MiNT 35mm Prototype – the New 35mm Compact Camera Update

MiNT 35mm Prototype - the New 35mm Compact Camera Update

Diary

MiNT 35mm Prototype – the New 35mm Compact Camera Update

I got to meet this guy Gary at a workshop run by Bigheadtaco – you might know him as Take Kayo. Gary is the Founder and CEO of MiNT Camera. Back then, Gary was working on his RF70, an Instax camera with a rangefinder mechanism. That was a few years back, and since then I’ve been keeping tabs on this cool compact camera project he’s been chipping away at. It’s pretty neat to see the progress Mint Camera’s made on a new 135 film camera, especially being a fan of the Rollei 35 camera.

I thought I’d give you all a heads-up about what’s cooking in the camera world, and hopefully, we’ll have more options soon! Can’t wait to see what else Gary’s got up his sleeve.

Project Update: A Message from Gary

  • Progress Made: We’ve been deep in the trenches, making adjustments and prepping for manufacturing. We’ve sorted out the light leak and viewfinder issues, made some design tweaks, and passed a bunch of tests. We’re now working on the first 10 pre-production units and squashing any remaining bugs.
  • Final Design: After a painstaking four-year journey, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve finalized the design!
  • Price Estimate: So, the big question – how much is this going to cost? We’re looking at a price range of USD 650-800.
  • Availability: Will it be ready this year? Nope. But next year? Very likely! We’re aiming for as early as possible next year, barring any significant hiccups.
  • Financial Update: As you can imagine, developing a camera from scratch isn’t cheap. The R&D costs, mould costs, labour costs – it all adds up. Essentially, Mint is staking the company on this project.

You can also find him on @gary228ho

His Camera Design Philosophy

  1. Simplicity is Sophistication:
    Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Stripping away unnecessary complexities creates an elegant and intuitive tool that doesn’t overwhelm users with excessive buttons and settings.
  2. Intuitive User Experience:
    Creating a camera that caters to beginners while offering essential features requires a delicate balance. The aim is to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience that empowers photographers to capture their vision effortlessly.
  3. No Need for Instruction Manuals:
    We believe in a camera that guides users effortlessly, allowing them to start capturing memories without the need for extensive manuals.
  4. The Challenge of Two User Worlds:
    Designing for both experienced film photographers and newcomers presents a significant challenge. The design team must bridge the gap by providing a smooth transition from traditional film cameras to this modern day product.
  5. Embracing Skeuomorphism
    While the modern age tempts us to use digital buttons, touch screens and displays, there is a certain magic in embracing skeuomorphism and paying homage to traditional film cameras. By striking a balance between digital convenience and the essence of analog photography, we hope to capture the best of both worlds.
  6. Beautiful Pictures (of course):
    Ultimately, a well-designed camera’s purpose is to capture beautiful moments.

Simplicity and Skeuomorphism

Designing a camera is an art that combines functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. This is how I briefed my design team at the very beginning of the project.

 

Some Samples

Camera: Mint_35mm_Prototype_3
Film: ILFORD ISO400

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webstore-shop-buy-film-stock-negative-reflx-lab-motion-picture-remjet-removed-c41-process-800t-tungsten-800-iso-5219
Reflx Lab 800
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Reflx Lab 400D
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Reflx Lab 500T (35mm Film)
reflx-lab-500T-120-medium-format-kodak-vision-3-5219-ecn2-motion-picture-film-negative-color-6x6-review-experience-impression-rolleiflex-2.8f-planar-2
Reflx Lab 500T (120)

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