Halina Vision XF – Poundland Camera Challenge No 16

Another plastic-tastic number from Haking arrived in one of the Job lots for a quid.

Halina Vision XF 35mm Camera
Halina Vision XF fixed focus basic 35mm Camera (note flash switch & lens cover switch)

But did the lump of plastic live up to Haking’s ability to make not bad cheap shooters ?

Continue reading Halina Vision XF – Poundland Camera Challenge No 16

A Braun Paxette Review : A shape of what would come

I’ve a bit of a thing for German Cameras of the late 50’s and 60’s. I still miss my Boots badged Franka 125 and the German made Ilford sportsman was one of the Joys from the Poundland Challenge. I’ve always fancied a legendary Braun Paxette series camera and a viewfinder version came my way a few weeks ago

Braun Paxette
Braun Paxette 50’s 35mm viewfinder (precise model unknown)

But was it Braw or Poxy ? Continue reading A Braun Paxette Review : A shape of what would come

The problem with second hand reviews & Apols to the XA2

If you’ve been following my blog you’ll be aware I’ve a somewhat love-hate relationship with the Olympus XA2. At times I’ve been amazed and other times underwhelmed. Well it turns out one of the two XA2 I had over the last 2 years whilst superficially working produced naff results (the other in hindsight was pretty good)

Olympus XA2
Olympus XA2 ’80s classic supercompact

And this got me thinking about me and other reviewers of film cameras. What happens if we get a wrong ‘un ?

Continue reading The problem with second hand reviews & Apols to the XA2

Yashica Samurai X4.0 – failure to launch

I don’t really like reviewing cameras that haven’t worked but I recently acquired a Yashica Samurai X4 which had a a sticky shutter. The actual other mechanics of the camera worked (bar flash) so these are my musing on this unique camera half frame SLR despite not actually successfully taking a shot on it

Yashica Samurai X4.0
Yashica Samurai X4.0 half frame AF SLR from late 1980’s

Continue reading Yashica Samurai X4.0 – failure to launch

The Poundland Camera Challenge : Whot I learned

Earlier this year I set out on a challenge to buy cameras for a pound or less (minus postage) from either eBay, Car boots or Charity shops.  But how has it worked out and what have been the highs and the lows as I draw together the last few cameras.

Ilford Sportsman Mark II
Ilford Sportsman Mark II. 35mm 1950’s camera that I got for 99p

Continue reading The Poundland Camera Challenge : Whot I learned

Olympus PEN EE-2 Update – Fixed for Good ?

Earlier this year I got my hands on an Olympus PEN EE-2 half frame compact. I took an instant love to the camera and rushed out a 1 roll review

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

But how is it bedding in and does it still deserve the raving I gave it. Continue reading Olympus PEN EE-2 Update – Fixed for Good ?

Summer Shootout Redux 2015 – 3 Lomography Classics go head to head

It’s that time of year again and we went off to Skegness to Butlins. We also headed onto the Gem of the Yorkshire Coast, Whitby and like last year some film cameras came along for the ride.

3 Lomography Class cameras went to Whitby
Lomo LC-A, Superheadz Wide & Slim (VUWS clone) and Olympus XA2

Size and space was important so everything was pretty compact. Last year’s Olympus XA2 was joined by a Lomo LC-A and the poor man’s Lomo, a Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim (VUWS) clone. But what worked well and did the Olympus redeem itself ?

Continue reading Summer Shootout Redux 2015 – 3 Lomography Classics go head to head

Olympus Supertrip 1 Roll Review – Poundland Challenge Camera No 15

The Olympus Supertrip sounds pretty ominous. Olympus continued to use the mighty Trip name on a range of P&S camera after the last Trip 35 rolled of the line and they often derided as being poor seconds. So can this fixed focus 35mm flash compact up to its super moniker ?

Olympus Supertrip
Olympus Supertrip 35mm Fixed-focus 80’s compact

Continue reading Olympus Supertrip 1 Roll Review – Poundland Challenge Camera No 15

Shooting Film on the cheap on the Border in Credit Crunch Britain