First roll of film with the Lomography LomoApparat 35 mm camera using Kodak Gold 200 | Review and sample photos from our trip to St. Augustine, Florida

July 16, 2023

I was SO excited when I found out I was one of the winners of the “Human Stories” Lomography TEN AND ONE 2021 Photography Competition. But I was even more excited when I discovered that my prize was the LomoApparat 35 mm film camera. It’s Lomography’s newest camera and is an experimental, ultra wide 35 mm film camera with a vintage, retro look and tons of features for creating unique, original photographs.

I received the camera right before my birthday and decided to try it out for the first time on my birthday trip to St. Augustine, Florida. I used a roll of Kodak Gold 200 to really give a golden beach glow to the photos. I LOVE taking Kodak Gold on any tropical or beach trip I go on because it adds such a nice, warm atmosphere. In a typical photo shoot situation, I actually prefer NOT to use Kodak Gold because I tend to favor cooler tones. But for the beach, ALWAYS Kodak Gold.

The camera itself was a lot less sturdy than I was expecting. It’s extremely light, made of plastic and feels more like a disposable point and shoot camera than anything else. But when it comes down to it, I don’t really mind. Mostly because I drop my cameras constantly. I throw them in my bag and drag them all over the world. I’m not the best camera mom, if we’re being honest. So I actually prefer that it’s not super fancy because I would destroy it. I still think the camera has a super cool, unique look to it. But ultimately what makes this camera special is all of the creative control it allows for. The various lens attachments, the colorful flash filters, the multiple exposure function and the wide angle lens. It’s just a fun camera to use, all around. The lens is much sharper than I thought it would be, however I did notice that when I used the kaleidoscope filter, the very center of the image would be out of focus. I was pretty bummed about this because I love using kaleidoscope filters. Though it does seem to be a bit sharper if you use the kaleidoscope filter for close-up portraits, rather than landscapes or distant shots. I love how all of the double exposures turned out and I LOVE the wide angle lens. I’ve always been more about composition than anything else, especially when I’m traveling, and the ultra wide lens allows me to capture everything I want and need in a photo.

The only thing I really had trouble with was loading the film. It took a few tries to figure it out and to be sure the film was grabbing as I was winding the film advance dial. Once it was loading correctly, there was much more tension and the film dial almost wanted to spring backwards. So, you’ll notice when the film is actually caught and is advancing through the camera. I’m planning on doing a more in-depth video about the film loading for this camera very soon, so stay tuned!

I just posted a video on my YouTube channel about the LomoApparat and our trip to St. Augustine, so make sure to check that out! Or you can scroll down to check out all of the photos from my first roll of film with the LomoApparat. Overall, I think the camera is super fun and versatile. I honestly can’t wait to take it on another trip and try out a few of the other features. If you love point and shoot cameras and you love having ultimate creative control, then the LomoApparat won’t let you down. I’ll be sure to share more full film rolls from this camera in the future, but for now, I’ve included all of the photos from my very first roll of film with the LomoApparat below. :)

PURCHASE THE LOMO APPARAT ON KEH CAMERA!

PURCHASE KODAK GOLD 200 35MM FILM ON AMAZON!

#CommissionsEarned

If you found this post helpful or if you’d like to see more of my work, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards film & processing. Find out more here!

Feel free to leave any questions/comments/thoughts below! Have a lovely day!

<3 Myles Katherine

Contax T2 35 mm Camera Review with Samples Photos | Is the Contax T2 Really Worth the Hype?

June 25, 2023

Here we go - the famous Contax T2. I was one of the lucky ones and picked up a Contax T2 before they became one of the most sought after point-and-shoot 35 mm cameras out there (thanks a lot, Kendall Jenner)! I think I paid about $500 for one in near mint condition, but now they’re going for anywhere from $750-2000 depending on the condition. The question is -

Is it Worth All of the Hype?

The Contax T2 has a lot of amazing features that many of my other 35 mm point-and-shoot cameras do not have. It has a sturdy and beautiful titanium body, a SUPER sharp and crisp Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 38 mm f/2.8 lens and features such as aperture priority, flash, exposure compensation and manual and automatic focus controls. It has many of the features you’d expect in a larger, professional camera, but is small enough to fit in your pocket. When it first came out in the 1990s, it was created to appeal to the professional and luxury camera market. And personally, I have yet to come across a 35 mm film camera that can create images as sharp as the ones I’ve gotten with the Contax T2. It makes sense that once the secret was out, this camera blew up. There’s a reason all of these celebrities are using this camera and it’s because they want the best and this is it. It automatically makes everything look high fashion and amazing because of the sharp lens. Plus it’s small and inconspicuous, yet beautiful to look at.

But is it Worth the Expensive Price Tag?

Personally, the Contax T2 is a missing a key function that I NEED in a camera - a multiple exposure function. While, yes, you can rewind the film and shoot over the images you’ve already taken, I prefer to have more control over my multiple exposures. Because of this, I don’t end up using the camera very often. It’s just a personal preference that I’ve discovered about myself as a photographer over the years. However, my Contax T2 was having a bit of trouble at one point with the battery connections and would occasionally lock up in the middle of taking a photo. Because of this, I’d shut down and restart the camera and it would accidentally shoot over the same frame, causing accidental double exposures. I’ve included a few of these images below. However, they were not planned and don’t necessarily count as a positive attribute of the camera. Since then, I’ve figured out a loophole for stopping the camera from freezing mid-shot, by pushing down the shutter button very slowly but firmly. I’ve been meaning to send my Contax T2 off for service, but when I discovered that it was a minimum of $400 to repair it, I decided to hold off for the moment (Nippon Photoclinic was the only professional camera repair store I could find that I would trust with my Contax T2). Plus, I don’t really mind these accidental double exposures. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the Contax T2 is expensive to repair. The camera itself isn’t getting any younger either, as they were initially released in the early 1990s and are now around 30 years old. The reality is, if you DO want to try this camera out, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later. They aren’t going to last forever and in today’s world, they’re probably just going to get MORE expensive. If you’re desperate to try it out, I recommend keeping an eye on the Ebay listings for a few weeks to get an idea of the price point they’re going for. Sometimes, one will pop up that might fly under the radar and end up getting yourself a good deal. You can also set a price watch on Amazon and watch for fluctuations in price. KEH camera also gets them in every once in a while and have a thorough testing and rating system for their used items.

Would I Purchase a Contax T2 Today?

Probably not. It’s an incredible camera but without a multiple exposure function, it’s hard for me to justify spending that much money on a camera I just wouldn’t use very often. However, I am glad that I had the chance to experience the camera because it is pretty amazing. I love how sharp the photographs are and I especially love how small and easy it is to travel with. It packs a lot into a tiny little camera body. Plus, the titanium body is truly beautiful and makes the camera feel and look expensive when you’re holding it in your hand. As a Japanese camera brand, you can expect attention to detail and quality. Even the protective camera case it comes with feels soft and amazing in your hands. I’ve considered selling my Contax T2 many times, since I don’t get around to using it very often. Even with the battery issues I’ve been having, I could still probably sell it for more than I purchased it for. But there really is something special about the Contax T2 so I’m finding it hard to let it go. If you have the money and are willing to invest, you won’t be disappointed by the camera quality and sharpness of the photographs. Just make sure you get one that doesn’t have any previously known issues and that comes from a reputable seller. I think the Contax T2 is worth all of the hype, as long as you’re not breaking the bank to purchase it. Sure, there are other high end 35 mm cameras out there that are more affordable, but I have yet to come across one that beats the quality of the Contax T2.

Where Can I Buy a Contax T2?

Amazon

Ebay

KEH Camera

#ad

I’ve included a few of my favorite images I’ve taken over the years with my Contax T2. I also posted a review on my YouTube channel, so be sure to check that out too!

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. Thanks so much for stopping by!

<3 Myles Katherine

(click to enlarge images)

Review of the Lomo'Instant Wide Camera with Sample Photos | Instax Wide Film vs. Instax Mini Film

May 31, 2023

Lomo’Instant Wide “Victoria Peak” Edition

In my opinion, the Lomo’Instant Wide Camera doesn’t get enough attention. Many of the Lomography instant cameras, like the Lomo’Instant Automat, take Instax Mini Film, while the Lomo’Instant Wide takes Instax Wide film. Personally, I find the Instax Wide photos to be much more satisfying, better quality and more along the lines of traditional, old-school polaroids. The frame size is nearly twice the size of the Instax Mini’s and have an overall classic vibe to them that I can never seem to accomplish with the Mini film.

I don’t use my Lomo’Instant Wide as much as I’d like, because it is quite a large camera. You can watch my YouTube video about the Lomo’ Instant Wide to get a better idea of it’s size, but if this is the only camera you plan to carry around with you, then you’re good to go. My problem is I tend to bring 10 cameras with me every time I leave the house, so this one doesn’t end up making the cut most of the time, sadly. Not because I don’t love the photos, but because the camera simply doesn’t fit in my bag!

When I have photo shoots inside my studio at my house though, this camera always makes an appearance. I have the “Victoria Peak” edition of the camera and I love the black sparkles it has on the front. There are a variety of styles to choose from, which is part of the fun of Lomography cameras.

5 of my favorite features of the Lomo’Instant Wide

You can do multiple exposures!

If you follow my work, you know that multiple exposures are a necessity for me when it comes to buying a camera. The Lomo’Instant Wide is actually SUPER easy to do multiple exposures, and even comes with a fun splitzer lens to experiment with.

2. The flash is optional!

With some of my older, vintage polaroid cameras, you don’t have control over whether the flash goes off or not. If I’m photographing outside, I don’t always want to use a flash because it can easily wash out or overexposure your subject. I love that the Lomo’Instant Wide has a button that easily turns off the flash for ultimate creative control.

3. The images are more detailed than the Instax Mini Film

I scan all of my own film at home and I find that the Instax Wide Film looks much sharper and more detailed than the Instax Mini film. This makes the images themselves more usable for prints, social media, etc. There is a lack of clarity that the Instax Mini film has, probably because the images are just so small to start off with.

INSTAX WIDE FILM:

INSTAX MINI FILM:

4. The Color Tones of the film are better than the Instax Mini Film

This may just be a personal preference, but I find the overall color tones of the Instax Wide film to be more pleasing to look at. The tones are natural and warm, more reminiscent of the polaroid film from the 70s and 80s.

5. The Camera Itself Offers a Ton of Creative Control

In comparison to the original vintage Polaroid cameras, the Lomo’Instant Wide offers a LOT more creative control. Vintage Polaroid cameras are more or less point and shoot cameras, with very few features other than adjusting for lightness/darkness. The Lomo’Instant Wide is great because it comes with a selection of tools to help make your photos more unique such as a close-up lens, a splitzer, a self-timer remote, auto/bulb/slow shutter options, ultra-wide attachment and colored gel flash filters.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This camera is super fun and really offers a lot for the price point. I’ve had mine for years and have never had a problem with it. As with all instant cameras, it takes some patience when learning the controls and the best distance for photographing your subjects. But personally, sometimes I like the images that end up a bit blurry because they are completely unique and memorable and have that classic “Polaroid” vibe. If you’re looking for more creative control than the standard Instax Mini cameras, then this is a perfect upgrade. The images themselves are larger and sharper and you have more control over the outcome of the photo.

Where to buy the Lomo’Instant Wide Camera and Film:

Camera:

Amazon

Ebay

Ebay (Victoria Peak Edition)

Film:

Amazon

Ebay

#CommissionsEarned

You can watch my unboxing and initial thoughts about the Lomo’Instant Wide on my YouTube Channel, and get to see some of the first images I ever took with it!