I bought the Rollei XF 35 second-hand about five years ago because I was looking for a simple point-and-shoot camera with a high-quality lens for 35mm film. I must admit, I don’t use it very often, but whenever I do, I’m always impressed by the image quality. It’s easy to handle and compact, but it doesn’t feel particularly high-end. Perhaps that’s one reason why I tend to reach for other cameras in my collection instead.
On this occasion, I used Kodak Gold 200, a film that produces a fantastic retro look and instantly transports me back to the 1970s and 80s just by looking at the images. I was fortunate enough to stock up on it before the prices skyrocketed, and it’s always a pleasure to receive the developed results from the lab. The photos are not entirely clear in color and some have slightly muddy shadows – the cause may be that the film remained in the camera for several months before it was developed, but I don’t dislike the effect.
My photos are taken about 40 kilometres south of my home in Bad Tölz, in the Bavarian Alps – specifically in Vorderriss and around the Oswaldhütte. Vorderriss is located at 808 metres above sea level, where the Rißbach flows into the Isar, at the foot of Schürpfeneckberg. This small settlement, home to only nine buildings and 30 residents, includes a guesthouse, a state forestry office, a forestry station owned by the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and a former customs house.
Four kilometres further south lies the inlet structure of the Rißbach diversion, where, since 1949, much of the Rißbach’s water has been redirected to the Walchensee to supply the Walchensee hydroelectric plant. Here, you will also find the Oswaldhütte (844 metres above sea level), a serviced alpine hut that serves as a starting point for hikes, such as the ascent to the Schafreuter (2,102 metres above sea level). My photos capture the Oswaldhütte and its stunning surroundings, including the mountains and streams. The alpine hut is open from spring to autumn and serves typical Bavarian, simple dishes and good beer. In the past, cows and pigs were also kept in the adjacent barn and looked after by the innkeepers. Just a few hundred metres further, the Austrian border begins.
I love arriving at the hut on a Saturday or Sunday morning around 10:00 as the first guest, enjoying the peace and seclusion. It’s a wonderful destination for a drive in my English HMC Roadster.
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Gary Smith on 7 Frames with a Rollei XF 35 and Kodak Gold 200 in the Bavarian Alps
Comment posted: 20/03/2025
Comment posted: 20/03/2025
Comment posted: 20/03/2025
Comment posted: 20/03/2025
Comment posted: 20/03/2025