The Kodak Ektar H35 is a basic, low-cost half-frame 35mm film camera ideal for individuals looking to begin into film photography without breaking the bank. It's a 35mm compact camera with a fixed 22mm wide-angle lens, perfect for capturing ordinary moments and landscapes. The H35 can also take up to 72 shots per roll, when using a 36 exposure roll of film, such as Kodak Gold (36 exp).
Specifications
- Lens: 22mm f/9.5 fixed-focus wide-angle lens
- Shutter Speed: Mechanical single speed shutter (1/100s)
- Viewfinder: Optical viewfinder
- Flash: Built-in flash with on/off modes
- Power: 1x AAA battery
- Film Advance and Rewind: Manual
- Material: ABS plastic
- Dimensions: 110 x 62 x 39mm
- Weight: 100g
Features
I found the Kodak Ektar H35 to be quite simple to use. To get started, just load the 35mm film, manually advance the lever, frame your shot, and push the shutter button. If you wish to take pictures at night, the integrated flash will come on automatically in low-light conditions. With its 72-shot capability made possible with the fantastic half frame function, you can record more moments. This is an excellent option for anyone on a tight budget or who wants more bang for their buck.
Pros and Cons: Weighing Up the Benefits and Drawbacks
Pros:
- Very simple to use with just a single shutter button
- Lightweight, pocketable design
- half-frame feature gives you up to 72 shots per roll to save money
- Retro aesthetics and packaging
- Fast-charging flash
- Wide angle lens suits various scenes
Cons:
- Can break easily if dropped, as it is made of plastic
- No exposure control options besides flash
- Lower image quality to SLRs
Image Quality
The Kodak Ektar H35 produced some nice shots with its dreamy, lo-fi effect with strong vignetting and soft focus. The image quality is perfect for casual shooting and experimentation with film. It would be an improvement over disposable cameras and far more environmentally friendly.
Conclusion
To summarise, the Kodak Ektar H35 was a fun film camera to use, and it is an inexpensive method to take film images with your friends. Its basic design, lo-fi look, and 72-shot capacity make it great for capturing ordinary moments on the fly and an excellent entry point into analog photography. While it is a fantastic camera, the image quality falls short of DSLRs or certain point-and-shoot cameras we have used in the past. If you are a seasoned professional film photographer, you may be underwhelmed. Having saying that, it is still incredibly enjoyable to use and comes highly recommended for any newcomers.
Where to Buy
The Kodak Ektar H35 is available for purchase from our store. We also offer a selection of 35mm films to try, as well as processing services to develop your rolls once you're done shooting.
Additional Tips for Using the Kodak Ektar H35
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Use a lens hood to minimise flare: The fixed acrylic lens can be prone to flare, so using a lens hood can help to reduce this
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Experiment with different film speeds: Experiment with different ISO film speeds to adjust for different lighting conditions. Don't be afraid to shoot with expired film too!
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Be patient with the film advance lever: The film advance lever can be stiff, so take your time and don't force it
- Enjoy the process: Film photography is a journey, so slow down and enjoy the process of capturing your memories on film.