35mm is the most widely available camera film type in the 21st century and is also used to describe cameras by the film they take
“The nice thing about the Halina 35x is you’re not likely to get mugged for it and if you do you can use it as a deadly weapon.” The poor Hong Kong made 35x is the butt of many a joke and scorn in the camera world.
But this 1959 “Empire Made” viewfinder did sell rather well and has cult following amongst some. So is it really all that bad?
Continue reading The Lada of The Camera World OR NOT ?- The Halina 35X ReviewToo often I have to do a review based on just a couple of rolls. But some cameras hang a round longer and I thought it might be worth revisiting those. We begin with the my Superheadz Wide and Slim, a clone of the Vivitar Wide and Slim (VUWS). This is often seen as one of the best Lo-Fi cameras still made
But does it deserve that ? And why you should by a a Black one ?
Continue reading Filthy Beast – the VUWS/Superheadz Wide and Slim Re-Appraised after 1000+ ShotsLast year’s Yashica Y35 launch led to one of the biggest outpouring of anger the photography community has ever seen. Whilst the Y35 wasn’t as bad some the vitriol, it was far from perfect. So there was some surprise when rumours of a Yashica branded film. But they’ve now pushed it even further with the launch of a Kickstarter for 2 new films, an analogue camera and the promise of more.
But What’s the catch ?
Continue reading Yashica’s Back – And This Time It’s AnalogueI’d already nailed a good SLR body with the Pentax MZ-5 for the Poundland challenge this year. But a AF SLR Nikon body also arrived for a 99p plus postage. So how does the F65 fare ? and how does it compare to other bodies.
Continue reading OPPS I DID IT AGAIN ! – Poundland Challenge 2019 – The Nikon F65/N65 ReviewWhen Cosina launched the the CX-1 & CX-2, little did they know they would become more famous as the cameras that inspired the Lomo LC-A. But that spark was not limited to the (in)famous Russian copy. Several other makes produced similar designs and here’s Hanimex’s take.
We’ve trod this ground before with the Halina 35 Micro (aka the Hong Kong Lomo) which was disappointing due to lack of focus, exposure control and any over-riding of an overly sensitive auto flash. The Hanimex instantly won me over as it resolves all 3 of those. But is it any good and is it a lomo rival ?
Continue reading The Aussie Lomo ? – Hanimex 35 Micro FlashOne of my targets in my Poundland Challenge of getting cameras for a quid or less was to get a SLR body. I knew this was still likely and I’d come close with a Mamiya camera with a non interchangeable lens (some sneaked in at last minute with a £1.20 bid. I’d also passed on a Nikon F55 (already own) and a Praktica BM series body that went for 99p. Still I was bit surprised when the MZ-5 (ZX-5 in US), a 1996 Pentax prosumer AF SLR arrived for just 99p.
Continue reading A SLR for 99p ? – Pentax MZ-5/ZX-5 Technical ReviewWhen I decided to relaunch the Poundland Camera Challenge, I was pleasantly surprised when 2 Voigtländer turned including this quite stylish but basic viewfinder. But sadly this wasn’t going to be a camera that even got to the test bed. The lens was Fungus central
Continue reading Voigtländer Vitoret – 99p for FungusThe Diana and its LSI re-incarnation the Diana F+ are much beloved by Lo-Fi photographers. However shooting 120 film isn’t necessarily the cheapest options. So what 35mm cameras come close to the Diana experience and images
Continue reading Want A Diana experience But Can’t afford 120 ? Then here’s 10 35mm AlternativesOf the 3 films that the nice folk at Analogue wonderland sent me. This has been the hardest to shoot and the oddest results of the three. This a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde film and I’m still not sure what I think. And that’s a bit to do with me goofing with the gear.
The Kinetoscope seems initially an odd choice. This early motion picture viewer was not the first to device to show moving pictures. However it’s development would help drive the founding of the motion picture industry and set standards that are still used in the movies and still photography. But it’s also a story of intrigue, a Scotsman and possible murder…. Continue reading A Brief History Of Photography By Objects – 7 – The Edison Kinetoscope 1893
