True Oddball Cameras
Oct 23, 2023 12:57:52 #
Somewhere far below cameras most of us use and those wretched "toy" cameras for kids found on Amazon are basically Chinese "sucker" cameras touted as 48 MP, V-Logger 4K, "powerful zoom" etc.
In reality, these are weighted-down plastic cameras, usually 5 MP fixed focus with digital zoom and grossly over-interpolated settings to give the illusion of better resolution.
I wondered why they went to so much effort, just like some of the "promotional" film cameras with film-winding, etc, but wretched single element lenses.
It appears they are using modules from outdated smartphones!
I never buy these new for the outrageous prices asked, but find them for $10 used.
Early models had all kinds of effects, including LOMO, Dog Eye, Japan Look and more. My latest loses these but includes a mic input!
Here is a sample photo, with increased saturation and contrast. Basically a box camera for the artsy set who us Dianas and Lomography products. Feel free to heap on all the scorn you want.
In reality, these are weighted-down plastic cameras, usually 5 MP fixed focus with digital zoom and grossly over-interpolated settings to give the illusion of better resolution.
I wondered why they went to so much effort, just like some of the "promotional" film cameras with film-winding, etc, but wretched single element lenses.
It appears they are using modules from outdated smartphones!
I never buy these new for the outrageous prices asked, but find them for $10 used.
Early models had all kinds of effects, including LOMO, Dog Eye, Japan Look and more. My latest loses these but includes a mic input!
Here is a sample photo, with increased saturation and contrast. Basically a box camera for the artsy set who us Dianas and Lomography products. Feel free to heap on all the scorn you want.
Oct 23, 2023 13:53:27 #
Oct 23, 2023 14:23:33 #
Oct 23, 2023 17:05:43 #
Dont you have any really weird results to illustrate your point ? I get truly inspiring weird stuff from my phone (see attached).
Oct 23, 2023 17:21:39 #
Oct 23, 2023 17:31:35 #
radiojohn wrote:
Somewhere far below cameras most of us use and tho... (show quote)
A magnificent, eye catching scenic view of Wonderland 🥇⭐🔟⭐🥇
Oct 23, 2023 17:32:35 #
Urnst
Loc: Brownsville, Texas
joecichjr wrote:
A magnificent, eye catching scenic view of Wonderland 🥇⭐🔟⭐🥇
Oct 23, 2023 17:57:37 #
Oct 23, 2023 18:11:41 #
I recall a story where a talented photographer of some note was given a crappy disposable camera (back in the film days), to see what they could do with it. The resulting pictures would fit into any high-end photography contest with compelling compositions and colors. Much like these.
So I am not convinced that these cameras are bad. Not in the right hands.
So I am not convinced that these cameras are bad. Not in the right hands.
Oct 23, 2023 18:19:35 #
radiojohn wrote:
Here are two more. Same cheap camera.
Thaz more like it !!!
That stuff suports your description of the trashy cameras. The cornfield shot really looked too good.
Oct 23, 2023 18:30:13 #
I see shots posted in the photo section all the time that are worse than these, and they’re intended to be serious 
Oct 23, 2023 18:50:16 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
I recall a story where a talented photographer of some note was given a crappy disposable camera (back in the film days), to see what they could do with it. The resulting pictures would fit into any high-end photography contest with compelling compositions and colors. Much like these.
So I am not convinced that these cameras are bad. Not in the right hands.
So I am not convinced that these cameras are bad. Not in the right hands.
Yes so true. I could easily be that "high end" photographer. I could readily overwhelm the "inability" of whetever limited (stills) camera you hand me. But I reeeeeeeeally wanted to experience using a sows ear that I could not easily transmogrify into a silk purse ... and I managed it !!! I got a non-zooming AE-only P&S Super-8 and a glaring camera-mounted halogen "Sun Gun". With THAT outfit I was finally reduced to a really super lowly status, turning out classically 3rd rate takes. Andy Warhol, move you on over, bitch ! That was toadally liberating way outa control big fun.
Oct 23, 2023 20:17:54 #
For what it is worth, the first article I wrote for Shutterbug was about a "digital box camera": a one MP Kodak that did not zoom, was fixed focus and not much more. A photo I took with was printed in the magazine, unlike the many 640x480 cameras of that time. I used it on the NYE of 2000! It was that long ago!
The ONLY display of my shots ever was a gallery-type display in Taiwan, taken with another 5 MP "Papershoot" camera from Taiwan. Maybe I'm really a box camera kinda guy.
The ONLY display of my shots ever was a gallery-type display in Taiwan, taken with another 5 MP "Papershoot" camera from Taiwan. Maybe I'm really a box camera kinda guy.
Oct 24, 2023 05:46:28 #
radiojohn wrote:
Somewhere far below cameras most of us use and tho... (show quote)
Nice for the example.
Oct 24, 2023 06:11:47 #
radiojohn wrote:
Somewhere far below cameras most of us use and tho... (show quote)
I couldn't tell if you hadn't said something. Nice photos.
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