Occasionally, Craigslist turns up a bargain. A couple of weeks ago, I found a listing for a bag of cameras for a very good price. A retiree was lightening the load before moving to California. Up for grabs were a couple of family cameras: three Canons (AE-1, Canonet GIII QL17, and ELPH APS) and a Rollei 35. The Canonet is very interesting, but may need light seals. More on it in the future.

The jewel of the bunch is the Rollei. It was made in Gemany during my early college years (late ‘60s). I would have paid the asking price if the Rollei did not work. It’s a beautiful piece of engineering, the smallest full frame mechanical 35mm ever, about the size of a package of cigarettes. It’s worthy of a watchmaker.

It was designed by Wirgin Camera engineer Heinz Waaske as a personal project (a complete rethinking of the 35mm camera to make the smallest possible package) just before the company closed. Rollei took an interest and hired him. Serious production started in 1967. My pedestrian model, appears to have been made about a third of the way through the German production (1966-1971). Versions of the camera continued to be produced until 1981.

As with many cameras made during this era, mercury batteries were used in the light meters. They are no longer allowed, so I used the cheaper replacement adaptation--hearing aid aircells adapted to the housing with an o-ring washer.

Week 48 PAW is all from the Rollei. One roll of Fujicolor 100. The shutter and meter both seem to be working well. I’m surprised and very happy.

PAW 48 is here.