All of Analog.Cafe, Page 7

663 Reviews, Guides, and Essays

Moscow Dayze
Read the Entire Non-Fiction Book About My “Time” Travel to Russia
March 13, 2024
Moscow Dayze was independently published as a hand-made 74-page photobook in 2021. All physical copies are sold. This article re-introduces the book in a new light and offers it as a free download to GOLD members (also available as a limited-edition download on Etsy).
GOLDBooks Save
Canon FD 28mm 1:3.5 S.C. Lens Review
More Fun Up-Close
March 12, 2024
Canon FD 28mm 𝒇3.5 S.C. is an affordable wide-angle lens for a very popular film SLR system. It features a close focusing distance of 40cm/16”, medium-high contrast, and minimal distortions across the frame. In this review, I’ll explain what S.C. stands for, share plentiful samples, and discuss this lens’ strengths and weaknesses in terms of image quality and user experience.
Film Cameras and Gear Save
ORWO NP20 for Agfa Rapid/SL Cameras
Experimenting With Expired Black and Whtie Film in an Extinct Mini-Format
March 8, 2024
ORWO NP 20 is a panchromatic black-and-white film that was discontinued decades ago. The batch I’m testing expired in 1992 — thirty-two years ago! What I have here is the elusive “SL Kassette” format designed specifically for certain miniature half-frame cameras.
Film and Darkroom Save
Pentacon Penti II, a Cheap Golden Half-Frame Camera
With Agfa Rapid/SL ORWO NP20 Film
March 2, 2024
Pentacon Penti II is a tiny, mechanical half-frame camera with a gold-anodized aluminum shell, a unique film advance lever, decent lens, and a match-needle light meter. All for about $50! But it needs special film cartridges.
Film Cameras and Gear Save
Analog.Cafe Web App
A Better Experience on Mobile Devices
March 1, 2024
Did you know that you can save Analog.Cafe to your iOS and Android home screen as a web app? Just tap on the share button at the bottom and select “Add to Home Screen” on iOS. On Android, you’ll need to tap the three dots next to the URL bar.
What’s New Save
Film Photography News — February 2024 Recap
The Return of P33 & SHD400 + How to Measure Exposures Without a Light Meter
February 27, 2024
Film Ferrania revives P33. Lucky Film relaunches SHD40. Flic Film buys Street Candy. Plus, a new course to take your film photography to the next level.
What’s New Save
Film Ferrania P30 Film Review
The Most Recognizable Black-and-White Film Stock
February 26, 2024
Film Ferrania P30 is an ISO 80 panchromatic black-and-white film sold in 35mm and 120 formats. It’s known for its recognizable strong contrast and ultra-fine grain.
Film and Darkroom Save
Master the Sunny 16 Rule!
Guess Correct Exposures in Any Weather/Indoors Without a Light Meter
February 21, 2024
Free yourself of fiddly devices and phone apps. This short online course spells out the method, provides examples, and suggests exercises for reading exposure without a light meter.
GOLDGuides and Tutorials Save
The Vintage Film Camera Buying Guide
How to Find the Best Deal on a Vintage Film Camera
February 13, 2024
Film cameras have been in production for almost 200 years. The vintage ones are usually the best deal when it comes to features and build quality per dollar. But finding one in good working condition for a fair price isn’t always easy. This guide covers techniques I’ve learned over the twenty years as a shopper and a seller on eBay.
GOLDGuides and Tutorials Save
Canon AE-1 Program Film Camera Review
Iconic, Polarizing, Trail-Blazing SLR of the 1970s and 1980s
February 6, 2024
Canon’s AE-1 Program is one of the most popular film SLRs ever sold. In this review, I’ll share my thoughts about the build quality, usability, and my overall impression of the camera that moved over 3.3 million units and was an inspiration for the Mac and iPhone shutter camera sounds.
Film Cameras and Gear Save
Film Photography News — January 2024 Recap
Analogue Photography to Last 1,000 Years + New Film & Cameras for 2024
January 30, 2024
Film photography is on the rise. Two new film cameras are nearing debut: Mint Rollei 25 AF and the Pentax series. And a new colour film! Plus, a camera to last 1,000 years.
What’s New Save
Canon FD 50mm 1:1.4 S.S.C. Lens Review
A Special Look; an Affordable Cult-Classic!
January 25, 2024
Canon FD 50mm 𝒇1.4 S.S.C. are the second-generation breech-lock mount “normal” lenses for the popular Canon AE-1 35mm film SLRs and FD-mount cameras. Their glass renders distinct bokeh, has decent flare resistance, comes with plenty of contrast, and is quite sharp when stopped down. The S.S.C.-marked lenses are the relatively rare and typically cost more than the standard “new FD” (sometimes marked as nFD) 50mm 𝒇1.4 lenses. But not all S.S.C. lenses are “chrome nose.”
Film Cameras and Gear Save
Introducing: GOLD Memberships
Premium Content and Features for Analog.Cafe Supporters
January 23, 2024
The new GOLD memberships are an affordable way to learn more about film photography, use new tools to do it better, and support Analog.Cafe in the meantime.
What’s New Save
Pedestrian Detroit
An Offline Photobook Encounter
January 16, 2024
I bought my copy of Pedestrian Detroit at my favourite coffee shop down the street from home. They serve what I think is the best-tasting brew in town and often feature creative works from the community artists for sale. Pedestrian Detroit was laid in a small stack in front of the counter with a note that they’re sold on a donation basis.
Books Save
Film Scanning: Which Side Is Up?
How to Load Film Into a Film Scanner/DSLR Holder Correctly and Get the Best Image Quality
January 9, 2024
There are four ways to insert film into a scanner’s film holder. This post explains which side is the right side up. It also explores what happens if you insert film the “wrong way” in.
Guides and Tutorials Save
Olympus Trip 35 Film Camera Review
A Cult Classic, an Engineering Marvel, and an Excellent Value for a Modern Film Photographer
December 29, 2023
Olympus Trip 35 is one of the most popular 35mm film cameras ever produced — and for a good reason. Its battery-free light meter is reliable, the lens is surprisingly sharp, the body is nearly pocketable, and the price is right. This review is a deep dive into the world of this small, mighty camera.
Film Cameras and Gear Save
Olympus Trip 35 Instructions Manual
Printable PDF 📑
December 28, 2023
A free, unmarked Olympus Trip 35 camera manual (in German, English, and Spanish). 12.5MB PDF .
Apps and Downloads Save
Film Photography News — December 2023 Recap
I Ate My Film Camera. 🎄📸
December 25, 2023
An edible instant film camera made of gingerbread and icing with an active sugar lens enters my belly. A new colour film by the same folks who make Ilford HP5+ goes live. And a new camera strap by RETO.
What’s New Save
Amber T800 Film Review
Is It as Good CineStill 800T?
December 22, 2023
In this review, I’m comparing Amber T800 to CineStill 800T (in terms of image quality, price, and shooting experience), discussing reasons for its existence, and giving you my thoughts on whether it’s a suitable CineStill alternative.
Film and Darkroom Save
Building the “World’s First” Gingerbread Camera
It Shoots Instax Film Through a Lens Made of Sugar and I Ate It 🍭
December 20, 2023
Dmitri explains how his edible film camera uses an isomalt sugar lens to photograph subjects with fast shutter speeds on a piece of bread loaded with Instax Square film.
Film Cameras and Gear Save

Moscow Dayze

Read the Entire Non-Fiction Book About My “Time” Travel to Russia

March 13, 2024

Canon FD 28mm 1:3.5 S.C. Lens Review

More Fun Up-Close

March 12, 2024

ORWO NP20 for Agfa Rapid/SL Cameras

Experimenting With Expired Black and Whtie Film in an Extinct Mini-Format

March 8, 2024

Pentacon Penti II, a Cheap Golden Half-Frame Camera

With Agfa Rapid/SL ORWO NP20 Film

March 2, 2024

Analog.Cafe Web App

A Better Experience on Mobile Devices

March 1, 2024

Film Photography News — February 2024 Recap

The Return of P33 & SHD400 + How to Measure Exposures Without a Light Meter

February 27, 2024

Film Ferrania P30 Film Review

The Most Recognizable Black-and-White Film Stock

February 26, 2024

Master the Sunny 16 Rule!

Guess Correct Exposures in Any Weather/Indoors Without a Light Meter

February 21, 2024

The Vintage Film Camera Buying Guide

How to Find the Best Deal on a Vintage Film Camera

February 13, 2024

Canon AE-1 Program Film Camera Review

Iconic, Polarizing, Trail-Blazing SLR of the 1970s and 1980s

February 6, 2024

Film Photography News — January 2024 Recap

Analogue Photography to Last 1,000 Years + New Film & Cameras for 2024

January 30, 2024

Canon FD 50mm 1:1.4 S.S.C. Lens Review

A Special Look; an Affordable Cult-Classic!

January 25, 2024

Introducing: GOLD Memberships

Premium Content and Features for Analog.Cafe Supporters

January 23, 2024

Pedestrian Detroit

An Offline Photobook Encounter

January 16, 2024

Film Scanning: Which Side Is Up?

How to Load Film Into a Film Scanner/DSLR Holder Correctly and Get the Best Image Quality

January 9, 2024

Olympus Trip 35 Film Camera Review

A Cult Classic, an Engineering Marvel, and an Excellent Value for a Modern Film Photographer

December 29, 2023

Olympus Trip 35 Instructions Manual

Printable PDF 📑

December 28, 2023

Film Photography News — December 2023 Recap

I Ate My Film Camera. 🎄📸

December 25, 2023

Amber T800 Film Review

Is It as Good CineStill 800T?

December 22, 2023

Building the “World’s First” Gingerbread Camera

It Shoots Instax Film Through a Lens Made of Sugar and I Ate It 🍭

December 20, 2023