Krappy Kameras - Endangered Species? Sad to say...yes! On second thought, not so sad.
With the demise of the 35mm film camera, the demand for "promotional quality" film cameras is pretty low. That, combined with the fact that even the great unwashed public got wise to them, means few will be rolling off the assembly lines, or benches or dirt floors..or wherever they were made.
They continue to pile up at flea markets, second-hand shops and the Salvation Army.
For at least 25 years, a steady supply of these "minimal quality" cameras were included with magazine subscriptions, dubious contests, time share pitches, and all manner of promotions.
The cameras were cheap (thirty-five cents or less in quantities). I have even seen them sporting ads for dog food. One misguided photo magazine (now gone) even included one with a paid subscription. Shame on them.
They are still sold in a popular "dollar stores" chain with the brand name "Special Moments." An equally substandard film with the same name is available to complete the experience.
Yes, That bad.
These cameras disprove the old saying, "It's not the camera that counts, it's the person behind the camera." Sorry, even the trendiest of photog will be caught with his/her avant-garde down if they try using one of these! But the hype is great. Note the text on the camera box, below.
IT'S ALL HERE!
TAKE PROFESSIONAL QUALITY, CLEAR COLOUR PRINTS OR SLIDES.
ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING YOU NEED!
MAKE FUZZY OR OUT OF FOCUS PICTURES A THING OF THE PAST.
Right: One example from the camera box of the kind of "fun" snapshots you can take. This was before Katrina.
Nobody involved with design, sales or distribution of these cameras is the least bit concerned that they produce satisfactory images. Heck, some don't even care if they produce images! They are more concerned that the cameras have the "heft" of a real camera, so they include some metal weights in the base...as much as 17 ounces!
Although the body styles have undergone significant changes, the single element (plastic) lens and click-clack shutter remain as poor as ever. This is truly a shame, as a few cents spent improving the lens could mean the difference between a near useless lump of plastic and a trendy "art" camera with a strong following like the Diana.
"benz-gant helioflex 3000T 50 mm panoramic camera and extras. I have used it a little but not much. It is in great shap. asking 500.00 firm, it cost new 1999.00 or more. Has a trypood and carrying case that go with it."
On the other hand, some models are built up over the same basic chassis to resemble a full-sized 35mm SLR. Probably the most infamous of these was the Benz-Gant, sold with more hype than any other camera of it's class. Note the viewfinder (1) next to the fake pentaprism, the tripod (2) with legs that look like they extend, but do not, the extensive "documentation" (3) that gives the impression that the unit was carefully assembled, etc. and, finally, the case (4) which not only is the only decent thing about the outfit, but was replaced by a cheap plastic carry bag! Some poor, uniformed soul posted the following exactly as seen here:
Where is the 35mm Diana?A promotional camera from another time, the 120 roll film Diana camera, achieved high cult status due to the unpredictable nature of the styrene plastic lens. Each Diana is a bit different, and they have become scarce as we move further away from 1964. Do a Google search for "toy cameras" and be amazed. The Lomographic Society has even reincarnated the Diana, with a few new tricks for about $50.
But the current crop of 35mm cheapies seems to have inspired no one. I see no galleries of photos taken with Time Magazine cameras. No one extols the virtues of the anti-technology, anti-quality nature of these beasts. There is no talk about their usefulness for "personal imaging." They just suck.
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Many thanks to Bestemor's Usables and Laundromat, Spring Grove, Minnesota, for loaning acpress.com several of the cameras appearing on these photo pages. When in Spring Grove, please stop by and see the thousands of used stuffed animals and dolls they have attached to the ceiling of the store. Bring your camera. But not one of these.
