Angles and Lines and Light and Shadows (that could be a t-shirt)

bigrickstuart
Jul 12
4 min read

Updated: Jul 14

I was testing out a disposable-looking but reloadable $20 (with a roll of film) Lomography Simple Use camera at a local park and playground. I don't take photos there when kids are around, but it was empty today in the 110 degree heat.

A week ago I shot a roll that came with the camera, and it was terrible. I suspect it was really old film. If you’re considering buying one of these kinds of cameras, a disposable or like this a reloadable that comes with film, try to check if it has a date on it or ask the camera shop when they acquired it. I bought this one on Amazon so I didn’t have a chance to check on how old the film was. I should have bought local...

I have used these before and I’m a fan of these quirky plastic cameras. The Lomography Simple Use is great because you can reload it, and with good film like this Kodak Tri-x, the results can be decent. The 400-speed film was too fast for a bright sunny day, so I tried to shoot in some shade and I did use the flash. I'd put ISO 200 in it next time.

Here are some favorites from this roll of Kodak Tri-X 400

Some specs

Lomography Simple Use camera pre loaded with a variety of their 35mm film then reloadable

Cost with a roll of film inside ready to go $20 to $28

Film Format: 35 mm (easy to find film)

Focal Length: 31 mm (pretty wide - see focus notes below)

Available Apertures: f9

Shutter Speed: 1/120

Flash: Built In Flash (good to about 6 feet, good to use in shadows during the day)

Available ISO Settings: No ISO Adjustment

Multiple Exposure: No

Tripod Mount: No

Cable Release: No

Battery: 1 × AA

A Simple Use Underwater Case is available and they say it is good down to 10m

Focus seems best at 3.5 to 7ft and is ok in the middle and falls off quick at the edges. Closer than 3.5 ft is not good. If I am taking a close photo I hold out my arm to the subject then take 3 big steps back to be in a good focus range. A photo of a 6ft person can be from top of their head to below the knees or include their feet to be safe. No hand held selfies with this!

Another trick to getting in that focus range is to estimate the distance of a dog on a leash from your subject or even bring a 5 ft dog leash with you!

I know that seems like a lot of trouble for a $20 something camera made for fun but hey you will have better photos with this “focus with your feet” way. Plus once you think of that 3.5 to 7 ft range every time you use it I bet it becomes automatic.

The flash is powered by 1 AA battery and works to about 6 feet. There is no flash power adjustment. The camera works without a battery. You just don’t have a flash but nothing else changes. Some versions have colored gels to go over the flash for light color effect.

If you know you are going to be inside or in a dark environment like night street photography you could try using ISO 3200 or 800 speed film. For a sunny day outdoors maybe ISO 100. In mixed outdoors sun, shade, clouds, maybe some indoors with flash I’d try ISO 200 or 400.

You can’t really go wrong with the 200 and 400 films for most uses. Ask your camera shop for advice.

Or just buy some ISO 200 for spring and summer or ISO 400 for fall and winter :)

One thing about composition with these fun cameras…

If you want to center something be aware that the center of the lens and what you see aren't lined up. This is a common thing with lots of cameras. The center of the lens is to the right of what you see.