Rollei Rolleimat F Review: Compact 35mm Classic for Creators

A Compact Classic: The Rollei Rolleimat F Story

The Rollei Rolleimat F is one of those compact 35mm analog cameras that quietly wins you over. No oversized grip, no intimidating viewfinder readouts—just a neat, pocketable body and a surprisingly capable lens. Designed in an era when photography had to be simple and reliable, it still feels refreshingly focused today.

Where many modern cameras drown you in options, the Rolleimat F offers exactly what you need: aperture-priority automatic exposure, straightforward zone focusing, and a bright viewfinder. It’s the kind of camera you can sling over your shoulder for years and instinctively know what it will do when you bring it to your eye.

The first time you hold a compact film camera like this and hear the clean mechanical click of the shutter, it’s oddly grounding. That small sound makes every frame feel intentional—no burst mode, no second chances, just a quiet commitment to that moment in front of you.

Technical Traits That Still Matter

Aperture-priority that teaches exposure

The Rolleimat F uses aperture-priority auto exposure. You set the aperture on the lens, and the camera’s meter chooses a matching shutter speed. This makes it a brilliant teacher: you’re encouraged to think in terms of depth of field, while the camera quietly handles the timing.

Zone focusing for quick street and travel shots

Instead of a full mechanical rangefinder camera system, the Rolleimat F uses zone focusing. Distance symbols and markings on the lens let you set focus approximately—perfect for casual street photography, travel diaries, and family trips where you don’t want to miss a moment.

Lens and film compatibility

Mounted on the camera is a compact fixed lens optimised for everyday use: sharp in the centre, with the kind of gentle rendering that flatters skin tones and gives scenes a subtle vintage feel. It works with all standard 35mm films you can buy today: Kodak Gold, Fujifilm C200, and even more creative stocks like CineStill.

PX625 meter battery, updated for modern use

Originally, the Rolleimat F relied on a PX625 mercury cell, now discontinued. Fortunately, modern replacements such as the Wein MRB625 zinc–air battery or common 625A alkaline cells can keep the meter running. When using an alkaline 625A, you may need to compensate slightly for the different voltage, but a quick comparison against a phone light meter app will tell you how far off it is.

Who Will Love the Rolleimat F

Film beginners finding their footing

If you’re just starting with film, the Rolleimat F is kind. Aperture-priority auto exposure plus zone focusing means less time fiddling, more time noticing light and composition. You’ll quickly see how choosing f/2.8 versus f/11 changes the look of your photos without worrying over shutter speeds.

Experienced shooters wanting a light companion

For seasoned photographers, this is an ideal throw-in-the-bag camera: small, discreet, and ready when your main system is too heavy or too precious. Its quiet shutter and modest appearance make it perfect for candid work, especially in cities where big cameras can feel intrusive.

Hybrid creators and sustainable shooters

Because it uses widely available 35mm film and a simple battery, the Rolleimat F is easy to keep running for decades. Pair it with a home scanner and you have a lightweight, sustainable workflow: analog capture, digital finishing, minimal waste. Buying second-hand bodies from a curated store like DutchThrift also keeps great cameras in circulation and out of drawers.

How to Get the Best Results in 2025

Essential shooting checklist

To keep your Rolleimat F running smoothly and your images consistent, walk through this quick checklist whenever you load a roll:

• Load fresh film and set ISO correctly
• Pre-focus at approx. 3m for general shooting
• Use modern PX625 replacements for accurate metering
• Scan negatives for hybrid editing in Lightroom
• Check meter with a light source
• Inspect lens for haze or fungus
• Test film winding lever and rewind
• Examine light seals inside film back
• Confirm smooth aperture blades movement

Zone focusing made simple

For everyday walks, set the lens to around 3 metres and choose an aperture of f/8 on a sunny day. With most 35mm films, this gives you enough depth of field that everything from roughly 2 m to 5 m will look acceptably sharp—great for street scenes and portraits in context.

Bringing film into a digital workflow

Once your roll is developed, scanning your negatives opens up a modern, flexible way to work. Import the scans into Lightroom or similar software and make gentle adjustments: recover highlights, correct colour casts, and clean up dust. You preserve the character of film while still enjoying digital convenience.

Buying the Rollei Rolleimat F Second-Hand

What to inspect before you commit

Buying a Rolleimat F second-hand is both budget-friendly and environmentally responsible, but a little inspection goes a long way. Here are the key areas to check or ask about:

• Does the light meter respond smoothly when you point it from dark to bright scenes?
• Do all shutter speeds sound distinct, especially the slow ones?
• Is the lens free from haze, fungus, and major scratches?
• Does the film advance lever move cleanly and reset without grinding?
• Are the light seals around the film door still intact or recently replaced?
• Do the aperture blades move freely without oil or sticking?

Why buy from a curated store

A specialist second-hand store like DutchThrift pre-checks cameras, replaces light seals where needed, and verifies basic functionality. That reduces the risk of wasted film and disappointment. It also means if something does go wrong, you can talk to someone who has actually held and tested the camera you’re using.

Consider adding a few carefully chosen photography accessories to your kit—like a small shoulder bag, a soft release button, or a handheld meter—to build a compact, long-lasting film setup around your Rolleimat F.

Final Thoughts: Timeless Simplicity Meets Modern Creativity

The Rollei Rolleimat F is a reminder that you don’t need cutting-edge specs to make meaningful photographs. Its compact form, intuitive controls, and cooperative meter make it a pleasure for beginners and experienced shooters alike. In 2025 and beyond, it still holds up as a versatile, sustainable way to explore 35mm film without dragging a heavy system everywhere.

If you’re looking for a camera that nudges you to slow down, see light more clearly, and enjoy the tactile side of photography, the Rolleimat F is well worth a look—especially when bought second-hand from a trusted source.

FAQs

Is the Rollei Rolleimat F suitable for film beginners? Yes. Its aperture-priority auto exposure and simple zone focusing make it an approachable way to learn exposure and framing without getting lost in complexity.

What battery does the Rolleimat F use? It was designed for the PX625 mercury cell. Today, the Wein MRB625 zinc–air is a good substitute, and a 625A alkaline cell can also work if you adjust for the slight meter difference.

What should I check before buying a used Rolleimat F? Make sure the light meter reacts to changes in light, the shutter speeds sound reasonable, the lens is free of haze or fungus, and the film advance and light seals are in good condition.

Can the Rollei Rolleimat F be used with modern film? Absolutely. It accepts all standard 35mm films, including popular options like Kodak Gold, Fujifilm C200, and creative CineStill stocks for unique colour and halation effects.