At Rollei we look back on a long and proud story in the world of photography. Together with our partner MINT, we have faced the challenge of creating a camera that preserves the spirit of the original Rollei 35 and at the same time meets the technical requirements of today. In this blog post you will find out why the production is so complex and get an insight into the Asian factory in the video below:
An icon in a new guise
The original Rollei 35 was revolutionary. It combined a compact design with outstanding image quality and thus set standards for compact film cameras. But how do you bring such an icon to today without losing your unique character? This question was the focus of our cooperation with MINT. The aim was to preserve the essence of the Rollei 35 and at the same time integrate modern technologies that meet today's requirements.
The biggest challenge was to equip the camera with new functions such as autofocus and integrated flash without affecting the compact design and the classic design. Thanks to the close cooperation between us and the experts from MINT, it was possible to find the perfect balance between tradition and innovation.
200 precision parts in 120 carefully carried out work steps
The way to the Rollei 35 AF was anything but easy. The development of a camera that meets the highest demands and at the same time integrates new technologies requires precise planning, extensive tests and constant further development. From the beginning it was clear that this process would be complex and time -consuming.
The production of the Rollei 35 AF is a demanding and time -consuming process in which more than 200 precision parts are installed in 120 carefully carried out steps.
The design of the camera, which is strongly based on the retro style of the original, requires an almost manual production process that is difficult to implement in mass production.
A central aspect of the project was the development of a new lens that reflects the quality and charm of the original roller egg 35. Together with MINT, a 5-element glass lens was developed, which was specially designed for the Rollei 35 AF. This lens not only provides razor-sharp pictures, but also a special "film appearance" that reminds of the classic times of photography.
In addition, the closure and aperture of the camera was redesigned, inspired by the legendary Polaroid SX-70. This solution made it possible to keep the camera as compact as possible without compromising in functionality.
Decisions on the choice of materials & employee training
Particular attention was paid to the choice of materials. For the housing of the Rollei 35 AF, metal was deliberately chosen to maintain the robustness and feel of the original camera. At the same time, new technologies such as the lidar-based autofocus were integrated, which enables precise focusing even under difficult lighting conditions.
Another point are of course the employees. Since no company is producing film cameras (with the exception of Pentax), workers have to be re -learned.
The steps of the production include the inspection of the parts to ensure the quality of the parts, quality controls in important phases of assembly, tuning of the lens and the final quality check. All of this needs highly qualified workers who were trained in advance to the smallest detail.
Limited number
The interest in the Rollei 35 AF is already impressively high, which of course makes us very happy! Since the production is complex, the Rollei 35 AF will only be available in a limited number at the beginning. We therefore recommend that you secure a copy early.
A camera with heart and soul
The Rollei 35 AF is a tribute to the past and at the same time a step into the future. It combines tradition and innovation in a way that makes it timeless. Every aspect of the camera, from lens to the housing, testifies to the care and manual skills that have been incorporated into its production.