Tag Archives: Japanese

Canon Sure Shot Megazoom 105 Review – Zoomba Class ?

Like the name everything is big about this camera (aka Prima Zoom 105 or Autoboy zoom 105). But this bulky early 90s zoom compact has acquired a bit of reputation as a sharp shooter. But does it live up to the hype ? Continue reading Canon Sure Shot Megazoom 105 Review – Zoomba Class ?

Konica C35 AF – 1st Roll Impression

If you’ve followed my blog you’ll have seen me mention this Ground breaking but now relatively obscure 70’s compact.

Konica C35 AF
Konica C35 AF. The world’s first commercially produced AF camera

The reason why this compact is so important is obvious by the name. This was the world’s first commercially produced Auto focus camera. Continue reading Konica C35 AF – 1st Roll Impression

Poundland Camera Challenge Xmas Special – The 99p Nikon SLR

I’d effectively stopped looking for Poundland cameras (any that I could buy a quid or less) some time ago but this camera body came up as a you might like too when browsing eBay.

Yuletide F55
Nikon F55 Film SLR with AF-D 35-80mm 1:4-5.6 lens. Our Festive & 20th Poundland Camera

So welcome to Our 20th Poundland Camera and the last for 2015 – a Nikon F55 SLR body. Continue reading Poundland Camera Challenge Xmas Special – The 99p Nikon SLR

Cosina CX-2 Review – The Grandfather of Lomo ?

Lomography’s Mythology¹ describes this quirky zone focus shooter as the progenitor of the camera that started Lomography, the LC-A. But how does this camera that the Russians so slavishly copied, stand up on its own ?

Cosina CX-2 film Camera
Cosina CX-2 35mm film Camera. The alleged inspiration for the LC-A

Continue reading Cosina CX-2 Review – The Grandfather of Lomo ?

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

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 ?

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

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

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