- The Snapic A1 has a 25mm three-element glass lens
- The camera supports multiple exposure shooting
- It weighs 117g and has a pocket-sized, plastic build
Kodak has the distinction of being one of the world's oldest camera makers, but these days its logo is more likely to be seen on a roll of film than an actual camera. So the arrival of a new Kodak camera comes as a pleasant, nostalgia-triggering surprise – even if it's merely been produced under license by a third-party company rather than concepted at Kodak's US headquarters in Rochester, New York.
The Kodak Snapic A1, announced today, is designed and manufactured by Hong Kong-based Reto Production (also responsible for other recent Kodak analog models like the half-frame Ektar H35N and Charmera), and is a cheap and cheerful plastic 35mm film camera packed with retro charm.
It's available in two colors (Rhino Grey and Ivory White) for just $99 (around £75 / AU$150), and comes with a neck strap and pouch (but no film or AAA batteries, both of which you'll need to supply yourself).
The Snapic A1 features a three-element glass lens with a focal length of 25mm and a maximum aperture of f/9.5. Focus is manual, with just two settings: 1.5m to infinity and 0.5 to 1.5m.
There's an automatic flash with red-eye reduction, automatic film loading, advance and rewind, and the ability to shoot multiple-exposure shots (with two images on the same frame). An OLED panel on top provides info on battery life, remaining exposures and more.
Analysis: I'm cautiously optimistic
All in all, the Kodak Snapic A1 seems like a very basic setup – but I'd expect nothing more than that for $99.
And while the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and I'd want to see some shots myself before making any judgement on the quality of this camera, I do like the handsome retro-inspired design and the little flashes of Kodak orange here and there, which do bring to mind 35mm cameras of the 1970s and 1980s.
I also have high hopes that the glass lens means nice sharp images – although I'll have to wait until I get one in my hands to find out. The Kodak Snapic A1 is available to purchase at Reto's Kodak website from today, with orders going out in early December.
Some sample images are posted in the gallery below to give you a taste of what it can do.
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