Learning to work within the Limitations of a Toy Camera - Kodak Ektar H35
Sunrise in Avon, North Carolina
On a whim, I picked up the Kodak Ektar H35 film camera. The Kodak is a tiny, lightweight camera that is similar to a disposable camera, but has the ability to replace the film.
The H35 is a toy camera, meaning that it has no ability to change exposure settings or focus. The aperture is fixed at f9.5, the shutter speed at 1/100, and the focus falls roughly around 3 feet/1 meter. ISO is determined by the film speed selected. There is a flash, but I did not test that on this roll of film.
These limitations forced me to fully consider the scene’s composition and light to understand if the camera will be able to create a successful image in the existing conditions. Sometimes I succeeded, other times I didn’t, but shooting this way is an excellent exercise in working on photography shooting skills. I definitely confirmed that I am a ridiculously crooked shooter.
Sunrise at the Avon Fishing Pier, Outer Banks, NC
The H35 is a half frame camera which records two vertical images side by side on one negative, creating a diptych effect, offering opportunities for creative pairings in camera. This format encourages shooting in a vertical orientation, which is something I had gotten away from in recent years and have been working to get back to. The frame counter is difficult to read and I did find myself getting off track from my pairings from time to time which offered an element of surprise that I fully enjoyed.
Roanoke Island Maritime Museum and a roadside field of flowers
For simplicity, I ordered the bundle which included the camera and a roll of Kodak Ultramax 400 speed film. The roll had 36 exposures, which resulted in roughly 72 images. Ultramax is a versatile film that works well in both daylight and lower light conditions . It has warm tones and strong saturation, which I felt would work well at the beach. The film does have pretty obvious grain, which I personally love in film photographs as it triggers the feelings of nostalgia that I long for in film photography.
Manteo, NC waterfront
The Kodak Ektar H35 is an inexpensive and fun creativity exercise. I really loved some of the images that I created using the camera. I had a few images that were fails, but for the most part, I was able to work within the limitations and found it entirely enjoyable!
Quick Tips for Getting Sharp Half-Frame Scans
Watch Your Lighting: Because the H35 has a fixed shutter speed and a relatively narrow fixed aperture, it loves bright daylight. Stick to sunny or lightly overcast days for the crispest details unless you are utilizing the built-in flash.
Keep Your Lens Clean: The plastic lens can catch fingerprints easily when slipping the camera in and out of your pocket. Keep a microfiber cloth handy to wipe down the element before you shoot.
Communicate with Your Lab: When sending your rolls off, let your lab know if you prefer your scans delivered as individual frames or kept together as diptych pairs.
Moving Deeper into Film Photography
There is something completely magical about the slow, intentional pace of analog photography. If you are looking to grow your confidence with film, master manual metering, or learn how to bring an artistic eye to everyday frames, let's connect.
Through my Private Mentoring available online and in person, we work one on one to cultivate your unique creative style.
You can also join us at The Saltwater Retreat on the Outer Banks, where slowing down, observing the light, and immersing yourself in a dedicated creative community helps you become the photographer you long to be.
