Mint Camera Unveils the Rollei 35AF: A Modern Take on a Classic Design

Diary

Mint Camera Unveils the Rollei 35AF: A Modern Take on a Classic Design

October 10, 2024

2024 is turning out to be a remarkable year, as not only is Pentax reviving the half-frame film camera, but Mint Camera is also launching their own—the Rollei 35AF point and shoot camera. Having used the original Rollei 35, I am familiar with this camera. For those new to it, the Rollei 35 is a compact scale-focus camera, meaning it lacks a traditional focusing system. Instead, you estimate the distance to your subject or scene and set the focus manually. This requires manually adjusting all camera settings before taking each shot, which may sound daunting, but to me, it’s an immensely enjoyable experience. I wanted to introduce it to a friend as their first film camera, although the zone focusing might be intimidating for some. I remember back in 2017 when I started this blog with a few analog film reviews, many of my friends were unaware that film was still being produced. Fast forward to 2024, and film has become not just a hobby but a lifestyle for many young people. I am truly amazed by the growth and the strengthening of the community.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet Gary, the founder of Mint Camera. Mint Camera specializes in beautifully refurbished Polaroid cameras, such as the SX-70 and SLR-70, and they were pioneers in reviving the SX-70. They also offer a range of instant film cameras from the Instax film rangefinder RF70 to the TL70plus+ and many more. I was privileged to test the prototype of the Rollei 35AF.

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Just before the pre-order period began in late August, I tested the final prototype again. I shot two rolls of Fujifilm Fujicolor 400 because with the camera’s f/2.8 fixed focal length 35mm lens, I needed the flexibility of a faster film to comfortably shoot indoors or capture a few night scenes. The camera offers shutter speeds from bulb up to 1/500 second, which isn’t sufficient in bright light, requiring you to stop down to f/11 to f/16. There’s also an Aperture Priority mode (A mode) with +/- 2 stops of EV for compensation. The camera feels solid in hand, and the key difference from the vintage Rollei 35 is, of course, the autofocus system, among other updates in size and materials. Transitioning from scale focus to autofocus allows users to enjoy the process fuss-free.

The lens, a fixed focal length 35mm developed by Mint Camera’s engineers, lacks filter threads—an addition I would have preferred for experimenting with different filters. The autofocus is speedy, though I wish it offered a shorter minimum focusing distance. When you rewind, you have to be a bit gentle handling the tension from the film. The overall image tone appears natural, the sharpness is good. I tested it under bright sunlight around Wan Chai, even using the flash a few times to see how it would perform. It’s definitely an intriguing camera, and I appreciate the team’s effort in bringing a new film camera to market in 2024. The amount of R&D and the numerous iterations needed just to refine the autofocus system alone are monumental, as I learned from Gary.

Have you ordered yours? I would love to see the black version in person. That would be a nice surprise!

Please note, I have tested two of the prototype cameras, so the images and camera features might change based on feedback to Mint Camera.

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