If you're wondering about the appeal of crappy cameras..

[NB23]

To quote my late, Kodak manager father from the 1970s or so, "there have been far more really good photographs taken with Instamatics than all the 35mm SLRs combined".

agree.
But now, things are even more insane; there are more shots taken with iphones within a single year than there has been photographs taken throughout the last 100 years, all cameras combined.

I remember reading the numbers, not long ago. Crazy stuff. Simply put, the iphone has killed an entire profession: today, everyone’s a photographer, even a pro. Even movies are made with iphones. The average person has more pictures stored in his jean pocket than any hard working professional had negatives throughout his entire career. Just crazy.

 

[Moose22]

Impossible. Such perfect mechanical objects rapidly put everything into the correct perspective.

It's not the mechanical that matters. It's more. The very essence of the cameras. The terroir.

 

[Huss]

I agree with all those reviews, even if I'm blessed with a whole bunch of really high quality photographic equipment, and enough ability to get some decent results from it.
I used to work in retail, and sold lots of very basic cameras, and oodles of film and photofinishing to people who used them. Those customers were incredibly well served by the simple equipment they bought, and the capabilities of the film and photofinishing they bought. They frequently were really happy to share with me the joy they got from what they had and what they did with it.
To quote my late, Kodak manager father from the 1970s or so, "there have been far more really good photographs taken with Instamatics than all the 35mm SLRs combined".
126 Kodachrome from the 1970s - Dad's the one in the hat, and that's me in blue:
View attachment 299514

Thanks for sharing! This pic is so great because it means something! As well as having just that vibe.

 

[Huss]

agree.
.. Even movies are made with iphones. The average person has more pictures stored in his jean pocket than any hard working professional had negatives throughout his entire career. Just crazy.

Which ties back to the first post - not sure who did that but I am sure he is extremely good looking - all those reviews are from people who have smartphones. But they love this simple $25 new right now Kodak camera because it makes them happy and they dig the pictures however they may turn out. And in good light, may turn out just the way they like!

 

[mshchem]

Probably because they don't want to haul around a AF film SLR with zoom lens. Film is cool. An AF film SLR with zoom lens, not so much. Would you want to carry around a cellphone like this:

Yes, I absolutely would

 

[Moose22]

Probably because they don't want to haul around a AF film SLR with zoom lens. Film is cool. An AF film SLR with zoom lens, not so much. Would you want to carry around a cellphone like this:

I'm sitting here looking sheepishly at my GX680s...

 

[Sirius Glass]

agree.
But now, things are even more insane; there are more shots taken with iphones within a single year than there has been photographs taken throughout the last 100 years, all cameras combined.

I remember reading the numbers, not long ago. Crazy stuff. Simply put, the iphone has killed an entire profession: today, everyone’s a photographer, even a pro. Even movies are made with iphones. The average person has more pictures stored in his jean pocket than any hard working professional had negatives throughout his entire career. Just crazy.

everyone’s a photographer ==> The proper nomenclature is GWC either Guy With Camera or Girl With Camera.

 

[NB23]

It's not the mechanical that matters. It's more. The very essence of the cameras. The terroir.

ohh, Wine Lover?

 

[gone]

Why is it that so many people want a P&S, or even disposable/reusable camera when they can for the same money (or less!) buy something good like an AF film slr with zoom lens?

The disposable camera is light, small, cheap and easy to use. The real-deal gear is expensive to buy, expensive to shoot, heavy, needs to be maintained, and no one locally sells or develops the film, much less prints it.

 

[CMoore]

I still have a Canon Sure-Shot 80.
After my AE1-P was stolen in the early 90s, the Sure Shot was my only camera for several years.
All my pictures of my sons first 12 years came out of the Sure-Shot.
I would not call ANY of these cameras "crappy".
In their day, they are what LOTS of people used to take Any and All pictures.

Their is a donut store right near me. The guy has a Mixer that cost THOUSANDS Of Dollars.
That does not make my 80 dollar hand-held a "Crappy Mixer"

 

[Huss]

I still have a Canon Sure-Shot 80.
After my AE1-P was stolen in the early 90s, the Sure Shot was my only camera for several years.
All my pictures of my sons first 12 years came out of the Sure-Shot.
I would not call ANY of these cameras "crappy".
In their day, they are what LOTS of people used to take Any and All pictures.

Their is a donut store right near me. The guy has a Mixer that cost THOUSANDS Of Dollars.
That does not make my 80 dollar hand-held a "Crappy Mixer"

"Here are some customer review comments for the Kodak M35 reusable 35mm camera."

 

[gone]

Their is a donut store right near me. The guy has a Mixer that cost THOUSANDS Of Dollars.
That does not make my 80 dollar hand-held a "Crappy Mixer"

There's no need to use logic and thinking on an internet discussion. If we all did that, there would be no forum

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I agree with all those reviews, even if I'm blessed with a whole bunch of really high quality photographic equipment, and enough ability to get some decent results from it.
I used to work in retail, and sold lots of very basic cameras, and oodles of film and photofinishing to people who used them. Those customers were incredibly well served by the simple equipment they bought, and the capabilities of the film and photofinishing they bought. They frequently were really happy to share with me the joy they got from what they had and what they did with it.
To quote my late, Kodak manager father from the 1970s or so, "there have been far more really good photographs taken with Instamatics than all the 35mm SLRs combined".
126 Kodachrome from the 1970s - Dad's the one in the hat, and that's me in blue:
View attachment 299514

Nice family, Matt.

 

[Huss]

Their is a donut store right near me. The guy has a Mixer that cost THOUSANDS Of Dollars.
That does not make my 80 dollar hand-held a "Crappy Mixer"

How many donuts do you make a day?

 

[Sirius Glass]

I want a self eating watermelon.

 

[millardmt]

Why is it that so many people want a P&S, or even disposable/reusable camera when they can for the same money (or less!) buy something good like an AF film slr with zoom lens? ...

There are among us those who consider *any* autofocus camera 'crappy.'

Marc

 

[Chan Tran]

Why is it that so many people want a P&S, or even disposable/reusable camera when they can for the same money (or less!) buy something good like an AF film slr with zoom lens?
It's something that us photo experts/enthusiasts cannot fathom!

Here are some customer review comments for the Kodak M35 reusable 35mm camera. Cute plastic thing in many colours, fixed focus, one aperture, one shutter speed:

Super awesome p&s camera to carry with me, small and lightweight, great for the price and gives the same vibe I love with disposables.

I was looking to get into film photography in the simplest way possible, and this camera seemed like the most accessible way to start! The M35 is super easy to use and throw in my bag on the go, and I’m excited to get my first roll developed and start collecting some memories that are more intentional than digital photos.

I keep this in my backpack at all times now, it’s perfect for on the go adventures!!

What a fun little camera! So lightweight and easy to use, I love it!

The colors of the film camera are super cute that I had to buy 3 of them)

So cute, so light and easy to use. I’m a big fan

great alternative for disposable cameras! easy to use and affordable + super cute

I love it! It’s perfect for beginners like me.

I’m really enjoying using it. Can’t wait to finish up the film and get them developed.

I love this new film camera! It is so cute and the quality is great.

I responded to each comment and told them they were idiots that didn't know any better. It took me a while but if I can make the world a better place for it, it's worth it.

Comon! Don't tell them so that they leave the good cameras for us to buy. Those people have money you know.

 

[Down Under]

What can I say. Owning a Leica (M or Barnack), or a Nikon S, cuts thru a looooot of bullshti.

Yo!! A kind word here for the best and greatest crappy point/shoot camera I've ever owned and used, the Contax G1.

My otherwise super excellent repair person in Singapore hates the G1 so much, he won't stand for even having the name mentioned in his shop.

The G1 bodies are super crappy, but those (okay, made in Japan, but you can't have everything) Zeiss G lenses, oh wow.

I know of what I speak here, as I own four of them...

 

[RDW]

Why is it that so many people want a P&S, or even disposable/reusable camera when they can for the same money (or less!) buy something good like an AF film slr with zoom lens?

Because the AF SLR is big and heavy, and because they already have phones that can take sharp digital pictures and want to shoot some 'lo-fi' pictures for a change? Put some fresh Etkar in your high quality camera and take some shots through a sharp lens, and you get predictably good images that might be mistaken for digital. But find some expired off-brand 400 ISO your parents left in the attic in the 90s and stick it in a toy camera, and your pictures will at least be distinctive, even if they are rubbish by camera club standards.

Of course, it might just be because someone on Instagram persuaded them it was a good idea. In which case, I hope the influencers don't start talking up screwmount Leicas, which are still quite affordable at the moment.