Rollei 35 AF orders open Sept.10, 2024

[Einst_Stein]

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Using active focus source can be interesting. Landscape is relative easy. Portrait is more challenging.

Will it shoot active focus light source into the eyes?    

 

 

[wlaidlaw]

I have decided not to take up my option on a Rollei 35AF. I might buy one later once I read some end user reports. I am also not short of film cameras with many film Leicas in my collection, both Barnack and M plus in a similar format to the Rollei, I have a Minox 35 ML, an auto focus Kyocera 110 Wide and a Leica film CL. 

Wilson

[TomB_tx]

11 hours ago, wlaidlaw said:

I have decided not to take up my option on a Rollei 35AF. I might buy one later once I read some end user reports. I am also not short of film cameras with many film Leicas in my collection, both Barnack and M plus in a similar format to the Rollei, I have a Minox 35 ML, an auto focus Kyocera 110 Wide and a Leica film CL. 

Wilson

Well, I agree - also about having too many film cameras - but I went ahead and ordered the Rollei, and also the new Pentax 17. I'm just too curious, but also have 3 grandkids that are getting into film (hence the Pentax) and a son who is now wanting to learn film photography himself (hence the Rollei). So I'll give them a good checkout and pass them along come Christmas.

[wlaidlaw]

4 minutes ago, TomB_tx said:

Well, I agree - also about having too many film cameras - but I went ahead and ordered the Rollei, and also the new Pentax 17. I'm just too curious, but also have 3 grandkids that are getting into film (hence the Pentax) and a son who is now wanting to learn film photography himself (hence the Rollei). So I'll give them a good checkout and pass them along come Christmas.

My grandkids are all into digital. I think they are still at the stage of "film is for old "fuddy-duddies" like me. I gave my oldest grandson a Kodak mini-digital printer for his birthday, and his bedroom is apparently plastered with his prints. I am not too sure how pleased his mother is : "Mum I need a new Kodak print pack" 

Wilson

[Matlock]

As a keen Rollei 35 user I have ordered one and it will be interesting to see how it performs.

[250swb]

I got my email from them but had already decided no. I have too many P&S cameras with film in that I already enjoy using and never the time to use them and one more would be overkill. I hope it all works out as a success though because I'm sure there'll be people with similar ideas watching closely.

[KenLW]

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I pre-ordered this one myself because I don't have any film point and shot camera to complement my M cameras but then I realized for the same price I can just buy a Minolta CLE and use my M lens which for sure is going to be better than any lens built by Mint. Still I respect Mint a lot by selecting Rollei 35 as the basis with the right amount of automated feature sets but at the same time offers features such as manual ISO selection (a lot point and shot only has DX code reading for ISO with no option to override, as you may know).

[Matlock]

Just received my 35AF. Loaded the film and have taken a few shots but not had a chance to process film yet. My initial thought is a quite well constructed camera with what must be the noisiest auto focus of any camera yet produced. More comments when film processed.

[TomB_tx]

6 hours ago, Matlock said:

Just received my 35AF. Loaded the film and have taken a few shots but not had a chance to process film yet. My initial thought is a quite well constructed camera with what must be the noisiest auto focus of any camera yet produced. More comments when film processed.

Thanks for the update. Haven't received mine yet. I had planned to give it to my son if it checked out well, but now will give him my 1955 M3 DS - maybe with a v1 Summicron for the true vintage experience. If he doesn't bond with it swap for the 35AF.

[Einst_Stein]

Just curious, how does it focus to the eye? Shooting laser into the eye?

[TomB_tx]

Just received the Rollei 35AF I ordered back in September from Hong Kong - and didn't have to pay the new import duty. Loaded a short roll of HP5 to try it out, so should finish it soon. First impressions: yes it hefts pretty solid and reminds me of the real Rollei 35 I handled back when it first came out, but the "feel" of the controls leave a lot to be desired. The back is very difficult to unlock and remove (probably better than coming off too easily!), the film advance feels so rough (with film) that I opened it up after a few frames to check it - all was OK. IT has the most "notchy" shutter release I've ever felt: hits a "wall" and after pushing hard feel it snap free and complete the action. As noted about the autofocus whirring is pretty loud, but that would be OK if the controls felt OK. It does have DX reading by spring loaded contacts, and that works fine.

It has all the right features to appeal to buyers, but a "try before you buy" would limit its sales. Film Leicas didn't sell on "features" - but on the quality feel and smooth operation that this lacks. I'll finish this roll and check the results, and if OK will try a couple more rolls to see if it grows on me. Nice size and it carries and "points" well.

The Pentax 17s I got for my grandkids feel a lot better to use - for half the price - if only it had and RF or autofocus instead of 1940's icons for zone focus.

[TomB_tx]

Well, I finished the first short trial roll (HP5) in my Rollei35 AF. The biggest chore was rewinding the film! It has a reasonable sized rewind crank on the bottom, but it turns so hard I couldn’t use it as a crank. I had to twist it like a “T” knob between my thumb and finger, a half-turn at a time, and my fingers are still sore – a painful process. I was glad it was only a 20-exposure roll.  Yes, I had the rewind release in the full release position, and it frees the sprocket nicely. But the take-up spool is still very hard to turn in the reverse direction. I don’t see any linkage to release the slip-clutch on the take-up spool, and it shouldn’t need one. It’s just that the friction in the slip clutch is WAY too strong. With most 35mm cameras you can turn the take-up spool against the slip-clutch with your fingertips quite easily. Not on this Rollei. I suppose it may vary between samples, but I read a review that had the same complaint: almost impossible to rewind. I think this strong clutch also makes the film wind notchy and rough, as it pulls against the sprocket (which really controls the spacing of the frames) so strong it seems like you feel each sprocket tooth pull out of the holes in the film. Part of this is that the sprockets are so small diameter (due to the limited space) that only a couple teeth are engaged in the film at a time. So film winding / rewinding is the major negative in this camera. Hopefully not all production is like this. The slip-clutch only needs enough tension to keep the film wrapped around the sprockets.

The good news is that the photos turned out well for this type of camera. Exposures were consistent with and without flash, and the Lidar focus is adequate on the small center spot in the VF, at least for this f2.8 lens. Exposure is aperture-preferred, auto shutter-speed, which is how I often use my M7, M10, and Leica R models. Set an appropriate lens opening on the front dial and let it match a shutter speed. With a minimum shutter of 1/500 don’t plan on leaving the lens wide open (f2.8) outside! Choose wisely. You can also set shutter speeds manually, again on a front dial, but most will just stay with the A setting. A camera like this is best for quick snapshots.

The lens seems fine for the snapshots I made around the house. It’s set deep enough that a hood shouldn’t be needed, but I haven’t had it outside against bright light yet. The lens does not retract into the body, so it isn’t really a pocket camera.

I’d say they need to especially fix the slip-clutch / rewind for it to be a keeper.

[wlaidlaw]

8 hours ago, TomB_tx said:

Well, I finished the first short trial roll (HP5) in my Rollei35 AF. The biggest chore was rewinding the film! It has a reasonable sized rewind crank on the bottom, but it turns so hard I couldn’t use it as a crank. I had to twist it like a “T” knob between my thumb and finger, a half-turn at a time, and my fingers are still sore – a painful process. I was glad it was only a 20-exposure roll.  Yes, I had the rewind release in the full release position, and it frees the sprocket nicely. But the take-up spool is still very hard to turn in the reverse direction. I don’t see any linkage to release the slip-clutch on the take-up spool, and it shouldn’t need one. It’s just that the friction in the slip clutch is WAY too strong. With most 35mm cameras you can turn the take-up spool against the slip-clutch with your fingertips quite easily. Not on this Rollei. I suppose it may vary between samples, but I read a review that had the same complaint: almost impossible to rewind. I think this strong clutch also makes the film wind notchy and rough, as it pulls against the sprocket (which really controls the spacing of the frames) so strong it seems like you feel each sprocket tooth pull out of the holes in the film. Part of this is that the sprockets are so small diameter (due to the limited space) that only a couple teeth are engaged in the film at a time. So film winding / rewinding is the major negative in this camera. Hopefully not all production is like this. The slip-clutch only needs enough tension to keep the film wrapped around the sprockets.

The good news is that the photos turned out well for this type of camera. Exposures were consistent with and without flash, and the Lidar focus is adequate on the small center spot in the VF, at least for this f2.8 lens. Exposure is aperture-preferred, auto shutter-speed, which is how I often use my M7, M10, and Leica R models. Set an appropriate lens opening on the front dial and let it match a shutter speed. With a minimum shutter of 1/500 don’t plan on leaving the lens wide open (f2.8) outside! Choose wisely. You can also set shutter speeds manually, again on a front dial, but most will just stay with the A setting. A camera like this is best for quick snapshots.

The lens seems fine for the snapshots I made around the house. It’s set deep enough that a hood shouldn’t be needed, but I haven’t had it outside against bright light yet. The lens does not retract into the body, so it isn’t really a pocket camera.

I’d say they need to especially fix the slip-clutch / rewind for it to be a keeper.

Tom, 

Many thanks your review. I am glad I cancelled my order for the new Rollei 35. With very recalcitrant fingers, the rewind would be close to impossible for me. I have a similar issue with my Widelux F5 because of the convoluted film path around the semi-circular lens housing and rewinding a film in it is literally painful for me. Instead of the Rollei, I ended up rebuying a Minox 35, a final version ML in this case, where the fragile earlier model shutter had been cured and which was designed to use a modern lithium 6V battery instead of the earlier mercury PX27. I can live with its zone focus system. 

Wilson

[Matlock]

On 4/26/2025 at 12:12 AM, TomB_tx said:

Well, I finished the first short trial roll (HP5) in my Rollei35 AF. The biggest chore was rewinding the film! It has a reasonable sized rewind crank on the bottom, but it turns so hard I couldn’t use it as a crank. I had to twist it like a “T” knob between my thumb and finger, a half-turn at a time, and my fingers are still sore – a painful process. I was glad it was only a 20-exposure roll.  Yes, I had the rewind release in the full release position, and it frees the sprocket nicely. But the take-up spool is still very hard to turn in the reverse direction. I don’t see any linkage to release the slip-clutch on the take-up spool, and it shouldn’t need one. It’s just that the friction in the slip clutch is WAY too strong. With most 35mm cameras you can turn the take-up spool against the slip-clutch with your fingertips quite easily. Not on this Rollei. I suppose it may vary between samples, but I read a review that had the same complaint: almost impossible to rewind. I think this strong clutch also makes the film wind notchy and rough, as it pulls against the sprocket (which really controls the spacing of the frames) so strong it seems like you feel each sprocket tooth pull out of the holes in the film. Part of this is that the sprockets are so small diameter (due to the limited space) that only a couple teeth are engaged in the film at a time. So film winding / rewinding is the major negative in this camera. Hopefully not all production is like this. The slip-clutch only needs enough tension to keep the film wrapped around the sprockets.

The good news is that the photos turned out well for this type of camera. Exposures were consistent with and without flash, and the Lidar focus is adequate on the small center spot in the VF, at least for this f2.8 lens. Exposure is aperture-preferred, auto shutter-speed, which is how I often use my M7, M10, and Leica R models. Set an appropriate lens opening on the front dial and let it match a shutter speed. With a minimum shutter of 1/500 don’t plan on leaving the lens wide open (f2.8) outside! Choose wisely. You can also set shutter speeds manually, again on a front dial, but most will just stay with the A setting. A camera like this is best for quick snapshots.

The lens seems fine for the snapshots I made around the house. It’s set deep enough that a hood shouldn’t be needed, but I haven’t had it outside against bright light yet. The lens does not retract into the body, so it isn’t really a pocket camera.

I’d say they need to especially fix the slip-clutch / rewind for it to be a keeper.

Your findings are very much the same as mine although the rewind on mine would seem to be a little easier (I stress a LITTLE). Not a bad little camera but a Rollei 35 it is not.