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Category: Choosing the Right Camera Flashes

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Flash Recommendation for Rollei 35S


I have recently acquired a used Rollei 35S and am now looking for an inexpensive flash.

I have spotted a used Rollei 128BC flash for about 60 US$ but do not know if it's worth it. Also, I am wondering if there aren't any smaller, more compact solutions (ideally with off-camera possibility). What I am looking for is a relatively small flash unit that suits the size of my camera (and the awkward position of the hot shoe). I would mainly use it for fill-in or similar.

Can anybody give me any hints on what to look for. Or shall I buy the used 128BC? Thanks.


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April 29, 2002

 

John A. Lind
  Peter,
I've owned a Rollei 35S for over 20 years (bought it new), and owned a 35T for some time (also bought it new) before selling it a couple years ago.

The 128BC is a good flash unit, even though it's nearly the size of the camera. If you buy it, I don't recommend using it on any newer electronic cameras without first finding out whether its flash trigger is low voltage. Older flash units with high trigger voltages won't hurt the Rollei 35 though.

I use two flash units with the Rollei 35S and mount them in the hot shoe:
Rollei E19BC: Much like the 128BC (except older ??). Has high trigger voltage so I use it only with several older cameras including the 35S. Works well and is a fairly powerful flash. From the photos I've seen of the 128BC, the two look quite alike.
Sunpak Auto 140: Also an older flash with high trigger voltage. Not nearly as powerful as the Rollei E19BC flash but more compact.

I also have a very old flash bracket specifically for the Rollei 35 with a mount on the side for a "Honeywell" flash handle. It works, but is *big* compared to the rest of the camera, even when used with a relatively small Honeywell handle that has a hot shoe on the top. The basic problem for "off camera" flash is the lack of a PC socket. This flash bracket includes a special low profile "hot shoe to PC" adapter that slides into the Rollei 35's hot shoe and allows the bracket to mount over it on the bottom of the camera. I don't use this bracket that often, but mount the flash in the hot shoe instead. I've gotten used to holding the camera updside down with a flash in the hot shoe.

Some current, relatively small and inexpensive shoe flash units to consider:
Sunpak 1600A: GN 52 auto flash that allows selecting one of two f-stops in "auto" mode. Has a bounce head and uses two "AA" cells. Approx. $30 new.
Sunpak Auto 144PC: GN 66 auto flash that also allows selecting one of two f-stops in "auto" mode. Slightly bigger and heavier; also has bounce head and uses four "AA" cells. Has a sub-mini phone jack on the side that can be used with a cord for off camera flash triggering; hot shoe contacts are disabled when cord is plugged in. Approx. $40 new.

These are two alternatives to the 128BC, although neither are as powerful.

-- John


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May 01, 2002

 

Roger
  reference the question "what flash to use on the rollei 35s" I use the rollei 121bc. It is compact:smaller than the camera and performs very well. roger


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December 30, 2002

 
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