Is This The Future of Film Photography?

[@japancamerahunter]

Thanks for the shoutout, Gary.

[@RichardStroffolino]

Mint really went all out to make this a recreation of an all time classic. I do agree I wish their was a scale focus backup to the AF. The thing I loved about the original Rollei 35 was that you could have your focus and exposure dialed in before you ever brought it to your eye. Made for a very focused shooting experience. But I'd probably still take good AF/AE over that unique experience in the long run. Great interview and look at the camera, cheers!

[@ribsy]

Gary is the man. Dedicated so much time to creating this product. It’s quirky for sure, but that’s besides the point. Well done Gary

[@grahamrichards8531]

"I can't wait to see what they do next" - me too, thank you for this review.

[@DarrylCarey]

The interview footage came out really well for the limited time you had to shoot it. Nice to see and hear from Gary, his just a really nice genuine guy.

[@fallyn2920]

Both Pentax and Mint doing this again is the future of film! Its looking good.

[@muskcoder6367]

Great review! Despite a few limitations like the ability to manual focus and add a filter, this is perfect for me. I'm so over the digital camera thing, back to film. Just ordered one, perfect fot what I need.

[@grahamrichards8531]

I just want to thank you for bringing the Fastbox device to my knowledge - bought one, a gamechanger (typically my 60s &70s cameras are a stop slow at 1/500 but accurate from 1/125 down ie. shoot 1/500 for 1/250) I, now have accurate knowledge of what my cameras are doing, thank you.

[@costagf]

A DISTANCE INDICATOR from the LIDAR AF (maybe can be implemented via firmware and displayed on the Tiny Oled indicator) would be very helpful when one wants to set it to certain distance but since it doesn't allow manual focus one could pre focus to the spot and HOLD the shutter, and here having a distance indicator would confirm the distance and give assurance versus hoping and then having the photo developed and realize it focussed on a longer or shorter distance.

[@costagf]

On a future model it would be great to have the same on the Viewfinder

[@kiwipics]

I'm sure that Gary will listen to customers suggestions and take them onboard, and then try his best to implement them on future (and I'm sure there will be) versions, just as the other Mint products have been improved over time.

[@therealsirrobin]

I think so too! Let's see what happens next.

[@talleyrand9442]

It doesn’t come with a filter thread but the camera doesn’t meter through the lens anyway which complicates exposure for a point a shoot camera.

[@therealsirrobin]

You could easily compensate for that . The metering works very well.

[@lichtloper]

To want to work with filters on a p&s is awkward.

[@joaquintrigueros]

This camera is a lovely temptation. My hope is on this and Pentax ... the upcoming (we hope) models. Recently tested a vintage Rollei 35SE with 1600-pushed film and there was almost no need to focus, but this model is very old and won't last forever. Fresh cameras are most welcome.

[@brandlessheadphones]

the no Zeiss is a bummer, but the entire idea is quite amazing. 👍🏽

[@jdstrobist]

What a fantastic in-depth review-greatly appreciated you sharing your thoughts about this new camera! The Rollei 35 AF, seems to have a lot of great potential! Awesome! 😎✌️

[@nezumineko-gi2hf]

I have a Rollei35 too! I'm feeling like using it this weekend.

[@johnmcglinchy6746]

I have an old Rollei 35S great camera. I pre-ordered the Rollei 35AF in black would be great for easy snaps at gatherings

[@erichung9043]

I hesitated to preorder after seeing a few review video. I 'll stick to my original Rollei 35. Will wait for the 2.0 of this camera

[@therealsirrobin]

Sure,, can't hurt to wait for a mark II version. 🙌

[@doozledumbler5393]

@@therealsirrobin Are they working on an improved version? One with a hinged back door would be nice.

[@randallstewart1224]

No Virginia, there is no Santa Claus, and there won't be a Mint 35AF Mark II. Mint claim they could barely afford to get this one out the door. Even allowing for the prospect that this version probably has a unit production plus retail packaging cost to Mint of less than $250 per unit, the start-up costs are astronomical. If there were a Mark II to change or add features as discussed, most of the camera would have to be retooled. They'd have to sell 5-10,000 of these things a year to call this one a success, and IMO that isn't going to happen. The Mint 35AF is just an ordinary quality point-n-shoot dressed up in Rollei 35 drag, that isn't going to fool anyone serious about quality 35mm photography, nor the posers who just want to eat at the film camera table with the cool kids. The rest of the possible market are just folks who know zip about film cameras and want to shoot some film snapshots. For them, there are dozens of model choices, and many thousands of cameras, for 25% of the price, which will work as well or better. So, who is going to buy the Mint 35AF now that we do not have walk-in camera stores where clerks will push its sales for a fat commission?

[@doozledumbler5393]

@@randallstewart1224 don't post high, dude.

[@Chorizo727]

@@randallstewart1224you are a professionally yapper

[@callmedwalls]

This Rollei 35AF or the Pentax 17 for a birthday gift?? I do not want a used camera without a warranty.

[@weldermarshall]

I love my Rollei 35, It’s a fantastic little camera with a sharp lens that fits easily into a pocket so I will probably purchase one of these for holidays rather than taking my old Rollei or Leica gear.

[@sila2515]

did you cut yourself during loading the film? @7:46

[@hieppt]

I have never thought that the lack of AF is a big issue for the Rollei 35. The market for this kind of camera is very very narrow I think.

[@lelandfitz1762]

I guess implementing zone focusing into the dials inside the dials would make the camera way bigger. As of now film type and count are mere plastic circles without any mechanical element. I like to hear your wish list and it surely makes sense. Yet I think most of the people who are the target customers don't go out and shoot several rolls a day, making the changing of film a hassle by taking of the bottom (altough it should be said that people like Gary Winogrand, who shot street photography like a maniac had to take off the bottom of a Leica all the time aswell😉). I agree with you on wanting the option of (zone) focusing though. Auto focus (or auto exposure in the case of Pentax 17) always means delay and no true point-and-shoot experience.

[@streetphotographyguy]

Cute little camera, but a bit overpriced. I mean, you nearly get a Minolta CLE for that price...thanks for the video!

[@neglectedloves]

3 things which could have been much better... a less noisy AF. Film transportation could have been with a motor which is technically actually much easier than this quirky film lever and finally loading film is actually worse than on the original, which was quirky too, but at least more precise... the price tag is steep but ok if the three drawbacks weren't existent... anyway great and informative video 👏🏻

[@mr_cramberry]

I hope they make a digital version with first inbuilt lidar!😊

[@chumpthetraitor7331]

What for. There's already such product. It's called iPhone.

[@doozledumbler5393]

@@chumpthetraitor7331 There's a Mint Rollei iPhone? When did Apple bring that out?

[@stuartconnelly5397]

The dials are the same on the original Rollie, so they don’t do anything but reminds you. Should turn though - lol

[@therealsirrobin]

I know but maybe in the future they could used for something useful.😆

[@joseerazevedo]

I'd like to see a new US$ 800 Leica small 35mm film camera this size to check if its advance film lever would be at the same level of its enter level US$ 6.000 cameras

[@therealsirrobin]

That's probably never gonna happen , so you'll never find out. 😆

[@joseerazevedo]

@@therealsirrobin daydreamin', hahahaha!

[@innstikk]

I'll keep using my 35 T and 35 S ...

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Very interesting. Hope the next iteration will cover the flaws and shortcoming of this version and this will find a place within Photography. About the comments: Loading film could be tricky ..... HELLO LEICA M, never any complains Hot-shoe ... a lot of point and shoots from the past and still available today, have no hot-shoe Battery life ..... have you seen the size of the battery and the camera, it has to fit in the small body, therefor it is limited . You sound a bit like a Karen. Manual focus .... that could be a serious improvement. Yes it's got flaws and shortcomings but it is also limited due to price and size . IMO it is great project that deserves a place out there. Great work Gary

[@gd70]

Comparing a film advance lever mechanism from a... Leica! to the one from a camera made by a tiny company (bold and brave, though) led buy a guy and a small group of people in HK is really smart and fair. Good point. 😑😖🤦‍♂How come Mint didn't get the film advance lever mechanism quality up to a Leica MP? Bad work, Gary! 🤪🙄

[@Jack_Schularick]

Recreating an old, high quality product in this rather suboptimal form and charging 800 dollars for it is, well, suboptimal. In the world where there are boatloads of cheap, old film cameras of all sizes and types, this one is unlikely to fly.

[@therealsirrobin]

Fair enough but not everyone wants to buy a 30 year old camera. Anyway, it's great to have options. 👍

[@Jack_Schularick]

@@therealsirrobin Actually, I think that most people who follow their film nostalgia will love an original film camera from good old days rather than a wannabe, lightweight, fake Rollei. You can buy a Nikon F in great shape for next to nothing and it is likely to survive you and me :) But thanks for your informative video Sir.

[@Justaperson717]

The future of film photography is a digital camera with a film roll in it.

[@hyonkwon9322]

It feels like there are Nothing Rollie about this camera but the name…. I’ll spend my money on Pentax if I need a 35mm camera.

[@赵亮-i2l]

Hi robin, your video is so great, the most well-produced Rollei 35af street video I have seen so far. Can I transfer your video to the Chinese video website, where there are many film lovers who are looking forward to the actual performance of Rolle 35af. Your video will give them more information. I guarantee that it will not be used for commercial purposes and that your name and video link will be used to guarantee your ownership of the video. : )

[@kiwipics]

Hmmm ... no. It's a lovely idea along with the Pentax offering, but a compact camera is only an entry point for most people. Ironically I now own a Leica M6 Titanium at a time when I don't feel (nor can afford) like shooting film at all. I'd rsther have a digital camera because I spent enough money and time shooting on film back in the 70s / 80s and 90s. Luckily the M6 only cost me the princely sum of £20, but selling it would even get me a deposit decent enough for a digital M.

[@therealsirrobin]

Haha, 20 bucks for an M6 sounds like a deal, I'd take 10 of those. But I guess they are out of stock by now. 😂

[@pdcorlis]

So the future looks like the past?

[@therealsirrobin]

Maybe 😄

[@johns1139]

the future of film photography is Gen alpha kids taking photos of their bowel movements (using Portral 400) because they'll only poop once a week.

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

Using a shitty lens was a bad idea. No zone focusing ? Sorry, I think the older versions are better camera's

[@therealsirrobin]

The lack of mf doesn't make the lens shitty. There are a lot of people that would appreciate AF on the original Rollei 35 for those people the new version is good news.

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

@@therealsirrobin Two differnt thoughts.. First off all, they used a shitty lens on this new camera. The original had a deadly sharp lens. And the second thought..Not all have manual focusing/zone focusing is a huge mistake. The camera will be a huge failure. The original is a classic.

[@doozledumbler5393]

@@gregoryrogalsky6937 It's not the same camera. If it was they'd just would have made it zone focus.

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

@@doozledumbler5393 I never said it was the same camera. My point is that the original Rollei had an awesome Tessar/Sonnar lens. So why make a new version with a s h i t t y lens and manual focusing. ? Once the two camera's images are compared newt to each other. My guess is that it will just drive up the price for the original camera. It's almost as making camera's cheap and putting auto focus dosnt make camera's better. lol

[@doozledumbler5393]

@@gregoryrogalsky6937 It doesn’t have a shitty lens.

[@chriscard6544]

Very good question. But the price is crazy.

[@doozledumbler5393]

Price is fine for such a camera.

[@chriscard6544]

@@doozledumbler5393 why ?

[@doozledumbler5393]

@@chriscard6544 Because it is.

[@kasimasi6747]

NOT. End of Transmission.

[@zguy95135]

The lens looks SO much like how my old 7Artisans 35mm f2 (M mount) rendered things. Classic looking but kind of underwhelming IMO (which is why I sold it). This is one of the only good reviews on this camera.

[@ryan2stix]

I was excited for the pentax 17.. and then I saw some reviews.. nope, I'll wait for the rollei... then I saw the rollei in action.. its a hard pass... now I'm waiting with the hopes that pentax will put out a more premium camera.

[@ataboyboyboy8895]

Nope 📸 this is one ugly camera. Personally I have canon A1 and FED 3 and these functional gorgeous cameras and solidly built. Others have much better cameras too. Yes it is smaller and I don’t know any photographer who is bothered by the size of his thingy, except some KZbinrs. 😊😂

[@Mokamusiclab]

Ugly ? Are you serious ? People will buy this mostly because the design is great

[@gme_to_the_moon-v1p]

I surely hope not.

[@amdesidik305]

Pictures don’t look sharp! Because I’m viewing from iPad..?

[@michaelbell75]

I hope not, its overpriced and has no hot shoe....

[@makkapacca]

You mean comparatively priced and doest have something not needed.

[@michaelbell75]

@@makkapacca most photographers use flash on film cameras. Maybe you are new to photography

[@makkapacca]

It has a built in flash. Maybe you a new to reading.

[@michaelbell75]

@@makkapacca there isn’t a serious photographer on the planet who uses a built in flash 😂 That’s why you never see them on professional or even semi professional cameras. You are definitely new to photography.

[@makkapacca]

Lmao. You clearly have no clue about this camera. Maybe its not for you, move on.