Tag Archives: Viewfinder

A Very British Affair – Kodak Colorsnap 35 Review

Kodak’s British arm was more than a mere sales outlet for George Eastman’s company. The company made its own cameras, not just British versions of the parent company. The Colorsnap cameras are to my knowledge, the only 35mm cameras the UK branch solely made. But are they worth your time ?

Continue reading A Very British Affair – Kodak Colorsnap 35 Review

In a Galaxy Far, Far Away The Olympus AZ-300 Superzoom

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 Superzoom

The Lada of The Camera World OR NOT ?- The Halina 35X Review

“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 Review

Balda Baldessa LF 2 Roll Review – The Clockwork Camera

I’d been after a Baldessa for a while. Balda was another legendary German camera maker decimated by the rise of Japanese compacts in the 1960’s and its Baldessa series take on a 35mm compact.

Balda Baldessa LF
Balda Baldessa LF a 1960’s 35mm German Viewfinder

Sadly my shutter went at some point in my first 2 rolls but did this camera tempt me back for another or was it auf wiedersehen ? Continue reading Balda Baldessa LF 2 Roll Review – The Clockwork Camera

Conway Popular Model – Poundland Camera Challenge No 19

And finally we get to a true British camera the Conway Popular. Made from around 1931 it was produced until the 1950’s but despite some innovations this box camera was actually less flexible than the Kodak Brownie No 2. It is however the oldest camera for a quid or less I own

Conway Camera Popular model
Conway Popular Model . British made 1930’s box camera for 120 film

Continue reading Conway Popular Model – Poundland Camera Challenge No 19

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

A fond farewell ? : Boots Pacemaker 35 / Franka 125 Review

Sadly last week my Boots Pacemaker 35 died. This basic camera  is actually a re branded Franka 125 made by the long gone West Germany company in the 1960’s. But was it retro fun or rightly dated ?

Boots Pacemaker 35
The lamented Boots Pacemaker 35 (aka Franka 125)

Continue reading A fond farewell ? : Boots Pacemaker 35 / Franka 125 Review