Broad Category for camera reviews or discussion
Fixed focus cameras have lasted as long as consumer photography has existed and beyond from the Kodak Brownie launched in the 1890’s right up to date with the still in production clones of the Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim. Easy shooters often derided but popular with the public and pre-AF often the choice of the casual snapper.
Over the years we’ve had ones that have no controls right through to fully automatic exposure models. Here’s my thoughts on some Continue reading 10 Fixed Focus Wonders
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
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+.
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
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 ?
Continue reading Yamato Pal Jr/Pax Jr Review : One foot in the 50’s and another the 60’s
This month has seen the departure of another camera. Lucky thing, this Japanese compact rangefinder, as it’s off to Oz to enjoy the sun. But why did I sell and was it any good ?
Continue reading Olympus 35 ECR Review : The retro future simplified
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 ?
Continue reading Canon Canonet Review : The Birth of the Prosumer Camera
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
Continue reading Fujica 35 Auto-M Review : Old Skool Rangetastic
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.
Continue reading Minolta AF-E II Review – Poundland Challenge Camera No 14
This slightly rare FSU 35mm camera might look familiar. In fact it is a BelOMO Vilia with metering. But does this make it any better or worse than the original?
Continue reading BelOMO Siluet Elektro Review : Our Friends Electric
This camera arrived in a Poundland Camera Challenge in a joblot for 99p from eBay along with the Pentax Espio AF Zoom. At first glance you’d be forgiven for thinking that this Haking produced number was in the same Zoom AF compact class as the Pentax. But whilst it’s a modern and still made compact zoom, it is weirdly fixed focus !!
Continue reading Halina Silhouette Zoom – Poundland Challenge Camera No 13