The Kodak H35 half frame camera

[wahiba]

Over 20 years ago now while working in the middle east I bought a Kodak B10 35mm one aperture one shutter speed camera with flash. With 200asa film it produces surprisingly good results,. If this half frame model is produced to the same quality it could be fine, especially on a sunny day.

Picture of camera and a sample picture. Agfa Vista 200 as far as I remember.

 

[MattKing]

Threads merged.

 

[AtticusMI]

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

View attachment 307911

https://retopro.co/collections/all

https://petapixel.com/2022/05/26/the-kodak-ektar-h35-shoots-two-photos-per-frame-of-35mm-film/

I haven’t yet, but that green one is calling my name! I have an old Olympus pen-EES, but it’s unreliable at best.

 

[Huss]

Over 20 years ago now while working in the middle east I bought a Kodak B10 35mm one aperture one shutter speed camera with flash. With 200asa film it produces surprisingly good results,. If this half frame model is produced to the same quality it could be fine, especially on a sunny day.

Picture of camera and a sample picture. Agfa Vista 200 as far as I remember.


View attachment 309309
View attachment 309310

Very nice!

It seems the weak link - well two really - was trying to use these cameras in inappropriate lighting, and poor film processing.

 

[xkaes]

I haven’t yet, but that green one is calling my name! I have an old Olympus pen-EES, but it’s unreliable at best.

The EES was better than the original EE, but I would think that you could get the even better EES-2 (same as the EES, but with a hot shoe) or the EE-3 for much less than a Kodak H35 after all, there were less than 500,000 EE2 made, compared to about 1,300,000 EES2 and 1,800,000 EE3.

Then sell your EES, and you'll probably end up with some extra cash.

 

[ciniframe]

That 22mm, 2 element plastic lens does get around. Probably the same lens in the Golden Half, and the Wide and Slim.
When Kodak was Kodak they had a one use panoramic camera that used a plastic, 2 element, 25mm lens that tested out with very good results, something like 40+ lpmm in the center. So plastic lenses with small apertures can perform very well. Don’t know if this 22mm does come up to that standard though.

 

[foc]

A few videos from youtube.

 

[gone]

I worry that a film newbie gets prints back from a low cost plastic camera w/ no exposure controls, only to discover they don't look as good as their phone pics. And there goes the interest in film. On something like this, the pics may be only as good as the lab used.

 

[mshchem]

That 22mm, 2 element plastic lens does get around. Probably the same lens in the Golden Half, and the Wide and Slim.
When Kodak was Kodak they had a one use panoramic camera that used a plastic, 2 element, 25mm lens that tested out with very good results, something like 40+ lpmm in the center. So plastic lenses with small apertures can perform very well. Don’t know if this 22mm does come up to that standard though.

I remember those cameras, single use, IIRC. I took one apart and it had a curved film plane. It took pretty good pictures.

 

[AgX]

Cuved film plane is a old concept, about as old as inferior lenses.

 

[Huss]

I worry that a film newbie gets prints back from a low cost plastic camera w/ no exposure controls, only to discover they don't look as good as their phone pics. And there goes the interest in film. On something like this, the pics may be only as good as the lab used.

That's the whole point - to be different and not to be compared to a digital image. Users of these cameras do not want or expect that level of 'quality'.

 

[xkaes]

Users of these cameras do not want or expect that level of 'quality'.

Nothing like trying to create a stereotype.

 

[Huss]

Nothing like trying to create a stereotype.

Where's the stereotype? You think someone buying a cheap new fixed focus film camera expects or wants digital camera 'quality'? You don't think those customers have looked at the ads, seen examples of pics taken with these types of cameras? What do you think interested them in it in the first place?

 

[Huss]

Really nice review

 

[ciniframe]

Wow! The back on that camera looks almost identical to the Wide and Slim, (which apparently is again available). I wonder if the lens bezel switch for the flash also changes the aperture. That is what it did on the Golden Half, from f9.5 to f8.5 if memory serves. Yep, think this is a redesign of the Wide and Slim alright. In a another video the large rear element also is the same.

 

[Huss]

Ok, dropped some coin on a green one.. I tried to buy locally but was told they only carry the single use/disposable cameras. You try to help 'em out....

I'll compare it to my Agat. The Agat is fiddly to use, but you can focus and adjust exposure. This Kodak is 1/100 sec @ f9.5 all the time. So I'll keep that in mind and not use my Kentmere 400 pushed to 1600.

 

[foc]

Ok, dropped some coin on a green one.. I tried to buy locally but was told they only carry the single use/disposable cameras. You try to help 'em out....

I'll compare it to my Agat. The Agat is fiddly to use, but you can focus and adjust exposure. This Kodak is 1/100 sec @ f9.5 all the time. So I'll keep that in mind and not use my Kentmere 400 pushed to 1600.

Look forward to seeing and reading your results

 

[Huss]

Look forward to seeing and reading your results

I have a feeling it may not hold up to extended use. FPP warns against rewinding the film with vigor as it will break...

 

[xkaes]

I'll compare it to my Agat. The Agat is fiddly to use, but you can focus and adjust exposure.

The AGAT has a quality lens, and produces quality results if you can handle its "fiddly" features -- whatever they are. Not only am I surprised that you have one, I see no reason why you would want to compare it to "a cheap new fixed focus film camera".

 

[Huss]

The AGAT has a quality lens, and produces quality results if you can handle its "fiddly" features -- whatever they are. Not only am I surprised that you have one, I see no reason why you would want to compare it to "a cheap new fixed focus film camera".

What part of fun surprises you?

 

[xkaes]

I have my share of fun cameras, such as a SUPERHEADZ TELEPATHY -- which turns into an auto-exposure camera with a Vivitar 283 attached. Tons of fun and LOTS of funny pictures to go with it.

I've also got a Toko Tone which is TWO steps above the typical HIT camera with an adjustable f-stop and shutter speed -- but still HIT-type results. Unfortunately, no auto-exposure flash for that one.

And I can't forget my Nickelodeon PHOTOBLASTER -- which has a built-in flash.

I might be talked into comparing the results between those cameras -- if someone offered me a good reason -- but I would never waste my time comparing any of them to my AGATs, PENs, or other Half-frames.

What would be the point?

 

[Huss]

I might be talked into comparing the results between those cameras -- if someone offered me a good reason -- but I would never waste my time comparing any of them to my AGATs, PENs, or other Half-frames.

What would be the point?

Well good thing no-one is asking you!

 

[ciniframe]

I have my share of fun cameras, such as a SUPERHEADZ TELEPATHY -- which turns into an auto-exposure camera with a Vivitar 283 attached. Tons of fun and LOTS of funny pictures to go with it.

I've also got a Toko Tone which is TWO steps above the typical HIT camera with an adjustable f-stop and shutter speed -- but still HIT-type results. Unfortunately, no auto-exposure flash for that one.

And I can't forget my Nickelodeon PHOTOBLASTER -- which has a built-in flash.

I might be talked into comparing the results between those cameras -- if someone offered me a good reason -- but I would never waste my time comparing any of them to my AGATs, PENs, or other Half-frames.

What would be the point?

Is your Superheadz Telepathy also called Golden Half? I had one but in fairly short order the rubber coating turned to sticky goo. Tried 95% isopropyl and plain soap and scraping with a xacto blade but the stuff was just awful. Too bad, it was a cute little camera.
Got started in 35mm half frame back around 1971 with the chance purchase of a Olympus Pen viewfinder camera used. Been a fan of the format ever since. Except for that Golden Half have always had the original Pen viewfinder model and Pen F with a modest collection of Zuiko lenses made for it.
With ever increasing film prices it is nice to get the extra negs per roll, however that is really a small neg, don’t like to go over 6x8 on 8x10 paper. Fortunately early on I was able to pick up a Olympus 38mm f2.8E enlarging lens which means I don’t have to crank the head way up to get to that on the baseboard.

 

[xkaes]

The Superheadz half-frame had at least these labels. The cameras are the same, but have different coverings & colors:

• Telepathy​

• Golden Half​

• Green Trees​

• Black Mountain​

• Hello Kitty​

• Zebra​

• Chelsea Maika​

To get rid of the GOO -- which happens to other cameras with SOME rubberized coverings too, like my Nikon N70. What a pain. I have no idea how and why it happens?!?!? -- try lighter fluid or GOO-GONE. It will come off, but DON'T use sharp tools, like scrapers. RUB it off -- old elbow grease.

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

 

[Huss]

Excitement building.... H35 to be delivered today... Will compare it to my Leica M3 Dual Stroke. Because with a Dual Stroke M, if you only wind it once it becomes a half frame camera, right? Those Leica engineers are so clever! A half frame and full frame camera in one.