Throwback Edit Version: I edited this in November 2025, checked the links and converted it to the new WordPress blocks format if needed.

After looking for film cameras to test or buy a few names pop up over and over again. One of them being “big mini” from Konica. I think they are usually ridiculously expensive for a point and shoot. Therefore I had no intention of ever buying one. I doubted I would ever see one in a junk big…hello Big Mini Nou.

This version is from 1995 and seems quite rare. There is little about it on the net, especially in English. Once I popped a battery in, I found the flash on this one did not work, which was a shame. But would it work outside? I decided to use some Lomography cyan (now called turquoise) film. After using this film for the first time, I have to say I hate it and don’t see the point. Plus, my scanner cannot handle it at all. So if you do use it, then get a CD made at the time of processing. With that warning, here are my scans.

As I said, I hate the film and feel like throwing away the other Lomography film I have…but won’t. It is hard to say whether the results are due to the processing, the scans or the camera. I think the camera is the last in the line of suspects.

So let me try and talk about the camera. It was fun to use and it seemed to handle all the conditions very well, a few of the shots were in dark areas. They all seem sharp and well exposed.

Due to the flash issue, I am not willing to keep this or sell it. There are so many other cameras out there with a working flash. So this one will go in the bin. If I see a working big mini for a reasonable price, I would recommend buying it…but I would not recommend the film

2025 update: I think it was the processing and the camera; I have since developed a more appreciative attitude towards specialised film. The camera is still rare and I haven’t seen another outside of Japan.