Forget the Pentax 17, the upcoming Rollei 35AF is the cinema camera I’m most excited about in 2024 – here’s why
Mint’s reinvention of the classic 1960s Rollei 35 came to light around the turn of the year, and it appears the project has made significant progress in the months that have followed.
We now have detailed product photos of the Rollei 35AF (see below) and sample photos of the new classic camera, which have further fueled interest in what could be one of the best film cameras of the year.
According to the makers – analog photography minnows Coin – the upcoming Rollei 35AF is scheduled for release in 2024, with production underway and pre-orders start on September 10thI for one can’t wait – although like many others on the waiting list on the special Rollei 35AF website I will have to be patient until the orders are processed.
This could be the high-quality everyday film camera that analogue enthusiasts crave, and it’s poised to deliver compelling updates to its vintage predecessors. Let’s take a look at what’s so compelling about the new version, and why it could surpass the excellent recent Pentax 17.
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A classic, for today
50 years after the Rollei 35S and 58 years after the original Rollei 35, Mint equips the new Rollei 35AF with autofocus and a built-in flash – features that none of the original models have.
The 35AF uses LiDAR technology and a center spot for autofocus, although we obviously don’t know how effective it is yet. However, it should be a big upgrade over the zone-focusing setup of the original models.
Users can select automatic or manual exposure, with a shutter speed range of 1/500 to 1 second. Icons on a new OLED screen indicate your exposure levels – whether the exposure setting is too bright or too dark, and by how much – to help you get the right brightness.
The fixed 35mm f/2.8 lens is a little wider than the 40mm lenses that came before it and has a minimum focusing distance of 2.3ft / 70cm. It’s an everyday all-glass lens with 5 front and rear coated elements, and the quality certainly looks promising if the 35AF sample images that have already been shared (see below) are anything to go by.
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I’m glad there’s a built-in flash now. Such a feature is super handy for everyday photography and is at the top of my wish list for my own Ricoh GR IIIx digital compact camera. The flash can be turned on or off via a mode selector and the power is automatically adjusted based on the distance to the subject.
Mint also adds modern conveniences such as a selfie button and an automatic shooting mode, useful for beginners. All these improvements are implemented in a full metal body with a familiar compact and retro style that Rollei fans love.
This 35m cinema camera is a different prospect than the half-frame Pentax 17. For me, the Rollei 35AF ticks more boxes for cinephiles and enthusiasts in 2024. I expect it to be durable and easy to use, the lens to be admirably sharp, and it’s certainly easy on the eye. We still don’t know what the price will be or how quickly pre-orders will be filled after September 10th – we could be in for Fujifilm X100VI-level wait times. I hope to get my hands on it this year. Rollei.
