So you want a digital Rollei?

[shawn]

X-ray, that's an interesting camera. Could you please tell me how it deals with flare if you can't fit a hood? Is there any way of dealing with dioptre correction? I know it doesn't have an eyepiece, but I have a Yashica 635 and in order to frame the image I have move my glasses so that I don't have to look through them, but in order to use the magnifier for focusing I have to look through my glasses, and to frame a shot with my old kodak digital compact I have to use my reading glasses to see the screen clearly.

It is around a 1.5" screen so you are probably going to need reading glasses.

 

[Woody.X]

I knew I should have taken Chinese in college, 55 years ago. 😁

Sorry I forgot this is an English forum 😱

 

[x-ray]

X-ray, that's an interesting camera. Could you please tell me how it deals with flare if you can't fit a hood? Is there any way of dealing with dioptre correction? I know it doesn't have an eyepiece, but I have a Yashica 635 and in order to frame the image I have move my glasses so that I don't have to look through them, but in order to use the magnifier for focusing I have to look through my glasses, and to frame a shot with my old kodak digital compact I have to use my reading glasses to see the screen clearly.

It came in todays mail 8 hours ago and not had a chance to see how it deals with flare and really hadn’t thought about a hood or filters.

I’d say if you wanted to modify the camera you could epoxy or glue a filter ring on the mount and use a standard filter size like 39mm. You should be able to pickup a screw-in hood that would fit the filter ring too.

Don’t over think this camera. It’s a toy not a pro level camera and it’s likely you will have some flare. My expectations were in line with this being a digital Holga and I was pleasantly surprised. I’m one that flaws are part of the beauty sometimes and was prepared to exploit the flaws. So far I’m not seeing what I’d call major flaws. I know I’ll find some over time but for $54 who cares. It’s a toy.

I’m planning on trying some street photography with it. Who would even notice you and if they did they wouldn’t take you serious. And if it was stolen or damaged, so what. It’s less expensive than a Leica lens cap.

As far as using glasses, I don’t know your eyes but it’s not a focusing screen, it’s a monitor much like the screen on the back of a dslr.

One thing, I don’t think it’s 12 mp. On my high res monitor, looking at them in photoshop, the native size of 11x11 inches at 300 PPI looks pretty good. But these aren’t files you can res up to 30x30 inches for a museum show. I’m going to print some though and I expect them to look fine at 11x11.

Looking at the images, think Kodachrome contrast / dynamic range.

It’s a plastic toy that I’m going to carry and experiment with. The lack of control is sort of freeing. No thinking about technical details, just concentrate on creativity.

 

[shawn]

One thing, I don’t think it’s 12 mp. On my high res monitor, looking at them in photoshop, the native size of 11x11 inches at 300 PPI looks pretty good. But these aren’t files you can res up to 30x30 inches for a museum show. I’m going to print some though and I expect them to look fine at 11x11.

What is the resolution of the file itself? If you are on a mac click once on the JPEG and hit command+I and it will give file information which will include the dimensions/resolution. But of course lens quality also plays a huge part in image quality.

 

[Godfrey]

Looks a darn cute little toy! And if it takes a decent photo, all the better! 😀
It's tempting because it is fairly inexpensive and is a nice homage to Rolleiflex, but I'll leave them to others to enjoy. 😉

G

 

[joe bosak]

Searching for "digital camera" on Aliexpress throws up a lot of options, if all you want is something cheap. Did the low end compact ever really go away.

 

[x-ray]

What is the resolution of the file itself? If you are on a mac click once on the JPEG and hit command+I and it will give file information which will include the dimensions/resolution. But of course lens quality also plays a huge part in image quality.

I’ll have to check tomorrow. It’s almost 10:00pm and I’m comfortable. I’ll check tomorrow.

 

[yossi]

From where I’m (SG that’s), can get it from PRC e-commerce site for about US$35.30. Not bad for a toy digiTLR.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

It came in todays mail 8 hours ago and not had a chance to see how it deals with flare and really hadn’t thought about a hood or filters.

I’d say if you wanted to modify the camera you could epoxy or glue a filter ring on the mount and use a standard filter size like 39mm. You should be able to pickup a screw-in hood that would fit the filter ring too.

Don’t over think this camera. It’s a toy not a pro level camera and it’s likely you will have some flare. My expectations were in line with this being a digital Holga and I was pleasantly surprised. I’m one that flaws are part of the beauty sometimes and was prepared to exploit the flaws. So far I’m not seeing what I’d call major flaws. I know I’ll find some over time but for $54 who cares. It’s a toy.

I’m planning on trying some street photography with it. Who would even notice you and if they did they wouldn’t take you serious. And if it was stolen or damaged, so what. It’s less expensive than a Leica lens cap.

As far as using glasses, I don’t know your eyes but it’s not a focusing screen, it’s a monitor much like the screen on the back of a dslr.

One thing, I don’t think it’s 12 mp. On my high res monitor, looking at them in photoshop, the native size of 11x11 inches at 300 PPI looks pretty good. But these aren’t files you can res up to 30x30 inches for a museum show. I’m going to print some though and I expect them to look fine at 11x11.

Looking at the images, think Kodachrome contrast / dynamic range.

It’s a plastic toy that I’m going to carry and experiment with. The lack of control is sort of freeing. No thinking about technical details, just concentrate on creativity.

Indoor photos shows the limits of its tiny sensor. I wonder how it will do outside with enough light .

 

[Dogman]

I just saw this thread and I immediately ordered one from Amazon. Should be here on Tuesday. I didn't even read about it, I've just wanted a digital Rollei for so long I had to have it. 'Course I could never afford a "real" digital Rollei but $58.08 is a gimme.




........................................

 

[yossi]

Haha this babe can shoot B&W pix and even do an 8s video recording. I’m sold.

Just ordered one for $32.31.

 

[Tuna]

The lens is pretty close to normal I think but haven’t compared it to my Rollei but will.

I don’t think the bayonets will accept filters but holding one on it should be fine. I used to cut Kodak Wratten gelatin filters and tape them in odd size lenses.

It’s not a true TLR, the focusing screen is an LED screen or something like that so it’s pretty accurate.

The hood folds similar to the Rollei F hood, cool.

Yes it auto focuses very close. You could use a diopter, taped on, and really get close. AF can be shut off too and there’s an indicator frame in the center that shows where the focus point is. By placing the point you want to focus on in the center you can push the center of the crank and activate the AF briefly to focus on that point then recompose and trip the shutter. It’s like an AF lock sort of.

When your cameras comes in post some of your images.

I shot a few more photos this afternoon around the yard and still like what I’m seeing. No it’s not a high end camera but the images are way better than my expectations especially considering the cost. It’s definitely a fun camera.

Bought one simply due to your review of the camera (and the price…).

Surprising how capable it is. I also ran around the house taking some pictures with it. The files are a bit muddy but I was able to achieve decent contrast in post. I am posting a couple B&W and one color from it. Everything was shot in color and the b&w’s were converted - I didn’t like the color versions. The colors are a bit too punchy for me though I may be able to manipulate them to get where I like…I have posted a color picture with no corrections made to the file. Next I am going to try taking pictures in the B&W mode to see if there is improvement in file contrast. I’ve already used the crank to create a video and it looks pretty good on the tiny screen during playback - I am not much of a video shooter so…

It’s tiny. Easily would fit in a jacket pocket. After I am done playing, I plan on just keeping it in the car for those instances when a square frame presents itself and I am not lugging around my 2.8e…

Overall, great fun for around the cost of two rolls of film and processing.

 

[shawn]

Can you post the SOOC color shot? Looks like the one you posted went through Lightroom. Curious if the oversharpening is in the original or if that was on the LR export. If you don't know how to get it two finger click on the picture in Lightroom and hit Show in Finder and it will show you the original file.

 

[Tuna]

Can you post the SOOC color shot? Looks like the one you posted went through Lightroom. Curious if the oversharpening is in the original or if that was on the LR export. If you don't know how to get it two finger click on the picture in Lightroom and hit Show in Finder and it will show you the original file.

I did put it through Lightroom but didn’t make any changes though it’s possible Lightroom does something to it anyway. I will still need to get it into Photoshop to reduce to web but I won’t do anything else and then post - I am currently having some bourbon and a cigar so…in a bit…

 

[shawn]

The file is only 2 megapixels so it has already been downsized if the camera is actually 12mp. No need for Photoshop to reduce file size, LR can do that too. It is one of the export options.

 

[Cascadilla]

Bought one simply due to your review of the camera (and the price…).

Surprising how capable it is. I also ran around the house taking some pictures with it. The files are a bit muddy but I was able to achieve decent contrast in post. I am posting a couple B&W and one color from it. Everything was shot in color and the b&w’s were converted - I didn’t like the color versions. The colors are a bit too punchy for me though I may be able to manipulate them to get where I like…I have posted a color picture with no corrections made to the file. Next I am going to try taking pictures in the B&W mode to see if there is improvement in file contrast. I’ve already used the crank to create a video and it looks pretty good on the tiny screen during playback - I am not much of a video shooter so…

It’s tiny. Easily would fit in a jacket pocket. After I am done playing, I plan on just keeping it in the car for those instances when a square frame presents itself and I am not lugging around my 2.8e…

Overall, great fun for around the cost of two rolls of film and processing.

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Based on that color shot I can see why you prefer B&W...

 

[shawn]

Yeah, it is haloing really badly. That is why I wanted to see the original sooc. To see if it is that way from the camera (jpeg only with maybe no adjustements) or if that happened later on.

 

[Tuna]

Yeah, it is haloing really badly. That is why I wanted to see the original sooc. To see if it is that way from the camera (jpeg only with maybe no adjustements) or if that happened later on.

It cost around $50. I would recommend you look into the Leica M11 or similar cameras if you are focused on premium quality out of the box.

 

[shawn]

It cost around $50. I would recommend you look into the Leica M11 or similar cameras if you are focused on premium quality out of the box.

I'm aware of that and have said the same thing in this thread. The earlier pictures don't show the haloing nearly to the same degree as yours. That is why I was curious if it is in the camera itself or due to your processing.

 

[Tuna]

Can you post the SOOC color shot? Looks like the one you posted went through Lightroom. Curious if the oversharpening is in the original or if that was on the LR export. If you don't know how to get it two finger click on the picture in Lightroom and hit Show in Finder and it will show you the original file.