Yet ANOTHER new half-frame 35mm camera

[xkaes]

I guess it's no surprise since everyone seems to think there is a film craze -- especially of the half-frame variety.

I just discovered the new FLIC FILM DOUBLE SHOT -- which bares a resemblance to the Kodak H35 and the Escura SNAP 35 HALF.

It has a fixed focus 28mm f8 lens, with a 1/120 shutter speed, and a built-in flash that can be turned ON or OFF.

 

[Pioneer]

I am not really sure just what these cameras do for us but at least they are out there.

 

[xkaes]

I think you have to actually buy one for it to do anything for you. I'm pretty sure that's how it works.

 

[mshchem]

Almost a toy camera. Well maybe not almost.

 

[koraks]

Well, at least you don't have to pay extra to get your images in focus. LOL

It looks a bit like a glorified disposable camera with a clamshell around it. I wonder whether that was the engineering approach they took?

 

[Don_ih]

It's slightly cheaper on AliExpress, but without the branding.

And is $29 on Amazon - with a slightly different look (but it is the same camera).

Elsewhere, you can get them for as low as $16 each, if you buy a thousand....

And, according to Google, they were for sale at NewEgg in Feb., 2022:

 

[loccdor]

It's the sort of camera you could give to someone who doesn't know much about photography and doesn't want to know. Which is most people. It doesn't cost much and they can use it to keep a sort of diary. It serves a purpose. Not for pros or enthusiasts.

 

[xkaes]

Walmart is selling it as a DIGITAL camera!!!!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/New-2024-Digital-Cameras-Clearance-Half-Frame-Film-Camera-35MM-Retro-Reusable-HD-Gift-Focus-Built-in-Flash-Easy-Use-AAA-Battery-Are-Not-Included/11540265713?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101654952&adid=2222222222711540265713_101654952_168842105420_20373330877&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=715150032845&wl4=pla-2369169575741&wl5=9028752&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=5356590684&wl11=online&wl12=11540265713_101654952&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9Oze7PDliAMVRxCtBh1XBAoXEAQYByABEgKDEvD_BwE

 

[4season]

It looks like a half-frame version of the Ilford Sprite 35-II which I found kind of disappointing, even by the standards of such things, unlike the Reto Ultra Wide & Slim, which is really pretty good.

 

[AZD]

Ok, so I’ll never buy one. But in defense of them: Way back in The Before Time, I signed up for the high school photo class and showed up with a Vivitar PS-33, pretty much the full frame equivalent of this. They gave me a roll of TMax 400 and I went wild taking random snaps of everything. Then some kid in class helped me (over) develop it, and it was freaking magic. One of those shots ended up in the school’s annual art publication. Couldn’t ask for a better start. Of course I immediately needed (and was kindly given) a better camera (Spotmatic and 50/1.4) which was infinitely superior. But hey, thanks PS-33 for planting the seed! Maybe these little beasts can do the same for someone. Then they can end up with a shelf full of Pentaxes and Nikons and Leicas and 8x10s and achy knees and good intentions.

 

[Milpool]

It reminds me of 1980s TV ads for Time Life books. They’d throw in cameras like this.

 

[stevenjeong99]

At least these new film cameras will bring attention to the film photography and maybe it will drive the film prices down....

 

[AnselMortensen]

The NewEgg ones are "Foucs Free"

 

[xkaes]

And Holga has a new Holga 135HC -- not to be confused with its Holga 135TIM. I guess the "HC" mean Half-frame Camera". The 135HC is marked 47mm f8, but I think it's really a 28mm giving a 47mm perspective on half-frame. Single shutter speed. Doesn't look like it has a hot shoe, but it looks like it has a multi-exposure lever. Not sure. I think the picture cuts off half of the viewfinder. There are also new half-frames from Yulanbi, Hayamou, and Awopzzy -- easy to remember names!

 

[loccdor]

The low-effort Amazon brand names are a little depressing. Branding doesn't really work when you show no comprehension of the language, and seeing as you only have to make a single word cogent, you'd think someone would spend a few minutes on it. "Chabuduo".

 

[xkaes]

Here's an update. It's looking like the Holga 135HC actually has a 47mm lens. They also have an identical Holga 135BC which is a full-frame model which has a 47mm f8 lens. They both focus from 3 feet to infinity -- with symbols, and both have flash shoes. They also have a switch to stop down -- to f11? f16? And they both have a hot shoe.

A 47mm on a half-frame -- really a 75mm. Sounds interesting.

 

[MattKing]

Here's an update. It's looking like the Holga 135HC actually has a 47mm lens. They also have an identical Holga 135BC which is a full-frame model which has a 47mm f8 lens. They both focus from 3 feet to infinity -- with symbols, and both have flash shoes. They also have a switch to stop down -- to f11? f16? And they both have a hot shoe.

A 47mm on a half-frame -- really a 75mm. Sounds interesting.

Good for photos of people that give results somewhat similar to a cel phone camera held the same way most people seem to hold a cel phone camera.

 

[MFstooges]

It's the sort of camera you could give to someone who doesn't know much about photography and doesn't want to know. Which is most people. It doesn't cost much and they can use it to keep a sort of diary. It serves a purpose. Not for pros or enthusiasts.

But if the buyers have enough enthusiasm not to use their smartphone for the same purpose and to wait until 72th snaps + trip to a lab, doesn't it mean they are enthusiasts?

 

[xya]

I don't like half frames with a long focal length and the ordinary 135 Holgas are very bulky. I have tried the Kodak Ektar H35 N https://www.135compact.com/135_half_kodak_ektar_h35n.htm. The N is a much improved version and picture results were better than expected. The Holga 135 TIM has a small body and it has 3 apertures. That changes a lot. It's fun to use https://www.plastikcam.com/holga_135_tim.htm. Anyway, as long as new cameras boost film supply, I'm happy...

 

[Don_ih]

the same way most people seem to hold a cel phone camera.

How are you supposed to hold a cell phone? It's a phone, not a sandwich.

 

[MFstooges]

How are you supposed to hold a cell phone? It's a phone, not a sandwich.

most people hold cell phone camera in portrait orientation for everything they shoot including videos that are supposed to be viewed on landscape monitor.
Only Motorola can give a solution.

 

[MattKing]

most people hold cell phone camera in portrait orientation for everything they shoot including videos that are supposed to be viewed on landscape monitor.

Yep - like this:

 

[loccdor]

But if the buyers have enough enthusiasm not to use their smartphone for the same purpose and to wait until 72th snaps + trip to a lab, doesn't it mean they are enthusiasts?

Many of these people will be using both at the same time and forgetting their film canister for 6 months in the bottom of their bag. Not an enthusiast in the sense of a typical Photrio user. There's a big gradation and most of us here are at the extreme other end.

 

[xkaes]

Many of these people will be using both at the same time and forgetting their film canister for 6 months in the bottom of their bag. Not an enthusiast in the sense of a typical Photrio user. There's a big gradation and most of us here are at the extreme other end.

There's a reason why Photrio has a Lo-Fi category. You can be Lo-Fi and an enthusiast at the same time. Kinda like walking & chewing gum. You'd be surprised how many "Hit" camera enthusiasts are out there.

 

[Don_ih]

most people hold cell phone camera in portrait orientation

Yes, because it's a phone and made to be held that way. Did you ever pick up the receiver of a regular old telephone and hold it sideways? The speaker is at the top, the microphone is at the bottom. The entire design of the smart phone was built around that - not to mention it is generally meant to be held with one hand.