The TRUE Budget Leica M6 Alternative | Rollei 35RF

The Rollei 35RF is a lesser known rangefinder that has the fundamentals of the mega-expensive Leica M6 but at a fraction of the price. Today, we take a dive into some background of this rangefinder as well as its features.

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MUSIC
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CHAPTERS
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0:00 - You can skip this part
0:25 - Intro
1:18 - Leica M6
2:02 - Voigtlander Bessa R2
3:09 - Rollei 35RF
4:47 - Thoughts & Sample Photos
7:36 - Conclusion
8:26 - Outro

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DISCLAIMERS
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This video is not sponsored. Any names or brands that appear or are mentioned are not involved with the production of the video in any way.

Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
The materials are used for illustrative and exemplification reasons, also quoting in order to recombine elements to make a new work.

[benatea]

I love my Bessa R. The rangefinder patch is so bright and its a really easy camera to use!

[piketubeman]

*This is a comment about how I am so very upset that you have brought attention to this unknown/unloved camera and now the prices will go up on eBay*

[LoFiAxolotl]

Literally nobody bought it... i worked at Rollei back then... nobody wanted them and at some point some of us just walked into our warehouse and took some and nobody even cared... it was one of the biggest reasons Rollei is what it is today

[ShawnPBruce]

Neat video. I picked up a Rollei 35RF a few years back to use my M lenses. It’s a fantastic camera, really. I like how quirky it is too. It starts a lot of conversations.

[MultiSigil]

went to ebay and there are two, one at £2k and the other £3k. I would probably spend the little bit extra for the Leica for the service and part support

[neerajnongmaithem]

Man your video quality and especially your humor filled narration is a breath of fresh air. Keep this up and you would have 100k subscribers in new time, will suggest to do more of film shooting video.

[andreasbracke]

I have the old small Rollei35, but with this you only can guess the distance in focussing. So, I love my Nikon SLR-stuff like F5, but my back tells me, when I took to much gear. The adorable M6 is too expensive-its not just the body, the optics are expensive too. But I will search for this Rollei-looks like fun! You used the cinestill Films-i love them. Greetings from Germany

[britonabrompton]

As well as digital, I have Olympus E-PL8, E-P7 and LUMIX G90, for film photography I use Contax G1, and Minox 35. The Contax is totally opposite to the Leica/Bessa/Rollei. It is basically an all electronic rangefinder, with AF, power film transport, automatic metering and exposure. It looks very similar to the Rollei/Bessa, but is a more modern take on what a rangefinder camera should be.

[MattRyanPhoto]

Nice Vid! And great little camera! Underexposing film is a no-no. It is better to over expose, You can recover details from over exposed film, unlike digital where you can recover from shadow.

[wearetrackclub]

Love your video style, Kaichu! Really insightful stuff 🙌

[MiniTruckMatt]

wow I actually really like this. Looks like a Contax G2 with an M-mount

[SuperSuperka]

Nice! Love it! Though I'd go for Konika Hexar RF. It has 1/4000,

[diegoebustamante]

Great video! That camera looks more like a Contax G1/G2 to me but with Lecia M6 features

[Being_Joe]

I have the MC version of that 40mm and love love love it. Bought it for my M3 and use it on my X-T10 as well. This may be a good option if it has the 40mm frame lines.

[SystemParanoia]

Never thought I'd watch a camera review by a giant lizard monster.

Great stuff!!

[VirtualGuth]

Nice job of shedding some light on this camera. A really well done video. When I was looking for an alternative to my M6 I wound up choosing the Minolta CLE and I find it to be a great camera. But I can definitely understand the appeal of an all-mechanical camera that is only a couple decades old. The lens offerings for the Rollei 35RF were a bit odd (as are the resulting frameline choices). But overall this looks like a great option and what camera isn't without its quirks? I hope that it serves you well for a long time to come.

[randallstewart]

The Rollei 35RF was just one of several rebadge jobs made by Cosina and sold by which ever company had their name on the plate. Another was the Zeiss Ikon whatever of the same vintage. Under the skin, they are the same Bessa with a few style changes to color or shape of control knobs. They are all excellent, so buy the least expensive. The viewfinder is so nearly as good as the Leica that you'd not notice any difference unless you already owned the Leica, but then you would be shopping for a Bessa, would you.

[sunkilmoonfan]

I was looking for one when i wanted a rf. Went with the cle instead but the rollei is such a pretty camera.

[calanwebster]

man this was a great video, it has really inspired me to shoot film! couldn't be happier to subscribe to your channel 😌

[IAMiamiSteve]

Nice bro. Loved this. Very informative