Old Camera Review: Rollei 35 S, Minox 35 GT-E, Olympus RC, Petri 35 Color and Voigtlander VIto IIa

Vintage High-End compacts reviewed after decades of use: Rollei 35 S, Minox 35 GT-E, Olympus RC, Petri 35 Color and Voigtlander VIto IIa compared

[@autisticlife]

The shuttle in the Minix can be easy to fix if it clicks and does not fire. This may be down to an gap adjustment on the shutter actuating level. There is a video on how to carry out this adjustment all one ne3ds to do is remove the light absorbing cone behind the lens to expose the adjustment screws, simple to do. I got my Minox EL running in minutes.

[@Lawman212]

The Minox is a lovely design. I found one in a box, so went to the store for batteries and film. Put in the batteries, almost put in the film. I decided to check if the shutter works. Although it made a clicking sound, the shutter wasn't moving. I was so disappointed. It's a satisfying design, and people sing praises of the lens. But mine, in apparent mint condition, doesn't work.

[@andrewinaustintx]

My personal preference in the compact 35mm field is one which fits in a pants pocket - but "also" uses a long throw focusing adjustment, which then stays put once set. The cameras with the longest focus throw have more marked distance increments for subjects that are close in. I guess if the photographer only uses the f8 or f11 apertures this isn't critical.
The Vito IIa has a helical that rotates a 180 degrees from the 1 meter mark to its infinity focus setting. The focus helical on the Rollei 35S rotates 90 degrees. On the highly rated Olympus 35RC focus helical only rotates 45 degrees between infinity and its nearest focus setting. The Rollei 35S offers a happy middle ground with regards to quality feel of its focus helical.
I have the older sibling of the Vito IIa, which is the Vito II. An accessory viewfinder like the Kontur or Leitz SBOOI are an absolute necessity on these pre-1957 Voigtlanders, if the photographer wears eye glasses. The later Vitomatics and some Vito B models have a luxurious viewfinder with a 1:1 magnification - which means a larger camera that does not fit in a pants pocket.

[@oldtechshack]

Thanks, it is always interesting to hear about other peoples preferences and what is the important aspect for them.