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This is an *updated* review of a great new plastic camera that has been developed and designed by the company Superheadz ~ superheadz.com in Japan.

Powershovel are behind the company Superheadz Ina Babylon who market all kinds of cool cameras that use film and often alternative formats, they are also the driving force behind many great artistic projects that involve music, books and analog photography.

My previous movie was a 'teaser' of the prototype I was sent to trial as well as a few example photos I shot with it at the end. It was pretty low fi video quality and missed out on a few details like ƒ-stop values of the apertures and shutter speed information. I also didn't clearly show the different masking options for the camera, which are shown and described in this video.
As far as I know this is the first 'toy camera' TLR that is exclusively designed to takes 35mm film.


I think the camera is now available in Japan (September 2008) but people overseas may have to wait until the new year to be able to order one (unless you are lucky enough to have a contact in Japan).
The background music is a piece called 'Soup' by a Powershovel musician, Ken Takehisa and is available from the Powershovel site powershovelaudio.com
  • Florin G 3 years ago
    that's really cool, would love to get my hands on one. But Europe will have to wait, too, no?
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  • Gianfranco Chicco 3 years ago
    I have one lent to me by Jun from Powershovel... absolutely great camera, a toy... but not so much... Good and thorough review of the camera
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  • artpunk 3 years ago
    Thanks people, Florin, hopefully you won't have to wait too long! Gianfranco - yes, a toy in certain aspects, but with such great possibilities!
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  • Joseph Griffin 2 years ago
    why do they call it a toy camera? I want one!
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  • artpunk 2 years ago
    Hi Joseph, it's called a toy camera because it is made of plastic, has a plastic lens and has simple controls (two apertures, two shutter settings, distance estimation focusing) this sets it (and similar cameras) apart from glass lensed cameras with multiple aperture and shutter speed choices, sophisticated electronics, auto exposure and the like and in a different ball park to digital cameras (although some would argue that simple digital cameras such as the 2 megapixel fixed focus one in the iPhone for example, come close)
    Usually toy cameras have unique characteristics to the kind of image they produce, which are often have a soft 'dreamy' focus, vignetting of the edges and random light leaks.
    ALL cameras are basically a lightproof enclosure (usually a box) that lets light through a hole (usually, but not always with a lens) onto a light sensitive material (be it film or sensor) to reproduce an image, no matter what other bells and whistles are put on them and all are capable of producing remarkable or ordinary photos. I prefer the kind of photographs I can produce with these kind of cameras compared to anything else however.
    I hope you get one and can experience the fun too!
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  • Kelly Ellis 2 years ago
    I just bought this camera and I'm sure I don't know what I'm doing yet, but hopefully with practice I will learn to get some nice shots. Even if the photos don't turn out, at least I'm having fun clicking away with this little camera, and that's half the point, isn't it?

    On a totally unrelated (and somewhat random) note, the combination of your voice plus the gentle music in the background made my eyelids feel heavy. You have a very soothing voice - have you considered dubbing relaxation tapes or something for some extra cash on the side? :)
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  • artpunk 2 years ago
    LOL Kelly, I may consider the relaxation tape thing, thank you. I hope you've been having fun with the camera (and that your photos turn out!)
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  • Scott Heaps 2 years ago
    Thanks for the great review and tips. I just ordered one for vacation in the mountains along with some color and b/w film. I have no idea how things will come out but it should be a blast! Is a tripod a good idea or not needed?

    One more question, how do you use a flash? I have a Nikon SB-800. What settings?

    Cheers!
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  • artpunk 2 years ago
    Hi Scott, if you are shooting in daylight you won't need a tripod. I only use one if I'm using the 'B' mode on long exposures, typically night shots.
    I have a couple of flashes that I use with the BBF, they're pretty simple 2 AA battery affairs that have a limited illumination throw. I mainly use them for portraits at 1.5 - 2 meters when lighting is poor (indoors/overcast conditions) or as a fill in flash. I'm not familiar with the Nikon SB-800, sorry, but keep in mind the working apertures for this baby are f11 (sunny) and f7 (cloudy) with the shutter speed 125th second, so factor that into your calculations when using flashes with a bit more control. I hope this helps!
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