The MiniDigi AF 5.0 is a three-inch high, fully functional digicam replica of the original classic twin reflex camera.
Rolleiflex introduced the original MiniDigi in 2006, but it quickly sold out. The new MiniDigi AF 5.0, which is is available with a red or black casing, has been given some significant performance upgrades, including a 5 MB image file from a 3MP CMOS sensor, autofocus, and a very clear 1.1 inch TFT monitor, located at the top of the camera as it is on the full-sized Rolleiflex TLR.
It's available through specialty retailers. Pricing is expected to be $399 MSRP.
A nostalgic design feature that has modern applications is the square format. The square format means no need to choose between horizontal or vertical position. You simply look downward into the viewfinder at waist level, aim, and shoot.
____________________
Mike
Great thing!
Posted by: Peter in Bangkok (but temporarily in Sweden) | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 02:59 PM
Wow! A 3 megapixel sensor but 5 megapixel files?
That's a lot of LIE in a small camera. You can fit fewer pictures on the same memory card for absolutely no advantage in quality.
Posted by: Wirehead Arts | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 03:19 PM
Nostalgia: looking at the past through rose colored lenses.
Posted by: michael | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 03:26 PM
Is the image on the monitor rightside up or upside down ;-)
Posted by: Eric Steinberg | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 03:38 PM
Interesting. This afternoon I photographed the St.Patrick's Day Parade in Detroit, along with eight of my students. They were all shooting digital. I was using my old Rolleiflex E2. Then I visit your site and there's an odd convergence.
Posted by: Bill Bresler | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 03:50 PM
It's going to be *extremely* difficult to resist buying one of these. Thanks for bringing it to my attention... sigh.
Posted by: Damon Schreiber | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 04:29 PM
Jack Howard's review at Pop Photo last month:
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/5150/hands-on-rolleiflex-minidigi-af-50.html
Posted by: Ken Tanaka | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 04:37 PM
They didn't by any chance reverse the image on the TFT, or provide that as an option? Put that in there, and I just might.
Posted by: Josh Hawkins | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 04:39 PM
No bluetooth?
Posted by: _#_ | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 05:02 PM
Rollei had a big chance to do something special here, and they didn't. In that form factor (unlike most others) there's more than enough room to fit a seriously fast lens (f/1.4, or hell, even an f/1.0 wouldn't hurt too bad). Couple that with a little bit of software to manage focus at big apertures: Make the focus knob actually work, and do something to help show in the viewfinder exactly what's in focus. Then you'd have a near-perfect camera for available-light candid shooting: Already the TLR has a leg up because people are less likely to notice the photographer composing.
Oh well. Maybe in version 3.
Posted by: Chaf | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 05:14 PM
"Is the image on the monitor rightside up or upside down ;-)"
Eric,
It's right side up but laterally reversed. [g]
Mike J.
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 05:19 PM
"Then I visit your site and there's an odd convergence."
Bill,
There's always an odd convergence or two on T.O.P.! Should have been our catchphrase....
Mike J.
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 05:20 PM
so... anyone want to explain to me what the second lens is for then?
Posted by: xtoph | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 06:14 PM
Except for the nostalgia of it all, I can pick up a 3 megapixel camera at Wal Mart for $29.95. What next a 3 megapixel 8X10 Deardorff. What are we up to now about 1000 different current digital cameras. Is this the beginning of the 4th plague.
Posted by: Carl Leonardi | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 06:21 PM
Ok, sober second thought time: When I think rationally, here's a camera with a superfluous second lens, a 3 mp sensor that records 5 MB files, takes an aeon to focus, and needs to be cranked between exposures for no good reason. But I still think I need to buy it, if only for the sheer orneriness that went into its design.
Posted by: Damon Schreiber | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 12:20 AM
A few years ago, Samsung made a two lens two sensor camera that shot video with one
set and stills with the other. Maybe Rolleiflex (Is it F&H or the other guys?) might ought to renew an old relationship and do something useful with that second lens. I kind of like the having to crank part, but advertising autofocus and having it be slow isn't a reminder I'd want to create.
Posted by: John Banister | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 01:47 AM
Why would Rollei waste their R&D and production facilities on what is essentially a toy? Are they tired of making real cameras?
Posted by: Scott Dommin | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 06:46 AM
Why don't they just make a full sized one with two real lenses?(Digital) If they did I think more would buy it and use it.
As it is now it is a key fob or a little bit of BLING to be worn round the neck with a white gold chain.
And we all wonder why we run out of places to throw away our unneeded junk.
Sorry but I see this as nothing but shopping as entertainment. Might look nice on your shelf right next to your White Stripes Lomo.
Sheesh.
Posted by: charlie d | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 08:28 AM
Wow ... $399 and Sigma gets bashed for the high price of the DP1 !
Posted by: Dennis | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 09:10 AM
Has it got a sports finder ?
Posted by: Paul Mc Cann | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 09:13 AM
Scott: "Why would Rollei waste their R&D and production facilities on what is essentially a toy? Are they tired of making real cameras?"
The "Rollei" brand (Franke & Heidecke) is now part of the Korean electronics conglomerate Samsung. The Rollei brand is, of course, comparable to a lemonade stand to Samsung. But these folks are not dummies. I suspect that their profits from these "toys" might match, or even exceed, the profits that they reap from the "real" Rolleiflex cameras.
Posted by: Ken Tanaka | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 10:21 AM
Samsung no longer owns Rollei, and "Rollei" and "Franke and Heidecke" are no longer the same company. Details here:
http://homepage.mac.com/fwstutterheim/rolleigraphy/rolleigraphy.html
The answer to the question of why Rollei wastes R&D and production facilities on such a camera is that they don't. At least, Franke and Heidecke doesn't. The separate company with the marketing rights to the Rollei name is likely just slapping the name on a product made in an Asian OEM factory.
Leica and Hasslblad have also allowed their names to be used in this way, for miniature replicas in the Minox submini format:
http://www.minox.com/index.php?id=19&L=1
Posted by: Oren Grad | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 11:01 AM
Screaming-red, silver, and black.
Just what I've always wanted.
Posted by: David Bennett | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 11:32 AM
Thank you for the update, Oren. It seems my knowledge of Rollei is badly out-of-date!
I do agree that this trinket is probably nothing more than a souvenir-type license arrangement.
Posted by: Ken Tanaka | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 12:39 PM
"Wow! A 3 megapixel sensor but 5 megapixel files?"
UUUUHM it's 5MB-files and yeah for sure - it's not that one pixel is equal to one byte - the filesize per pixel depends on the color-depth...
Posted by: Benjamin | Tuesday, 18 March 2008 at 03:39 AM
Wow! How cool!
As a collector of old cameras, if the camera weren't a bit out of my budget, I think I'd have to have one.
Who knows, I may have to get it anyway!
Megan
Posted by: Megan | Tuesday, 25 March 2008 at 09:04 AM
I'm the local Northern California Rep for Direct Source Marketing. I'm having fun with my NEW Mini Digi. I got my sample while at the PMA show in February. The camera is licensed by Rollei in Germany. D.S.M is the US distributor for the Rollei Mini Digi. The camera will be shipping this month. The red camera will ship first and then the black camera will be shipping in May. Thank you for showcasing the Rollei Mini Digi on your blog. I'm starting my own blog dedicated to the Rolleiflex Mini Digi. I've put your link on my newblog. Check it out at www.rolleiflexminidigi.blogspot.com Please feel free to contact me at hhdischler@att.net Thank you, Harlean
Posted by: Harlean Dischler | Friday, 11 April 2008 at 08:39 PM
www.rolleiflexminidigi.blogspot.com for latest info. Rollei MiniDigi AF5.0 now shipping. Check your local camera store or email me to locate a dealer where you can buy this little gem!
Posted by: Harlean Dischler | Thursday, 08 May 2008 at 01:36 PM
Aw, Shucks! It just dawned on me what this new MiniDigi's other use is...a KEY RING. Ron
Posted by: Ron | Saturday, 10 May 2008 at 09:21 PM
Is there any camera store in the L.A. area selling this camera? Thanks Joe
Posted by: Josef P. Willems | Thursday, 29 May 2008 at 08:41 AM
How bout making it full-sized and making the lower lens shoot film and the upper lens as the looking lens and the digital shot? Make the digital capture a 10+ Mega pixel file and you've got an award winning combo camera. Get a jump on the next generation camera set up. Lets see...
Posted by: John | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 03:08 PM