Rollei 35 LED (1978–1980): Triotar 40mm f/3.5 – introduced a modern LED exposure indicator inside the viewfinder (Made in Singapore).

• Rollei 35 TE (1980–1982): Tessar 40mm f/3.5 – updated electronic version of the "T" with in-viewfinder LED metering (Made in Singapore).

• Rollei 35 SE (1980–1982): Sonnar HFT 40mm f/2.8 – updated electronic version of the "S" with in-viewfinder LED metering (Made in Singapore).

left to right:

Film rewind crank, tripod thread (can still be seen below  Picture counter), rear panel release, flash accessory shoe

Rollei 35, Made in Singapore. Here with the five-lens lens with multi-layer coating HFT Sonnar 2.8 40mm

An ingenious accessory: the Voigtländer rangefinder. Just like the built-in mechanisms found in classic rangefinder cameras (such as the Leica M3, M4, etc.), you use a double-image method where you rotate the dial until the two overlapping images align perfectly.

From my perspective, the advantages of this camera are:

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• Small, lightweight, and compact

• Outstanding lenses (Tessar/Sonnar)

• Fully mechanical leaf shutter, including the aperture mechanism

• Built-in CdS light meter (on most models)

• A masterpiece of fine mechanics

• An unmistakable, iconic design

• This camera simply invites you to enjoy the pure joy of photography!

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Of course, this camera isn't perfect. To achieve its ultra-compact size, a built-in rangefinder had to be omitted. On the flip side, this forces the photographer to (re)learn how to work with the interplay of aperture and distance settings—the depth of field. A more conscious engagement with your subject and a wonderful slowing down of the photographic process are the welcome side effects.

For critical close-up shots or when shooting wide open, I use an external Voigtländer rangefinder (see the pictures below). If you prefer, you could even carry a tape measure with you. ​ Additionally, there is no automatic indicator or correction for parallax error.

Quick Note on Parallax Error: Parallax compensation is necessary in viewfinder cameras to achieve a better alignment between the frame shown in the viewfinder and the actual image projected onto the film by the lens. This parallax effect occurs because the viewfinder does not look through the taking lens itself, but through its own separate optics offset parallel to it. The resulting effect is primarily a "shifted" image composition. The closer the camera is to the subject, the more pronounced this effect becomes. ​ Furthermore, several controls are not located where you would traditionally expect them: the film advance lever is on the top left, and the hot shoe for the flash is mounted on the bottom of the camera. ​ Yet, despite all this—or perhaps precisely because of it—this camera invites you to go out and discover the world through its lens!

Top view of the controls (from left to right): Shutter button with a cable release socket, lens release button (Caution: The lens can and must only be collapsed/retracted when the shutter is cocked!), the light meter display, and the film advance lever.

The distance measured on the rangefinder is then manually transferred to the lens. This makes shooting wide open or taking close-up shots completely hassle-free.