Mint Digital camera has lengthy been engaged on a brand new 35mm movie compact digital camera, and it has now revealed its pocketable snapper is a remake of the cult basic, the Rollei 35, that’s ‘Coming quickly – Summer season 2024’. 

With the go-ahead from Rollei to make use of its legendary branding  – each the emblem and the title – Mint is asking its creation the Rollei 35AF. Addressing what it perceives as pitfalls to the unique mannequin, Mint is equipping the modern-day model with autofocus, therefore the title 35AF. 

All of it sounds promising, proper? I for one am excited to get hands-on with the cult-classic spin-off, nonetheless, the estimated record value of the Rollei 35AF, in response to the Mint Digital camera’s weblog, is $650-800 (round £525-650 / AU$900-1,100). Gulp. If that astronomical value nonetheless hasn’t put you off what’s a mere 35mm compact movie digital camera, you may be part of the waitlist on the Rollei 35AF product web site.

A trustworthy remake?

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Mint Digital camera has shared images of a Rollei 35AF prototype alongside an authentic Rollei 35 S, plus images of it within the hand (see above). This early prototype is forward of the newly acquired branding and ending prospers being utilized however as you may see, the unique is being faithfully recreated with a contemporary twist that addresses what the makers imagine have been Rollei 35 drawbacks.

The primary is shifting over to autofocus from the unique’s fiddly handbook zone focus system. We do not know the technical specs of the autofocus system, nevertheless it ought to make taking sharp snaps rather a lot simpler. That mentioned, some Rollei followers imagine that the unique’s handbook focus is workable in the event you merely set it to infinity.

There’s additionally the Rollei 35’s peculiar flash mount placement on its underside. Most cameras that may maintain an exterior flash achieve this utilizing a hotshoe / coldshoe on the ergonomically higher place on prime of the digital camera, from the place the flash illuminates your topics in an aesthetically pleasing style. Basic portrait lighting comes from above, not beneath. 

Rollei 35s normally stand the take a look at of time, however basically you are caught if there’s an issue. The truth with tremendous outdated analog cameras is that spare components and expert technicians are arduous to come back by ought to your digital camera stop to work. A contemporary-day model may deal with that, offered the client assist frameworks are in place. 

You may decide up a secondhand Rollei 35 (out there in numerous fashions) for anyplace between $125-400 / £110 / £355 relying on its situation (or splurge on restricted version gold-effect fashions for round $1,000 / £1,000). Price-wise, the chances aren’t in favor of the brand new Rollei 35AF. Nevertheless, kudos to Mint Digital camera for its dedication to movie, I want it effectively with its labor of affection. Hopefully, I will get to rattle off a couple of rolls of movie with one later this 12 months.

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