Rollei 35 S

The Rollei 35 is a 35mm miniature viewfinder camera built by Rollei. The original Rollei 35, when introduced at Photokina in 1966, was the smallest existing 135 film camera. Still today, the Rollei 35 series remain the second smallest 35 mm camera after the Minox 35. In 30 years, about 2 million Rollei 35 series cameras were manufactured. The Rollei 35 is today manufactured by DHW Fototechnik, the successor of Franke & Heidecke as small-batch production.

The Rollei 35S is a compact 35 mm film camera designed by Heinz Waaske and made by the German camera maker Rollei, in their Singapore factory plant. It uses a Zeiss-licensed f2,8/40mm Sonnar lens. From most conventional cameras it differs by having an electronic flash hot shoe on the bottom. (Wikipedia)

The Rollei 35 S (The S stands for Sonnar lens) series consisted of two identical models; in silver and black.

In Singapore, from September 1974 until February 1980, 260,000 of these cameras were made.
The black model production (with black coated aluminum covers) started mid 1976. Serial Numbers run from 6.500.000 to 6.799.999, thereafter the lens number was the serial number.

The Introduction of this top-of-the-line model with the newly designed 2,8/40mm Sonnar lens (5 elements) was the reason to rename the original Rollei 35 with Tessar lens into Rollei 35 T.

Starting in 1977, feet and meter scales were printed next to each other on top of lens.

Camera weight 345 grams (brass covers), 325 grams aluminum covers. Size 97x32x60mm.

Camera price in `1976 was about DM 500 ($ 250).

Camera included the Rollei leatherette soft case, a lens cap, wrist strap and manual (silver cover). All packaged in a silver colored box. (Rollei Club)