Throwback Edit Version: I edited this in August 2024, checked links and converted it to the new WordPress format. While doing this I encountered some formatting issues, especially with the galleries.

I saw this really cheap camera on eBay and thought..why not? So I ordered one and had a play.

There was absolutely nothing to this camera, no seals, no viewfinder, not even a take-up spool. The basic information I could get from the eBay post says that it had a fixed aperture of f8, a fixed focal length of 28mm and a fixed speed of 1/100sec. There was no film type selection, but the instructions said 100 or 400 ASA could be used. I suppose it depended on the light conditions.

Loading the film was a bit weird. There was nowhere to put the ‘end’, you just made sure the sprockets of the film lined up with the prongs. When the shutter is cocked and fired it set off the three shutters in order, one slightly after the other. This arrangement meant there were 3 exposures on the negative with a slight time delay.

But did it work?

Heck yeah and surprisingly well. I am not sure when I would ever use it again or in what context, but it was fun to try. Aiming the camera was a little tricky as there was only a plastic square to look through. As you can see I missed a few times, especially with a fast moving dog.

The final question, keep or sell? It was far too cheap to consider selling so I gave it away.