Testing The New Rollei 35 AF Vs Pentax 17 - Side By Side
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- Опубликовано: 20 сен 2024
- In today's video I'm using the brand new Rollei 35AF and the Pentax 17 for the very first time. I'll be bringing you my impressions on the user experience in real time as it's quite the journey so come along for the ride!
Be sure to check out Ikigai Film Lab and follow them on Instagram to see all the exciting updates and content coming soon! - ikigaifilmlab....
Rollei 35AF - rollei35af.com...
Pentax 17 - amzn.asia/d/2P...
My personal website with everything about me and my work - www.lucylumen....
Be sure to check out Ikigai Film Lab and follow them on Instagram to see all the exciting updates and content coming soon! - ikigaifilmlab.com.au/
The more reviews I see of the Mint camera, the more convinced I am of the Pentax 17.
So true
I've got the Pentax 17, and it's just a treat to shoot with. Results are solid, too, with a sharp lens and good exposure system. I really love how the viewfinder is center-line, I feel like that keeps Parallax errors to a minimum. Plus, the close focus capabilities are fantastic. I shoot lots of flowers and small details, and the 17 does very well for a compact.
As to the Rollei... results look great, living up to the good specs of the camera, but I just couldn't with the handling. The lack of grip, the wrong-side lever, no filter thread, offset viewfinder, a long minimum focus distance. I do think it's fair to criticize the ergonomics, because Mint made the decision to copy an old camera that was known to have quirky and awkward handling, rather than draw inspiration from something nicer to use, or design their own. Plus, if it's a choice between full control over focus or full control over exposure, I'd rather control the focus and trust the camera to expose. Just not the right choice for me. I've already got manual and autofocus SLRs, if I wanted to maximize image quality on 35mm, I could use those.
But I think it could easily be the right camera for someone else. Seems like Mint has done well, so congratulations to them. I wasn't sure they would, I really came to hate the TL70 I had from them.
Well said!!! I agree on the points about the rollei you’ve made and it definitely does come down to the awkward handling which like you say on the Pentax isn’t an issue. Still so fabulous though that it’s been created! Thanks for watching
I feel like we should all recognize how not half framie the pentax looks. Its kinda impressive how much work that tiny lens is doing. Also what I think people don't realize with the pentax zone focusing is the amount of markings will really help you hit focus. Its not like a holga where its just a person, group, and mountain. There is like a zone for everything you would ever need so there is really no guessing for an in between setting.
Yessss this is very true! I don’t use zone focus often but this was a good experience and that is definitely why! Thanks for watching
I got a Pentax 17 for my birthday and I am looooving it
Lucy, amazing work at comparing the experience of shooting these two cameras! I have to say that I’m surprised at how much fun I’m having with my Pentax 17. After many years of shooting manual SLRs and medium format TLR and DSLRs and always obsessing somewhat over aperture’s and manual exposure control, it’s been very refreshing (bit scary at first) just to leave it to the point and shoot nature of the camera. With half frame you know you’ve got a small negative to work with but the lens is sharp and those 72 shots per film means you can experiment with abandon. A few weeks back I took it as my only camera on a week long trip to Tasmania. Wandering around Hobart made for easy and fun street photography with the Pentax 17 and then took it on a 4 day hike of the Three Capes Track. Clearly a light camera is advantageous when you’ll carrying all your gear for a multi day hike but I’d say that half frame negative is more suited to street, town scapes and environmental portraiture than big outdoors landscape photography. I am also surprised at how much I’m liking the vertical / portrait format. With the good camera handling and controls, it all adds to the casual fun of shooting this camera. I really wasn’t expecting that! Not many decisions to make - just shoot and enjoy 😊
I really feel like the Pentax designers nailed the shooting experience. My two "best" film cameras are a Nikon SLR and a Rolleiflex TLR, and they're great, but they just shoot in a different way. The Pentax is a stress-free shooter, but with enough hands-on control to feel like you're actually shooting a camera, unlike an old 90s autofocus point and shoot. I bet it's a great camera for someone new, but I also feel like it's a great camera for someone who's been shooting a while but wants a great "casual" experience.
Thanks for this!
I@@thebitterfig9903
Really liked this idea. Showing the first usage and what it really feels like. And the twist at the end was good.
I want that Rollei design just like that in a digital camera. But I'm very happy for you new film users also. I'm happy for any kind of photography that keeps away from phones.
It would be interesting as a digital camera! Yes I agree anything in the photography realm that keeps it going and keeps people interested is great. Taking photo with a camera is such a joy. Thanks for watching
Original Rollei 35s had a legendary lens
I'm waiting to see more real shots out of this 35AF
Yours are great
I am going to borrow a friends original rollei actually and do a video! I’ve never shed one before. Glad you enjoyed this and my photos thank you for watching!
Some retired Pentax engineers designed the lens on this Rollei 35 AF.
The og Rollei allows for very un-p&s style photos in a pocketable camera. You have to use it almost like a Barnack Leica. The new versions seems much more like other p&s cameras, automated, not-mechanical, bigger.
I'm very glad that another brand new film camera is launched in this time of mirrorless high megapixel camera.
But the more I see the Rollei 35Af, the more I'm appreciating the Pentax 17.
From the film door opening, to the loading, to the advancing, to the rewinding: everything seems not only easy but super enjoyable on the Pentax 17!
The face Lucy is making when advancing on the Rollei is self explanatory!!
Also other simple things like fit & finish, the way the camera feels in the hand, how you hold it, how the buttons work (changing the shutter speed & aperture seems to be not a very pleasing affair in the Rollei), how easy & simple it is to press the shutter button, how bright & visible is the viewfinder: everything seems better in the Pentax 17.
The Rollei 35Af has the better "specs" like autofocus, full frame, F/2.8 aperture, 1/500 shutter speed & full manual mode.
But in reality the usability & the ergonomics (which is very important for most photographers) seems to be a lot more on the Pentax & appreciate the small things like:
1) The ability to put filters on the lens & the fact that the light meter is inside the lens housing, thereby compensating for the filter in reality.
2) The intuitive way to change ISO
3) The wriststrap being able to use as the macro focus distance
4) Film card holder being present
5) Analog frame counter.
6) Having different strap lugs to enable straps in both horizontal & vertical position of the camera.
7) How quiet the camera is to operate.
8) The satisfaction of using that film advance lever
(this is one thing digital cameras will never have & the 90s autofocus film 📸 lacks)
I think all these add to the little things that makes you want to shoot in the first place ☺️
And those who are making fun of the half frame format, i think if you're not a professional (most will not even shot in a point & shot in the first place 😄) who will enlarge the negative to a very big size print, the half frame negative size is way more than enough.
And it encourages you to shoot more in this time of high cost of films.
Couldn’t agree more with all your points here and so appreciate you sharing and watching this video.
The designers of the Rollei have implemented some changes to the units that are being released including a more raised shutter button which will make it easier to push but over all they are working with the constraints of that camera which is pretty quirky.
@@LucyLumen that's good to know mint is listening. Hope they release a film camera with their own brand name on it with all the features seen here in a camera body which is relatively modern design (with film door opening feature 😬) & which is nice to hold & capture photos.
Ohh and I forgot to mention your review is really unique and entertaining!! I've already subscribed to your channel after seeing this 😃
Great! Yours is the first in-use review of the Rollei. I had one of the originals and gifted it to a friend long ago. The homage is bigger and seems to have odd ergonomics. The Pentax 17 looked more faff free. I could imagine keeping my eye in the viewfinder and concentrating on my image capture with the Pentax. The scans were good and both cameras produced good results. Both Cameras were worthwhile and capable of serious results.
Good to see a comparison like this! Pentax seems to be ergonomically superior, and the teardown video confirms that it's built to last.
I wish Rollei had worked on theirs too, to make it an overall great experience.
you can't beat good old film cameras but koodos to these companies bring film photography alive in 2024 :)
I agree but I might have hoped that a new film p&s could actually be an improvement on the p&s of the past rather than what seems like an expensive sale of a cheap production camera.
Thanks for this Lucy, the review we’ve all been waiting for! Super informative feedback and TBH in the end, I also still want both 😆
Thank you lovely! It was an honour to shoot these and I would love to see you use one or both in a video too!
It's always super interesting to me hearing other perspectives because I shoot film partially because I like the aesthetic of older film cameras and the Pentax 17 doesn't fill that kinda aesthetic vanity for me. I'm of the mindset that if I wanted an easy to use camera that took good photos every time I would just shoot digital so it's interesting to hear the perspective of someone who wants their film experience to rival that of a digital camera in ease of use.
Although I appreciate the effort involved in the rollei reimagined, that problem of the film advance lever stops me from investing in one.
We also can't dismiss the effort put into the pentax 17 just because it comes from a camera company. I'm sure they had to research a lot and relearn a lot of things after not making film cameras for decades. Both cameras involved significant effort.
I'm sure you've mentioned it in other videos, but do the color grading of your video is NEXT LEVEL! Is this your own lut?
Loved this one, Lucy!
Thank you Nathan! It was so fun to shoot these and such a wild ride seeing the scans - I was so surprised!
I really like the opening part of the video, when you show us how to insert the film into the cameras, I really like it! Those cameras are really nice and cute! Both are expensive but I would love to have them in my hands.
"It's cold"!! Probably as warm as a UK summer!
Probably even warmer tbh haha I’m a baby. My family are from Kent so I’ve experienced UK summer and it’s freezing for me haha
Man I love this channel this girl is it . Beautiful, adventuress, a great photographer, very skilled and knowledgeable about the craft, has this really cool artistic Bohemian energy and vibe, super cool personality and impeccable fashion sense. another great vid
Half frame is great for telling stories, via the diptych photography technique.
...
Thanks for making this video.
If they make a v2 of the Rollei and just clean up the UX a little bit, I'd be very interested in buying
Verrryyy excited for this!
Little things in photography make a big difference to the shooting experience. Thank you for sharing these insights into both cameras, I love the idea of both but will be getting neither! If I had to pick one, before launch I’d have said Rollei, now I would grab the Pentax, but I’ve ordered a Pen F instead. 😊 What strap are you using with the Rollei?
I took a pentax in my hands at a dealer and was a kind of shocked, how cheap it feels - I will go ahead with my old Rollei's
Thank you for watching and glad you like the video. I love my pen ft even though it has its quirks and I would rather shoot with that if I absolutely had to choose as it feels so nice and special. I did like using these though and I’m happy with the results of both too! The strap on the rollei is by Kodak Reto and comes in different colours
Yes it doesn’t have much weight to it and doesn’t feel like a “proper” camera when you hold it as it’s quite plastic and light but it’s fine to use and the results are great so I guess it depends on what you prefer and how romantic you are about cameras
I love the video! Great breakdown of both cameras. Your photos are incredible! I love the idea of both of these cameras. Sadly I cannot afford either one. I hope they’re both a massive success because it’s important to the future of film photography. I’m just not in a place to jump in. Unrelated I love your outfit in this. Sorry you were so cold and that orange wall you have looks soooo good!!
@@LucyLumen very romantic, the nice thing about analogue photography is the feeling of having something in your hands and not just pixels in some virtual data storage - that's why I like the workmanship and feel of many older cameras :-) - but I would also take the Pentax as a reliable (as it's new) point and shoot camera... Andy
A very good review. As for the Rollei shutter button issue, I noticed you never once used it in landscape orientation, which may make the shutter press easier in that position.
She did at least once at 11:17
Yes I did shoot it in landscape once or twice to see if it made a difference but I found I still had to push quite hard on the shutter but it was easier to keep it straight I think…it’s not the easiest camera to hold really
@@LucyLumen Hopefully the designer will see your video and make some updates to the ergonomics.
Very ‘special’ cameras. Not interested. But super interested in your sunglasses!
Muy bien muy bien, gracias.
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed
What is that strap system you have on the Rollei? It reminds me of the (now defunct) Luma Loop.
Thanks for your interesting video, Lucy.
I owned a Rollei 35s back in the day and spent a while getting used to the ergonomics, which I did enjoy after a while. By the way, Rollei ist pronounced "roll-eye". (In Germany, ei ist pronounced "eye" and ie is pronounced "ee". Think of Leica.)
Great review Lucy. Sadly, none of these two cameras are for me even though I do have the original 35 SE. My problem is with half frame. It just doesn't appeal to me. It is not surprising as I was brought up on LF and MF cameras. Once upon a time the 35 mm was called the miniature format.
The shutter button on the 35AF is a bummer as the force to press can cause shake (esp. with low shutter speeds) saw a simply solution which apparently works well - get an enamel button (the style that stick-on), and you essentially have a soft shutter button that reduces the amount of force needed to click. Probably a $1-$2 investment!
Great idea! Love this hack! I have had word from the designer that they have improved the shutter on the next batch to make it more raised and easier to press down.
I wish mint would have made simpler design choices in a more functional body like an Olympus mu1 or a contax t like body if it wanted to look premium. Problem with fiddly build is not just generally bad user experience but also leads to long term reliability problems. I would right now go with Pentax just because I would be more sure of it working well 5-10 years down the line.
Sorry, I’m a bit misinformed.I’ve lways wanted a Rollei, is the Rollei in this example ALSO a brand new reissued camera or is just the Pentax a newbie? Honestly I’d take either, but my dream is to have a Rollei format camera (cause they’re so cute and lovely) that can do half frame…And my DREAM AMONG DREAMS, is that such a camera could somehow be switched between full and half frame. If that were possible, that would literally be my camera for the rest of my life.
It’s new also. Look up Rollei 35AF. Might be sold out for now
Great review. Pentax 17 wins.
I think bokeh mode is supposed to be used when on the close up and macro setting.
You should understand the design of the old classic Rollei 35. It is such a well designed and well built machines. I am still using them and serving me well. Even without AF. You are just not familiar with the operation of it. Which is really not that difficult.
A lot ofl of reviewers are stating that the af pales in comparison to the original Rollei 35 from a build standpoint. I also have a Rollei 35, and as you know, it is a solid and well-built compact camera. Sometimes, it's best not to try and recreate a classic.
Excellent!!!
rollei got a lidar technology
Very cool
Rollei is cute AF! Pentax is...Meh
I really don't understand the hype about this two cameras. There are still tens of million analog viewfinder cameras around (plus as many SLRs) which either still work perfectly or can be refurbished with little effort and costs to be like new. There are even a lot of dealerships around which specialize in buying, refurbishing and selling those cameras. Most of those cameras are on a better (more often than not on a much better) technical standard than that "Rollei" and the Pentax, made with better material, have better lenses, are smaller and lighter, easier to operate, and are much, much cheaper when bought than those two new cameras.
I rather buy an original and refurbished Rollei 35 for half the price of that new one than this new so-called Rollei. The original Rollei 35 is actually on a whole different level regarding technical and optical quality. For the price of a Pentax 17 you can get the king of half format cameras, an Olympus Pen F, and for a fraction of that price one of the many small half frame viewfinder cameras.
The Rollei and the Pentax may be usable cameras, but their price tag is simply totally unreasonable, given that there are much better options available for much less money.
I think the excitement is around the fact that film is popular companies are now making new cameras which is a positive thing for the film community. Everything has to start (or re start) somewhere and these cameras might lead to more cameras being made and at a cheaper price. It’s not the principal of the thing that is exciting than just the actual camera. It’s a great sign that film is alive and that is worth celebrating!
A good used Pentax Espio comes in so much cheaper than either of these cameras. Why spend so much more for something that seems a step down from good used cameras?
A warranty.
@@mynewcolour expensive warranty.
Painllei 35 Auto Frustrate & Dumbtax 17
A total gimmick wannabe gimmick overpriced and poorly built camera! Don’t buy it !! This is not build by Rollei. Do you research and you will thank me later.
The Rollei for the design win. The Pentax is ugly. Half frame is worse than shooting crop format.
Half frame film is actually slightly bigger than APSC sensor on digital 📸 & way more bigger than Micro fourth thirds sensor found in olympus & Panasonic 📸
I think if you're not a professional (most will not even shot in a point & shot film 📸 in the first place 😄) who will enlarge the negative to a very big size, the half frame negative size is way more than enough.
The print results shown here is a proof of that. If one wants to enlarge their negatives to life size, I think it's better to shot with an SLR in the first place or even a medium format camera.
Also the lens on the Pentax seems to be really versatile.
And the half frame encourages you to shoot more in this time of high cost of films, which is really nice.
26:56 Bravo!!!
I'm sure you've mentioned it in other videos, but do the color grading of your video is NEXT LEVEL! Is this your own lut?