All of Analog.Cafe, Page 4

626 Reviews, Guides, and Essays

10 Half-Frame Film Cameras for Under $500
June 24, 2024
You can save lots of money on film with a half-frame camera, but why stop there and not save on the camera itself? This overview lists nine better-than-good vintage cameras and a brand-new one for less than $100!
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All the C-41 ISO 800 Colour Films, Compared
Portra 800 vs. FunSaver 800 vs. Lomo 800 vs. Aurora 800
June 24, 2024
There’s seemingly some choice when it comes to high-speed daylight-balanced colour-negative film. But is it all branding? We compare all the ISO 800 films we could find side-by-side to see if there’s any actual difference once developed and scanned.
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Thank You and Welcome to Analog.Cafe GOLD!
A Monthly Letter for the GOLD Members
June 21, 2024
I would like to thank all the Analog.Cafe supporters — whether you’re a GOLD member or a casual reader. This project would not exist without you!
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Asahi Pentax K1000 Film Camera Review
With the Kit SMC Pentax-a 1:1.7 50mm Lens
June 19, 2024
Asahi Pentax K1000 is one of the most popular vintage film SLRs today. It’s still used in classrooms around the world and there are tons of great lens options.
Film Cameras and Gear Save
Kyocera/Yashica Samurai x3.0 Film Camera Review
A Camcorder-Looking Half-Frame Point-and-Shoot SLR With Motorized Zoom
June 13, 2024
Kyocera/Yashica Samurai x3.0 half-frame 35mm film SLR is one of the strangest-looking cameras ever made. It looks like an old-school video recorder (it is not); it’s bulky (even though it makes tiny frames); and it doesn’t have manual overrides — but it’s actually quite good!
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Harman Phoenix 200 — New Colour Film Review
The Most Important Film Photography Product of 2024
June 8, 2024
Harman Phoenix 200 is the most important film photography product of 2024. It opened the doors to a new colour film facility at a British factory which has been continuously supplying us with photochemistry for over 140 years.
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Polaroid Go Film Review
June 3, 2024
Polaroid Go instant film packs include two perfectly miniaturized Polaroid I-Type/600 film cartridges — with the emulsion and frame materials faithfully replicated. They’re smaller (which makes them cheaper) but the choice of cameras that can take advantage of this format is limited.
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Film Photography News — May 2024 Recap
New Film, New Cameras, FREE Camera, ULF, and Film Canisters
May 28, 2024
Polaroid’s old-school SX-70 film packaging, but even more importantly: a significant update to their B&W 600 emulsions. Foma Bohemia and Shanghai also release new¹ films. Ilford announces their Ultra Large Format order window. I complain about the plastic 135 film canisters and the internet agrees. Nana (Kickstarter) and Lomo’Instant Automat are the new² film cameras just this month. Plus: northern lights 💫 on CineStill 800T pushed to 6400!
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Giveaway: Kodak Ektar H35N Half-Frame Film Camera
Ends on June 23, 2024 ☝️
May 23, 2024
To win, comment on this article telling me why you’d rather shoot on film and share this page on a social network of your choosing by Sunday, June 23, 2024. ❤️
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How to Make Polaroid “Sol Pints”
A New Creative Instant Film Effect
May 21, 2024
Polaroid film is made for creative experiments. From emulsion lifts and manipulation to embroidery, soups, and cutting — exposed frames are as much raw material as a finished product. This article introduces a new Polaroid film effect and the science behind it. Below, you’ll learn how to make your own Polaroid “Sol Prints,” see more examples of the art, and even get suggestions on how to take it a step further.
Guides and Tutorials Save
Nikonos “V” Underwater Film Camera Review
Underwater or on Dry Land; Dust, Sand, Mud, Rain — All Good With Nikonos V
May 18, 2024
Nikonos V might be the best underwater film camera money can buy. It may even be the best way to get into full-frame marine photography — period. The Nikonos system has an outstanding range of lenses, some made exclusively for underwater photography, yielding minimal distortion and superb contrast/colour reproduction. This review covers my experience with the 28mm UW-Nikkor 𝒇3.5 and the amphibious 35mm W-Nikkor 𝒇2.5 on Nikonos V.
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How to Set “Quartz Date” on a Vintage Film Camera
What Does “Quartz/Auto Date” or Data Back Do and How to Use It
May 12, 2024
Some vintage film cameras can stamp the current date and time in a corner of your photo. The dates become a part of the image. This article explains how they work and how to set one up correctly on ANY film camera without a manual.
Guides and Tutorials Save
Canon AE-1 (Original) Film Camera Review
The Most Popular Film SLR Ever Made
May 4, 2024
As soon as it hit the store shelves, Canon AE-1 changed the photographic industry forever. In this review, I’ll cover the build quality, share sample photos, and give you my overview of the ergonomics and technical specifications of this historical milestone.
Film Cameras and Gear Save
PolaCon NYC Returns!
With Polaroid as a Headlining Sponsor
May 2, 2024
PolaCon NYC Returns for Second Year to Celebrate Instant Film Photography! Event details, schedule, locations, people, and resources.
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Film Photography News — April 2024 Recap
Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers 🌳🌳🌳
April 30, 2024
Wild film experiments, CineStill 400D in 4x5, a new app for bulk loading 35mm film, Kodak Professional photo chemicals’ return, Fujifilm discontinues another colour film stock, and Crown + Flint note-taking app.
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Pentax 6x7 Panoramas of Germany’s Northern Sea
With Pro Image 100 and 3D-Printed Spool Extenders
April 27, 2024
I shot wide and tall panoramas on 35mm film in my Pentax 6x7 medium format camera. It took some taping, cutting, and improvisation in the field. Still, I’m quite happy with the results, despite the slight mishaps. This article includes a link to a tutorial where you can learn how to do it yourself.
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Developing Film in Cannabis
Test Results and Recipe
April 20, 2024
In this article, I’ll share the results from my new “Sativa Cannanol” film developer and a recipe so you can make it at home. You’ll also see how this cannabis-based developer stacks up against a commercial one and various phenol-based solutions, like coffee, moss, fir, cedar, blood, pond water, EpiPen, and pee. You will also learn about various ways to make and improve your own organic homemade developer.
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Olympus XA2 Compact 35mm Film Camera Review
You May Not Like This
April 16, 2024
I’ve tried multiple Olympus XA cameras over the years because they’re cute, pocketable, and have an excellent lens. And yet, I found them hard to love and frustrating to use. Each time, I hoped that my previous experience would be somehow irrelevant, and each time I felt disappointed. XA2 is not an exception. I didn’t like using this camera; I’ll explain why, and I’ll also share the things I did like about this camera. This way, you can decide whether it’s just me or if this camera is overhyped.
Film Cameras and Gear Save
Polaroid Go Gen 2 Camera Review
The Cutest Polaroid Ever, Refreshed
April 9, 2024
Polaroid Go is the world’s smallest instant film camera and it costs less than $100 (with film). In this review, I compare Generation 2 to its predecessor side-by-side and explain the new miniature photography format.
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CineStill 400D for 4x5 Large Format Film Cameras
Now Shipping Worldwide! Launch Info and High-Res Samples
April 5, 2024
Starting today, CineStill 400D is available for 4x5 film cameras. This is the first large format CineStill film product. This post includes announcement details and high-res samples.
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