I was recently lamenting the fact that I didn’t own any Genba Kantoku cameras anymore. I recently sold the Canon Sureshot A1 I bought during lockdown, I couldn’t resist the profit margin. So I saved up some money that was donated to the site via Kofi and decided to spend it on something similar. I looked for something study or waterproof, and I hadn’t tried before. This camera came under my radar so I looked for it and a listing showed up on eBay. I put on the minimum bid and luckily for me, nobody else made another.

It came with all the stuff. It had a bag, closeup attachments, a manual, and a film holder. It even had spare o-rings still sealed. I was so happy when it arrived. I loaded some batteries straight away…it didn’t work 🙁 Not only that, but all the rubber grips were falling off. So, I glued them back on with some waterproof glue, then started to clean out the battery compartment with vinegar as there was a little residue in there. Then I tried again…success, it started working as it should, phew.

The next thing I did was check the O-rings. They were fine, with no cracks, no dirt, and still pliable. I added some new silicone grease to keep them in top condition and to avoid using the replacements just yet.

It arrived just at the right time as the weather here has been awful. It has rained so much, the complete opposite of the rest of Europe. I first used the camera on a wet camping trip to the North Yorkshire coast.

I had wanted to visit Staithes for a while and the nearby seaside town of Saltburn by the Sea. I noticed there was a cycle route from one to the other along the Cleveland Way, and here is me with a lovely electric bike.

So, just before the start of the summer break, I took a weekend trip to both. I camped at a lovely remote farm, then drove to Staithes the next morning with my bike in the car. After a short look around, I started my journey to Saltburn. At first, the weather was glorious and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. It wasn’t easy, not even with an electric bike. There were quite a few very steep hills. One was so steep that I had to use all the power and even then had to weave from side to side. On the way back, when I saw the hill from the top, I could not believe I got up it. I was nervous to go down it and kept my brakes on most of the way. It was so hilly, that once home I had to get my brakes checked and adjusted. Here is the route I took.

It was about 17km each way. That would have been fine on the flat, but the hills meant that on the way back I was worried about the battery on my bike becoming exhausted. I was right to be concerned, it died as I pulled back into the car park, phew. The way back was awful due to the weather, there was a thunderstorm and I looked like a drowned rat by the time I returned to Staithes. I still loved it though.

Anyway, how was the camera? Here are the Fuji 200 photos from that trip.

Well, that worked well and the weather didn’t bother the camera at all. Plus, it reaffirms my love for Fuji Colour film…damn it.

I realised I hadn’t tested the flash, the close-up filter or tried it underwater even though it got drenched. So I loaded another roll and took it for a rainy walk around Leeds with West Yorkshire Cameras and Ilford. It was so wet/windy that we eventually took shelter inside a bar. Before that, I did dip my camera in a pond and took photos of some ducks. I fully immersed the camera and it carried on working, no water went inside the battery compartment. Unfortunately, the pond was too murky for the underwater photos to come out.

Here are some of the results from the HP5 film I loaded.

The close-up set-up was interesting. There are two systems, a cage and prongs. I used the cage, not the prongs, but I wasn’t sure if you had to place the cage on or close to the item to be photographed. I tried some plants as they didn’t move, and then I tried to get a photo of our budgies. They were nervous about the camera so they didn’t really come close, not even for dandelion leaves. I think I would need a lot more practice with that setup to master it. The ducks were tricky too as I couldn’t look through the viewfinder due to the water, you are not allowed in the pond. Maybe snorkelling or swimming in a pool would be easier.

Anyway, I loved the camera and it is nice to have a fully waterproof one again. If you want to read more reviews or technical details then check out the links below.

Mike Eckman
http://www.brokencamera.club/blog/canonas6
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Canon_Aqua_Snappy/AS-6