Rollei 35 AF - 2025 new film camera release.

Rollei 35AF
Website: https://rollei35af.com/pages/camera

Instagram: @danieldijo
https://instagram.com/danieldijo?utm_...

Music:
https://suno.com/@danieldijo

99% original content
Vlog Camera used: iPhone 16 pro max
Interview Camera used: Sony A7C / F4 24-70mm lens
Camera: Rollei 35 AF

#rollei35 #rollei35AF #filmisnotdead

My Tip Jar $$ if you’re generous:
https://www.paypal.com/qrcodes/manage...

Pros
Portability & Style: Extremely compact, lightweight, and stylish—ideal for everyday carry. Its vintage-inspired design attracts attention, with many mistaking it for a classic, well-kept film camera.
Lens Quality: Excellent sharpness with no visible distortion.
Exposure Control: Flexible options. Auto mode with exposure compensation worked well; manual mode was only necessary in low-light or slow shutter scenarios. Aperture at f/2.8 delivered pleasing results.
Shooting Experience: Retains the slower, more deliberate feel of the original Rollei 35, making shooting enjoyable and thoughtful rather than rushed.

Cons
Price: At $800–$850, it’s steep for casual users, though reasonable compared to Contax T2/T3, Fujifilm Klasse S, or Leica Minilux.
Build Quality (user complaints):
Stiff dials at first but smoothed out after two rolls (currently feels solid).
Winder looser than Rollei 35—creates doubt about long-term reliability.
Handling Issues (user + reviewer complaints):
Film loading and back can feel clunky, but manageable with practice.
Film rewind is the main flaw—very stiff and awkward, though clear once fully rewound.

Compared to later auto-wind point-and-shoots (1990s), operation feels slower due to its 1960s-inspired design.
Viewfinder: Biggest disappointment. Distorted, unclear, and poorly executed compared to rivals (Contax T2, Olympus MJU).
Frame lines feel pointless since they extend to the full viewfinder width.
Original Rollei 35 had a large, sharp, distortion-free finder—this one fails to replicate that strength.

Autofocus Performance
No manual focus—autofocus only.
Uses LiDAR-assisted AF; reviewers are split. Some praise accuracy, others find it inconsistent.
Personal experience: Results inconsistent, but not unusable. Missed focus on ~2–3 shots per roll—comparable to Contax T2.
Final Thoughts
A fun, stylish, retro-inspired camera best suited for enthusiasts who love the Rollei brand or the original Rollei 35 experience.
Falls into an odd middle ground:
Compact, but not the most compact.
Retro, but not fully classic.
Autofocus only, but lacks full program auto modes. (Aperture priority only.)
Encourages a slowed-down, intentional shooting process, unlike most point-and-shoots.
Not for everyone—those seeking a flawless, highly dependable film compact may prefer alternatives.

Overall Impression
Despite its flaws (especially the viewfinder and stiff rewind), it captures the Rollei spirit.
Better appreciated by Rollei fans and brand enthusiasts than by general photographers.
The effort to create something new in the compact film space deserves respect, even if imperfect.
Hopefully just the first of future improved versions—a foundation with room for refinement.

In short:
The Rollei compact is a stylish, lens-sharp, retro-inspired film camera with quirks that both delight and frustrate. It’s not flawless, but for those who appreciate the Rollei legacy and enjoy a slower shooting experience, it offers charm and character—if you can live with its limitations.