I recently saw an ad for a camera called, i think, a rollei SL2002. It was a 35mm camera which seemed be built on the rollei MF SLR design -- kind of boxy, apparently interchangeable backs, apparently motordriven, apparently able to do both waist level and prism finder. Is anyone at all familiar with this camera? It was built in the 80's, I gather.

Just curious

-- john beckman (john.beckman@nyu.edu), March 10, 2000

Answers

The current KEH (paper) catalog has a photo of it inside. So I assume they have one or more for sale. Try keh.com and see what they are asking.

-- Greg Erker (erker@sask.trlabs.ca), March 13, 2000.

john

the rollei 2002 and later version 3003 is pretty much what you described... a medium format-like 35mm slr.

i shot with one once to test it out at a used camera store near me and must say that only get it if you need interchangeable backs to switch from different type films.

if you don't have this need, then pass on it. it's slow to operate and doesn't nearly have all the features of modern manual focus slr. the contax aria is a far superior manual focus camera with it's matrix metering pattern and zeiss lenses.

another appeal for the rollei is the affordability of it's rollei line of lenses. some of the lenses feature rollei HFT's coating, excellent!

it's rather expensive. a used 2002 can fetch up to $800-$1000 used with a 50mm lens and one film back. film backs are rare on the used market and can cost up to $250. i saw a used listing for a latter 3003 model at KEH for $1200. you can get a contax rx or a nikon f100 for that price.

so if you need the interchangable back in 35mm format you can also get a used medium format system like the bronica etrs and buy a 35mm adapter back for it.

so only get it if you absolutely "need" interchangable backs in 35mm form.

-- nhat nguyen (nhat@lowrider.com), June 20, 2000.