Excellent Lens, good exposure meter, fast auto focus. Many feauters: expoure compensation,date function shutter speed to 1/8000 among others.

Lens cap falls.

Excellent Camera. Superb and fast lens. Sharpest I have seen in 35 mm P & S and SLR cameras I own. Sharpness of the lens is comparable to Mamiya 7 lens. Beautiful design. Great feel to handle.

Customer Service

Prompt response from Rollei in Germany to my queries.

Similar Products Used:

Ricoh GR1V.

Lots of control, the external flash is more powerful than integrated tiny bulbs, the size is convenient for big hands, sturdy like a tank, picture quality.

The only really annoying problem is that the lens cap always falls off. The designers must have come home from Carnival or the Oktoberfest when designing the mechanism that is supposed to hold it in place, as it would really not have been that difficult to do it right. They also slept when using two different types of batteries for the body and the flash, because there is enough space for the bigger (even better: AA format) batteries in both of them. On the other hand, batteries are so small that this is not much of an issue. The camera is significantly bigger and heavier than normal P&S, but you knew this before buying a QZ. An integrated flash would have fit in the body, to be on the safe side when one doesn't want to carry the external flash.

If you are aware of the size and weight but want a P&S with more control than the small click-and-forget-shooters, you will probably agree with the majority of users (http://Fulminis-Ictus.chez.tiscali.fr/Photo/Compact-Cameras.html) and find the Rollei QZ 35 W to be a fine compromise between Point & Shoot and SLR, which provides sharp and brilliant pictures if you use the right film.

Customer Service

No repair necessary so far, but inquiries and technical questions have always been answered satisfactorily.

Similar Products Used:

P&S: Canon, Minox, Olympus, Ricoh, Kyocera.

Style, sophistication, many features that include all auto or manual features. The lens is rather sharp and delivers great images. Built like a tank. The thing I like the most is the shutter speeds go up 8000/sec. Like that the aperature override is actually an aperature ring on the lens.

Fixed lenses; This would be a greater system w/ interchangable lenses. Not very compact if your are wanting that. If autofocus has difficult time locking, then it would not fire the shutter. I'd rather get a out of focus image than miss a shot all together. Need photo background to get through learning to use the camera to it's fullest. Would not recommend this camera to a novice, unless ambition is to learn the craft. I think that the price is enough to deter the casual photo geek in most.

I love this camera. It is my latest in my collection. However I only obtain cameras that suit a use in my personal and proffessional applications. Though I admit that this camera is a luxury to own. It was a bit overwhelming to first sit down and read the manual (not very good) and become familar w/ the camera. Very recommended to learn the functions and the location of the buttons and knobs; only till then can you fully enjoy this camera or any.

Customer Service

Not Yet, but one of the deciding points was that Rollei extended the US warranty from 1 to 3. Makes you feel better w/ todays cameras and there fancy chips.

Similar Products Used:

Ricoh GR1, Mamiya 7

Excellent, classy design, durability due to Ti body, a 90s version of the classic Rollei 35 handbuilt in the early 70s, in Germany

Tricky at different light situations, sensitive auto focus program that might not give you the best shots everytime
Lens cover does not hold in place well

One of the best for the price I paid, with excellent upclose, people photo taking capabilities, but needs experience and continual use to get constant, frequently good results in comparison to other, lesser priced Japanese models. Can it be called a status camera for the experienced?

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

Chinon Genesis II

Thinking person's point and shoot. Full manual controls encourage creative use.

Superb lens. Useful focal length range and speed.

Main controls are clear and logical. Good ergonomics.

Smallish viewfinder; idiot marks in finder indicate field size instead of a more sophisticated auto-parallax compensation.

Lens cap is heavy, with its built-in remote, and could be easily lost.

Autofocus is accurate, but tends to hunt when shooting low contrast subjects.

After being initially underwhelmed by this camera's size, viewfinder and a few other quirks, I've found that I've grown to like it more and more as I've used it. It's easy to use as a garden variety point and shoot, but that would really waste its capabilities. Take advantage of it manual settings and thoughtful approach and it will reward you with stunning images. Excellent for travel photos, The QZ 35w is a great choice if you tend to enjoy landscape and architectural subjects; for portraits and candids, you may prefer the longer focal length lens on the QZ 35t.

Customer Service

none required thus far

Similar Products Used:

Contax G1, Leica Minilux

Great handling camera. Very well constructed. Side bar flash is excellent, no red-eye, great to hold the camera with. After you learn how to use it ther are many things you can do. Very easy to use on fully automatic. Auto-Focus has been very accurate. I love small cameras this a little larger than most small cameras but a welcome edition to my collection.

Would like to see the option of a flash shoe on the camera as well as the side bar flash. Sometimes control buttons on top get accidently pushed. Optional non-remote control lens cap would be nice. It would be nice to have an eveready fitted case rather than a pouch case. The way the leather strap fits is awkward and scrathces the camera. I do not use it.

A great camera to own. Highly impressive looks, especially with flash attached. Excellent performer in all modes.

Customer Service

I have had contact with Rollei USA a couple of times and they have been helpful.

Similar Products Used:

Contax T-2, Contax G-2, Minox MDC

Lens delivers incredible sharp images in center and corners. Exposure is dead on with slide films (Fuji Provia 100 F). Great ergonomics. Shutter speeds cover immense ground for a P&S camera. From fully automatic to fully manual setting satisfies even most seasoned photographers.

Forget the lenscap and the pouch. A UV filter will do the job, get a carrying case that takes camera, flash, filters and a couple of films and whatever you need. The manual could be a lot more detailed.

Your top of the line-SLR is too heavy and bulky for the assignement, or your trip or vacation? You want to shoot slides or b&w? This is what you need. Call it a fully automated Leica M6, allowing you to go to fully manual and anything in between. Since I have this camera, my 35mm SLR with a 28-70 doesn't get that much of a work out anymore. Just let's hope, Rollei will continue the traditioin and introduce a successor with an interchangeable lens system, manual focal length adjustment and adaptability to Metz flashes.

Customer Service

Get on their web-site (rollei.de) ask them a question and you will have an answer the next day. Great.

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6, Minox 35 EL, Leica C1, Rollei 35

The sharpest P/S lens on this planet. Oh yeah, the lens is pretty darn fast too (F2.8/5.6). Picture quality can rivial any SLR. And it is definiely better than any P/S cameras on the market (with an apology to Nikon 35Ti/28Ti and the Leica Minilux which I rate them as the same class as the Rollei QZ). Truly outstanding and remarkable for a P/S zoom lens.
No visable distortion and no flare at any focal length.

SLR-like features, including amazing shutter speed range of 16-1/8000s, EV compensation, auto bracketing, exposure data memory and 4 different exposure modes.

Built like a tank (a very nice titanium tank with beautiful finishes).

Good operating range for the wireless remote control.

Lots of TTL info without obstructing the viewfinder.

Auto blue light for the LCD screen in dark environment.

Strong flash and fast recycling time.

Wow, tilt and swivel flash head for a P/S!!

You can forget about red-eyes. The only red eyes you will see are the ones checking out your awesome machine and wonder how they could get their hands on one.

The flash cord connection should really be a normal PC connnection instead of the custom design one.

Why use different battery types for the flash and the camera? More stuff to carry (major design weakness).

No auto daylight fill flash mode.
No auto compensation for bounce flash.
A quick release for the flash connection would be nice.
Also, I wouldn't mind having an on camera flash (perfect for daylight fill - Rollei, are you listening?).

A camera with this price tag should really have a spot meter.

I actually like the idea of remote control lens cap but it would been nice to have an optional normal lens cap also.

A slight fall off at the corners at 28mm (f2.8) but not a big problem.

The camera has a slightly overweighted problem but consider the SLR type capabilities, I guess it is o.k.

A little noisy for zoom and internal motor action.

A camera/flash case should be included.

Make no mistake sbout it, this is a posh Point & Shoot. I put it the same class with Leica minilux zoom or Contax T VS II. Comparing the three, the Rollei QZ is definitely bigger and heavier (i.e. not really a pocket type camera) but it gives you much more than the other two. Just the faster lens and the 1/8000 shutter speed is worth the extra weight. (Rolle QZ35W: 28-60mm F2.8/5.6) (QZ35T: 35-90mm f2.8/5.6) (Contax: 28-56mm f3.5/6.5) (Leica: 35-70mm f3.5/6.5). I was a little concern about the size and weight before purchasing this camera. After using it a few times I actually like the size and the weight. Good balance! Pocket camera, this is not. This is a serious shooting machine with amazing styling and performance. While there are a few design weaknesses (mainly the flash), you will never hear anyone complaining about the lens and picture quality. I love this camera!

Customer Service

No problem so far.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon LiteTouch 110, Leica C1, Nikon F401X, Nikon FM2, Nikon F3HP, Nikon F100, Pentax Spotmatic

I have a Rollei 35S with 40 2.8 HFT Sonnar lense. Small camera, totally manual, super lense, stealth appearance, no regular batteries to drain.

easy to dent

This camera is so easy to use and has a mechanical quality to it that makes it fun to use. Small enough to be easily tucked away and fairly quick to setup. Some people say that it is cumbersome to use- No, the focus is easy because of the short throw, the controls are obvious, the metering simple. The only quirkiness is the loading and extension/compressing of the lense, which only Rollei users know! A very fun, always carry camera. A quiet snapper makes it totally stealth for great photography. Very non-threatening, but has great capabilities due to its high techinical quality. Try finding that in a modern camera and not breaking the bank (ok, the classic ones will). Amazing lense of similar quality to good prime lenses in a tight, high qual. package.

Similar Products Used:

None of the LUXO modern RFs