Kodak is about the only major camera manufacturer that did not make a half-frame camera. For Pete's Sake,, even Leica did.
The reason? Half-frames were very hot once. I guess they thought it meant they would sell less film.
I think the marketing is probably a collaboration between Eastman Kodak - who own the trademark rights - and the manufacturer and more direct seller, RETO Production Ltd., who license the mark.
Kodak is about the only major camera manufacturer that did not make a half-frame camera. For Pete's Sake,, even Leica did.
The reason? Half-frames were very hot once. I guess they thought it meant they would sell less film.
Well, even Agfa made half-frame cameras.
But likely due to being just modified full-frame models, they did not sell well, and after three years Agfa gave up on half-frame for good.
Agfa was involved in the production & marketing of numerous half-frame cameras -- with names (in addition to those above) such as Gatling, Standard, Revue, Ricoh, Nicnon & Teleca.
Argus, Exakta, and Zenit are three other "hysterical" names that have been used by Seagull to produce some -- actually very good -- cameras:
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Has anyone pre-ordered one of these new cameras being marketed by Kodak?
I like the retro 126 looks of the front of the camera and the price appears very good US$49.99 / €47.50 / £40.50
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https://retopro.co/collections/all
https://petapixel.com/2022/05/26/the-kodak-ektar-h35-shoots-two-photos-per-frame-of-35mm-film/
Does anybody have the camera yet? Despite a lot of negative feedback it seems like a cool point and shoot, waiting for some reviews, if they are positive I would buy it. In the article it states it will be a two-element optical acrylic prime lens: a 22mm f/9.5. If the lens could be closed and opened with a sliding door or something similar the acrylic lens would be more protected, I fear it will scratch in my pocket.
Remember this is targeted at newbies.
For $20 I bought a new Agat 18K which tiny and fun to use, plus you can adjust the exposure and focus. But I would not really recommend it to a novice as it is very fiddly to use, very fiddly to load the film, you need to have a basic understanding of film speed and exposure, and the VF is pretty crappy with indistinct frame lines. But it can make some sweet pics!
Styling wise, those look fantastic and will draw customers. Is $50 too expensive? No - it is a new camera that you can buy at a retail store and/or Amazon etc with zero effort, instead of hunting down a used camera and dealing with all those issues. Remember this is targeted at newbies. I have seen plenty ripped off by unscrupulous sellers pawning off broken cameras to them in the past.
In that one recent thread where that kid just jumped in to complain about film prices, then disappeared, I mentioned, as I often do, the best way to deal with it is to shoot half frame if you are doing this 'just for fun'. This new camera directly aims at that, which is excellent because it will keep part-time hobbyists using film, instead of leaving due to cost.
For $20 I bought a new Agat 18K which tiny and fun to use, plus you can adjust the exposure and focus. But I would not really recommend it to a novice as it is very fiddly to use, very fiddly to load the film, you need to have a basic understanding of film speed and exposure, and the VF is pretty crappy with indistinct frame lines. But it can make some sweet pics!
In the article it states it will be a two-element optical acrylic prime lens: a 22mm f/9.5.
Where'd you find for 20 bucks?
Prices for Agat 18 cameras can often be pretty high, but I got my 18 and 18K for under $20 each -- but I wasn't in a rush. MMZ-Belomo, the makers of the Agat, also made the Chaika (Yanka) line a half-frame cameras. While the camera bodies are more typical, the cameras have separate adjustable shutter speeds and f-stops -- and on most models, the lens can be removed and used on an enlarger.
Where'd you find for 20 bucks?
But the question was, if one of us has ordered it.
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