Debonair First Thoughts

[shead]

Hi folks, been away a long time, getting back to my cameras. I just got one of these plastic junkers from Film Photography Project and a search f the forum here didn't turn up very much about these. I'm wondering if you have any advice or experience or photos to share from your Debonair.

First thoughts on mine: I can't tell if FFP purchased a bunch of these as old stock from the manufacturer in Hong Kong, or if they commissioned a production run and packaged them up in the original boxes/instructions. I am glad they are offering these cameras. Interestingly, side by side to my Holga 120S, the lenses are identical in every way but for the wording around the front, the shutters differ though. My Holga is one of the originals and does not have an adjustable shutter speed, just two aperture settings, while the Debonair has adjustable shutter speed but no aperture settings. I found it a bit hard to load compared to other 120 cheap cameras, as the paper gets hung up under the upper gray plastic until you get the roll tensioned just right. It appears to be engineered to invite light leaks. Looking forward to shooting with it, I do like these lo-fi junkers.

Anyone have suggestions as to the best film both color and BW? I'm using slightly expired and poorly stored Fomapan 400 for my first shots.

 

[Dali]

Assuming that the lens aperture is f/8-9, a medium speed film (like Fomapan 100) is enough on sunny situation. With overcast, 400 ISO is a must.

I agree, it is a bit difficult to load but with little practice, no problem.

One good thing: With metal springs inside the back, difficult to get fat rolls. One less trouble!

I have no light leak with mine as I put seals in the back groove and I have some gaffer tape over the red window.

One piece of advice: Trash the strap provided with the camera. The metal buckle is not secure enough to hold the camera in every circumstance.

To be honest, for $20-25, there is no much alternative choice as Lomography Dianas are more expensive and second-hand craptastic cameras condition is all over the place...

Let us know how come your negatives.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I have one that I got right after The Old Camera Guy on YouTube announced them. Mine has been pretty good, for a toy camera. As you suggest, the lens looks to be identical to the one on a Holga. I haven't had issues loading mine, but then I own a bunch of cantankerous old medium format cameras, box, folder, and so forth, so it may just not stand out in that regard.

It's surely capable of producing what I'd have considered acceptable snapshots for 4x5 prints, fifty years ago.

 

[xkaes]

Lomography has a ton of these types of cameras -- NEW. Some people luv 'em; some people hate 'em. Each has its own features, pluses & minuses. Some have better lenses, some have more shutter speeds, some have more f-stops, some have flash, some have...........

I just got a Mini Diana OUTFIT for $9 -- a smaller, fuller-featured, 35mm half-frame version of my 120 Banner. Check out my BANNER DAY thread.

https://shop.lomography.com/us/cameras/all

 

[xya]

Lomography has a ton of these types of cameras -- NEW. Some people luv 'em; some people hate 'em. Each has its own features, pluses & minuses. Some have better lenses, some have more shutter speeds, some have more f-stops, some have flash, some have...........

I just got a Mini Diana OUTFIT for $9 -- a smaller, fuller-featured, 35mm half-frame version of my 120 Banner. Check out my BANNER DAY thread.

https://shop.lomography.com/us/cameras/all

I tested quite some of these, Lomography or not, https://www.plastikcam.com/ Just as you are talking about it, you give me an idea: I should make a features comparison page. Will do...

 

[awty]

Hi folks, been away a long time, getting back to my cameras. I just got one of these plastic junkers from Film Photography Project and a search f the forum here didn't turn up very much about these. I'm wondering if you have any advice or experience or photos to share from your Debonair.

First thoughts on mine: I can't tell if FFP purchased a bunch of these as old stock from the manufacturer in Hong Kong, or if they commissioned a production run and packaged them up in the original boxes/instructions. I am glad they are offering these cameras. Interestingly, side by side to my Holga 120S, the lenses are identical in every way but for the wording around the front, the shutters differ though. My Holga is one of the originals and does not have an adjustable shutter speed, just two aperture settings, while the Debonair has adjustable shutter speed but no aperture settings. I found it a bit hard to load compared to other 120 cheap cameras, as the paper gets hung up under the upper gray plastic until you get the roll tensioned just right. It appears to be engineered to invite light leaks. Looking forward to shooting with it, I do like these lo-fi junkers.

Anyone have suggestions as to the best film both color and BW? I'm using slightly expired and poorly stored Fomapan 400 for my first shots.


View attachment 335820

With shutter speed do you mean the standard N&B?
Depending on the light I will either use 100 iso or 400 iso film. I will also use yellow, orange or red filters for added effect Depending on the light and whether I'm using bulb or normal. I don't use colour film, b&w is more adaptable.

 

[xkaes]

Just as you are talking about it, you give me an idea: I should make a features comparison page. Will do...

You've got you work cut out for you. PHP might be the way to go -- like this MINOLTA camera comparison page:

http://www.subclub.org/minman/slrtable.php

 

[xya]

I just make static, simple pages. I still use KompoZer to make them. No scripts, no frills. Easy to do within minutes. Suits me well. I just share information I found out. Take it or leave it. I don't want fame, gratitude, let alone success. It's just to give back a little bit of all the information others shared with me...

 

[shead]

Shot some Foma 400 thru my Debonair. Here's a sampling of lo-fi goodness.

 

[Dali]

Looks like yours is slightly more vignetting on the left than on the right... Mine is vignetting more at the bottom than at the top... I guess it is the joy of "quality" control...

 

[shead]

Looks like yours is slightly more vignetting on the left than on the right... Mine is vignetting more at the bottom than at the top... I guess it is the joy of "quality" control...

"Quality control" LOL, these cameras are basically toys and I believe quality control means they check to see there are two colors of plastic and an instruction manual. Ha!

 

[shead]

I was pleasantly surprised that the 400 film didn't blow out completely on the bright days I shot. I think a 200 film would give even more drama.

 

[Dali]

"Quality control" LOL, these cameras are basically toys and I believe quality control means they check to see there are two colors of plastic and an instruction manual. Ha!

At least, the overall quality is a notch better than the Diana...

 

[Donald Qualls]

the overall quality is a notch better than the Diana...

I can attest -- in my Debonair, the roll stays tight, the focus is accurate enough for the DOF, and the shutter speeds seem adequately accurate for negative film. IOW, the only way it qualifies as a "toy" camera is the plastic meniscus lens installed "wrong way around" causing field curvature. Pretty sure that beats a Diana on every count but the lens.