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Film Cameras and Gear

161 Lens, Accessory, and Camera Reviews

SMC Pentax-M 1:1.7 50mm Kit Lens Review
Premium Quality and Excellent Design for Under $50
November 2, 2026
A standard lens with no “extra” qualities like a slim profile or macro capabilities, it is also the one that introduces and represents the entire mount ecosystem. And it does so brilliantly. In this review, I’ll discuss the significance of the Pentax-M 1:1.7, talk about its specs and image quality, compare it to the Pentax-A, and share lots of samples.
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Nikon F Film Camera Review
An SLR That Changed Photography
July 27, 2026
The Nikon F was the first in a series of precision modular SLRs that made the company one of the most recognized names in photography. This camera literally stopped a bullet — and saved a life. Its all-metal chassis is hefty, yet this camera is full of technology that was revolutionary for 1959 — much of which is still in use today. In this review, I will introduce this camera, its features, its place in history, along with tips for a better experience and my honest opinion on using the Nikon F as a daily shooter.
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In Praise of the Humble Ricoh Diacord
What Makes a Good TLR and Why Ricoh Are the Sleeper MF Cameras of 2026
July 6, 2026
TLRs are a must-have for any medium format film shooter. The Ricoh Diacord may be a camera you’ve never heard of, yet it comes with a unique and wonderful “teeter-totter” focus lever, a pair of excellent lenses, and a price that can make it appealing to any photographer. In this article, Howard tells the story of his Diacord and compares it to other TLRs of the period, offering his remarks on the quality and usability of those cameras.
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Nishika N8000 3D — the “Wiggle-GIF” Camera Review
Inc. Exposure, and GIF-Creation Guides!
June 29, 2026
Nishika N8000 3D was a futuristic vision of photography in the 1980s and the 1990s that failed as spectacularly as it had risen to popularity. Today, these cameras and their copies are used to create mesmerizing “wiggle-GIFs,” brought to life by software and the internet — a life its inventors may have never foreseen. In this review, I’ll talk about the specs, design, the odd ways this camera feels in hand, how to compose better images, and how to scan and animate your GIFs with this strange gadget.
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Kodak Charmera (Y2K) Review
A Keychain Toy Camera That’s Fun in a Simple, Wholesome Way
June 23, 2026
Kodak Charmera is a tiny camera — barely enough to hold in hand — made to live on a keychain. In this review, I will explain why this camera is so appealing today, share plenty of samples and facts, and offer tips for making better photos with Kodak Charmera.
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Leica Sofort (Original) Instant Film Camera Review
The Cheapest Leica Money Can Buy. Is It Good?
March 24, 2026
This camera is closely related to Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 — but it’s not the same. In this review, I’ll discuss Leica’s image quality — with lots of samples — ergonomics, features, and direct film exposure (which the new Sofort 2 cameras lack). Plus, I’ll pepper a few tips for taking better photos on film.
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Samsung WB2000 (TL350) Digitcam Review
Analogue Gauges, RAW Files, Manual Modes — Oh My!
March 10, 2026
Released in 2010, my Samsung WB2000 is sixteen years old. Yet, shooting with this camera feels like a modern experience — that is, until the analogue gauges spin up. The WB2000 can be a bundle of cheap fun (I bought mine for less than $150) with lots of capabilities. I even managed to scan 35mm film in the macro mode! In this review, I’ll share all the technical details, lots of full-res samples, my experience with this camera, and a few alternatives in case you can’t find this very rare camera on sale.
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Nikon Coolpix S31 Waterproof Digicam Review
February 5, 2026
Nikon Coolpix S31 was launched in 2013 as a tough, waterproof point-and-shoot camera with a 10MP CCD sensor, 3x optical zoom, and 720P video recording. It’s not a modern camera anymore, being a 13-year-old that uses mostly abandoned but visually interesting sensor technology. Still, S31 is built on a mature platform that includes familiar features, like the 2.7” 230K LCD and a responsive shutter. In this review, I’ll cover the basics, like full specs, handling, image quality, reliability, and explain what type of memory card and batteries/chargers/cables this camera will need to function.
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Kodak Snapic A1 Film Camera Review & User Guide
The Premium Reusable
January 8, 2026
What I like about the new Kodak Snapic A1 is that it’s cheaper than all the new point-and-shoot options and smaller than all of them. It’s also a well-made camera. Yes, it’s plastic, and it mimics the highly regarded Ricogh GR1/R1 in shape only. But despite its limitations, it can take excellent photos and remain a reliable, fun companion for less than $100.
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Lomo LC-A With Kodak Ektar 100
The Perfect Combo for the Tropics?
December 16, 2025
When reviewing my camera options for my upcoming trip to Nicaragua, I knew it needed to have three things: 1) Low enough value so that I wouldn’t worry about losing it. 2) Be able to easily fit in my pocket. 3) Capable of capturing high-quality images. And for the film, I knew I wanted something capable of capturing the vivid colours of a tropical country. I decided to take the Lomo LC-A — a classic Lomography lo-fi camera with Kodak’s high-resolution, high-saturation, fine-grained colour-negative film: Ektar 100.
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OKTO35: A Genius Invention for Making Movies on Regular 35mm Film
November 11, 2025
OKTO35 is a new motion picture camera, capable of shooting frames 25% larger than Super 8 at up to 25 frames per second on any standard 35mm (135) film cartridge. Better yet, it can shoot ultra-high-resolution films like the Adox CMS 20 II, infrared films like Aerochrome, orthochromatic films, and everything else made for still 35mm film cameras. OKTO35 can make shooting videos on film 90% cheaper than using a lower-res Super8 film, and it also makes scanning the film easy. This is an ongoing project by Blaž Semprimožnik.
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Asahi Pentax MX Film Camera Review
A Compact, Affordable, Fully-Mechanical SLR
October 30, 2025
Asahi Pentax MX is a compact mechanical SLR compatible with a vast array of affordable lenses. It’s small enough to fit in a pocket (with the right lens), and it’s built like a tank. But no camera is perfect, and so the MX has a few things you should know. In this review, I’ll cover the basics and known issues. I’ll also suggest a few compact mechanical SLR alternatives, should you like a faster shutter, an even more minimalist design, or a smaller profile (yes, that exists¹).
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Mamiya U — a Weird, Fun 35mm Film Camera With a Flaw
A Rare Whole Copy Appears
October 6, 2025
I came across my Mamiya U by chance back in 2020 while browsing eBay. Its unusual design — a square window cut out within a plastic semi-sphere for a round lens with a stark blue ring — screamed ‘80s Terminator chic. Unfortunately, every single copy sold had a disintegrated shutter button, amongst other issues. These cameras didn’t last, yet I still wanted one badly enough to stalk the market for over two years. Finally, in late 2022, I got an opportunity to purchase a mint-condition Mamiya U, which is the subject of this review.
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“Best Film Camera,” According to 142K Analog.Cafe Readers
September 23, 2025
This article examines a wealth of data to reveal what people want and surfaces the one camera that we use and enjoy the most. The info here is based on hundreds of thousands of reader visits to this blog (currently, it’s 142K/mo), as well as anonymized stats from interactive tools like the Best Film Camera Finder and the Film Log .
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Ricoh GR1/GR1s Film Camera Review
World’s Thinnest Camera — Is It Still Worth the Price in 2026?
September 9, 2025
Ricoh GR1s is a premium film point-and-shoot camera that features a sharp 28mm 𝒇2.8 lens, encased in a light, pocketable magnesium alloy body, and filled with some of the best mid-’90s technological advancements. In this review, I’ll take a deep dive into Ricoh GR1s’ features, build quality, lens quality, and the realities of buying, using, and owning one. I’ll also quickly compare the GR1s to the original GR1 and pin both against the world’s smallest full-frame camera, the Minolta TC-1.
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Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super B Film Camera Review
It’s Cheap, It’s Hefty, It’s Weird, It’s Pretty, It Has a Beautiful Lens
July 15, 2025
Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super B is an unusual but well-built camera that features a sharp, expressive lens. It uses relic technology, like a non-returning mirror box, but also features interchangeable film backs, a leaf shutter mount, and a 100% DOF viewfinder. It’s also very affordable.
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Micro-Nikkor 200mm 1:4 AI-S Lens Review
Affordable, Sharp, Versatile, Compact
July 2, 2025
The 200mm Micro-Nikkor AI-S 1:4 IF is a telephoto lens that can focus as close as 2⅓ feet (61cm) while reproducing a 1:2 image on film or a full-frame sensor. In this review, I’ll explain what this lens is for, how it came to be, and what its modern analog is. Expect lots of samples, a full recollection of what it’s like to shoot, and whether you should get one, too.
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RETO Pano Reusable 35mm Film Camera Review
With a See-Through Plastic Shell
June 23, 2025
RETO Pano is a new, affordable, reusable compact camera with an ultra-wide 22mm lens and an optional panoramic mask. Having put several rolls of film through the see-through plastic model, I am genuinely impressed with the value it delivers. In this review, I’m sharing all that is good, a few issues, and a shooting guide for better photos.
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Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000ED Film Scanner Review
Small, Fast, Impeccable Colour, Batch Scanning — 23MP Scans in 20 Seconds!
April 15, 2025
Nikon Super CoolScan 5000 ED is Nikon’s fastest dedicated 35mm film scanner, manufactured in the early ‘00s and ‘10s. It is one of the few vintage devices that connects with modern computers via USB 2.0 without issues or modifications. In this long-term review, I’m taking a closer look at what it’s like to digitize film with this scanner and compare the results to other popular tools: PrimeFilm XAs, a professional film lab, and Sony a7III digital camera with a macro lens.
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VueScan Professional Film Software Review
A Scanner App & Driver for Legacy and Modern Film Scanners
March 11, 2025
VueScan is an app that works with over 7,400 scanners, many of which were manufactured over twenty years ago. After switching from SilverFast, which I felt was cumbersome, expensive, and frustrating, I’ve stayed with VueScan for over five years. In this review, I’ll go over the interface, capabilities, drawbacks, my workflow, and the reasons why I think VueScan is indispensable for any photographer who scans film at home.
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