I wish this camera was mine, but it is not…it was lent to me by a friend to try out. He wants it back and I am not surprised given the prices they are commanding right now, even for-parts ones are expensive. Just look at it though, it is one of the smallest cameras I have ever used. I used small bananas for scale.
When I first picked it up I thought it was an APS camera. When introduced in 1993 it was indeed the smallest and lightest autofocus camera ever made. Not only that, it has a macro lens that can focus at 35cm. You can turn the flash off, but the settings reset when you turn it off. With a f3.5 28mm lens, it really is a cracker.
I put an Ilford FP4 through the camera on walks around some northern cities. Halfway through the film I switched to Panoramic mode which I have become a little obsessed with recently. Here are a few shots from that roll.
I liked the results so much that I loaded it with another film and left the camera on panoramic mode. I used half a roll in Manchester at the marathon, before I returned the camera.
I loved using this camera, the size was perfect for keeping in my pocket. It was so small and light I might have even tried some street photography with it at some point…if it was mine.
Just look at some other sample shots on the Lomography website. Sometimes when I check there for other cameras, the shots are dull and look like they are taken on expired film. Not for this camera though, they are all sharp and well exposed.
Here are a couple more reviews with high praise for this camera.
35mmc
Casual Photophile
If I won the lottery and wanted to buy one point and shoot, I would think about this one. Then again, the owner of the camera said to me, I must have another point and shoot that does panoramic. Of course I do. So I put the rest of the film in the Pentax 928M and took some more panoramics.
It was not as light, not quite as sharp, not nearly as small, but it is mine and does work well. Best of all it is cheap so if it breaks I can replace it…hmm, still want the AF600 🙂
Do those bananas still meet EU standards?
They are a bit small and do not have the right curvature…but it doesn’t matter now.
Superb shots, great camera.
I’ve got a Nikon L35AF so I kinda understand your appreciation of this beauty and I too am shocked at the prices these now command!
I know right, I looked into buying one…nope.
Told ya it was a goodie!!
Great photos, I really like your interesting use of panorama mode. I’d have never thought of that, but will now.
In your part of the world on a bright day with colour film you’d get some fabulous landscape shots from the hill tops, it’s perfect for taking on a bike ride in the Dales or Peak District.
The L35AF Darrell mentioned is a cracker too. I picked minty one with case up from a carboot sale about 5 years ago for £5. I still regret selling it, but I did make a huge profit, it has a lot more heft than the AF600 but I like that. It felt really good in the hand if you know what I mean.
That’s a gem of a camera indeed. In 15 years of looking, I’ve found just two of ’em in thrift shops. The AF600 sells for insane prices on the Bay … but I’d say it’s worth it. Echoing Toby’s comment, you found a unique way to use the panorama mode. Who needs an XPan?!!
Thanks, the pentax did pretty well too and I have another point and shoot with that mode to try. So watch this space.