Interview: Gary Ho of MINT Camera - The Rollei 35 AF Story
In an exclusive and inaugural discussion with Gary Ho of Mint Camera, we uncover the passion and ingenuity fueling their latest creation, the Rollei 35AF. Gary delves into the meticulous process of reimagining the iconic Rollei 35, blending reverence for its legacy with advancements such as autofocus and lidar technology. This dialogue sheds light on Mint Camera's dedication to innovation, presenting the Rollei 35AF as a harmonious fusion of analog's rich heritage and the expansive capabilities of contemporary tech. It's crafted for both the seasoned film aficionado and the novice, bridging eras of photography with elegance and precision.
Dive into our enlightening exchange with Gary Ho, a pioneer steering the photographic realm towards a future where tradition and innovation coalesce. The Rollei 35AF stands as a pivotal achievement for Mint Camera, celebrating the undying allure of film in the digital epoch. Enjoy this deep dive into a project that honors photographic history while boldly stepping forward. Enjoy!
INTERVIEW
The Rollei 35 AF’s Box! (Credit: MiNT Camera)
Michael Behlen: Gary, could you start by sharing the initial inspiration behind founding Mint Camera for those unfamiliar with you?
Gary Ho: It all traces back to one legendary camera - the Polaroid SX-70. The inception of Mint Camera took place when I first laid my hands on the Polaroid SX-70, and I was instantly captivated by its extraordinary design. Initially, our focus was on refurbishing, reselling, and providing warranties for these cameras. After about a year, we expanded our offerings to include accessories for the SX-70, notably the Mint Flash Bar, which turned out to be successful and is still selling today. Later on, our attention shifted towards developing our own cameras, which are all heavily influenced by the Polaroid SX-70. Step by step, Mint Camera has evolved into what it is today.
MB: Jumping ahead, what was the pivotal moment for Mint Camera when you realized you had found success in the instant film camera market?
GH: We realized that we had struck a sweet spot with the introduction of the Mint Flash Bar. At that time, I was sitting in the store and so many people were complaining about bad photos. It was obvious that something was missing... they needed more light! It was all about light. So later, we introduced the SLR670 which required less light and had more controls. Again it worked.
I think we were lucky to realize early on, that the key to taking good photos, especially instant photos, is light.
“This picture, taken around 2010 when Mint first started, captures a significant moment. It was taken on my iPhone 3GS” - Gary Ho (Credit: MiNT Camera)
MB: Adding a 35mm to your lineup is a significant shift from instant film. What motivated this additional direction for Mint Camera? The original Rollei 35 had its drawbacks. How did these influence your decision to develop the Rollei 35AF?
GH: I've been approached multiple times by people requesting the development of a camera, and I reject most of their proposals, except for one idea: the revival of the Rollei 35. Firstly, creating a camera requires a significant amount of time, effort, and, of course, a substantial financial investment. Most discussions come to a halt when we reach the topic of the R&D budget, as it is quite substantial. However, what truly makes this endeavor a commitment, in my opinion, is the time and effort it demands.
Developing a camera is not a straightforward path. Challenges are bound to arise in such complex projects, and one must remain persistent and resilient despite the risks involved. We dedicated nearly 5 years to this project, facing significant obstacles such as the impact of COVID, design constraints, financial issues, factory closures, and more along the way. Nevertheless, we remained steadfast. When you invest 5 years of your life on one project, you really want to work on something that is worthwhile.
The reason I decided to take up this project, among all the others on the table, was the resemblance I saw between the Rollei 35 and the Polaroid SX-70. Both are legendary cameras with a beautiful outlook. Both are highly sought after even to this day. They stand the test of time. Both have their own flaws, which I believe Mint can make better. For the Polaroid SX-70, it was the low ISO and lack of controls. For Rollei 35, it was the zone focus, the absence of an automatic function, and no built-in flash for indoor use. I understand that these aspects may not be regarded as drawbacks for seasoned photographers, but for most of us who grew up with the iPhone camera, the original Rollei 35 can prove challenging to operate. Also, an interesting fact is that when I first started Mint, the Rollei 35 also caught my eye as I compared it to other cameras alongside the SX-70. But we eventually settled with Polaroid because it was just a better opportunity at that time. I'm glad things have come full circle.
Left: The exterior of the Mint Rollei 35 AF. Right: The original Rollei 35. (Credit: MiNT Camera)
MB: Can you discuss the challenges you faced in maintaining the iconic design of the Rollei 35 while addressing its functional limitations?
GH: The most challenging aspect lies in incorporating an autofocus module, flash, and battery compartment while maintaining the pocket-sized form factor of the original Rollei 35. The original Rollei 35 was known for its compactness, and it's no easy feat to fit three extra components into an already small space.
This can only be done by going back to the drawing board and redrawing the whole camera from scratch. It's not like you just add to the original design.
I'm quite pleased with the outcome. It currently feels like a magical box to me. I don't know where I got the courage to take up this challenge. Looking back, I sometimes wonder if we would be able to do it again.
MB: What makes the Rollei 35AF different from its predecessor in terms of user experience and technological advancements?
GH: Aside from the autofocus which is evident in the name, users will find the Rollei 35AF much easier to handle compared to its predecessor. This camera is not solely targeted towards Rollei 35 fans, it is also designed for non-film photographers who have no clue what f-stops are.
When you turn on the camera, you'll notice a subtle OLED display that shows useful information. This display serves as a helpful guide for first-time film users, indicating if the scene is overexposed, displaying the film's ISO, and showing the number of remaining exposures, among other details.
Considering the advancements in electronics since the 1950s, it would be counterproductive not to leverage these technological improvements. However, we are careful not to make the Rollei 35AF feel too much like an electronic device. We strive to maintain the mechanical essence of the original Rollei 35 while ensuring that it remains user-friendly, even for beginners.
For experienced photographers, the manual controls are still present just like the good old Rollei.
2022 Announcement by Mint (Credit: MiNT Camera)
MB: Your partnership with Rollei is quite significant. How did this collaboration come about, and what does it mean for Mint Camera?
GH: The partnership with Rollei emerged as a natural progression due to our past collaborations. Rollei has been incredibly supportive, and the cooperation between our teams has been seamless. This partnership proves advantageous for both parties involved.
Building upon our previous experiences, we have acquired valuable insights into the expectations of the customers. This knowledge equips us to make better decisions and a better product that the customer will like.
For Mint, this collaboration opens doors to reaching a broader audience, particularly among young individuals who have a keen interest in film photography.
MB: The use of lidar technology in the Mint35 is groundbreaking. Can you elaborate on why you chose this technology over traditional autofocus methods?
GH: The search for a suitable autofocus module was the first and foremost task of this project years ago. We were taken aback to discover that "traditional" autofocus modules were no longer being produced, and at one point we were close to calling off the project because of this. In today's digital era, autofocus methods heavily rely on software algorithms, which do not apply to our project since we cannot extract digital information from the scene.
Fortunately, the emergence of Lidar technology provided a solution. Although Lidar technology has been around for a while, it gained popularity in recent years due to its use in smartphones and self-driving cars. The prices of these sensors have become more affordable, making them suitable for our project (although still quite expensive).
Lidar offers several advantages. It is accurate across various environmental conditions, including dark and bright places, and it works on all surfaces. Additionally, it offers a good range. It proved to be the perfect choice at the right time.
I would say the only disadvantage of using Lidar over "traditional" autofocus methods is the cost. It is indeed quite expensive, but we still have to use it.
Rollei 35 AF Disassembled (Credit: MiNT Camera)
MB: Could you talk about the design philosophy behind "Simplicity is Sophistication" and how it's been implemented in the Mint35? / You mentioned a focus on simplicity and skeuomorphism in design. How do you balance modern technology with the classic feel of analog photography?
GH: This camera is a team effort, and when there's a group of people with differing opinions, it's easy for feature creep to occur, especially when the cost of adding extra features in software electronics seems negligible. When unnecessary features are piled on, the user experience suffers.
Our goal is to strike a balance between the convenience of modern technology while preserving the authentic feel of analog photography. We want people to hold the camera and feel a sense of familiarity as if they were using the original model.
Rather than having users exclaim, "This feels like a digital device that uses film," we want them to think, "Wow, this feels just like the real thing with some fantastic enhancements."
There is a huge temptation to add a touchscreen with excessive information and features that nobody ever uses. In the end, we made the deliberate choice to keep things simple. The mantra "Simplicity is Sophistication" serves as a constant reminder of our approach.
MB: Given the high R&D costs, what strategies is Mint Camera employing to manage financial risks while innovating?
GH: We have been fortunate that Mint is self-sustaining, allowing us the freedom to prioritize innovation without the pressure of meeting financial goals set by outside investors. This is good for innovation because most investors are looking for a quick buck. In fact I don't think there are many investors interested in projects like this because developing a film camera isn't exactly the most financially rewarding thing to do these days.
For every project at Mint, our financial goal has always been to not lose money, extra profits are a bonus. The way we do it is simple but not easy. We keep our customers happy and make sure they come back to support the next project. As long as there are enough customers to cover the initial investment that Mint spends, we'll pour resources into making the next product as good as the money allows it to be. Everybody in the company is quite obsessed with this. That is why you see the quality of Mint products getting better and better because we are using more and more expensive components and pushing the envelope further and further. Customer satisfaction is everything.
And that is partly why I began writing a blog about this project about two years ago – to gauge the market's response and interest. By understanding the level of interest, we can determine if it is viable to allocate additional resources to create a higher-quality product. In the case of the Mint35, the initial reaction was quite positive, so we used a lot of high-quality components this time. I hope my feeling is right, otherwise I'd be dead.
This is how we secure our status as the best maker of products in this niche market.
One of the very first test images. (Credit: MiNT Camera)
MB: In developing the Mint35, how did you ensure it catered to both seasoned film photographers and newcomers to the medium?
GH: In the design process, I believe it is crucial to include expert modes (such as manual aperture, shutter speeds, LT, ISO mode, etc.), while ensuring that the Auto option is obvious to first-time users. This way, they can confidently choose Auto, forget about the technicalities, and still capture great photos. This approach has been successful with instant cameras, and we hope it also works with film cameras. We'll see.
MB: How does the new camera address the challenge of creating a compact film camera without compromising image quality?
GH: Advancements in optics manufacturing and optical design have come a long way since the introduction of the Rollei35 in the 1960s. Nowadays, computers play a significant role in aiding lens design. I would like to highlight a unique approach that was employed in the design of the Rollei 35AF lens.
Film possesses distinct characteristics that differ from digital sensors, and the Rollei 35AF lens was specifically designed for film. It has a special analog film flavor to it and is definitely not cheap. We approached a very old lens designer who designed lenses for many film cameras during their prime. According to him, the requirements for lens design were quite different than today. Rather than chasing for the "best" lens with computer-aided design, we wanted the lens to have a distinct nostalgic flavor to it, so that people would remember that this photo was taken with the Rollei 35AF.
Also if you're looking for the "best" lens, the size constraint of a compact film camera does pose challenges. That being said, the Rollei 35AF lens is not bad at all and meets all the standards of what a decent film lens should be.
The lens itself is composed of a 5-element, all-glass construction.
MB: Reflecting on the journey from instant to film cameras, what have been the most unexpected lessons learned?
GH: I learned that we were quite crazy to begin with instant cameras, as they are actually more challenging to make compared to film cameras. However, the Mint35 project presented its own set of difficulties.
One remarkable difference that stood out was the dynamic range between 35mm film and instant film. Instant film has a significantly narrower dynamic range. Even a slight shift in f-stop on instant film can lead to complaints. The light meter and shutter must be incredibly precise. Contrary to expectations, everything in an instant camera needs to be meticulously timed due to the limited dynamic range. We only realized the harshness of this limitation once we began testing with film on Mint35.
So, what we did was transfer the highly precise shutter and light meter from our previous instant cameras to the Mint35, and it worked like magic. This approach significantly reduced the R&D time.
Also, in the case of instant cameras, significant attention needs to be dedicated to the film processing unit. On the other hand, for a 35mm camera, the film advance mechanism is easier in comparison.
The most challenging aspect of the Mint35 project was fitting everything into such a compact size while adhering to the constraints imposed by modeling it on the original Rollei 35. Moreover, people generally have higher expectations regarding the build quality of film cameras compared to instant cameras. It was crucial for us to ensure that when placed alongside a traditional film camera, the Mint35 would not appear inferior in terms of build quality.
Shutter Test during R&D. (Credit: MiNT Camera)
MB: Can you share more about the decision to combine the shutter and aperture in the Mint35, and how this impacts the camera's performance?
GH: The decision to adopt the combined shutter aperture design was primarily driven by the compact size constraint of the camera body. As I mentioned earlier, the influence of the Polaroid SX-70 design runs deep in our company's DNA. When confronted with the challenge of maximizing compactness, our immediate instinct was to turn to the Polaroid SX-70 for inspiration.
There are no significant trade-offs on performance. We did have to make several prototypes to prove the concept though. In the end, it works well.
MB: With the Mint35 priced between USD 650-800, how do you see it fitting into the current market for film cameras?
GH: Several years ago, Bellamy from Japan Camera Hunter wrote an article on PetaPixel urging camera manufacturers to bring back the compact film camera. His argument emphasized the increasing rarity of these cameras and the escalating prices. He highlighted that the available options didn't come with a guarantee of functionality. That was 7 years ago when he wrote that, and in the article it mentioned certain compact film cameras were selling for $1000+. Today, I believe they are worth even more. At the time, I read the article but didn't give it serious consideration as my focus was primarily on designing instant cameras.
I guess the Mint35 fits the description of what Bellamy had in mind at that time. The Mint35 is simplistic, has a metal body, and an ISO selector. It's compact - it fits in your pocket, maybe not your jeans pocket, but definitely can fit comfortably in your jacket pocket. What really got me off the fence was the extra legendary camera design factor of the Rollei 35.
I expect the Rollei 35AF to appeal to:
- Those seeking a compact point-and-shoot camera
- Individuals seeking a middle ground between disposable cameras and Leica-level sophistication
- Fans of the Rollei 35 series
- First-timers who want to get a taste of analog film photography
- Open-minded individuals who just want to try something new!
Just anybody with a creative vision! Our customers come from diverse backgrounds, each with their own unique experiences and perspectives. The beautiful thing about photography is that it allows anybody from all walks of life to express themselves and capture the beauty of the world around them.
Rangefinder Test during R&D. (Credit: MiNT Camera)
MB: Given the challenges of developing the Mint35, what keeps you and your team motivated and focused on this project?
GH: Definitely the mentions, positive comments, and support!
Every project demands time and dedication. When we step back, we realize our time is limited, and we really want to dedicate our time to something cool and groundbreaking. I think designing and resurrecting a legendary camera is one of those things that rank high on the list of cool projects. It's much better than designing a stove or dishwasher for example, and that's what keeps us motivated - the opportunity to spend our limited time on this planet to do great work!
MB: Finally, looking ahead, what are Mint Camera's future goals, how does the Mint35 play a role in achieving them, and what has been the most rewarding aspect of this project for you?
GH: As we move forward, our team has undergone remarkable positive transformations following the development of the TL70 Plus and the Mint35. These transformations have been the outcome of accumulated experience, and learning from trial and error during the development process. Along the way, we have made subtle shifts in our design philosophy and decision-making approach, which have yielded tremendous results. After Mint35, we are going to start phasing out some older products and revamp them into newer better versions using these refined methods.
The most rewarding aspect lies in the journey itself. Now that the Mint35 is officially in the production stage, I'm eager to see how well it rolls out!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Behlen is an instant film addict and the founder and publisher of Analog Forever Magazine. Behlen is an obsessive community organizer in the film photography world, including previously launching the independent publishing projects PRYME Magazine and PRYME Editions, two enterprises dedicated to the art of instant film. Through these endeavors, he has featured and published 250+ artists from around the globe via his print and online publications.
He has self-published two Polaroid photobooks -“Searching for Stillness, Vol. 1” and “I Was a Pioneer,” literally a boxed set of his instant film work. His latest book, Searching for Stillness Vol II was published in 2020 by Static Age.
Behlen’s Polaroid photography can be found in various publications including Diffusion Magazine, Fraction Magazine, Seities Magazine, and Polaroid Now (Chronicle Books, 2021). He loves the magic sensuality of instant film: its saturated, surreal colors; the unpredictability of the medium; and its addictive qualities as you watch it develop. He spends his time shooting instant film and backpacking in the California wilderness, usually a combination of the two.
Connect with Michael Behlen on his Website and on Instagram!
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In an exclusive and inaugural discussion with Gary Ho of Mint Camera, we uncover the passion and ingenuity fueling their latest creation, the Rollei 35AF.