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 (a little lower) and 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 initial price was so high, that it was greeted without much enthusiasm when released. As of 2006 it is easily found in like-new condition for well below its original price, with or without it's original lens. Arguably it remains the best Cosina-built rangefinder camera for people who wear glasses and primarily use a 40mm lens.
Links
- Rollei 35 RF as written up by Rollei
- Rollei 35 RF review at rangefinderforum.com
