Kodak Snapic A1: A $99 Film Camera for Easy Double Exposures
▼ Summary
– Reto, a Hong Kong-based camera maker, has announced the Snapic A1, a new 35mm film camera that ships next week with a $99 price tag and a design resembling disposable cameras.
– The camera features a three-element 25mm glass lens with a fixed f/9.5 aperture and a shutter speed locked at 1/100 second, along with a built-in flash that automatically activates in low light.
– It offers two focus zones for closeup/portrait photography (0.5-1.5 meters) and landscapes, utilizing its extensive depth of field, but lacks autofocus.
– A toggle switch enables a double exposure mode, allowing users to creatively layer two images on a single frame without post-processing.
– The Snapic A1 includes a small OLED screen to display battery life and remaining exposures, with battery life rated for up to 10 rolls of 24-exposure film using AAAs, and users can choose their preferred color.
For photographers seeking an affordable entry into the world of film, the Kodak Snapic A1 presents a compelling option at just ninety-nine dollars. This new 35mm camera from Hong Kong-based Reto, which holds the license for the Kodak brand, combines a simple point-and-shoot design with a creative double exposure feature. While its plastic body in rhino gray or ivory white may evoke the look of a disposable camera, the Snapic A1 is a reusable device aimed at beginners and enthusiasts alike.
The camera is equipped with a three-element 25mm glass lens featuring a fixed aperture of f/9.5 and a shutter speed fixed at 1/100 second. A built-in flash with red-eye reduction activates automatically in dim conditions, which will likely be often due to the combination of a slow lens and fast shutter. This setup ensures you can capture images in a variety of lighting, though low-light performance may require flash assistance.
Focusing is handled through two distinct zones rather than an autofocus system. One setting is optimized for close-ups and portraits when your subject is between half a meter and one and a half meters away. The other covers general and landscape photography, taking advantage of the camera’s generous depth of field to keep most scenes in focus. For creative experimentation, a switch located beside the shutter release lets you engage a double exposure mode, allowing two separate images to be recorded on a single frame without needing any digital editing.
Power comes from two AAA batteries, which are rated to last for approximately ten rolls of 24-exposure film. A small OLED screen on the top of the camera provides useful information such as the remaining number of shots, current battery level, and selected focus mode. Unlike Reto’s earlier Kodak Charmera model, which was sold in blind box packaging with random designs, the Snapic A1 allows buyers to select their preferred color at the time of purchase.
(Source: The Verge)
