MiNT is Developing a Brand-New Premium Compact 35mm Film Camera

[MattKing]

I'd suggest that a better wording for what Richard posted might be something like "it is now much easier to source great lenses at reasonable cost than it used to be - 7Artisans and TTArtisans are showing that".

 

[armadsen]

I might be in the minority here, but I generally prefer to buy new things than used things, and will happily pay more to do so. I own and shoot a Rollei 35 (have two of them, actually), along with a bunch of other cameras like many others here. My main cameras are a Leica MP and a Fuji X-Pro3, both purchased new. So I'll jump at the chance to buy one of these if it's any good. And based on my experience with my Mint SF-70, I'm optimistic about it.

 

[faberryman]

I'd suggest that a better wording for what Richard posted might be something like "it is now much easier to source great lenses at reasonable cost than it used to be - 7Artisans and TTArtisans are showing that".

It looks like the lens MINT is using for the RF70 and SF70 is a "3-element lens with glass, aspherical lenses" manual focus lens. Of course they could use something quite different for their 35mm camera. If they offer the 35mm camera at $500 retail, I don't know how much they could allocate to the cost of the lens.

InstantKon RF70 SF70 Overview | MiNT Camera

InstantKon RF70 and SF70 combines modern technology with timeless design. With this camera, you can push the boundaries of instant photography beyond parties, gifts, and souvenirs.

mint-camera.com

 

[Richard Man]

Nowhere does it say they are using a 7A lens. Or what the lens is. So you are just saying companies now make great lenses for not much money, so this camera will have a great lens?

I am not saying it will not, but we have no idea. Because they haven't mentioned anything yet.

Sure, you can be skeptical, but there's no reason to believe they would find coke bottles and use the bottom for lens, so *shrugged*

 

[Richard Man]

I'd suggest that a better wording for what Richard posted might be something like "it is now much easier to source great lenses at reasonable cost than it used to be - 7Artisans and TTArtisans are showing that".

Thanks. English is not my native language, but I have been here long enough that I should be able to write better. Ah well.

 

[Huss]

Sure, you can be skeptical, but there's no reason to believe they would find coke bottles and use the bottom for lens, so *shrugged*

I'm not too skeptical, but Matty addressed this and I think we are in agreement. Good cheap lenses are out there. But is 'good' good enough? The lenses Rollei used for their 35s were very sweet.
Then again, accurate focus makes up for the difference between an amazing lens with zone focus, and a good lens that can be accurately focused at wide open apertures! The Mint seems to have AF, so that may be an improvement.

 

[faberryman]

The Mint seems to have AF, so that may be an improvement.

I haven't seen anything about what type of focus the MiNT 35mm camera will have. Most of the details about the camera are quite scarce.

 

[Huss]

I haven't seen anything about what type of focus the MiNT 35mm camera will have. Most of the details about the camera are quite scarce.

If you look at the pics of the pieces of the camera, it seems to have an AF system judging by those two little lenses on the circuit board.

 

[Huss]

 

[faberryman]

You mean the goggles at center top?

 

[Huss]

You mean the goggles at center top?

Yes and there are holes in the top plate for them.

 

[film_man]

You can buy a Leica M for $10.

Because it scratches film or because your name is Eli?

 

[redbandit]

Sorry but... i have seen retailers claim that the lens on a HOLGA is "premium quality"

SO the usage of that term is rather moot.

 

[Huss]

Sorry but... i have seen retailers claim that the lens on a HOLGA is "premium quality"

SO the usage of that term is rather moot.

Premium quality for a Holga lens.

 

[Mackinaw]

Latest update from MINT. Rollei has agreed to let MINT use their name, so the camera will be called the Rollei 35AF. Available this summer. Here's a (lightened) picture from their email.

Jim B.

 

[ic-racer]

Having owned, used and repaired Rollei 35 cameras. I really like the concept but I think it is difficult to use. I really hope this Mint camera fulfills the promises of that Rollei ad! Looks like a camera I'd want.

Also, anyone with extended use update on the InstantKon? Still holding up mechanically and electronically?

 

[BHuij]

Also saw this email today. Pretty awesome. The price tag is steep, but let's face it - it's a newly-developed camera, small enough to take anywhere, that should, in theory, be capable of taking very good photos, and with autofocus to boot? $800 isn't all that bad, really, unless the camera ends up having significant unforeseen problems.

 

[Agulliver]

That's very much the ballpark price for a modern compact 35mm camera, developed more or less from scratch and likely to sell in the thousands rather than hundreds of thousands and millions.

I wish them well and hope it's an excellent product.

 

[Disconnekt]

JCH posted a "hands on" video with the "prototype" of the 35AF talking about it (it does have a internal lightmeter, seems he misspoke on it not having it). Looks like it's going to be priced $799, the lens is all glass, it does work as a manual and automatic camera, there is focus lock.

 

[BHuij]

The only thing I didn't like about it was no manual focus. I realize focus lock is probably good enough though.

This makes me want to take out my Elan II, lock my lens at 35mm and AF on, and see if I can "test drive" something real similar to this in terms of performance and user experience. See if I can make it work for the kind of shooting I'd want to do on a backpacking trip or similar. If I come away with good results, I may well splash out on one of these. They look cool as all get-out and I think they've made almost entirely correct decisions in terms of design and feature set.

 

[loccdor]

Are plastic gears like that typical in premium cameras?

 

[Steven Lee]

I love seeing Bellamy's genuine excitement. He's reviewed a ton of cameras, but I haven't seen him this giddy before! The camera looks lovely, would love to get my hands on one.

 

[pentaxuser]

I wonder if this one will take away custom from the Pentax 17 or is there enough of a market for both cameras?. On what may be a superficial glance this one seems to offer autofocus for what in GBP is about £130 more but takes only half as many frames as the Pentax 17 which is half frame

pentaxuser

 

[bfilm]

I wonder if this one will take away custom from the Pentax 17 or is there enough of a market for both cameras?. On what may be a superficial glance this one seems to offer autofocus for what in GBP is about £130 more but takes only half as many frames as the Pentax 17 which is half frame

We will see. I am not a fan of either camera, but Pentax is a heritage camera and optical company that might someday make a nice film camera again (if encouraged and motivated) and MiNT is making a faux-Rollei camera with lasers coming out of it.

 

[Arthurwg]

I had two of the former Rollei 35s and would be interested in the new one. Although I didn't have too much difficulty estimating distance for focusing, the AF feature is a plus.