Ultra-compact Rollei pocket camera with collapsible Zeiss Triotar 40mm f/3.5, one of the smallest 35mm cameras ever made.
The Rollei B35 is an ultra-compact 35mm viewfinder camera from 1969 that was one of the smallest full-frame 35mm cameras ever produced at its time of release. The fixed Zeiss Triotar 40mm f/3.5 lens provides a slightly wide standard perspective, and the entire camera fits easily in a coat pocket when the lens is collapsed into the body.
The B35 uses a CdS meter cell coupled to an indicator visible in the viewfinder, requiring the photographer to manually set aperture and shutter speed to achieve correct exposure. The Triotar is a three-element lens that delivers surprisingly good sharpness for its simple optical formula, particularly when stopped down to f/8 or beyond.
Build quality is impressive for such a tiny camera, with a metal body manufactured in Singapore to Rollei's German design specifications. The collapsible lens mount allows the front element to retract flush with the body for carrying, and the camera weighs remarkably little despite its metal construction and mechanical precision.
The Rollei B35 has gained appreciation on the used market as photographers rediscover the pleasure of truly pocketable film cameras. Its combination of German optical heritage, compact dimensions, and quality Zeiss optics make it a charming companion for everyday carry, delivering results that frequently surprise given its diminutive size.