Cameras, Lenses, Gear
79 Analogue Photography Gear Reviews, History, and Stories
Ricoh FF-1s Compact 35mm Film Camera Review
A Hidden Gem of a Lens in a So-So Body
February 4, 2023
Ricoh FF-1 is a little-known compact full-frame 35mm film camera with foldable lens bellows. It features an excellent 35mm 𝒇2.8 lens at a wallet-friendly price.— Dmitri.
Olympus LT-1 Camera Review
January 22, 2023
LT-1 is a pocketable 35mm point-and-shoot camera with a 35mm 𝒇3.5 lens, autofocus, motorized film transport, and built-in flash, wrapped in one of four leather² colours.— Dmitri.
NONS 35mm F/2.4 EF-Mount Manual Lens Review
For SL42 and SL660
January 10, 2023
NONS is a small camera and lens manufacturer, known for their Instax SLRs that let you adapt a slew of lenses. This one was made specifically for their cameras but in this review I’m tasting it on 35mm film.— Dmitri.
Welta Penti 0, a Pocketable Half-Frame Camera Review
Plus a Brief History and a Practical Camera Use Guide
January 3, 2023
Welta Penti is a tiny, all-mechanical half-frame camera with a unique film advance lever, a Meyer-Optic Trioplan 𝒇3.5 30mm lens, that uses special 35mm film cartridges.— Dmitri.
Canon EOS 5/EOS A2 Film SLR Review
December 28, 2022
A review of one of the latest pro-level full-frame analogue EF-mount body by the famed Japanese manufacturer.— Dmitri.
Olympus OM-1 Film Camera Review
With Olympus F-Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8 Kit Lens
December 6, 2022
OM-1 is a film SLR everyone’s talking about. It’s compact, streamlined, reliable, easy to use, versatile, and affordable. Who wouldn’t want such a camera?— Dmitri.
Canon Canonet QL17 GIII Film Camera Review
Aperture Priority Fixed-Lens Japanese Rangefinder With Full Manual Controls
November 24, 2022
Often recommended for new photographers, this camera comes with a great lens and full manual controls.— Dmitri.
Kodak Retina Longar (Xenon C) 80mm F/4 Lens Review
Telephoto Lens Attachment for Retina IIIC Film Cameras
November 3, 2022
Kodak Retina Longar (Xenon C) 80mm 𝒇4 is an encased set of front elements that augments Kodak Retina IIIC’s native 50mm lens. It transforms the fancy 35mm film folder into a non-foldable telephoto camera— Dmitri.
Kodak Retina IIIC Foldable Film Camera Review
The “Big C” Collectible German Rangefinder
November 2, 2022
Kodak’s Retina IIIC (Big C) is the best rangefinder the iconic American brand has ever produced. It was built in the 1950s by German engineers with German optics.— Dmitri.
Voigtländer Vitomatic I Camera Review
Forgotten Gem
October 10, 2022
A beautiful post-war German mechanical instrument with fantastic optics. Today, it can be found for as little as $20.— Dmitri.
5 Vintage (Film) Camera Gift Ideas
🎁 for Photographers of All Levels, $100-$700
September 30, 2022
Give a beautiful piece of history that takes really good photos.— Dmitri.
Analog.Cafe 5th Anniversary Edition Tees! 👚👕
September 28, 2022
Now available at the store. And a story of how they were made.— Dmitri, with images by Betty.
Jupiter-8 50mm F/2 Lens Review
A Cult Classic or a Cheap Soviet Knock-Off?
September 15, 2022
Jupiter-8 is an old Soviet lens for M39 & Contax mounts with apertures of 𝒇2-22 and 50mm focal length. It’s relatively cheap and it can produce fantastic results.— Dmitri.
Minox 35 EL Camera Review
The First Miniature Minox Camera for 35mm Film
September 2, 2022
Minox 35 EL is the first model in the series of some of the smallest full-frame 35mm film cameras ever made.— Dmitri.
The Smallest 35mm Film Camera Ever Made
Comparing Minox 35, Olympus XA, Rollei 35, Minolta TC-1, and Revue 35
August 24, 2022
Minolta TC-1 is the smallest, though Minox 35 has an excellent spot in this category, so does Revue 35XE, being the lightest. — Dmitri.
Voigtländer Vitessa Series Review
Premium Full-Frame Fully-Mechanical Foldable Rangefinders, With 50mm 𝒇2.0
August 17, 2022
An in-depth review of the premium German folding 35mm rangefinder camera series from the mid-1950s.— Dmitri.
FED 55mm f/2.8 Industar-61 L/D Lens Review
A Radioactive Beauty From the Soviet Union
July 15, 2022
The Soviet FED 55mm f/2. 8 Industar-61 L/D is sharp, weird, and beautiful.— Dmitri.
Olympus 42mm F/1.2 H.Zuiko Auto-S Lens Review
The Fastest Half-Frame SLR Lens Ever Made
June 30, 2022
A “dream” lens for a half-frame camera with all the bokeh you could ever wish for.— Dmitri.
Konica Big Mini BM-201 Camera Review
Another Cult Classic
June 26, 2022
A beautiful Japanese point-and-shoot sporting an “auto-variable” flash, a sharp 35mm lens with macro/close-up, and a comfy viewfinder.— Dmitri.
Konica Big Mini BM-302 Camera Review
Better Than Ever
June 2, 2022
A second-generation Japanese point-and-shoot 35mm film camera with 𝒇3.5 35mm lens. Excellent for up-close portraits and action shots.— Dmitri.
