Lomography’s launch of the Diana F+ in 2007 wasn’t a step forward in lo-fi photography. It represented a hommage to the medium format camera that would lead to the development of that movement – the original Diana camera and its numerous clones. So how does one of these stack up to the 21st century. Continue reading Retro Medium Format Lo-Fi- The Samtoy – an original Diana Clone
At first glance things don’t look promising. We’ve a basic all plastic camera with its basic design and no features. It also come with that badge of dubious quality ‘Japan Lens’. So if you’re a fan of plastic cameras is it worth your time to click this le Clic ? Continue reading Le Clic est Freak ! – The Le Clic 170/C170 Review
Remember the Smena 8M ? A Soviet Camera that combined a killer lens, 50’s shutter and cheap plastic body ? Well the folks at LOMO didn’t stop with the Smena 8M, refining it further finally producing a last gasp bad boy – the Smena 35 (Смена-35). But whilst there is a lot of improvements there are issues to be aware of.
Continue reading Perestroika shooting – LOMO Smena 35 Review
Polaroid produced some of the most Iconic cameras of the latter half of the 20th century and were the pioneers of instant film decades before the term instax was dreamed up. However this isn’t one of those and actually is just a ‘roid in name only. Does it stack up as just another cheap basic camera or is there more to meet the eye ?
Continue reading It’s a ‘Roid Jim but not as we know it – Polaroid 170BV Review
One of my favourite Toy/Trashcams is the Barclaycard Visa camera, so when another banking promo camera turned up on eBay for 99p I couldn’t resist. But was I overdrawn to this plastic-flashtic camera or did i get a good return ? Continue reading Safe Return ? – Lloyds Headway Camera Review
Another year another Halina ! The smart S is one of Haking most recent recent 35mm cameras and their site still lists the its sibling the Vision smart as an active product. But is this modern spin on cheap and cheerful any good ?
Continue reading Smarty Pants ? – The Halina Vision Smart S Review
The premise was simple – offload erm.. generously give away 3 identical cameras I’d manage to get from some joblots. That camera was the dust gathering charity shop plastic everything regular the Halina Panorama. We’ve already heard how Hamish of 35mmc fame and Lucy Wainwright whom is much more at home with the plastic fantastic got on. But our third camera went to Dan James from 35Hunter. Continue reading Three Takes on the Halina Panorama – (3) Dan brings it home and some conclusions
The premise was simple – send the same camera to 3 different shooters. Not being quite able to afford 3 Leica III, 3 bargain bucket cameras headed off. My Halina Panorama challenge got off to an interesting start for our first of 3 shooters Hamish Gill, a mix of the good but mainly the bad. I wasn’t too surprised he didn’t end up being a fan. But how would the Pano fare in the hands of someone more use to the light plastastic? Continue reading Three Takes on the Halina Panorama – (2) Lucy’s Trip
The Halina Panorama (aka Ansco Pix Panorama) has a bit of weird cult status for such a plastic simple plastic camera and is something you can pick up for a fraction of the cost of some classic plastics like the VUWS. When a few turned in a job lot I decided to have a bit of fun and send them out to some willing victims for their views. First up we have Hamish Gill of 35mmc fame, an unashamed lover of compact cameras but is usually more at home discussing the merits of the likes Yashica and Contax T series.
How would he cope going Lo-fi ? Continue reading Three Takes on the Halina Panorama – (1) Hamish’s Tale
Although Vivitar in terms of plastic cameras are best known for the legendary VUWS, they produced several at the turn of the century, some of which have also got a cult following like the PN2011 (commonly seen in Reader’s Digest PN919 guise). But does this live up to its more famous sibling ?
Continue reading Behind the Mask – Reader’s Digest PN919/Vivitar PN2011 Review
