The analog movie resurgence continues marching ahead, as MiNT’s Rollei 35AF digital camera appears poised to launch this yr. The Hong Kong-based digital camera producer first carved its area of interest making boutique instantaneous movie cameras that remixed classics just like the Polaroid SX-70. Now, it’s launched a web site with a waitlist for potential clients on this diminutive 35mm digital camera.
The Rollei 35AF is a reincarnation of the unique Rollei 35 from 1966, however whereas one foot stays within the analog previous, the brand new design incorporates lidar-based autofocus for its 35mm f/2.8 lens and choices for automated exposures. It’s nonetheless constructed with a boxy metallic physique like the unique and appears to maintain a really compact dimension. In keeping with MiNT, by way of PetaPixel and Kosmo Foto, the Rollei 35AF is anticipated to promote for $650 to $800 when it launches later this yr.
With Leica rereleasing its M6 rangefinder in 2022 and rumors {that a} new Pentax movie digital camera could also be imminent, new movie cameras which can be extra than simply the equal of reusable disposables appear to be on development. I personally shudder on the present costs of movie and lab growth prices nowadays, however I nonetheless love that analog images’s bubble hasn’t but popped.
I recall utilizing the unique Rollei 35 in school a bunch of years in the past, and it was a enjoyable little digital camera — albeit one which requested a number of its customers. The unique didn’t simply have a guide focus lens (which was 40mm on the unique), nevertheless it relied on zone focusing by the use of the main target scale and a few muscle reminiscence. It is going to be actually intriguing to see what an autofocus remix of the little Rollei is like.