Haven't watched the video yet, but years ago I was in the Dominican Republic and on the very first day I accidentally fell asleep on deserted part of beach reading a book when I lay down on a huge palm tree that had broken such that you could lie on it like a sloped bench. I had put my Canon 5D with a 50 1.4 on it on top of my shoes on the sand. I woke up and thought "oh wow cool, the tide came in and now my tree is in the water.......WATER!" I looked out into the ocean and saw my shoes and the optech strap of my camera bobbing on top of the water. My camera was so packed with sand you couldn't even manually focus the lens. The entire trip was shot on my backup - an old Rollei 35 and 2 rolls of film I brought with me.
Very happy to see this. While I am pretry invested in my Pentax 17 and some other 35mm SLR's, I'm really happy to see this kind of activity in the film market. I had put film aside for a long time because I was tired of wasting money on used film cameras.
I’m glad there’s no date back. They usually make the back of the camera ugly, make it a little heavier, and I have it turned off 90% of the time. Looks good overall
I own an original Rollei 35 from 1953 Made in Germany (later Singapore). I would not call it a “point and shoot”. It is a FF camera fully manual with shutter speed and aperture setting dials.
Very true, it’s too powerful to group it in with cameras like the Konica Big Mini and Pentax Espio Mini….but it’s small, compact, and easy to use, I think most Rollei 35 users will understand :-)
Hi. How was your experience with the advance lever? We're all freaking out here that the camera is broken by design. Also the autofocus seems slow and the motor sounds very bad. Can you confirm you had similar feedback from your unit?
@@Floppyrom it works like any other advance lever. Even if you don't wind it all the way forward, you can just double or even triple stroke until it's fully advanced as the gears need to be fully cocked before it allows you to take the next frame.
Glad to see Mint has launched the 35AF. I prefer the silent operation of my 35S and 35SE but I understand some shooters will prefer the AF over zone focusing.
I’m excited to see this camera join my collection (as long as price isn’t insane). My Rollei 35 is one of my favorite cameras of all time, and the idea of a modern one with some creature comforts is awesome to me.
Nice review. Happy that new film cameras are being made now starting with the Pentax. However can you answer these questions 1. If you load a non DX film, how do you manually set the ISO? 2. Its good that there's a full manual mode, however is there a light meter indicator showing you you're under or overexposed? 3. Is there a battery low indicator? 4. The most important question about autofocus: what you see in the viewfinder is not directly what the lens see, so is there any way of knowing what I see in the viewfinder is exactly what the autofocus has locked on to? 5. Like digital cameras or even 90s film SLRs, does it have autofocus points? If so, how many? 6. Is there a bulb mode? 7. Are there any lights or indicators inside the viewfinder? Waiting for your reply!
The autofocus noise doesn't bother me, but it sounds so slow, even compared with the Autoboy II. I feel like some of the weird design choices for the original Rollei 35 were due to them packing so much into such a tiny body, but this camera is much thicker in order to house the autofocus feature. Seems like a bad compromise if it's really as slow as it sounds.
@@benjhaisch Hey Benj, ya pretty excited. Hopefully this will encourage other manufacturers to invest in developing film cameras again. I hope Canon, Nikon, and Fujifilm are paying attention :-)
I’d like to see a new medium format as Gary’s new project. I mean their RF70 is exposing an image a bit larger than 6x9 and the SF70, a 6x6. This is comparing the Instax image size vs the 120 formats. It may be a matter of replacing the Instax backs with roll film backs!
I’m thinking the same thing. To be honest, I think it would be easier for him to make a 120 medium format camera in that style vs building a compact 35mm point and shoot. I’ll try to convince him the next time we talk :-)
@@Benjohns89maybe the new Pentax 17 is better positioned for your price range? I don’t think it will go any cheaper for a brand new film camera any time soon. Maybe in a few years if more manufacturers start making them again. Let’s keep the dream alive!!
5 element lens is interesting. Planar was originally a 6 element lens, but there’s a variation that has 5. Other possibility that comes to mind is the Biometar, which was intended to improve on the 4 element Tessar.
This looked much better than Pentax 17. Everything in this Rollei is self-explainatory and easy to use. Pentax 17 says it's for new people to learn, but what can they learn from that toy really? If it's simply for them to experience film, then make it full AUTO! Rollei on the other hand, you can clearly see what this is for, you can use auto if you want to, or you can manually set shutter and aperture. 70 cm minimum isn't brilliant here, but it's exactly the length of an arm, so it's easy to use in reality. The only thing odd is that, did a left handed person design this? It's weird to have the winder on the left
Was excited for this camera but now not so sure. It seems a bit bulky and light. The advance lever looked a bit off too. Also it sounds quite loud and clunky.
Interesting review, the size comparison of the original Rollei 35 would be interesting. I think the 35af is a little bit bigger, maybe to big for me. I don’t need af or automatic shutter speed.
Thanks for this. I'd like to see some very sharp film, Portra/Fuji 160 or an Ektar (is that still being made?) to get a sense of how sharp this lens is. I'd love a direct comparison vs a Contax T2/T3. The sample images i've seen so far don't really convey much-i have so far gotten the sense that it isn't at the Contax level, which it would have to be to get my money.
I was excited about this camera until I saw that advance lever issue where you keep having to add an extra little stroke to get it to fully advance to the next frame. Looks like a major flaw
I do agree. There are two things in particular that I would be looking for: (1) a Sonnar 2.8 lens & (2) it would have to be collapsible. The reason I use my 35S is precisely because of those two factors. A truly incredible lens better than anything I have yet come across on digital cameras and secondly the pocketability . If the lens doesn’t collapse then it rather defeats the small size of the camera which is one of its key endearing features. Guys, I’m going to wait for the next iteration when you’ve taken into account what interested parties like me, have to say. I think the concept has a great future - especially when it becomes the 35 AFS
Expect everything when you are willing to pay Leica Q3’s money. Unlike Pentax and other big companies, Rollei nowadays has 1/10 of the budget and expected sales for such a camera. I’m not saying the 35AF is FM2’s solid, but it does what it can within the limits. Sharp lens, AF, good metering and most importantly, warranty is all that matters primarily.
@@air5002 not sure the exact lense design for this 35AF. Press says it's 5 elements , so may be a Tessar-style design. For the original Rollei 35s, there were fans of the Sonnar and fans of the Tessar versions. No clear winner really
The apparent lag time between pressing the shutter release and completion of autofocus and exposure seems extreme, far longer than the same delay in any point-n-shoot camera I’ve every used or seen. Unless I've got something wrong here, that would be a huge issue with the camera. Maybe they should dump the silly LIDAR tech and replace it with a standard infrared module, commonly used off the shelf at little cost by all other P-n-S cameras, whether high or low born.
Was really looking forward to this camera as I do have an original. The thickness seems pretty significant but easy to get over. How loud it is though?! That feels like a deal breaker. How fast is the auto focus?
Is it a double stroke? Or perhaps a multiple stroke until you wind past the frame? It looks like you're giving it multiple strokes before the camera lets you take the shot. If that's the case then I'm glad because we don't need to be getting accidental multiple frame exposures.
Looks like if you don’t properly crank it all the way, you have to keep cranking until it’s fully advanced. I put my first roll of film in, so let’s see what happens. I’ll keep everyone posted.
Film advance is so smooth on the original Rollei 35. This doesn't look good.. aside from the noisy autofocus motor, that film advance lever makes me worried ☹️
I’ll keep testing the camera and report back on the film advance lever. This camera can not be directly compared to the build quality of the original since we’re talking decades separating their production runs. The original Rollei 35’s were built in the heyday of camera construction with a robust ecosystem and supply chain of parts and materials. It will take decades to be able to make cameras like that again. Just look at the Pentax 17 as a perfect example. Even with all the money behind Ricoh-Pentax, their first film camera in decades is no where near the quality of the Pentax and Ricoh cameras of the 1990s.
@@bigheadtaco Yeah, totally get that the production can't be really compared to the original one. But look that the film advace on the Pentax 17.. it is pretty good for modern day production and feels solid. Please keep testing the Rollei's advance lever 🙏🏻 Would be great to hear your honest thoughts on this topic in the main review. Thank you so much.
@@marekvesely I haven’t tested the Pentax 17 yet, but I’m not surprised about build quality. Ricoh-Pentax is a multi-national company with tons of resources. I know build quality between them and MiNT with maybe 30 staff can’t compare. However, I’m confident that Gary and his team can improve over time. Another feature I would want refined is the second stage of the shutter. I wish it had a threaded shutter release so I could increase the pressure of my press.
I'm loving the hateful comments. First it was how bad the Pentax 17 is for the money, and now it's how bad the Rollei 35AF is for the money. Settle down guys. They're just cameras, and actually excellent ones whose prices in the context of the current new camera market are pretty reasonable. I'm loving my Pentax 17 as much as I love my inherited Olympus 35RC and I might just buy this Rollei at some stage as well. It looks great.
People love being armchair critics…. Pentax 17 and now the Rollei 35AF hopefully is just the beginning. Hopefully other manufacturers will jump on board and we’ll see a slow rise of component manufacturers to support this ecosystem/supply chain to help improve quality but as well bring the prices down. Thanks for your input.
Of course, I didn’t expect anything less. These people never had realistic expectations, they want a Contax T3 for $300. Honestly for the money both are very impressive, I expected this to end up being over 1000 USD
A big percentage of the people who follow and comment on gear review channels are in it for the nitpicking. People realistically in the market for a product are usually just searching out relevant reviews and not commenting. But what’s the point of arguing about prices. In the end, the sales figures will decide who’s right and who’s wrong.
@@williamlasl MiNT will be able bring prices down once sales can help pay off all the R&D he’s done out of pocket for the past 5-6 years. Unlike many micro brands, MiNT didn’t crowdfund this project, this was all out of pocket for them.
I just want to see more individual technicians repairing film GR, T1, T2, Mamiyas and Polaroids, and more companies making replacement parts for them, and more publicity for those doing it, to stop the used prices going crazy. I don't need a reinvention of the wheel. I think the Pentax 17 is a much more interesting prospect for the industry. I'd rather MiNT focused on making more integral film cameras with manual focus (without it being $700USD), even if that means just a new integral film back system for existing/vintage cameras. I guess I want one someone to make an integral film back on a bigger scale than the sole traders doing it in small volume at the moment. Fuji obviously don't care about doing it.
Unfortunately compact film point-and-shoots like the Ricoh GR, T1, T2, TC1, etc. were never built to last for generations, they were seen as disposable. Use them for 10-20 years and you buy a new one, unlike the bigger SLR and rangefinder cameras back in the day with replaceable parts. I think we can keep some of these compact point-and-shoots alive for another 20-30 years, but that’s probably going to be the limit. Sad, I know. These were the cameras I grew up with and dreamed about as a kid, but they were never meant to last so long. Unlike classic sports cars and mechanical watches, these camera’s original price doesn’t justify the amount of time and money needed to be able to keep them going for another 50 years.
I used to own the original 35s before I broke it😢. You had to pull out the lens before shooting, am I correct in that is not needed with the new Rollei?
Yes if you look at the tiny top LCD panel, you’ll see an OK if the exposure is correct, or an empty circle that fills in as you get closer to the proper exposure. Not that intuitive to take your eyes off the OVF, but a good simple solution for now. Hopefully in the future they can overlay + and - lights inside the viewfinder.
How do you set the ISO if if the roll is not DX coded? Also are the indicators on the front (b&w, color, slide) as well as (12,16,24 etc) just things you set to remind yourself what film is inside?
The front dial showing how many frames and what type of film is just a visual reminder for yourself. Personally I’d rather have a window, but the original didn’t have it, plus it’s more likely to have light leaks so I understand why they didn’t do it.
With a focus baseline of slightly more than a half inch, the focus function of the XA was practically worthless when new, and practically invisible with the common degeneration of the viewfinder and RF optics in used units today. Most XAs are zone focused today as a result.
@@talleyrand9442 I’ll probably try slide last since everything is in full stops only except for the ISO. 1/3 stops were invented during the film era for the sake of slide film, since 1/3 stops is not necessary for either negative film or digital photography. Having only full stop shutter speeds and aperture makes it a bit difficult in tricky lighting. But I’ll give it a try eventually :-)
I'd like to see it side by side with the original Rollei 35. I have a feeling it's substantially bulkier, cause they've taken great pains to not show them side by side.
Interesting to hear your connection to Gary. So a am not sure how much more you know, I just hadn't thought of MiNT going on from this making something like the Olympus next. After all it's the Rollei brand of today that does all the distribution wordlwide for this one for MiNT. Something I am sure wouldn't be as easy to make in partnership with Olympus. But like I said, I don't know, its just what I assume about the market situation. As for now I am truly happy Gary got this camera made. It really is a step up for MiNT from Instax camera technology in bodies resembling old iconic film cameras. Also love the all glass lens. Something Pentax 17 sadly doesn't have.
MiNT Camera has done collaborations with Rollei before. MiNT made a limited batch of the Instantflex TL70 with the Rollei name on it. The fact that Rollei is partnering with MiNT Cameras shows how difficult it is for any brand to just start making cameras again. As for Gary’s version of the Olympus XA, since the camera design is out of patent, Gary can just remake something similar, or inspired by the XA, and call it whatever he wants. He doesn’t have to ask Olympus permission or ask to brand it an Olympus. Gary partnering with Rollei wasn’t his initial plan, but I think it was a smart one. If Gary moves forward with a second camera, I think he would be better off partnering with a micro brand, or just brand it as a MiNT Camera. As for distribution, Rollei is selling the camera for Europe. For the rest of the world, it’s MiNT that’s distributing it.
@@lelandfitz1762 It takes time and experience to work towards something as complicated as a 35mm compact point and shoot. I hope he will keep refining and innovating. I hope to see a 120 rangefinder in the near future as well.
It’s a first step, perhaps even a catalyst for other camera manufacturers to attempt to start making film cameras again. If this analogue camera movement is hugely successful, if it convinces Canon, Nikon, or Fujifilm to start making film cameras again, I think it’s done its job.
General consensus says one of two reasons. 1) You want to show companies that consumers are enthusiastic for new film cameras so they start making more and possibly going beyond point and shoots to more complex cameras. Or 2) It’s new and thus likely comes with a warranty/can be repaired if it breaks. Whereas with the other cameras he mentioned there’s no guarantee of when the electronics will fail and you’re left with a brick.
That is an excellent question, and why when most film nerds say “I wish camera companies would put out new film cameras” they don’t actually mean it even if they think they mean it. 🙃
You shouldn’t. If you are wanting a Rollei 35 because you like the design get the original instead. It might look like one but it simply isn’t one. All for new analog compact cameras that are fun but this is just trying to live off the heritage of a model that the product itself just isn’t.
Expect everything when you are willing to pay Leica Q3’s money. Unlike Pentax and other big companies, Rollei nowadays has 1/10 of the budget and expected sales comparatively for such a camera. It does what even Pentax doesn’t do for now. I’m not saying the 35AF is plenty solid
I’m going to test it now since this was just an unboxing video. However, other people have tested this camera, including Bellamy from Japan Camera Hunter. You can ask him. Kai Man Wong is also currently testing it.
As a rollei 35 owner I was looking forward to this. Dissapointed about the flash though, one of the best features of the original is the wierd hotshoe on the bottom that gives you spooky upwards shadows!
I don't like how the 'flimsy'? film advance lever is on the left, over the viewfinder, so hard (impossble?) to shoot multiples while keeping your eye up, on subject. Not so good for people street photography...
The left film advance lever is awkward since most of us aren’t use to it, but it is the classic position on the Rollei 35 series going back almost 60 years.
For me, if the camera can shoot in manual mode (i.e. choosing the shutter speed and aperture) then it is NOT a point and shoot camera. Just the way I tend to see things.....
When multiple manufacturers were making them in the millions of units per year (much like smartphones of today) the supply chain that supports that industry becomes competitive and robust, making for better and cheaper gear. That supply has mostly disappeared in the past 20 years, so whoever wants to make a new SLR has to do so themselves from scratch. That takes R&D money and time, and then the manufacturing costs. That’s why nobody wants to do it, as the price would be at a level that most would be unwilling to pay, except for Leica.
@@richardhkirkando this is true, but that’s not the point. When manufacturers realize there is still a market for film cameras, it might encourage them to start building them again. Of course 20 years ago they were making them in the millions, so I don’t think we’ll ever see pricing that we saw back then, but at least we’ll have new options for those who want a new camera with full warranty, as well as with some modern technology not available back then. We should be encouraging those who have the courage to take the risk to make new film cameras, not belittle or criticiize them. This negative mentality I do not understand.
I would flip the question. Why do you think a company can make a film SLR for under $400? That’s the actual question in the real business world, not the other way around.
@@williamlasl If Apple and Samsung stopped making smartphones for 20-30 years, and all of a sudden are expected to start making them from scratch again with no supporting supply chain or subcontractor and parts manufacturers, smartphones would probably be 5-10 times more expensive. The same goes for film cameras. Try re-starting production of a product that use to be made in the millions, from scratch, with no pre-existing supply chain or subcontractors to help make components, and do it for $400? Won’t happen, at least not overnight. Plus we’re never going back to film as the primary way of capturing images, so it will always be a niche photographic product. As a niche, you’re not producing them enough to have mass production pricing that we saw in the 1970s-1990s.
ttartisan does not use USM. they use STM. maybe the motor doesnt cost a leg, but they surely have other constraints like size and power. who tf knows. this has AF with lidar in a small and compact package. i would say it's an appropriately priced camera considering the RnD and new tooling cost.
the Rollei 35 is very much an acquired taste. it's definitely not for everyone. Unless someone has already shot with one before it's hard to suggest jumping straight into the Rollei AF simply because the handling is unlike any other camera
I don't know why they chose to emulate the Rollei. It has such bad ergonomics and shape for portability. I wish they went with the Olympus XA body form.
That’s the loudest camera. So, it’s slow to load, loud, slow, awkward to advance, and it doesn’t seem easy to shoot or rewind. Uh … what? What? … they have to fix that AF motor sound or this thing will be a flop
WOW! You complain about the camera not having a hot shoe!!! How many point and shoot cameras that have an intergrested flash have hot shot shoe?? It's a shame you get this camera before everyone else and you do not know what you have in your hands (the original does not have either). Very disappointing you lack of knowledge....
The original film Rollei 35 did have a hot-shoe, but on the bottom. That’s why I said I wished it still retained one. The new version has an integrated flash, which is fine, but I said I would prefer having a hot-shoe instead. I don’t know how this proves my lack of knowledge.
Cant wait to get my hands on this thing! It seems like an ideal combination of modern tech and old school aesthetic.
Agreed!
Haven't watched the video yet, but years ago I was in the Dominican Republic and on the very first day I accidentally fell asleep on deserted part of beach reading a book when I lay down on a huge palm tree that had broken such that you could lie on it like a sloped bench. I had put my Canon 5D with a 50 1.4 on it on top of my shoes on the sand. I woke up and thought "oh wow cool, the tide came in and now my tree is in the water.......WATER!" I looked out into the ocean and saw my shoes and the optech strap of my camera bobbing on top of the water. My camera was so packed with sand you couldn't even manually focus the lens. The entire trip was shot on my backup - an old Rollei 35 and 2 rolls of film I brought with me.
Crazy story, but a fun one!
Very happy to see this. While I am pretry invested in my Pentax 17 and some other 35mm SLR's, I'm really happy to see this kind of activity in the film market.
I had put film aside for a long time because I was tired of wasting money on used film cameras.
I’m glad there’s no date back. They usually make the back of the camera ugly, make it a little heavier, and I have it turned off 90% of the time. Looks good overall
I own an original Rollei 35 from 1953 Made in Germany (later Singapore). I would not call it a “point and shoot”. It is a FF camera fully manual with shutter speed and aperture setting dials.
Very true, it’s too powerful to group it in with cameras like the Konica Big Mini and Pentax Espio Mini….but it’s small, compact, and easy to use, I think most Rollei 35 users will understand :-)
First Rollei 35 was launched at the end of the sixtieth !
@@jean-claudemuller3199 You are right, it was 1966. Sorry for the confusion.
Well done!
Hey Bellamy, long time no talk. Saw you got to play with it too! Let’s hope for more cameras… maybe JCH x MiNT special :-)
Hi. How was your experience with the advance lever? We're all freaking out here that the camera is broken by design. Also the autofocus seems slow and the motor sounds very bad. Can you confirm you had similar feedback from your unit?
@@Floppyrom it works like any other advance lever. Even if you don't wind it all the way forward, you can just double or even triple stroke until it's fully advanced as the gears need to be fully cocked before it allows you to take the next frame.
Glad to see Mint has launched the 35AF. I prefer the silent operation of my 35S and 35SE but I understand some shooters will prefer the AF over zone focusing.
I would love to have both, manual focus and autofocus, but for now autofocus only. Maybe in the future they can implement both :-)
I'll guess I'll get one of this little great camera! But maybe I'll wait for some more of those great first-hands-on-videos. THANKS SO MUCH!!!
Looks amazing. On the waiting list cannot wait. Loved the video thank you. Richard
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks.
Looks fantastic. It is excellent that they opted for the sonar lens.
We’re excited to see what you create toooooooooo………😆
I’m excited to see this camera join my collection (as long as price isn’t insane). My Rollei 35 is one of my favorite cameras of all time, and the idea of a modern one with some creature comforts is awesome to me.
Stay tuned for my shooting review.
$800 ... a bit steep perhaps?
I think that’s expected
Nice review. Happy that new film cameras are being made now starting with the Pentax.
However can you answer these questions
1. If you load a non DX film, how do you manually set the ISO?
2. Its good that there's a full manual mode, however is there a light meter indicator showing you you're under or overexposed?
3. Is there a battery low indicator?
4. The most important question about autofocus: what you see in the viewfinder is not directly what the lens see, so is there any way of knowing what I see in the viewfinder is exactly what the autofocus has locked on to?
5. Like digital cameras or even 90s film SLRs, does it have autofocus points? If so, how many?
6. Is there a bulb mode?
7. Are there any lights or indicators inside the viewfinder?
Waiting for your reply!
Wow the UC-1! Cool 😎 awesome video. Great information on the new Rollei 35, thanks for sharing! 😎✌️👍
Thanks for watching!
Very excited to see your test roll!
Thanks, I’ll to post some pictures on Instagram by next week!
The autofocus noise doesn't bother me, but it sounds so slow, even compared with the Autoboy II. I feel like some of the weird design choices for the original Rollei 35 were due to them packing so much into such a tiny body, but this camera is much thicker in order to house the autofocus feature. Seems like a bad compromise if it's really as slow as it sounds.
I just got into film through finding the Autoboy II, I love it so far!
The Canon Autoboy is so awesome. The last great film point and shoot from Canon in my opinion, other than their waterproof cameras.
this is legitimately an exciting one. would love to check one out as well
@@benjhaisch Hey Benj, ya pretty excited. Hopefully this will encourage other manufacturers to invest in developing film cameras again. I hope Canon, Nikon, and Fujifilm are paying attention :-)
I recently purchased the Pentax 17, and I love it so far. I'll most likely have my original Rollei 35 cla'd and skip this release for now.
I’d like to see a new medium format as Gary’s new project. I mean their RF70 is exposing an image a bit larger than 6x9 and the SF70, a 6x6. This is comparing the Instax image size vs the 120 formats. It may be a matter of replacing the Instax backs with roll film backs!
I’m thinking the same thing. To be honest, I think it would be easier for him to make a 120 medium format camera in that style vs building a compact 35mm point and shoot. I’ll try to convince him the next time we talk :-)
I'm glad that people are making cameras like this. But this specific camera is just not for me. I wish it success though!
Thanks for your thoughts. What type of new film camera would you wish to see again being manufactured?
@@bigheadtaco something cheaper. I know that wont happen for £700...ouch
@@Benjohns89maybe the new Pentax 17 is better positioned for your price range? I don’t think it will go any cheaper for a brand new film camera any time soon. Maybe in a few years if more manufacturers start making them again. Let’s keep the dream alive!!
@@Benjohns89wait 20 years then the price will be for you🙄
@@segzeeman7356 ill be surprised if film is affordable in 20 years lol. I shot only film for about 2-3 years but I've been priced out sadly.
5 element lens is interesting. Planar was originally a 6 element lens, but there’s a variation that has 5. Other possibility that comes to mind is the Biometar, which was intended to improve on the 4 element Tessar.
Nice initial impressions! 1/500 sec is fine, my Rollei QZ35w p&s goes up to 1/8000!
This looked much better than Pentax 17. Everything in this Rollei is self-explainatory and easy to use. Pentax 17 says it's for new people to learn, but what can they learn from that toy really? If it's simply for them to experience film, then make it full AUTO! Rollei on the other hand, you can clearly see what this is for, you can use auto if you want to, or you can manually set shutter and aperture. 70 cm minimum isn't brilliant here, but it's exactly the length of an arm, so it's easy to use in reality. The only thing odd is that, did a left handed person design this? It's weird to have the winder on the left
Was excited for this camera but now not so sure. It seems a bit bulky and light. The advance lever looked a bit off too. Also it sounds quite loud and clunky.
Interesting review,
the size comparison of the original Rollei 35 would be interesting. I think the 35af is a little bit bigger, maybe to big for me. I don’t need af or automatic shutter speed.
Thanks for this. I'd like to see some very sharp film, Portra/Fuji 160 or an Ektar (is that still being made?) to get a sense of how sharp this lens is. I'd love a direct comparison vs a Contax T2/T3. The sample images i've seen so far don't really convey much-i have so far gotten the sense that it isn't at the Contax level, which it would have to be to get my money.
I’ll try all types of films as quickly as possible.
That’s a really long throw on the advance lever 😮
Idk if I’ll be able to deal with that
Ya it’s pretty long, but I think the original was also pretty long. Let’s see what happens!
I was excited about this camera until I saw that advance lever issue where you keep having to add an extra little stroke to get it to fully advance to the next frame. Looks like a major flaw
"You can't expect..." Actually for $800 yes I can expect. Everything. You earn the right to make excuses at like $300
True 😂
I do agree. There are two things in particular that I would be looking for: (1) a Sonnar 2.8 lens & (2) it would have to be collapsible.
The reason I use my 35S is precisely because of those two factors. A truly incredible lens better than anything I have yet come across on digital cameras and secondly the pocketability . If the lens doesn’t collapse then it rather defeats the small size of the camera which is one of its key endearing features. Guys, I’m going to wait for the next iteration when you’ve taken into account what interested parties like me, have to say. I think the concept has a great future - especially when it becomes the 35 AFS
Why at $300 and not at $800?
Expect everything when you are willing to pay Leica Q3’s money. Unlike Pentax and other big companies, Rollei nowadays has 1/10 of the budget and expected sales for such a camera. I’m not saying the 35AF is FM2’s solid, but it does what it can within the limits.
Sharp lens, AF, good metering and most importantly, warranty is all that matters primarily.
@@air5002 not sure the exact lense design for this 35AF. Press says it's 5 elements , so may be a Tessar-style design. For the original Rollei 35s, there were fans of the Sonnar and fans of the Tessar versions. No clear winner really
The apparent lag time between pressing the shutter release and completion of autofocus and exposure seems extreme, far longer than the same delay in any point-n-shoot camera I’ve every used or seen. Unless I've got something wrong here, that would be a huge issue with the camera. Maybe they should dump the silly LIDAR tech and replace it with a standard infrared module, commonly used off the shelf at little cost by all other P-n-S cameras, whether high or low born.
infrared red af is not very precise.
The delay is not that bad, similar to Big Mini A4 and Mju.
I so badly wanted this, but that film advance lever and the noise of that autofocus/shutter release just kill it for me.
Was really looking forward to this camera as I do have an original. The thickness seems pretty significant but easy to get over. How loud it is though?! That feels like a deal breaker. How fast is the auto focus?
I dont need another camera. I dont need another camera. I dont need another camera. I dont need another camera. I dont need another camera.
Good review; why do you wear two watches though?
Is it a double stroke? Or perhaps a multiple stroke until you wind past the frame? It looks like you're giving it multiple strokes before the camera lets you take the shot. If that's the case then I'm glad because we don't need to be getting accidental multiple frame exposures.
Looks like if you don’t properly crank it all the way, you have to keep cranking until it’s fully advanced. I put my first roll of film in, so let’s see what happens. I’ll keep everyone posted.
@@bigheadtaco thanks Take
Film advance is so smooth on the original Rollei 35. This doesn't look good.. aside from the noisy autofocus motor, that film advance lever makes me worried ☹️
I’ll keep testing the camera and report back on the film advance lever. This camera can not be directly compared to the build quality of the original since we’re talking decades separating their production runs. The original Rollei 35’s were built in the heyday of camera construction with a robust ecosystem and supply chain of parts and materials. It will take decades to be able to make cameras like that again. Just look at the Pentax 17 as a perfect example. Even with all the money behind Ricoh-Pentax, their first film camera in decades is no where near the quality of the Pentax and Ricoh cameras of the 1990s.
totally disappointed to with flimsy winder , Pentax 17 looks much better in mechanical quality and I think will keep my old rollei 35S :D
@@minras yeah I got the Pentax 17 on the weekend and this does not look that good a build quality. it seems super slow...
@@bigheadtaco Yeah, totally get that the production can't be really compared to the original one. But look that the film advace on the Pentax 17.. it is pretty good for modern day production and feels solid. Please keep testing the Rollei's advance lever 🙏🏻 Would be great to hear your honest thoughts on this topic in the main review. Thank you so much.
@@marekvesely I haven’t tested the Pentax 17 yet, but I’m not surprised about build quality. Ricoh-Pentax is a multi-national company with tons of resources. I know build quality between them and MiNT with maybe 30 staff can’t compare. However, I’m confident that Gary and his team can improve over time. Another feature I would want refined is the second stage of the shutter. I wish it had a threaded shutter release so I could increase the pressure of my press.
I'm loving the hateful comments. First it was how bad the Pentax 17 is for the money, and now it's how bad the Rollei 35AF is for the money. Settle down guys. They're just cameras, and actually excellent ones whose prices in the context of the current new camera market are pretty reasonable. I'm loving my Pentax 17 as much as I love my inherited Olympus 35RC and I might just buy this Rollei at some stage as well. It looks great.
People love being armchair critics…. Pentax 17 and now the Rollei 35AF hopefully is just the beginning. Hopefully other manufacturers will jump on board and we’ll see a slow rise of component manufacturers to support this ecosystem/supply chain to help improve quality but as well bring the prices down. Thanks for your input.
Of course, I didn’t expect anything less. These people never had realistic expectations, they want a Contax T3 for $300.
Honestly for the money both are very impressive, I expected this to end up being over 1000 USD
Love my Pentax 17. This looks worse for more money.
A big percentage of the people who follow and comment on gear review channels are in it for the nitpicking. People realistically in the market for a product are usually just searching out relevant reviews and not commenting.
But what’s the point of arguing about prices. In the end, the sales figures will decide who’s right and who’s wrong.
@@williamlasl MiNT will be able bring prices down once sales can help pay off all the R&D he’s done out of pocket for the past 5-6 years. Unlike many micro brands, MiNT didn’t crowdfund this project, this was all out of pocket for them.
I just want to see more individual technicians repairing film GR, T1, T2, Mamiyas and Polaroids, and more companies making replacement parts for them, and more publicity for those doing it, to stop the used prices going crazy. I don't need a reinvention of the wheel. I think the Pentax 17 is a much more interesting prospect for the industry. I'd rather MiNT focused on making more integral film cameras with manual focus (without it being $700USD), even if that means just a new integral film back system for existing/vintage cameras. I guess I want one someone to make an integral film back on a bigger scale than the sole traders doing it in small volume at the moment. Fuji obviously don't care about doing it.
Unfortunately compact film point-and-shoots like the Ricoh GR, T1, T2, TC1, etc. were never built to last for generations, they were seen as disposable. Use them for 10-20 years and you buy a new one, unlike the bigger SLR and rangefinder cameras back in the day with replaceable parts. I think we can keep some of these compact point-and-shoots alive for another 20-30 years, but that’s probably going to be the limit. Sad, I know. These were the cameras I grew up with and dreamed about as a kid, but they were never meant to last so long. Unlike classic sports cars and mechanical watches, these camera’s original price doesn’t justify the amount of time and money needed to be able to keep them going for another 50 years.
I used to own the original 35s before I broke it😢. You had to pull out the lens before shooting, am I correct in that is not needed with the new Rollei?
This is no longer a collapsible lens design, it’s all autofocus.
@@bigheadtaco Thanks for making it clear 🙂
is the camera allowing you to shoot when you load the film and it's at -2 or -1? It would be a pity if it didn't!
Yes the shutter is firing while advancing to the first frame!
Why no hot shoe and light meter?! The original one is a way better execpt for the 40mm
Is there any exposure confirmation in the viewfinder? Like how you check what speed is camera setting?
Does it have a light meter that can be used in manual mode?
Yes if you look at the tiny top LCD panel, you’ll see an OK if the exposure is correct, or an empty circle that fills in as you get closer to the proper exposure. Not that intuitive to take your eyes off the OVF, but a good simple solution for now. Hopefully in the future they can overlay + and - lights inside the viewfinder.
How do you set the ISO if if the roll is not DX coded? Also are the indicators on the front (b&w, color, slide) as well as (12,16,24 etc) just things you set to remind yourself what film is inside?
You go to ISO mode on the main switch and push the front Self Timer button and it scrolls through all the ISO speeds in one direction in 1/2 stops.
The front dial showing how many frames and what type of film is just a visual reminder for yourself. Personally I’d rather have a window, but the original didn’t have it, plus it’s more likely to have light leaks so I understand why they didn’t do it.
What's with the one and a half cranks to wind on???
With a focus baseline of slightly more than a half inch, the focus function of the XA was practically worthless when new, and practically invisible with the common degeneration of the viewfinder and RF optics in used units today. Most XAs are zone focused today as a result.
Be good to put some slide film into it. Really test that meter. Like Velvia 50.
@@talleyrand9442 I’ll probably try slide last since everything is in full stops only except for the ISO. 1/3 stops were invented during the film era for the sake of slide film, since 1/3 stops is not necessary for either negative film or digital photography. Having only full stop shutter speeds and aperture makes it a bit difficult in tricky lighting. But I’ll give it a try eventually :-)
I'd like to see it side by side with the original Rollei 35. I have a feeling it's substantially bulkier, cause they've taken great pains to not show them side by side.
The original is 30 cm and 60 cm wide with the lens extended. 92 cm long and 65 cm tall
Interesting to hear your connection to Gary. So a am not sure how much more you know, I just hadn't thought of MiNT going on from this making something like the Olympus next. After all it's the Rollei brand of today that does all the distribution wordlwide for this one for MiNT. Something I am sure wouldn't be as easy to make in partnership with Olympus. But like I said, I don't know, its just what I assume about the market situation. As for now I am truly happy Gary got this camera made. It really is a step up for MiNT from Instax camera technology in bodies resembling old iconic film cameras. Also love the all glass lens. Something Pentax 17 sadly doesn't have.
MiNT Camera has done collaborations with Rollei before. MiNT made a limited batch of the Instantflex TL70 with the Rollei name on it. The fact that Rollei is partnering with MiNT Cameras shows how difficult it is for any brand to just start making cameras again. As for Gary’s version of the Olympus XA, since the camera design is out of patent, Gary can just remake something similar, or inspired by the XA, and call it whatever he wants. He doesn’t have to ask Olympus permission or ask to brand it an Olympus. Gary partnering with Rollei wasn’t his initial plan, but I think it was a smart one. If Gary moves forward with a second camera, I think he would be better off partnering with a micro brand, or just brand it as a MiNT Camera. As for distribution, Rollei is selling the camera for Europe. For the rest of the world, it’s MiNT that’s distributing it.
@@bigheadtaco Yeah, I was talking about that camera, Instantflex. For me just, this Rollei 3AF is the first "real" proper camera he's made.
@@lelandfitz1762 It takes time and experience to work towards something as complicated as a 35mm compact point and shoot. I hope he will keep refining and innovating. I hope to see a 120 rangefinder in the near future as well.
5 element design, so not a Sonnar. Disappointing. The more I see this camera, the less impressed I am.
It’s a first step, perhaps even a catalyst for other camera manufacturers to attempt to start making film cameras again. If this analogue camera movement is hugely successful, if it convinces Canon, Nikon, or Fujifilm to start making film cameras again, I think it’s done its job.
Why would I buy this instead of other film cameras you mentioned?
General consensus says one of two reasons. 1) You want to show companies that consumers are enthusiastic for new film cameras so they start making more and possibly going beyond point and shoots to more complex cameras. Or 2) It’s new and thus likely comes with a warranty/can be repaired if it breaks. Whereas with the other cameras he mentioned there’s no guarantee of when the electronics will fail and you’re left with a brick.
That is an excellent question, and why when most film nerds say “I wish camera companies would put out new film cameras” they don’t actually mean it even if they think they mean it. 🙃
You shouldn’t. If you are wanting a Rollei 35 because you like the design get the original instead.
It might look like one but it simply isn’t one.
All for new analog compact cameras that are fun but this is just trying to live off the heritage of a model that the product itself just isn’t.
Expect everything when you are willing to pay Leica Q3’s money. Unlike Pentax and other big companies, Rollei nowadays has 1/10 of the budget and expected sales comparatively for such a camera.
It does what even Pentax doesn’t do for now.
I’m not saying the 35AF is plenty solid
Wonder why no filter threads
Nice little guy ! It's not there for me yet, but it's a start ! Maybe a version 2 will take care of the back plate and that lonnnng stroke
Seems to be really loud when it focuses, not a deal breaker but still a bummer
Is the lens sharp?
I’m going to test it now since this was just an unboxing video. However, other people have tested this camera, including Bellamy from Japan Camera Hunter. You can ask him. Kai Man Wong is also currently testing it.
As a rollei 35 owner I was looking forward to this. Dissapointed about the flash though, one of the best features of the original is the wierd hotshoe on the bottom that gives you spooky upwards shadows!
Kinda clunky operation
Does this camera meter through the lens?
No it’s next to the LiDAR sensor window, so you can’t cover it when metering.
@@bigheadtaco would have been amazing to have a threaded filter option with metering through the lens. Oh well. It is just a point and shoot.
@@talleyrand9442 true. Also if you know how many stops a filter adds, you can hand hold the filter and adjust the ISO temporarily or do Auto +1 or +2
I don't like how the 'flimsy'? film advance lever is on the left, over the viewfinder, so hard (impossble?) to shoot multiples while keeping your eye up, on subject. Not so good for people street photography...
the left lever sucks
The left film advance lever is awkward since most of us aren’t use to it, but it is the classic position on the Rollei 35 series going back almost 60 years.
interesting to know
God, I'm such a nerd.
Me too…
What's the price for one of those?
849 €
@@nopunintended5096 ouch!
That sound is a deal killer for me...it's a shame, because I would love to use it otherwise.
You're definitely going to break it 😂
6:39 or you could program it like a watch from the 90s 😅😹
800$ is just a bad joke
Images are fine, not spectacular. The sound it makes kills it for me.
For me, if the camera can shoot in manual mode (i.e. choosing the shutter speed and aperture) then it is NOT a point and shoot camera. Just the way I tend to see things.....
Why is it so hard for a company to just make a film SLR for under 400 bucks?
When multiple manufacturers were making them in the millions of units per year (much like smartphones of today) the supply chain that supports that industry becomes competitive and robust, making for better and cheaper gear. That supply has mostly disappeared in the past 20 years, so whoever wants to make a new SLR has to do so themselves from scratch. That takes R&D money and time, and then the manufacturing costs. That’s why nobody wants to do it, as the price would be at a level that most would be unwilling to pay, except for Leica.
$400 can still get you 2-4 used bodies from reputable dealers which are likely better built than anything new you'll get at that price point.
@@richardhkirkando this is true, but that’s not the point. When manufacturers realize there is still a market for film cameras, it might encourage them to start building them again. Of course 20 years ago they were making them in the millions, so I don’t think we’ll ever see pricing that we saw back then, but at least we’ll have new options for those who want a new camera with full warranty, as well as with some modern technology not available back then. We should be encouraging those who have the courage to take the risk to make new film cameras, not belittle or criticiize them. This negative mentality I do not understand.
I would flip the question. Why do you think a company can make a film SLR for under $400? That’s the actual question in the real business world, not the other way around.
@@williamlasl If Apple and Samsung stopped making smartphones for 20-30 years, and all of a sudden are expected to start making them from scratch again with no supporting supply chain or subcontractor and parts manufacturers, smartphones would probably be 5-10 times more expensive. The same goes for film cameras. Try re-starting production of a product that use to be made in the millions, from scratch, with no pre-existing supply chain or subcontractors to help make components, and do it for $400? Won’t happen, at least not overnight. Plus we’re never going back to film as the primary way of capturing images, so it will always be a niche photographic product. As a niche, you’re not producing them enough to have mass production pricing that we saw in the 1970s-1990s.
Here is how to pronounce Rollei correctly: Roll-eye ;)
Autofocus is so loud. Weird. Why USM was not possible??
Thats not an End-Product. Maybe it gets changed.
@@lelandfitz1762 Nope. This is the end retail product. He clearly stated that at the beginning of the video.
USM is not cheap lol. will you pay 2k for this camera?
@@kuroexmachina is this a cheap camera? Ttartisan lens for Fuji has USM. It cost 120$ how much is the motor?
ttartisan does not use USM. they use STM. maybe the motor doesnt cost a leg, but they surely have other constraints like size and power. who tf knows. this has AF with lidar in a small and compact package. i would say it's an appropriately priced camera considering the RnD and new tooling cost.
They're planning to sell this for 850 euros. Seriously
Should it be pronounced "Roll-Lee" or "Roll-Lai"? AFAIK, "ei" in German is "Lai". Well..., may be we can call Rollei Fans "Rollies" like "Swifties"?
They should’ve just made the original. Such a better camera than this.
I simply don't like it, the loading, the advance lever and the loud af make it absolutely a no go...and it just seems surprisingly flimsy/unreliable.
the Rollei 35 is very much an acquired taste. it's definitely not for everyone. Unless someone has already shot with one before it's hard to suggest jumping straight into the Rollei AF simply because the handling is unlike any other camera
Horrendous focusing noise and way too bulky 😢
😳😳
What a strange and fat camera 😁 Weird and cute!
Looks cheap compared to the TRUE Rollei 35 Classic of the 90s.
I don't know why they chose to emulate the Rollei. It has such bad ergonomics and shape for portability. I wish they went with the Olympus XA body form.
:)) zone focus @2.8 is not hard, you are just bad at it
$800 🤯greed! Definitely not worth the price and poor quality!
That’s the loudest camera. So, it’s slow to load, loud, slow, awkward to advance, and it doesn’t seem easy to shoot or rewind. Uh … what? What? … they have to fix that AF motor sound or this thing will be a flop
Not impressed pretty disappointed
WOW! You complain about the camera not having a hot shoe!!! How many point and shoot cameras that have an intergrested flash have hot shot shoe?? It's a shame you get this camera before everyone else and you do not know what you have in your hands (the original does not have either). Very disappointing you lack of knowledge....
The original film Rollei 35 did have a hot-shoe, but on the bottom. That’s why I said I wished it still retained one. The new version has an integrated flash, which is fine, but I said I would prefer having a hot-shoe instead. I don’t know how this proves my lack of knowledge.
too noisy sorry Mint, I expected the more quiet with AF in tiny body.