MiNT Camera has opened pre-orders for the forthcoming Rollei 35AF compact film camera, which it says is “coming soon this year”.
Heavily inspired by the classic Rollei 35 compact cameras, MiNT Camera unveiled the camera in 2023. In previous updates, the Hong Kong-based camera company had shown how heavily the proposed camera took its design cues from the Rollei 35.
The new Rollei 35AF website now says: “Breathe new life into this legendary analog camera. Coming soon this year.”
Visitors are invited to leave their email address to join the waitlist for the camera, which MiNT Camera has said should retail for between $600 and $800 (£470 to £630).
Since the camera’s name was revealed, MiNT Camera has released example photographs taken with one of the prototype cameras and published updates giving more detail on the camera’s features, which include autofocus using Lidar technology.
In an email update in May, MiNT Camera’s Gary Ho said: “We believe that classics are meant to be cherished, and our mission is to preserve the essence of this iconic camera while incorporating new features that enhance its capabilities without compromising its unique charm. With the added AF and other features, capturing stunning analogue film pictures becomes effortless, quick, and incredibly precise.
“Of course, the Rollei 35AF retains the beloved features that have made it a favourite among photography enthusiasts. It comes with a full metal body, five-element all glass lens with coating on every side, and exposure controls.”
He added: “We’ve also included a built-in light meter and auto modes, allowing you to focus entirely on the things in front of you, the composition before your eyes, and concentrate on deciding what to capture on a rectangular 35mm film canvas while seizing that split-second decisive moment that leaves viewers impressed.”
The pre-order comes amid mounting speculation that Pentax will soon release its long-awaited compact camera, which has been teased on social accounts in the past few weeks.
I'm a New Zealander who has been living in London since the mid-1990s, shooting film seriously since the year 2000. Kosmo Foto was launched in 2012 and has since become a film brand, with the release of my first films Kosmo Foto Mono 35mm (2017) and Kosmo Foto Mono 120 (2019).
I’m doing everything I can to promote film photography in the 21st Century, and help it survive and thrive. If you want to write something for Kosmo Foto, please drop me a line at foto.dowling@gmail.com.
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I have an original Rollie 35 from 1969….how good is it compared to the new one I wonder?