Camera Talk

Hi, all -

I posted about this camera in June, 2023. Have finally finished the first roll, presented, warts and all, below. Images from Birdsboro, PA, and Lewes, DE.

img208 by Scott, on Flickr

img209 by Scott, on Flickr

img210 by Scott, on Flickr

img214 by Scott, on Flickr

img213 by Scott, on Flickr

img216 by Scott, on Flickr

The good: It's completely thoughtless to use, process-wise. Just have to make sure to hold the camera steady when tripping the shutter, a feat that took me a couple iterations to learn. It's incredibly fun to look through the wonky, distorted viewer. It's light as hell. It's kitschy and cool. And, most importantly, produces surprisingly good images with arguably less than minimal equipment. It's a true point-and-shoot. As long as there's decent enough light, all good.

The bad: Film flatness is, well, fleeting at best. The camera is very easy to shake while exposing (I think something like 1/50 sec, so...). The back assembly isn't incredibly tight, or lightproof. Which can probably be improved. But why? These are apparently popular with the hipsters who think they're somehow innovating by using film in vintage cameras. The look from this camera is why. It's just really cool, and authentic. If I wanted razor sharp, or better resolution, there are other tools for that.

The really bad: Shanghai GP3 sucks. Like, worst handling film I've ever used. Ever. I think it came out of the package scratched. I don't necessarily coddle film while processing, but I didn't do this level of damage to it. It's pretty contrasty and grainy, even in HC-110 dil H, which handles Foma films nicely. And it's expensive - I think I paid a little over $15 a roll after shipping on eBay. Have one more roll, then will see what other options there are.

This obviously will not be an everyday shooter, but will be fun to haul out on occasion, and Maddie will be super happy that I finally used it.

Thanks for looking.
Scott

Brownie Reflex by Scott, on Flickr

Fully agree on Shanghai GP3, it is a disgrace of a film. Your results look very promising, discounting film troubles.

Never handled a Brownie Reflex, but it looks interesting. Does it use 620?

Thanks, Julio. I will *never* buy again. I think I can do a bit of modification to the camera to improve function and results a bit, but overall I don't want to change it much.

This shoots 127. My first time using that format. I like it a lot, but have no functional way of scanning it effectively. And the Shanghai curls more than ANY film I've ever used.