All of Film Cameras and Gear, Page 2

138+ Lens, Accessory, and Camera Reviews

Nikonos “V” Underwater Film Camera Review
Underwater or on Dry Land; Dust, Sand, Mud, Rain — All Good With Nikonos V
May 18, 2024
Nikonos V might be the best underwater film camera money can buy. It may even be the best way to get into full-frame marine photography — period. The Nikonos system has an outstanding range of lenses, some made exclusively for underwater photography, yielding minimal distortion and superb contrast/colour reproduction. This review covers my experience with the 28mm UW-Nikkor 𝒇3.5 and the amphibious 35mm W-Nikkor 𝒇2.5 on Nikonos V.
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Canon AE-1 (Original) Film Camera Review
The Most Popular Film SLR Ever Made
May 4, 2024
As soon as it hit the store shelves, Canon AE-1 changed the photographic industry forever. In this review, I’ll cover the build quality, share sample photos, and give you my overview of the ergonomics and technical specifications of this historical milestone.
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Pentax 6x7 Panoramas of Germany’s Northern Sea
With Pro Image 100 and 3D-Printed Spool Extenders
April 27, 2024
I shot wide and tall panoramas on 35mm film in my Pentax 6x7 medium format camera. It took some taping, cutting, and improvisation in the field. Still, I’m quite happy with the results, despite the slight mishaps. This article includes a link to a tutorial where you can learn how to do it yourself.
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Olympus XA2 Compact 35mm Film Camera Review
You May Not Like This
April 16, 2024
I’ve tried multiple Olympus XA cameras over the years because they’re cute, pocketable, and have an excellent lens. And yet, I found them hard to love and frustrating to use. Each time, I hoped that my previous experience would be somehow irrelevant, and each time I felt disappointed. XA2 is not an exception. I didn’t like using this camera; I’ll explain why, and I’ll also share the things I did like about this camera. This way, you can decide whether it’s just me or if this camera is overhyped.
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Polaroid Go Gen 2 Camera Review
The Cutest Polaroid Ever, Refreshed
April 9, 2024
Polaroid Go is the world’s smallest instant film camera and it costs less than $100 (with film). In this review, I compare Generation 2 to its predecessor side-by-side and explain the new miniature photography format.
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Konica Recorder Half-Frame Point-and-Shoot Review
Everything-Auto (With Flash) Pocketable W/ Ultrawide Lens in Three Colours
March 19, 2024
Konica Recorder (same as Konica AA-35) is a Japanese half-frame point-and-shoot that features an ultrawide 24mm 𝒇4 lens with an electronic 60-250ths shutter. It’s pocketable and comes in three colours: solid red, gold, and black. This camera introduces a combination of modern features in the half-frame format not found on any other camera, such as autofocus, motorized film transport, and built-in flash.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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My Top Five Favourite Film Cameras of 2023
December 8, 2023
In today’s short post, I’ll introduce you to my top five favourite film cameras from the nineteen I tried this year.
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My First Roll With Yashica Mat 124G

December 5, 2023
Yashica Mat 124G is a simple and straightforward camera. There’s nothing unnecessary in its design — every button or dial has a purpose.
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Mamiya RZ67 Professional II Camera Review
Handheld With Mamiya Sekor RZ 110mm 𝒇2.8 Portrait Lens
November 13, 2023
Mamiya RZ67 Professional II is a medium format SLR that shoots large 6x7 frames on 120 film with some of the best lenses in class.
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Minolta P’s (Riva Panorama) Camera Review
An Easy, Affordable, Panoramic Point-and-Shoot Film Camera
November 7, 2023
A panoramic point-and-shoot film camera with motorized film transport, autofocus, autoexposure, flash, and a 24mm 𝒇4.5 coated lens.
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Nour Triplet 2.0 64mm Bokeh Control Art Lens Review
A New Bokeh-Licious Lens From Lomography
October 28, 2023
A lens design based on an 1894 triplet patent, encapsulated in hefty brass. Tested on Sony a7III and freelensed with Olympus PEN FV on film.
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Polaroid SX-70 User Guide and Review
Is It Really the Best Instant Film Camera? Plus: How to Make Better Pictures With It
September 20, 2023
This is a beautiful, immensely capable instant film camera. This guide covers everything you need to know about it.
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Kodak Ektar H35N Glass Lens Reusable Camera Review
A Plastic Half-Frame Film-Saver
September 17, 2023
Learn how the new H35N works, how to make better images with it, and which films to buy. Plus: comparison to similar cameras in this and higher price ranges.
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Yashica T5/Kyocera T-Proof Camera Review
It‘s a Point-and-Shoot “TLR” With Weatherproofing!
August 17, 2023
A weatherproof point-and-shoot film camera with a unique scope and a fantastic Zeiss lens.
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