Holga 120 S Camera
by Lomographic Cameras
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $25.99
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Editorial Review

Get basic and go postmodern at the same time with Lomographic's Holga 120S. Unabashedly low-tech and ideal for beginning photographers, all the operations are completely manual, including focus, aperture, shutter, and film transport controls. Yet the camera produces an abstract, soft-focus picture that even seasoned photographers find unique. Double exposures, streaming colors, warped vignetting, and unpredictable light leaks are all possible with this camera.

The camera uses 120 color or black-and-white film.A shoulder strap and instruction manual are included. Rough it out with this affordable camera and reap the rewards of distinctly daring photography. ... Read more

Features

• 60mm lens with adjustable focusing
• Completely manual control
• Full double exposure capability
• Uses 120 color or black and white film
• Shoulderstrap and manual included

Reviews (2)

Get a Holga yourself!
Let's cut to the chase: A Holga really is a piece of [junk]. It weighs next to nothing, even when loaded with 120 film. Mostly plastic, including its "optical" lens, and with cheap metal sliding clasps on the side to (maybe) keep the back on, the camera won't win any prizes for sturdiness or durability. In other words, a Hasselblad it ain't. It's also about 1/100th the price of a Hassie system, and therein lies part of the Holga's charm.

There are other drawbacks to this plastic wonder, though. The viewfinder is so far off to the left side that it gives merely a rough approximation of what that cheesy wide angle lens is actually shooting. The camera needs a lot of light - due to apertures of about f.8 -f.11 (a "sunny" and "cloudy" slider on the lens mount) and a shutter that's around 1/100th of a second - and even then images go black at the corners of a square frame. Therefore, shooting 400 ISO film most of the time is a must. (Throw out the plastic 645 insert - you won't get the classic Holga effects described hence with the insert. Just remember to slide the counter tab on the camera's back from 16 to 12 , or you'll end up with one heck of a panorama shot.) The Holga's simple, fantastic plastic lens creates a sharp center image that blurs out until the edges are ever so less than crisp. And did I mention that the camera is manual wind, with a shutter that will create surprise double exposures if the shooter forgets to crank the film to the next frame? Yup, it does that and leaks light, too, and sometimes doesn't wind the film tightly enough around the spool so that light leaks happen even after a roll is shot. All this for $[money] U.S. (I won't go into the extra "enhancements" provided by the super deluxe flash model...)

By now, you're probably wondering why on Earth - or any other part of the Universe, for that matter - would one bother with such a cheap piece of junk. Good question. The answer, of course, it that a properly housebroken Holga will produce magical images unattainable from just about every other medium format camera. The vignetting and soft focus go a long way toward producing a dreamy, otherworldly quality, especially in black & white work, that's the very essence of Holga photography. Portraits, especially, are wonderful when shot with a Holga. Once tamed - with lots of black photo tape on the edges to seal up the leaks and keep the back on (rubber bands optional) and small bits of cardboard gently wedged under the spools to keep the film winding tightly - a Holga is easy to use. Since it's pretty much a pinhole camera, focusing the lens with its handy distance symbols isn't really necessary. Just wind, aim and click the shutter, then be sure to wind to the next frame to avoid that double exposure mentioned above. The hotshoe will accept a nice flash unit, all the better to provide fill on a sunny day. Buy more than one Holga, too. They're sure inexpensive enough. And Holgas are like children - no two are ever exactly the same - plus, unlike your kids, you can throw a few of them in a backpack, then take off for a day of spontaneous, creative shooting.

So, the word on these puppies is: Holgas are fun. They're unique. They're wonderfully creative tools for the patient shutterbug who takes the time to learn the camera's considerable quirks and who enjoys exploring the unknown, which in this case is every finished roll that comes out of the Holga in the first place. Holgas aren't for everybody, but in the right conditions, there's no other camera I'd want to use. And the real lowdown is, I'm too cheap to shell out the megabucks for a top notch medium format system. Then again, why should I when I can have my Holgas by the dozen, and save myself the hernia from lugging around all that highfalutin' Hassie gear anyway? Try a Holga. You might - just might - be glad you did. Just don't forget the black photo tape...

Cheapest Medium Format Camera Ever
This is as close to you get to a disposable medium format camera. If you want to get into medium format photography, I'd reccommend getting a HOLGA first. It won't produce crisp images by any means, oh no. But there's a soft focus to the images that it produces that is very compelling. For those of you that don't know, it takes 120 roll film, which produces a 2 1/4" square negative. Square format photography puts a different perspective on things. Anyway, ... I'd recommend trying it if you have a more than average interest in photography.... ... Read more

Asin: B000069113
Subjects:  1. Camera    2. Camera (Cameras)    3. 35 mm (millimeter)    4. Photograph (Photography)   

Lomo Kompakt Automat 35mm Camera
by Lomographic Cameras
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $199.99
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Editorial Review

The unique Lomo opens up a whole new world of creative photography. Built as sturdy as a tank, the black retro-looking Lomo was originally designed by a top-secret military optics factory in the Soviet Union and is still made by hand in the St. Petersburg factory. It's easy to use, takes normal 35mm film, and gives you brilliant colors and superb night photos.

But the Lomo is more than just a cool camera--it's part of a worldwide community and a refreshingly new artistic movement, Lomography, that encourages even nonartists to be creative. The philosophy is to be quick, don't think, be open to your surroundings, absorb everything, and enjoy communicating. The Lomo craze started in the Viennese underground scene and rapidly expanded until all across the globe people became armed with Lomos, recording everything in bright colors and strange shapes. There are major Lomo exhibitions and events around the world. And famous folks such as David Byrne, The Verve, and Yassir Arafat own Lomos.

When we first heard of the Lomo, the hype and über-hipness made us quite skeptical. How could this little Soviet camera create such a stir? But we fell for the Lomo as soon as we got the package, which includes a little German hardbound book of Lomographs (plus the English translation) and two rolls of Lomo brand film--along with the "What the hell is Lomo?" instruction manual.

After we used the Lomo for a week or so, it became quite obvious why folks were raving about it--the Lomo allows for an unprecedented amount of creativity, and (most importantly) it makes photography inexpensive and easy.

The secret to the Lomo is its superb light meter and its exposure method--it exposes film for however long is necessary. This results in amazing night photographs, with glowing neon, streaking lights, ghostly people, and a real sense of motion. Daytime shots are equally interesting, filled with color and accentuated by the Lomo's slight distortion and tendency to darken photos towards the edges. The Lomo has no flash, so you won't get photos of people with red eyes and pasty skin tones or pictures with underexposed backgrounds. The Lomo lens has a coating that renders both day and night with incredible richness and brilliance. Our skies were a deep blue, our yellows scintillating, and our night scenes alive with the colors of city lights. (Click on the "More Pictures" link at the top of this page to see sample photos that were taken with the Lomo.)

Another major advantage to the camera is that the Lomo works best with cheap 100-speed 35mm film, which is readily available anywhere and is easy to process. ISO 100 film is actually best at capturing brilliant colors and enhances the Lomo's natural tendency for producing color-rich photos.

Most importantly, the Lomo is wonderfully simple to use--the only adjustments you have to make are to set the film speed and to set the focus lever (marked with four distances from 0.8 meters to infinity). All you do is point the Lomo, set the distance, press the button, and the camera decides how long to expose the picture.

The viewfinder and lens open at the same time with a single lever--a good design that makes it impossible to mistakenly leave the lens cover on. You can easily slip the Lomo into your pocket without worrying about a case. Film loading, advance, and rewind are all manual--after using these features once, you'll get the hang of loading film quickly. The distance lever is also self-explanatory, and the distance markings show up inside the viewfinder as well.

If you want a modern point-and-shoot with autofocus, auto film winding, a zoom lens, and a flash, the Lomo is not for you. You won't get perfect, always-sharp photos with the Lomo, and many of your pictures will be blurred, streaked, and bizarre looking. But that's the whole point--with the Lomo, you'll get striking, unique, artistic results. You probably can achieve these results with a normal SLR camera, but it would require much more work and money.

Overall, we felt the Lomo lived up to its global reputation. With its simplicity, inexpensiveness, and striking results, it's an easy-to-use tool for creative fun photography. --Holly Blumenthal

SPECIAL CAVEAT: The Lomo Kompakt Automat is for the steady-handed and the artistically fearless. It is not the same thing as using a typical, modern point-and-shoot camera. Even though you may be buying it brand-spanking new, you might think of the Lomo as a clever camera you discovered in the back room of a dusty old second-hand shop during your travels through Eastern Europe. Handle it with care until you get the hang of its quirks. For example, loading the film is slightly tricky. Make sure it is properly winding around the spool before closing the back of the camera. If you have trouble getting the shutter to click, check to see if the lever that opens the lens cover has been pushed all the way to the right side. Even if the lens cover remains just slightly ajar, the shutter button won't respond when you press on it. Also, when you finish a roll of film, make certain you push in the rewind button on the bottom of the camera before you manually rewind the film. Otherwise, you will damage your film. If any of this sounds daunting, it really isn't. It's all just part of the fun of going Lomo.

Pros:

• Yields brilliant supersaturated colors
• Takes amazing night photos
• Sturdy, stylish retro construction
• Uses normal 35mm film
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Manual film loading, winding, and focusing
• Photos aren't always sharp

... Read more

Features

• Originally designed as a pocket-sized Soviet spy camera
• Renders brilliant, super-saturated colors (for sample photos, click on the "See more pictures" link above)
• Takes amazing night photos
• Sturdy, stylish retro construction
• Easy to use, takes normal 35mm film (2 rolls included)

Reviews (54)

Know your metric system
I've had this adorable camera for a year, and take it with me wherever I go. While other reviews recommend this for experienced photographers, I'm not convinced that would make much of a difference.
No, it is not a point-and-shoot in the traditional respects, but it is vastly simple. I've gotten fantastic shots in dimly lit bars and sunny Hawaiian beaches, all on the same "automatic" light setting. The compact size allows me to tuck into wee little evening purses and pester my friends all night long; yet it has a wonderful solid weight that means business and provides a cool retro feel.
My big issue continues to be with focusing, but sometimes the blurry shots are actually the best ones on the roll. There are four focul lengths-- 0.8 meters, 1.5 meters, 3 meters, and infinite. I find it hard enough to estimate distance in feet; switch to meters and it's even trickier. As the camera style provides no way to verify your subject is precisely in focus, this may lead to some disapointing results if you badly misjudge the distance.
My favorite thing about the lomo is the unexpected qualities in each shot. You may think you've got a roll of normal me-and-the-guys shots, but they come back from the developer with beautifully rich colors, amazing light effects, and a remarkable (and most pleasing) improvement to everyone's skin tone. If your goal is plain and simple shots, save a few bucks and go for whatever point-and-shoot is in your price range. If you want something a little more unusual, something that doesn't always provide the expected,and something that makes your and yours look like superheros,the lomo's what you want.
A note: there are nine small screws that hold the various parts together. It's a good idea to check these over and tighten them before you use your lomo the first time, as at least one has been loose in every lomo I've seen. They tighten with a phillips eyeglass screwdriver.

Need to know the basics
I've been a photographer for 10+ years and the Lomo has made me fall in love with photography all over again. You can take similar pictures with a good 35mm and a filter, but it's really all about the size of the Lomo that makes it outstanding. This thing fits in my pocket so that I can take it anywhere, and the results are incredible.

The Lomo is a whole lot of fun if you want to randomly shoot and don't mind blurry or streaked photos when the pictures come back. But it's a little difficult to use if you know what you want to do but don't know a whole lot about photography. Because it's a 2.8 wide-angle lens, depth of field and lens speed are welcome features for the experienced but may be a little mystifying for the novice. It takes some practice before you start to really know what you're doing and how to do it.

But it's unlike any other compact camera out there, and in terms of creativity, it offers an unprecedented amount of leeway. If you're dedicated enough and love photography, then this is for you. If you want a point and shoot for family pictures, don't bother.

Actually, zero stars. but that wasn't an option
I don't care about whether pix taken with this camera are good or asthetically pleasing, if you like blur or vignetting or whatever, well great you can take pix like that with this camera or any other camera. and you can take sharp pix too. LS (lomographic society) makes several inaccurate claims about this camera.

1 they say it is sturdy, and robust: It's not. mine broke from a drop that wouldn't break an egg. (i'm not exaggerating). Ive heard of many other people having similar experiences, There are even glowing reviews and testimonies of the lomo that mention getting second and thirds because the first and second broke.

2 They say it is unique. Rollei 35 (series). Minox 35 (series). Olympus XA (series). Chinon Bellami. Cosina CX (series). The lomo is a copy, a poor copy, of Cosina's CX1. need i say more.

3 Dazzling supersaturated colors. If you put Portra VC through it you will get that. If you put Portra NC through it you get normal colors. If you put HP5 through it you won't get any colors. Generally lower speed film has greater color saturation and since it is only 400 fast (i think 800 is the begining of fast) results are generally saturated. it has nothing to do with the lens. I've seen the comparisons.

4. it's hip. Maybe four years ago it was.

5. It's a russian spy camera. Never was. it was a camera for the glorious prolatariat. Can you find mention of it in any KGB history/trivia/fan sites?

investigate your options before you buy if you are willing to pay big monies get a minox 35ml if you want it on the cheap get a olympus XA. ... Read more

Asin: B00004S9WR
Subjects:  1. Compact, Automatic    2. Camera (Cameras)    3. 35 mm (millimeter)    4. Photograph (Photography)   

Pinhole Photography
by Focal Press
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (October, 1999)
list price: $39.99 -- our price: $27.19
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (7)

If you are serious about pinhole photography, read on
Simply put, this is the BEST book available on the subject of pinhole photography. Eric Renner has found a balance between the art and science of this art form and put it in to print for all of us to share. If you are going to buy only one book on the subject, this is the one to get.

An excellent introduction to this nearly lost art form.
This is one of the best guides for anyone wanting to explore the world of pinhole photography. Eric Renner delves into the both the historical aspects of pinhole photography as well as presenting practical information for the exploration of this nearly lost art form. This book will inform, educate, and inspire you to explore the world of lens-less photography.

The most incredible photography book I have ever read!
When I ordered this book, I expected it would cover the basics of pinhole photography, and it does. What I didn't expect was that the book would grab me and kept me under the spell with its incredible narration of pinhole history, practitionners experiments and techniques, and also beautiful pictures.

Eric Renner manages to write a very deep, but yet fun to read prose where he quotes many famous and obscure figures. You get to hear the words Leonardo da Vinci or Plato, but also the thought processes of the photographer (among many others) who build 120 pinholes, put them in a waterproof container with instruction of use and set them at sea with a return address. This book if chock full of fun ideas for the people who like to tinker with things and build cameras out of anything, from a matchbox to a hole in the ground (and you can also make a pinhole camera with your mouth or fist... ... Read more

Isbn: 0240803507
Sales Rank: 105007
Subjects:  1. Photo Techniques    2. Photographic Techniques Using Specific Equipment    3. Photography    4. Photography, Pinhole    5. Techniques - Equipment    6. Techniques - General    7. Photographic equipment & techniques    8. Photography / Techniques    9. Special kinds of photography   

Adventures With Pinhole and Home-Made Cameras: From Tin Cans to Precision Engineering
by Rotovision
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 July, 2003)
list price: $30.00 -- our price: $18.90
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (1)

Not for the adventurer
I was disappointed to discover that "Adventures With Pinhole and Home-Made Cameras" amounts basically to a coffee table book of photographs, with frustratingly brief sketches of the "who and how" of their making. It is not a practically-oriented book for the photographic tinkerer.

Even the most sophisticated designs in the book are explained in only a cursory way. Helpful diagrams and hints to construction techniques are rare. Detailed descriptions and breakdowns of real home-made cameras are missing altogether!

The book does offer a some clever ideas, like using a wine glass as an improvised lens. There is also a section in the back with information on making pinholes, calculating exposure, etc. These are only a precious few pages, however, and most of the information can be easily found elsewhere.

I bought this book as an educated photographer with an interest in building some unusual designs. I don't think that owning this book would have brought me any closer to that goal. My money would have been better spent on a pair of tin snips. ... Read more

Isbn: 2880467144
Sales Rank: 129968
Subjects:  1. Photo Techniques    2. Photography    3. Techniques - Equipment    4. Techniques - General   

Nikon Coolpix 2100 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
by Nikon
Average Customer Review:
Electronics

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Editorial Review

The Nikon Coolpix 2100 is a good choice for digital photography beginners, offering a compact size, 2-megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom, and a bevy of automated scene controls that are customizeable.

The 2-megapixel CCD sensor captures bright images that can be printed up to 8 x 10 inches. However, 2 megapixels just doesn’t seem enough, especially when 3-megapixel cameras--like the Nikon 3100--are becoming so affordable. The movie mode captures smooth video up to 640 x 480 pixels for 7 seconds (or a more jaggy 15-second, 320 x 240-pixel videos), but it doesn’t offer any sound.

One of the most impressive features of the Nikon 2100 is its size. From the online pictures we originally viewed, we imagined it to be large and a bit clunky. While it’s a biton the chunky side, the 2100 is surprisingly small. Plus, the rounded ergonomic hand grip rested comfortably and securely in our hand.

The Nikon 2100 offers a whopping 14 scene modes that automatically set the camera’s white balance, exposure, and focusing point for different situations. The easy-to-learn software system features large icons and text to guide you through your choices. And some of the modes even provide an "assist" feature, with outlines of figures or landscapes to help line up the shot.

We had fun playing around with the scene modes and snapping pictures that made the most out of the shooting environment. However, we felt we lost some spontaneity if we relied too much on switching through the modes.

The Nikon 2100 is an affordable choice for a point-and-shoot camera that offers sharp, bright images and brings a lot of flexibility to the party. It comes with a starter 16 MB memory card and alkaline batteries, and we recommend a higher-capacity Compactflash card and rechargeable AA-size NiMH batteries.--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• Compact size, comfortable in the hand
• Customizeable scene modes
• 2-megapixel resolution for prints up to 8 x 10 inches

Cons:

• Scene modes can be a bit too customizeable, and distract you from the shot

... Read more

Features

• 2-megapixel sensor creates 1,600 x 1,200 images for prints up to 8 x 10 inches
• 3x optical zoom
• One-touch upload to PC; 14 scene modes
• Includes 16 MB Starter CompactFlash card
• Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port

Reviews (54)

Compact, Fast and Easy
I was an HP user for years until I found this little camera. I can't say enough good things about it, but here are a few that might help you make a decision when considering a purchase.

1) This is a small camera. Finally, someone packed more features than I could ever use into the smallest form factor I have ever seen.

2) You can manipulate virtually any setting to create the perfect photo everytime.

3) The battery life is astonishingly good. I use lithium CR-3V batteries and they last for about 200 pictures WITH FLASH and WITH THE LCD DISPLAY.

4) Compact Flash Memory--the most economical form of storage.

5) Glass lens, optical zoom, and lens cover ensure you get up close, clear pictures without any scratches or dust on the image.

6) Lightweight--not only is it small, you can drop this in your briefcase or into your jacket pocket and hardly know it is there.

7) AUTO mode works 95% of the time. It is seldom that i have to fiddle with mode settings to get the picture right. Nikon uses smart technology to capture the image in its true form.

8) Balanced color - no other camera I have used reproduces color as well in the 2MP range.

Hope you enjoy this camera as much as I have.

very cute camera that produces great pictures
I just bought the camera today and I'm really happy with it.
Few weeks earlier, I bought the Sony DSCP52, played around with it, and then decided to return it. Sony does have a lot of features (and SOUND with the movie), but there are 3 important factors: the cost of the memory card, the size, and weight.

PROS for Nikon 2100:
===================

1) Supports compact flash memory cards.
-This makes a HUGE difference as it will save you a lot of money.

2) Small compact camera.

-Unlike the Sony DSCP52 that makes your hand feel tired after holding it for too long with one hand.

3) Weight.
-Very light

4) Doesn't use a proprietary battery like other small cameras.
-Mine came with the nikon coolpix rechargeable Ni-Mh70 batteries (these ones are really good ).

5) So many modes to choose from depending on your situation.
-I don't know which other camera in this class comes with this many modes (like ones for fireworks, sunset/sunrise, beaches, etc.)

6) Image transfer.
-This was pretty quick and easy. Installing the software doesn't take too long either.

CONS:
====

1) The manual is just way too confusing. It's kind of hard to follow, and I'm eager to discover all the wonderful things and features that I can use with the camera. I guess it takes a lot of time.

2) No sound with the movie.

3) Gets scratched easily + not very solid built (I'm always scared of damaging the battery door).

4) When turning LCD mon on, it takes a few secs (though this is tolerable).

Overall:
=======
Note: I'm a beginner at taking digital pictures; this will be my first digital camera! But as a beginner, I find this camera to satisfy more than enough for my basic demands. I have yet to try out the sunrise mode, but so far the ones I've taken in my room look really good. I compared the pictures to the ones my friend took (Sony DSCP72) and they do look relatively the same. So unless you really need to print out huge pictures, 2.0MP is adequate.

Good party camera!
I really offer this for someone who wants to buy a party-recording device, or a tiny automatic machine. No manual focus, no manual aperture, but easy-to-use, handy machine. There are some good pre-programmed modes available also. 40-50 pictures can be made with well charged batteries. Good and user-friendly sw also included. ... Read more

Asin: B00008J639
Subjects:  1. Digital Camera (Cameras)    2. Photograph (Photography)