Throwback Edit Version: I edited this in April 2024, checked links and converted it to the new WordPress format.

I could find nothing about this camera online (in 2024 it was pretty much the same). The few bits and pieces I did find, were in Japanese, the only English sites were about selling one. The prices range from $1-$100. I paid $3 for mine, I think it is worth so much more. I have an Olympus Mju and that is always lorded as an awesome point-and-shoot, which it is. This camera worked just as well for me with comparable options and for a fraction of the price. It also feels smaller and lighter.

 

According to this website this camera was released in 1995 for a suggested retail price of 45,000 yen, which even today is a very big price for a point-and-shoot. The lens zooms from 28-70mm with apertures from F3.5 and speeds up to 1/500 (at 28mm). The focusing system is a 3-point multi-beam infrared active autofocus 0.5m ~ ∞ with macro mode 0.4m ~ 1m.

That means the aperture is not as wide as the Olympus, but for the price difference, I would be happy. Anyway, thank goodness for Google Translate. I think this is an awesome camera.

For this film, I decided to try processing the C41 film at home. I have already processed black and white, so why not colour? I found a kit on eBay which said I could process at 24 degrees C. The usual temperature of 38 degrees is supposed to be hard to maintain. I found this a bit odd as the developing time was just 3.5 minutes for that temp but at 24, the developing time was 13.5 minutes…much longer to maintain it for.

The camera made all the right noises, I felt it was working well. Here are the results.

Well, the camera did work very well. I loved it. But I am not too sure about the processing. The photos are ok, but the tint is an indication that all was not well. On the other hand they came out better than the local shop I used last time. So I think I will have another go at some point. As the chemicals do not keep for a long time, unlike the black and white ones, and they cannot be bought in regular shops in Japan…I will have to use them soon.

So keep or sell? Well I doubt I will get what I think it is worth so I am tempted to sell the Olympus Mju and keep this one. I will ponder this for a little while before deciding.

Oh and these photos were taken in Tsurumi at Sojiji.