New Rollei 35AF Coming Soon...

[raydm6]

Not Scale Focus anymore 🙂 Mods please move if you feel necessary.

Rollei 35AF Film Camera

The original Rollei 35 was the smallest 35mm camera in the world when it was introduced in 1966. Over two million were sold over the years, cementing its legacy. Now retro camera firm MiNT is bringing it back with the...

uncrate.com

Rollei 35 AF Official Site

Preserving the Best of the Original: Just as Compact, Just as Beautiful, Just as Iconic. The Rollei 35AF, a brand-new film camera that extends the historical legacy into today and tomorrow's world of analogue photography. Equipped with advanced autofocus technology, automatic and manual exposure...

rollei35af.com

 

[Archlich]

Looks like a bargain 😉

But I'm reserved on QC and optical quality (given the track record of the Mint SF70). It likely will come with a ton of bugs that takes a few more batches to sort out.

 

[raydm6]

March 5, 2024 Blog Press Release:

First 35mm compact camera with Autofocus New edition of a classic: Rollei announces the innovative Rollei 35AF​

Rollei unveils the Rollei 35AF, a new edition of the iconic Rollei 35, scheduled for launch in autumn 2024. Equipped with the latest lidar technology for precise autofocus, this compact camera combines the classic design of the original with innovative technology.

Neuauflage eines Klassikers: Rollei kündigt die innovative Rollei 35AF

Entdecken Sie die Neuauflage eines Klassikers: Die Rollei 35AF, die erste 35-mm-Kompaktkamera mit Autofokus, vereint Innovation und Tradition. Dank moderner Lidar-Technologie bietet sie eine präzise Fokussierung und eröffnet Fotografen neue kreative Möglichkeiten.

www.rollei.com

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Equipped with lidar. It might blast P17 into ashes.

 

[JohnGellings]

This is more interesting to me than the Pentax. I hope they do well with it.

 

[Mackinaw]

Happy times for film photographers. Two new film cameras now, or soon to be, on the market. Who would have thunk it?

Jim B.

 

[splitimageview]

$799, preorders start Sept 10, shipping starts October.

 

[agentlossing]

I think the film camera shop near me may get it on their shelf eventually, since they carry Mint products. I'd like to handle it before deciding, but I am still quite interested.

 

[Godfrey]

Saw that in my inbox this morning. I'm a soft touch for Rollei 35 cameras so I'll probably buy one, but gosh knows I don't need any more cameras... 😉

The AF is the only part of it that I worry a little about. I'm just very unsure about how good a thing AF is... Call me a throwback. LOL!

G

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

Saw that in my inbox this morning. I'm a soft touch for Rollei 35 cameras so I'll probably buy one, but gosh knows I don't need any more cameras... 😉

The AF is the only part of it that I worry a little about. I'm just very unsure about how good a thing AF is... Call me a throwback. LOL!

G

These are cameras we're talking about… what's "need" got to do with it? 😉

 

[Dogman]

The AF is the only part of it that I worry a little about. I'm just very unsure about how good a thing AF is... Call me a throwback. LOL!

It's bound to be at least as accurate than my guessing focus.😎

 

[Godfrey]

It's bound to be at least as accurate than my guessing focus.😎

Hmm. Not necessarily... 😉

It can be, but if you use the rule of thumb for Rollei 35 cameras (that is: set f/11, use 2 distances - 6.5 feet, 12 feet), that covers the vast majority of focusing situations. Of course, it means you're not doing 'shallow depth of field' except on rare occasion, but a scale-focus camera is never really the best at that kind of thing because it takes time and careful estimation/measuring to do it. With a Rollei 35, I normally go for wide apertures only when light levels demand it, and then I take my time about measuring/estimating distance...

With AF, focusing distance can be very very accurate ... presuming that you properly target the right plane of focus and lock the focus in before releasing the shutter. It's a different workflow.

G

 

[agentlossing]

Lidar autofocus should be really accurate and quick.

 

[JohnGellings]

This is more interesting to me than the Pentax. I hope they do well with it.

Hmmm, I think I find the Pentax more interesting now. 🤔

 

[Godfrey]

Hmmm, I think I find the Pentax more interesting now. 🤔

Can you articulate why?

G

 

[JohnGellings]

Can you articulate why?

G

I would rather use half frame, that is all.

 

[Godfrey]

I would rather use half frame, that is all.

Ah, I understand. 🙂

G

 

[stephen_lumsden]

I am glad I resisted getting the Pentax 17. Not so sure I will be able to resist this one.

 

[Freakscene]

Lidar autofocus should be really accurate and quick.

Lidar works extremely quickly, but the autofocus performance is virtually entirely dependent on the processor and the motors that move the lens elements. Most smart phones use lidar focusing, but I am yet to use a phone that can focus anywhere near as fast as a Sony A1, for example.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Lidar works extremely quickly, but the autofocus performance is virtually entirely dependent on the processor and the motors that move the lens elements. Most smart phones use lidar focusing, but I am yet to use a phone that can focus anywhere near as fast as a Sony A1, for example.

A1's AF is not relevant, due to price been ten times more than incoming camera's price.