In 2024, I had the chance to film a wedding in Cape May and decided to bring along my Rollei 35 for some still photography on Kodak Ultramax 400. It was my first time using this compact yet tricky camera, and the results surprised me in the best way.
The Rollei 35, as some of you may know, is a scale-focus camera with a built-in meter. Unfortunately, mine is broken, which meant I had to rely entirely on my eye to measure exposure and guestimate distances for focus. It felt like stepping back in time, connecting with the fundamentals of photography in a way that’s so easy to forget with today’s modern gear.
Cape May’s soft, natural light was forgiving, and Ultramax 400’s latitude helped cover my inexperience. I commend myself for managing to get exposure fairly spot-on for most of the shots—a feat that felt like a small victory each time I saw the results. Focus was another challenge entirely, but after a few tries, I started to get the hang of estimating distances accurately. The Rollei’s compact design and manual operation demanded patience, but it also forced me to slow down and frame with intention.
During the day, we stepped outside with the couple to capture some quiet, intimate moments by the beach. Some standout shots included a breezy portrait of the bride adjusting her earrings and a veil-draped kiss on the sand. For a scale-focus camera, I had more keepers than I anticipated—something that’s testament to the forgiving nature of Ultramax 400 and perhaps a little luck on my part.
Reviewing these shots felt like peeling back a layer of nostalgia. There’s a distinct character to Ultramax that paired well with the timeless feel of Cape May. The colors were vibrant yet soft, and the grain added a charming texture that’s hard to replicate with digital. Holding the Rollei and carefully advancing each frame brought a sense of satisfaction that went beyond the final image.
I walked away from that wedding with a newfound appreciation for film photography and for trusting myself. While the Rollei 35 may not replace my primary gear, it has certainly earned a spot as a creative companion. Cape May’s timeless beauty and the joy of this couple’s wedding made for the perfect introduction to this little powerhouse of a camera.
To anyone hesitant to try a fully manual camera, I’d say go for it. You might be surprised by how much you enjoy the challenge and the results. Here’s to more adventures with the Rollei 35 and more stories told one frame at a time.
