It isn’t often that I change my gear and purchase something new (or used)….as my usual squeezes are the Olympus OM’s (+ Zuiko lens) or perhaps my Pen F Half-frame…I might toss in the Lomo LC at times…Between all of those I have all my needs covered within low light lens, discreet lens, small size, zone focus ability/ manual focus.
As any film photographer most likely is aware of, I too have been following the camera industry and have taken note of two new film cameras. One is now out… the Pentax 17 while the other camera is due sometime in September of 2024.. the Rollei 35. Now to qualify myself here; I like to use these written ‘blogs’ as an opportunity to reflect within my craft and my needs…what works and why etc. Well today, I am reflecting on an upcoming ‘somewhat desire’ to look more closely at the Rollie brand, be it the new MINT Rollie or an older model. Where does it fit and would I use it.
I have already determined that the Pentax 17 would not fit my shooting needs. I don’t mind the half-frame aspect, as I do shoot my Pen F Half-frame, but I am pretty much anti the non-manual aspect of this new Pentax. Don’t get me wrong….it is a nice camera and appears to have been thought out by Pentax/Ricoh, but, it doesn’t fit my shooting styles. So a pretty easy ‘off it goes’…it is for film newbies or the retro crowd that wants to shoot film but has no idea how.
But the Rollie? Okay….take a look at an older Rollie 35S below:
Now, how does it fit my style? First, it is all manual. I want that challenge. Second, it is a 40mm lens with a F2.8 shutter. …again, fits my style. While I usually shoot 50mm with my Olympus OM’s….a 40 is doable. Third, it is very small and very discreet. Small so that no one can see me capture ‘life on the streets’ and discreet in that it has an almost silent, but still a very tactile shutter release button. Fourth, or is that fifth? ….it has Zone Focus. I prefer the Zone Focus system as it allows for more creativity in how I shoot and what the final image looks like. Sixth….it has a light meter and relatively easy to use and the batteries used are the same ones as my OM1, so Wein offers the batteries for sale. But how long will the light meter last, being an older camera? Finally, it is a classic. While a bit of a ‘brick’ …it is a small brick and weighs little. The ergonomics is not super but being so small, it really makes no difference. Heck, just look at my Lomo-LC.
Okay….now to the MINT ROLLIE AF. See below….
Since the camera hasn’t been released yet (another month), I have to use an image of a prototype, which is most likely what it will look like. Again, the same general size as the original Rollie but with different features. But how do these features match up to my shooting style?
First…size and weight, so that is a plus and I believe is actually less weight than the original Rollei. Second, this is a 35mm lens as opposed to the 40mm of the older Rollie. Not that much of a difference but something to take into account. It probably is not a deal breaker as I shoot 32mm with my Lomo. Third, it has an updated battery so easy to find. Fourth, it has a light meter that I know will work for years to come and is serviceable. Fifth, instead of manual focus or zone focus, it comes with AF. Now, that is my potential deal killer. I like manual. I like zone focus. I don’t like AF but can it be manipulated and gotten around? I am not sure. Sixth, while small, the discreetness of shutter is not evident. In fact, it is a prolonged electronic shutter sound and surely louder than the original Rollei. So now, I have two possible negatives with the lack of zone focus and the bit more of a shutter sound, which hurts street discreetness. Also, the price is $850 USD. Quite a chunk although not a ‘chunk’ as in Leica $$$$$ chunk. And relatively speaking when compared to the price of new cameras in the day of the old Rollei’s, it is quite the bargain for a new camera. But still a price.
What is my decision? Well….I don’t have one yet…. I will save up for the camera in either case. Will the price of the original Rollei’s go ‘down’ as the new MINT version takes over? Perhaps. Will I learn something about the MINT Rollei that I wasn't aware of before and that has to do with Zone Focus? Perhaps….But i have written MINT and I have no reply. I have contacted other You Tubers’ who have had early access to the Rollei, and have no reply. So, a bit open in regards.
Will I get one or do I even need one to begin with? Old or new. No…. I have a fairly extensive Olympus OM + Zuiko lens collection and i have a Lomo 32mm that I use for film discreetness, as well as my Pen F Half frame that I use from time to time. Being at most, a F2.8 lens, I will not be able to use the Rollei under low light conditions like I use my OM’s. The discreetness in the electronic shutter sound on the MINT Rollei equals the ‘lack of discreetness’ of my Pen F Half Frame but in no way matches the Lomo quiet shutter nor the shutter sound of the older Rollei. So is the Rollei (old or new) just an expense? … Most likely. That in itself might be the deciding factor although…..I always enjoy learning and trying new cameras. While I don’t have GAS, I do enjoy the hobby of learning about different optics around.
Update August 18th…. I purchased a Rollei 35S from KEH in the states. My reasoning came down to the loud shutter and film advance of the newer Mint Rollei (not good for discreetness) as well as the lack of zone focus/ manual focus (my photography style needs this). In addition, I feel that since there is such a distinction between the old and new versions, that the price of the old Rollei will not go down, but perhaps up, as people become more aware of this camera and decide to opt for a ‘good copy’ of the older Rollei 35S. While I purchased one with a working light meter, since I shoot much of the time using the Sunny 16 rule, ….it is just a plus that it works.