All of Film Cameras and Gear, Page 3

151 Lens, Accessory, and Camera Reviews

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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Olympus 70mm (100mm) 1:2 F.Zuiko Auto-T Lens Review
A Premium Portrait Lens for Half-Frame SLRs and Digital Mirrorless Cameras
August 7, 2023
This highly-regarded, sharp, and full-of-character Olympus lens is made for half-frame SLRs but is compatible with full-frame sensors.
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Fujifilm Cardia Tiara/DL Super Mini Camera Review
One of the Lightest and Smallest Point-and-Shoot Cameras Ever Built
July 18, 2023
The 3rd smallest full-frame camera ever built, feather-light (just 153g), with the 28mm Super EBC aspherical lens in a minimalist aluminum-alloy body.
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Kodak Retina IIa Camera Review
An Affordable, Foldable, Pocketable, German-Made Mechanical Rangefinder
July 13, 2023
Kodak Retina IIa foldable rangefinder cameras were the legendary film manufacturer’s mid-century venture into high-quality cameras and optics.
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Peak Design “Cuff” Camera Wrist Strap Review
Tested With 10+ Vintage Cameras Over 5 Years
July 8, 2023
Peak Design’s “Cuff” camera wrist strap is comfortable, modular, and dependable. It’s been an essential companion for most of my 35mm film cameras, especially those that weigh 1-5lb.
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Konica Big Mini F Camera Review
Neither Over-Hyped nor Over-Priced 👌
June 6, 2023
Konica Big Mini F is the top-tier film camera in the series of mid-level Japanese point-and-shoots that can be had for under $300.
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Pentax Espio Mini Camera Review
A.K.A. Pentax UC-1
May 18, 2023
Pentax Espio Mini is a compact 35mm point-and-shoot camera with a 32mm 𝒇3.5 lens and a great close-up mode.
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