Olympus PEN EE-2 : 1st Roll Review

You’ve probably gathered I’ve a bit of a soft spot for Olympus compacts and when I stumbled across this on eBay I took a punt on this Half-frame, fixed focus wonder. This is a quick review based on just one roll

Papa's got a Brand new Half Frame bag
Olympus PEN EE-2 half-frame 35mm camera

Continue reading Olympus PEN EE-2 : 1st Roll Review

7 Alternatives to The Lomo LC-A

The LC-A and LC-A+ have certainly carved a niche out for themselves in no small part due to the Lomography movement. The LC-A has become somewhat a marmite camera either loved or hated but has also become quite expensive to buy either as a vintage camera or in its new guise as the LC-A+.

Rest over
A Lomo LC-A (with export marking and naff skin). But what can you buy instead ?

But what alternatives are there that won’t break the balance for a 35mm  zone focus, quirky compact ? Continue reading 7 Alternatives to The Lomo LC-A

Yamato Pal Jr/Pax Jr Review : One foot in the 50’s and another the 60’s

I got this little gem a couple of years ago and have recently picked it up again.This scale focus 35mm relatively compact camera looks strikingly like Haking’s  Halina Super 35X and one can guess who influenced who. But how does this early 60’s compact measure up ?

Yamato Pal Jr
Yamato Pal Jr 35mm Japanese camera from 1960

Continue reading Yamato Pal Jr/Pax Jr Review : One foot in the 50’s and another the 60’s

How do you define Lomo & Lomography ?

The terms Lomo and Lomography get banded around and are used interchangeably and mean different things to different people. I’ve had to think about this more recently as I’ve taken over moderating Lomography for non-snobs group on Flickr and have had to make decisions about what is a Lomography shot or not.

Live wire
Taken on a Lomo LC-A using Cross processed Lomography Xpro 200. But is it a Lomo shot ?

Continue reading How do you define Lomo & Lomography ?

5 Alternatives to a Box Brownie

Papa's got a brand new pre war box
Kodak Brownie No 2

If you’ve read my review you’ll understand that I’m a big fan of the Kodak’s Box Brownie No 2.

This design classic not only is one of the series of simple cheap cameras that helped launch the idea of taking photos to everyone but also gave us 120 roll film.

Millions were made from its launch in 1901 and you can buy a working one for just £1 with luck on eBay. But what alternatives exist for fun basic shooting with a simple box ? Continue reading 5 Alternatives to a Box Brownie

Canon Canonet Review : The Birth of the Prosumer Camera

The Canon Canonet (aka Bell & Howell Canonet 19) was groundbreaking when it arrived in 1961, delivering a high spec rangefinder from a high-end manufacturer for only modest prices. It was an instant success with stock selling out in 2 days and the camera going to sell over a million units. But how does it stack up against cameras of its day ?

Canon Canonet
Canon Canonet 35mm Rangefinder from 1960’s

Continue reading Canon Canonet Review : The Birth of the Prosumer Camera

Fujica 35 Auto-M Review : Old Skool Rangetastic

Although not as remember as better selling Japanese rivals the Fujica 35 Auto-M is technological tour de force from the early 60’s offering features not seen on even SLR cameras for over another decade

Fujica 35 Auto-M
Fujica 35 Auto-M 35mm classic rangefinder from 1960’s

Continue reading Fujica 35 Auto-M Review : Old Skool Rangetastic

Minolta AF-E II Review – Poundland Challenge Camera No 14

Minolta made some of the most iconic cameras of the 20th Century including the fantastic Hi-matic series that even made it into space. But is this fixed focal length AF compact from the 80’s (aka as the Freedom 200 in the US) launch ready or space junk.

Minolta AF-EII 35mm AF fixed focal length camera
Minolta AF-EII 35mm AF fixed focal length camera

Continue reading Minolta AF-E II Review – Poundland Challenge Camera No 14