Lomokev Misses A Shot

Kevin Meredith's new book, "Toy Cameras: Creative Photos", came in the mail a few days ago. I also have his first one, a personal favorite, "Hot Shots". The second, "Photo Op", the only one that was locally available I did check out but did not pick up. And unlike the previous ones, this new book features a lot more contributors' shots rather than just Kevin's. 40 "toy" cameras are featured, their quirks and "effects" discussed quite briefly and sample images shown. While I am quite satisfied with the coverage, I feel the best digital toy cameras had been left out. The VQ and the FD did not make the cut.

The Vistaquest Keychain Camera variants VQ1005 and VQ1015 Entry are tagged as the digial LC-A, producing images with almost the same feel as those produced by that not so "toy priced" Lomography camera, vignetted and with saturated colors.

The Fun Digital Camera FDC01, also known as SQ28m in Japan, is another little keychain camera that has a big following among artistic photographers. It captures square images and can produce b/w, vivid, and cross-procossed shots.

The LEGO Digital Camera made it into the book. Which is a surprise because it is not really that popular among toy camera enthusiasts and it is quite new compared to the VQ. Little P thinks it is a blast having her camera in there, I am okay with it too.

A side note, ndroo aka Fuzzyeyeballs, a Singaporean who loves toy camera photography and whose blog I follow has a couple of pictures in the book.

Blastin'

Above is the X-Treme Pix, a camera that is said to be a Blaster hiding behind a differently colored body. The original Nickelodeon Photoblaster has been discontinued years ago. The last batches came out in 1999. This fun camera creates four separate images off a single frame (yes, four clicks).

Today, I got my first Blaster roll, a May 2006 expired Fuji Superia 400, back.

I am one happy film shooter.

X-Rated

Got a new toy.

Just like its predecessor the FDC01, aka SQ28M, this baby has a horrible shutter lag. (I was hoping they already worked on that.) Hence, it is not suited for drive-by snapping which is only what my time allows right now. A proper "photowalk" awaits.

I have not paid for this yet. My dear wifey would be glad to know that I did not have to break into our bank account. Yet. Think of it as a credit card purchase without the interest. (Right, 'tol? Hehe.)

Here is a sample capture using the yellow mode:

Who Needs An LC-A?

I got my second film camera today, a Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim. My first one I got as a gift when I was in high school more than two decades ago. Somewhere among all the junk we have in the province that camera is waiting.

The UWS is known as the "poor man's LC-A" (that really expensive plastic camera from Lomography). Like the LC-A the UWS can also produce fantastic color saturation and vignetting. I love those effects on my photos. My VQs can do the same. Sometimes though I wish for a viewfinder, hence, the UWS.

What concerns me now is the "total" cost of owning a film camera. I have checked the net, and the good films go for around 5-7 US dollars. Then we have the cost of film processing and film-to-cd service.

So the UWS remains untouched, waiting for her turn.