The Rollei 35 is one of the smallest full-frame 35mm cameras ever created, easily slipping into a jacket pocket with its clever telescoping lens retracted. It is also one of the most successful camera designs of all time, with over 2 million manufactured after its 1966 Photokina debut. In 1971, Rollei moved Rollei 35 production to a new plant in Singapore, which would continue to build the cameras through the end of production. Whereas "Made in Germany" Rollei 35s were equipped with Zeiss Tessar lenses, CdS meters made by Gossen, and shutters made by Compur, "Made in Singapore" Rollei 35 cameras were fitted with Rollei-made licensed Tessar lenses, Nissei light meters, and shutters made by Copal. So while "Germany" and "Singapore" Rollei 35s look identical in their pleasingly-rounded shells, the interior components underneath differ significantly. 

German-built Rollei 35 cameras typically command a significant premium on the used market compared with their Singaporean siblings, in no small part due to the legendary reputation of the 20th century German optical industry. However, quality was strictly controlled at the Singapore plant, and "Singapore" cameras have excellent fit and finish that matches their Teutonic brethren. Rollei's Singapore branch even designed and built their own, more advanced model of the Rollei 35B in 1977, the Rollei 35 LED.

When searching for a Rollei 35 to shoot with today, individual camera condition is a far more important criteria than German or Singaporean manufacture. Pick up a clean copy (corner dents are common) and you will have a reliable, compact companion for years to come. 

We really admire the Rollei 35 - it is an incredibly well designed camera and is as compact as they come. That being said, it also does bug us, just a bit, that this camera doesn’t have a rangefinder to aid in focusing. Granted, there just wasn’t any room in the camera to install a rangefinder, but if this camera had some way of focusing other than simple scale focusing, we would consider it one of the all time greatest cameras.⁠
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The good news is that you can find accessory rangefinders to slip into the camera’s hot shoe, which is exactly what we did for this image. This old rangefinder came into the shop via a box of miscellaneous items. The moment Young David here pulled it out and started testing it, we knew just the right the camera with which to pair it up. ⁠⠀

za/sd

We tend to go on and on about how good of a pocket 35mm camera the Olympus XA is, but the Rollei 35 cameras are not to be forgotten!  They are just as compact, sport some really fine optics, allow all manual exposure control (most have a built in meter,) and they are so much prettier than the XA.  Plus, they do not depend on batteries, except for the aforementioned meter.  Their one big flaw is the lack of a rangefinder for focusing.  You will have to get good at gauging distance and zone focusing with these fellas.  Focusing is definitely an important skill to have and, the more you practice, the easier it becomes.  There are several different models out there, plus versions made in Germany or Singapore, as well as variants with different lenses.  It can be kind of confusing.  Our advice is to worry less about the Germany/Singapore differences.  From a user point of view, it doesn't really matter.  German versions are less common and more expensive, same goes for the black bodies over the chrome bodies.  There is a bit more of a difference between choosing a model with a Zeiss lens or Schneider lens, but you are still splitting pretty fine hairs.  Honestly, if you like the camera, spend less time worrying about these subtle differences and more time figuring out your next great photo.

za/sd

An irreparable, but still beautiful, Rollei 35 - wie schade!