Kodak Ektar H35 Half Frame Camera

[wahiba]

With one aperture and one shutter speed definitely lo-fi. Only problem with half frame is that taking 72 plus pictures with a common 35mm cassette can be a bit tedious. As I treated myself to a 17m roll of Fomapan 100 for checking out a variety of cameras having a shorter length for the half frame works well.

First two are on Fomapan 100 and second Kentmere 400 both processed in Rodinal. Scanned at 2400 dpi on Epson V300.

I must say I like the camera. I reckon 200 asa would be a good default film, although if sun is guaranteed 100 asa is more than sufficient.

I have run a colour film through it but have yet to develope it. Should be soon as I now have enough colour films to justify using the kit I bought.

 

[r_a_feldman]

Take a look at this thread — it covers the same camera: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/kodak-ektar-h35-review-part-3-and-final.193804/

 

[xkaes]

As expected, the H35 is starting to show up on EBAY for under $20. The price will continue to drop as supply (of these new half-frames) increases and demand (fad/cult-mania) drops.

 

[foc]

Thanks for posting your B&W results.

I am impressed with the Kentmere 400 shot in the supermarket and the grain doesn't look too bad considering it was 400 speed in Rodinal AND half frame.

Look forward to seeing your colour film results.

 

[BHuij]

I picked one up when they were pretty new to be my "snapshot" camera for family outings and what not. It's been fed a steady diet of mostly expired Gold 200; I think I'm on my 7th roll or thereabouts. Developed at home and scanned at 2k DPI on my Nikon 4000, it makes lovely and very nostalgic-looking 4x6 prints for the family photo albums, while keeping costs pretty reasonable. Really happy with mine for use case I bought it for. I don't think I'd ever pick it over any of my more capable cameras for "making art."

 

[xkaes]

Looks like the H35 has some new competition from FUJIFILM -- the Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO. It's a completely different animal, but in pretty much the same "box".

https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/consumer/instax/cameras/minievo

And if that's not for you -- it isn't for me, either -- there's an H35 on EBAY for $20.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO

Ack! Pfui! That's just a digital camera with a built-in printer. Why can't Fuji put a decent lens on a direct-to-film Instax?

 

[xya]

I have the LiPlay, which seems to be basically the same camera. A nice gadget, but no more https://www.instantphoto.eu/fuji/liplay.htm. The best direct-to-film Instax seems to be the Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic https://www.instantphoto.eu/fuji/mini_90_neo.htm I was impressed by the picture quality...and still we dream...

 

[xkaes]

Amazing! Not for me, but still amazing!

 

[Donald Qualls]

Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic

Yep, that looks decent. $140 from Amazon, apparently. Now if it used bigger film...

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

Yep, that looks decent.

This has been my sole Instax mini camera since I've been shooting the format and can recommend it. It's capable of very impressive results if you take the time to learn to apply the various exposure modes it offers. The negative is nominally the same as a medium format 645 but in the context of instant rather than roll film. It is similar to shooting on subminiature formats, oddly, as for best results you need to be mindful of the performance limits of the camera and film.

The square format doesn't particularly interest me and the Instax Wide cameras are just too huge, but the stand-alone printers are pretty nifty.

To stay at least partially on topic, here's a half-frame diptych from a Canon Dial 35-2 on Vision3 250D.

 

[BHuij]

I thought the best Instax was the LomoGraflok instant back

 

[xya]

I thought the best Instax was the LomoGraflok instant back

It's superb, but it requires big cameras. There are more solutions, like an Instax back for Mamiya Universal. And there is the Mint Instakon RF70, foldable and small. Have a look at my website https://www.instantphoto.eu/other/other_instant.htm

 

[xya]

Yep, that looks decent. $140 from Amazon, apparently. Now if it used bigger film...

That's what I say since many years: If only Fuji would make a decent Wide camera, an updated 500 AF or so....

 

[Donald Qualls]

I thought the best Instax was the LomoGraflok instant back

I've got one, but it would be great not to have the rise/shift that's built into it. Sometime I need to take it out on my Graphic View II and mark where I have to move the back to get "neutral" center of field condition and file centering notches in that location -- but that isn't an option with my Anniversary Speed. And as noted, those are both pretty bulky, heavy cameras (one of which absolutely requires a tripod).

 

[xya]

...To stay at least partially on topic, here's a half-frame diptych from a Canon Dial 35-2 on Vision3 250D.

I've had quite a few half-frames, but most are in no way smaller and lighter than a full frame, the Canon Dial makes no exceptions, it weighs a pound. Just recently I came across a really small and light one that makes decent photos despite only 2 apertures and one speed: the Superheadz Golden Half https://www.135compact.com/135_half_superheadz_golden_half.htm 90 grams...

 

[xkaes]

I'm a Canon Dial fan, but there are lots of 1/2 frame cameras smaller and lighter than full-frame 35mm cameras. The Canon DIAL was heavy because it packed so much into it. A Ricoh Caddy was the same size and half the weight. The Golden Halfs -- I have the TELEPATHY -- are great for fun, but not "small", and the results are no comparison. On the other hand, the Agat 18 is smaller and lighter than the Dial 35, and only lacks the auto-exposure & motor drive. I could go on...............

http://www.subclub.org/shop/halframe.htm

 

[Agulliver]

As expected, the H35 is starting to show up on EBAY for under $20. The price will continue to drop as supply (of these new half-frames) increases and demand (fad/cult-mania) drops.

I guess that's why now, several months on, it's at £50-£65 now on fleabay.

I've considered buying one....because I haven't had a half frame camera in years since I foolishly sold my Fujica Drive. The results I've seen are decent enough given how lo-fi the camera is. My only concern would be longevity of the camera.

 

[xkaes]

I guess that's why now, several months on, it's at £50-£65 now on fleabay.

Looks like you missed out -- here are three that sold for under $20. There are also several less expensive alternatives -- see above link. Keep looking.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=kodak+ektar+h35&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1