Once there was a legendary Japanese Camera maker famed for its detailed very compact cameras. But in 1988 they went very large with a camera with a passing resemblance to a star cruiser.
That camera was the Olympus AZ-300 Superzoom (aka Infinity Zoom 300 (US) and IZM-300). It would become one of the cameras that defined the term bridge.
Continue reading In a Galaxy Far, Far Away The Olympus AZ-300 SuperzoomYou’ve got to give Voigtländer the credit for some very gorgeous cameras. But then again as the longest serving camera make in the world that’s not a surprise. But how does this mid 70’s simple 110 camera that I got for a quid match up to the expectations ?
Continue reading Small Is The New Sexy ? – The Voigtländer Vitoret 110 ReviewAs the Poundland Challenge 2019 has proved again you can actually buy a lot for a quid. So why don’t we take 2 AF compacts for a walk that cost around a quid and see what you get for your buck.
Continue reading Budget Zoom-Off – Vivitar Mega 200 Versus Ricoh RZ-728“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+ ShotsLaunched in the 1950’s the Coronet 6-6 was yet another no frills Bakelite roll film camera, But the folks at Coronet decided to re-brand this camera as the Rex Flash. But is it King or just Flash in the pan.
Continue reading Brummie Deco – the Curious case of the Coronet REX FlashI’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 FlashWhen the Yashica Y35 arrived last year it got a bit of a pounding. Much of that was to do with overvalued expectations about this retro styled digital shooter. It’s essentially a lo-fi beast that has does do a slow film style shooting well. It has imitations mainly the hefty current price tag and limited optics. But often it’s compared to much more technically able digitals. So how does it if fare against another retro inspired but analogue lo-fi favourite the Halina 1000.
Continue reading Lo-Fi Stand Off – The Halina 1000 v The Yashica Y35In my 10 35mm alternatives to buying a Diana F+, I recently mentioned that you could buy an adaptor allowing you to use a Diana F+ lens on a SLR.
So I got one for my Nikons to try. But is it any good ?
Continue reading Call The Mounties – The Lomography Diana F+ mount for SLR
