Rollei b35 35mm mechanical film camera in excellent condition

The Rollei B35 is one of the smallest full-frame 35mm cameras ever produced, combining classic German engineering with a compact and elegant design. This beautiful silver model is a true collector’s piece, highly regarded for its build quality and outstanding optics. At the heart of the camera is the renowned Carl Zeiss Tessar 40mm f/3.5 lens (or Schneider S-Xenar depending on the version), known for its exceptional sharpness, contrast, and classic rendering. Despite its compact size, the Rollei B35 delivers image quality that rivals much larger cameras.

The camera features a fully mechanical design with shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/500 sec + Bulb, aperture from f/3.5 to f/16, and manual focus using the distance scale. On the top plate you will find the ASA (ISO) dial, used to match your film speed, along with the built-in selenium light meter, which works without any battery. The meter operates using a selenium cell that generates electricity when exposed to light, moving a needle that indicates the correct exposure. The light meter has been tested with a professional external light meter and it matches accurately.

The camera is in excellent condition, with only minimal signs of use around the body. The viewfinder is bright and clean, the optics are clean and clear, the shutter speed dial works perfectly, the aperture ring is smooth and accurate, and the focus ring operates smoothly. The camera is cocking and firing perfectly, and everything has been fully tested and is working flawlessly.

Please take in mind that in order to use this camera correctly and avoid any problem, it is required to understand its basic operation (a manual is easily accessible). The most important thing is that the film advance lever must always be cocked, as the camera is designed to always be ready for shooting. The lens can only be extended when the camera is cocked. To extend the lens, you rotate it clockwise until you hear a click. If you want to retract the lens, you press the small switch near the lens, rotate it anticlockwise, and then push the lens back into the body.

For film loading, on the bottom of the camera there is a large round switch that unlocks and opens the back cover. You insert the film following the arrows, close the camera, and then advance the lever 1–2 times to see the frame counter moving. On the top of the camera, the small wheel allows you to set the ISO (ASA) to match your film (for example ISO 100), while the larger wheel is used to control the light meter. To set the exposure, you select a shutter speed (for example 1/500, which is the fastest speed this camera offers) and then, according to the light, the needle of the light meter will indicate the correct aperture. For example, if the needle shows f/8, your settings would be 1/500, f/8, ISO 100 for that lighting condition.

On the lens, you will see three different wheels: one for shutter speed, one for aperture, and one for focus distance. Using the same settings you get from the light meter to the 2 wheels locared in lens ( shutter and Aperture) - You set the camera in the correct exposure. The distance scale wheel its helping the camera to understand where the distance your focus point located. it starts from 0.5 meters and goes to 1, 2, 3, 6, and infinity, helping you calculate the focus distance accurately. For example, if your subject is a,person approximately 3 meters away, you set the focus to 3 meters and adjust your settings accordingly. If you want shallow depth of field and background blur, you can use a wider aperture like f/3.5, while for more depth of field you can use f/8 with always matching with the ideal shutter speed for the correct exposure - depending on the light meter reading.

When you finish shooting your roll of film, on the bottom of the camera there is a small push switch that releases the film. You then use the lever on the bottom to manually rewind the film safely before removing it. This is a fully manual camera that requires a bit of skill and practice, but once mastered, it offers a very rewarding and enjoyable shooting experience. An excellent small camera made by Rollei, using a beautiful Tessar lens, ready to take beautiful photos.

Why buy from me?

Photography is not just about selling equipment for me — it is something I genuinely love and enjoy, just like many of the people buying from me. I share the same passion for cameras, lenses, vintage equipment, and photography gadgets, and this is one of the reasons I carefully choose the items I sell.

I also grew up working in sales, so over the years I learned not only how to sell, but how important honesty, trust, and proper presentation are. My experience in both photography and selling taught me how to correctly inspect, test, and evaluate equipment before offering it to someone else.

Every item I sell is treated the way I would personally want to receive it as a buyer myself. That means it is carefully cleaned, checked, tested, and serviced when needed before being listed for sale. I pay close attention even to small details because I know how important condition is to photographers and collectors.

Another thing that is very important to me is transparency. The photos you see in my listings are taken with a professional product photography approach, using proper lighting and high-quality digital cameras so buyers can clearly see the real condition of the item. I am confident to say that the way I present my items is not just among the best in Cyprus but also comparable to some of the most professional sellers worldwide. Only very professional sellers or businesses use dedicated product photography studios to present their items with full clarity and the highest level of detail — and I follow the same approach in my presentation. Many times I find myself noticing imperfections in the images that are difficult to see even with my experienced eye before the photos. My photos show everything in detail, often even more clearly than a buyer could see the camera from close. I highlight imperfections not only in the photos but also in the detailed description so the buyer knows perfectly what they will buy without surprises or excuses.

I also make sure to mention imperfections clearly in the description, not only in the photos. My goal is simple: I want the buyer to know exactly what they are purchasing, without surprises or excuses later.

Besides local platforms, I also sell internationally on eBay, which has very strict standards for sellers. I am proud to maintain 100% positive feedback across my selling platforms, and I believe this reflects the honesty, care, and professionalism I try to provide with every sale.

Photography equipment can sometimes be complicated, especially vintage cameras and lenses. For example, a lens can have fungus inside the optics — a serious issue that reduces image quality and lowers the value significantly. Digital cameras can also have common problems such as broken battery doors or clips, autofocus issues, or batteries that no longer hold charge properly. Some digital cameras also use specific or less common memory card formats that are not always easy to find in Cyprus, which can create delays for the buyer. That is why my listings are often complete with compatible memory cards, so the buyer can use the item immediately without needing to search for accessories or wait a long time to find the correct card. Point-and-shoot cameras may look simple, but they also need proper checking to ensure all functions work correctly.

Film point-and-shoot cameras require proper film testing to confirm that everything operates as it should. Even if a film camera passes a basic film test and the photos look great, in many cases the light seals are already dry due to the age of the camera. Over time, if they are not replaced, they will start to deteriorate and break down, allowing light to enter inside the camera and causing light leaks on the film. Mechanical film cameras are even more complicated — even if they pass a full roll of film and the results look great, there can still be hidden issues that only appear later, which is why proper inspection and long-term understanding of the camera is very important.

This is why buying from someone with real experience and knowledge can make a big difference.

All items are physically in my possession and ready to ship, usually the same or next day, so buyers can receive their item quickly and start enjoying it almost immediately.

And most importantly, I stand behind the items I sell. If something is genuinely not as described, I offer a 2-day return period so the buyer has enough time to inspect and test the equipment properly.

Finally, I am always happy to help with advice, recommendations, or guidance if someone is unsure about what camera, lens, or accessory would suit them best. Sometimes helping someone choose the right item is just as enjoyable to me as selling it.