Plastic Fantastic - The Kalimar Zoom 35-55mm

May I present the Kalimar Zoom 35-55mm, yet another one dollar thrift camera. This slick looking plastic wonder sports a 35-55mm Kalimar Precision zoom lens and a built in flash. Its unique look makes it one of the most stylish of my plastic camera collection. Other than the flash, there is no exposure control, so the camera relies heavily on the latitude of most color print films. The shutter sounds like is fires at around 1/100th of a second and I am guessing the fixed lens aperture is f11. The lens is fixed focus or "Focus Free" if you prefer, and seems to have a focus range of 4 ft to ∞, zoom range is 35-55mm neither very wide angle or telephoto.

Here are the Specifications as near as I can tell:
Camera Type: Compact 35mm film camera with built in zoom lens and flash
Lens: 35-55mm Kalimar Precision zoom lens manually driven
Focusing: Focus Free (fixed focus)
Exposure System: Fixed shutter speed assumed 1/100th Fixed aperture f11?
Flash: Built in Manual on/off via switch
Film Advance: Manual via knurled dial with manual rewind
Power Source: Single AA Battery for flash
Other Features: Rubberized hand grips and zoom dial, wrist strap, film type window, frame counter, instructions for use printed on back of camera

Images from this camera to follow soon.

Plastic Fantastic - The Excel Deluxe-I

I thought I would indulge my fascination for cheap plastic camera this weekend, so may I present the Excel Deluxe-I. A thrift store find, this plastic wonder has all the styling of a 35mm SLR, with none of the features.

Here are the Specifications as near as I can tell:
Camera Type: 35mm viewfinder camera
Lens: Allegedly a 50mm f1:6 Optical Color Lens (I am pretty sure it is plastic)
Shutter: One speed I am guessing around 1/100th depending on the age of the spring,
Exposure Control: Manual via aperture setting "Full Sun," "Half Sun," "Cloud" and "Flash"
Viewfinder: You can see through it and seems vaguely useful for framing
Film Advance: Manual via knurled dial.
Other Features: Built in hot shoe for flash, built in clear lens protector, Frame counter, Tripod Socket, Raise hand grip and Red shutter release button.
Country of Manufacture: Taiwan

I am pretty sure the body has a lead weight in it as the camera seems to weight more than I would expect from its plastic construction.

My first roll through this camera is hanging to dry, test scans will be posted soon.

Lomokino Take 1

Lomography Society Lomokino FujiFilm Neopan SS 100 Adonal (Rodinal) 1:50 - My 1st movie with my new Lomokino. In a nutshell an analog movie camera that uses standard 35mm film to make short movies. Morning information can be found here Lomography Society Lomokino.  This video comprises and entire roll of 36 exposure film to "short" movies is the operative word. I used Fujifilm Neopan 100 SS developed in Adox Adonal (Rodinal) at 1:50 to add the the grainy vintage look. Not bad for a first try. The camera is hand cranked adding a jittery feel to the sequence. 

Plastic Glory

My Diana F+ in here her plastic Glory. The second shot shows the FUJIFILM Instax Back.

Instant Diana F+ Lomography

Diana F+ with a FUJIFILM Instax Back. Instant film, a cheap plastic camera with a plastic lens, 2 German Shepherds and a Blonde. What more could an Analog photographer ask for.
More on the Diana here Diana F+.