All new Rollie 35AF

MrDrizz

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Interesting to read this, let's hope it isn't vapour ware.

rollei35af.com

Rollei 35 AF Official Site

Preserving the Best of the Original: Just as Compact, Just as Beautiful, Just as Iconic. The Rollei 35AF, a brand-new film camera that extends the historical legacy into today and tomorrow's world of analogue photography. Equipped with advanced autofocus technology, automatic and manual exposure...
rollei35af.com rollei35af.com
 
MrDrizz said:
Interesting to read this, let's hope it isn't vapour ware.

rollei35af.com

Rollei 35 AF Official Site

Preserving the Best of the Original: Just as Compact, Just as Beautiful, Just as Iconic. The Rollei 35AF, a brand-new film camera that extends the historical legacy into today and tomorrow's world of analogue photography. Equipped with advanced autofocus technology, automatic and manual exposure...
rollei35af.com rollei35af.com
Click to expand...
Wow, that looks more interesting than the 1/2 frame Pentax.
 
If I didn't have an Olympus XA and a pocketable 120 folder, I'd be tempted to get one. Really good news if it comes to fruition.
 
USD $650 to $800 apparently

www.japancamerahunter.com

Film News: MINT releases details about the Rollei 35AF - Japan Camera Hunter

Film News: MINT releases details about the Rollei 35AF Good news everyone! MINT have released details about the new Rollei 35AF camera, and it looks to be
www.japancamerahunter.com www.japancamerahunter.com

35mm f/2.8 rather than 40mm of the original is a little disappointing, but otherwise it looks interesting

However, maybe not interesting enough when I already have a B35 I inherited from my father :)
 
My first thought was that it was a digital repro.

With film a simulation mode dial and a dial to select the number of frames to 12-24-36 etc. What use would they be on a film camera?
Also, in the JCH article, the battery door is massive for a camera that would theoretically work with a lightmeter powered by a watch battery. Is the film advance lever and the rewind button a dummy?

Someone convince me otherwise! I read the article which seemed very light on detail. In fairness, if it was a tiny full frame 35mm f/2.8 digital camera, that would actually probably interest me. Although at the price point they're suggesting, I doubt that.

I'm confused.
 
Harlequin565 said:
Someone convince me otherwise!
Click to expand...

An Amateur Photographer article from April says plainly that it is a film camera

amateurphotographer.com

Rollei 35AF update: lens and pricing of Mint's new film camera revealed!

Mint has announced details around the Rollei 35AF lens and pricing. There are also some product and sample images available!
amateurphotographer.com amateurphotographer.com

Mint Camera are known for making new cameras for Polaroid and Instax instant film, not digital cameras.

mint-camera.com

Vintage Polaroid Cameras & Brand-new Instant Cameras | MiNT Official Site

website
mint-camera.com mint-camera.com

And on their blog about progress of the project, they have some photos taken with a prototype using ISO 400 Ilford film ('Film: ILFORD ISO400' I'm guessing HP5) ;)

mint-camera.com

Updates

Preserving the Best of the Original: Just as Compact, Just as Beautiful, Just as Iconic. The Rollei 35AF, a brand-new film camera that extends the historical legacy into today and tomorrow's world of analogue photography. Equipped with advanced autofocus technology, automatic and manual exposure...
mint-camera.com mint-camera.com
 
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Photorumours has a picture of the rear of the camera with the bottom section removed (toward the bottom of the article, bottom left of a group of six photos)

photorumors.com

The latest Rollei 35AF film camera updates with first sample photos - Photo Rumors

Here are the latest Rollei 35AF film camera updates with the first sample photos: “Let’s start by talking about the name: Rollei 35AF. The “AF” in the name stands for AUTO FOCUS, a feature that takes this legendary camera to new heights. We believe that classics are meant to be cherished, and...
photorumors.com photorumors.com

You can see the take-up spool on the left side (like the original Rollei 35 the canister is inserted upside down on the right hand side) and *no digital sensor*

The battery compartment is top right of the rear. Putting it together with the blurred image in the blog, I suspect it may be an older style cell like a PX28, not a modern lithium battery. Don't forget it has autofocus and flash; the battery is not just for the meter.
 
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So maybe it's a little more than vapour ware..
Honestly I do think the price, if correct, isn't too horrendous so long as that lens is of excellent quality.
 
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MrDrizz said:
Interesting to read this, let's hope it isn't vapour ware.

rollei35af.com

Rollei 35 AF Official Site

Preserving the Best of the Original: Just as Compact, Just as Beautiful, Just as Iconic. The Rollei 35AF, a brand-new film camera that extends the historical legacy into today and tomorrow's world of analogue photography. Equipped with advanced autofocus technology, automatic and manual exposure...
rollei35af.com rollei35af.com
Click to expand...

I've been looking for a pocketable film camera for a while and I'm hopeful about this project. I've recently binned my Yashica T3 - the shutter failed on me after moderate use. The lens quality was never anything to write home about imho. It was noisy, heavy, clunky. I see these go for +200 currently. Madness.

I also tried an Olympus XA - not sure if I got a dud, but the image quality was really below par, with a lot of vignetting and really dodgy corners unless stopped down to f/11 or so. I sold it after three rolls.

If this camera is robust and the lens is good (I'd love to have a tiny camera with the quality of a kit Nikon/Canon/Minolta 50mm SLR prime) I'll go for it.
 
Musicman said:
Photorumours has a picture of the rear of the camera with the bottom section removed
Click to expand...
Thanks for the additional information Rob. I'm disappointed to be wrong though :( A pocketable 35mm digital camera looking like that would have been great.

I'm with Mark on the price, although if this is aimed at hipster influencers I'm sure it'll do well. I'll stick to my Yashica Minitec or 35RC [/curmudgeon]
 
Something far more interesting...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWz7A2e05Xc

For the TL;DR crowd...

AF
Full frame
Manual Control
No manual focus - auto only
Built in flash
Max shutter 1/500
DX reading that can be over-ridden
Focus & reframe
Built in lightmeter
$799
Self-timer
Glass lens, 35mm f/2.8

I think I'm excited.
 
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It won't be reliable, the lens will be outstanding, a Rollei 35SE is a cheaper and better bet IMO
 
I’m curious to see how fast the af will be in a real word senario. Batteries is also a bummer for me.
It’s priced around 800 dollars i think?
 
I found the video in post 12 very interesting. The left hand lever wind and long throw are exaktly (sic) like the Exakta.
 
Jammy Dodger said:
Here we go, half the price:

casualphotophile.com

Rollei 35 SE - Camera Review

James reviews the Rollei 35 SE, a super compact 35mm film camera from the famous German camera makers known for their TLRs.
casualphotophile.com casualphotophile.com
Click to expand...

50% of the price
0% of the AF capabilities
0% of the metering capabilities
0% of the spare parts
0% of the Warranty

Seems like a poor deal to me, but you go right ahead ;)
 
Here's another overview of the 35AF:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41gumEN2HPY


I'm tempted but I'll wait until I see some sample images from the more established YouTubers who know how to scan/print. I have far too many cameras anyway and I think that if I were to spend that much on a 35mm point and shoot I'd probably stretch the budget a fair bit more and go for a Nikon 35Ti or Minolta TC-1. Glad to see that something like this exists though.
 
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trypdal said:
50% of the price
0% of the AF capabilities
0% of the metering capabilities
0% of the spare parts
0% of the Warranty

Seems like a poor deal to me, but you go right ahead ;)
Click to expand...

Maybe to you but not to others?

A new Rollei is only a Rollei by name, the name purchased by a Chinese manufacturer NOT the design/build of the old.

Most people buy film cameras with no warranty & there are plenty of places that can repair the original.

The metering works well on the original

Zone focus on a 40mm f2.8 is very easy.

Please read the article rather than just being negative towards the author.

How many years manufacturer warranty did you get on your film cameras?
 
Jammy Dodger said:
Maybe to you but not to others?

A new Rollei is only a Rollei by name, the name purchased by a Chinese manufacturer NOT the design/build of the old.

Most people buy film cameras with no warranty & there are plenty of places that can repair the original.

The metering works well on the original

Zone focus on a 40mm f2.8 is very easy.

Please read the article rather than just being negative towards the author.

How many years manufacturer warranty did you get on your film cameras?
Click to expand...

Agree totally. And add that autofocus isn't that important on a 35mm focal length lens.

It might look like a Rollei, but it has no connection whatsoever to the German made cameras or the German designed cameras that were made in Singapore. For 1/8 of the price you can get an Olympus XA with a dedicated flash that offers creativity, great image quality and is pleasing to use.
 
Jammy Dodger said:
Maybe to you but not to others?
Click to expand...

Definitely. I expressed my own opinion, just like you expressed yours.

Jammy Dodger said:
A new Rollei is only a Rollei by name, the name purchased by a Chinese manufacturer NOT the design/build of the old.
Click to expand...

People in the younger cohort (to which this is most likely targeted) won't buy this because it's 'Rollei' or 'Very close to a Rollei'. They will buy it because it's a modern, brand-new P&S camera, and if it works fine out of the box with no surprises and durability is good, it will be a great alternative to risky used gear purchases for many people out there. Much better than risking on a 50 year old 'real' Rollei which has changed hand 5 times and has undocumented issues which will come back and sting you.

Jammy Dodger said:
Most people buy film cameras with no warranty & there are plenty of places that can repair the original.
Click to expand...

Beg to differ. Many experienced repairmen are retiring, ceasing activities, and others have huge backlogs. I had to wait 9 months for my Rollei 3.5F III to be CLAd. 7 months for my Bessa II. My Autocord was repaired, then the shutter failed after 3 months, and it was repaired again. Loads of $$$ gone.

Some people just want to take pictures without too much worry. This Rollei, just like the Pentax 17, might be just the ticket.

Jammy Dodger said:
The metering works well on the original
Click to expand...

Metering accuracy in old cameras depends on the design and condition, IME

Jammy Dodger said:
Zone focus on a 40mm f2.8 is very easy.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I love zone focusing my 6x9 folders. But I also love using my all auto all AF cameras. There's a time and place for everything.

Jammy Dodger said:
How many years manufacturer warranty did you get on your film cameras?
Click to expand...

2 to 5 years, depending if I signed up to extended warranty schemes, which I did with all my Nikons. What's your point again?


Bottom line to me is - a tiny modern camera with no nasty surprises, modern AF, modern multicoated lens, fresh meter? Would have to see some samples and understand durability, and build quality, but it sounds like a great idea. I think the price is fair too, much fairer than 400 pounds for some old rusty relic - all IMHO!
 
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Well pre-order is open and closes on the 12th. My FOMO had me up late last night waiting for the email. Clicked through to order a black one and they don't ship to the UK. If you want to buy in Europe you have to go through the German site which is currently only selling the silver one as far as I can see. Prices are wildly different on the two different sites too.

Got all wound up about it until I realised it really is a first world problem, and that I don't need another camera. Common sense finally took hold.
 
I did the same @Harlequin565 - looked at the site, clicked through to order one, got my code etc, then at the last minute realised that I'd rather wait and see what the next new Pentax will be.
 
What a great video! Took me back to a place I love, and a convincing review of the camera too. Now I'm wondering if I should have pressed the button on the pre-order...
 
I was going to buy one but then I saw how much bigger it is than the original which was always the point of it.
So I'm not buying one for the sake of it anymore.
If I needed a compact camera I'd still buy one but I have an original 35 SE, a Pentax PC35AF and a Minox 35AF so I'm well catered for. Sure the Rollei AF has more features than my old cameras but I already have the old ones. While I think of it I also have an XA, several MF Minox 35mm cameras and countless other compacts.
It's good this exists and I don't subscribe to the "I can get an xyz for half the price second hand". We'll of course you can, used kit is cheaper than new, so what? Rhetorical question, thank you.

I'd really like a Pentax 17 but I'll wait for a used one I think.

PS Well done MINT, I wish you well with it.
 
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Probably true. It's funny how she took over a Olly E-PL9, then the Pentax 17, but a camera I specifically bought for her - in fact two - she hasn't so far wanted to use. Seems to be a pattern...
 
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