Monday, April 30, 2012

The User's Review: Yashica Samurai X4.0 35 mm Half Frame AF Camera, Released in 1988

Stickers coming with Samurai for film processing 

X4.0 with the dedicated lens converters & flash diffuser 51.40

X4.0 indicates the zoom range from 25 - 100mm (4X),
bigger than the zoom on X3.0. 

So far, I see only one black version of X4.0,
unlike X3.0 in several color versions.

A white ring around the lens

Viewfinder without eyecup

The viewfinder eyecup

The viewfinder block

More drive and exposure modes
on X4.0 than on X3.0

Vertically-running film

Two kinds of battery covers


Built-in hot shoe on the top. Unlike the elder brother X3.0,
the two flashes will not fire together. 

At the head-up position, the Yashica flash
on the shoe is ready to fire.


Saturday, April 28, 2012

The User's Review: Smile! 35mm Film Camera In Soda Can Shape

Who made it? And when was it made? I don't know. However, I do know it takes regular 35mm film and is fully manual without battery. My red soda can camera is unique and wonderful. 


SMILE! To the focus-free lens after opening the viewfinder.


The closed viewfinder

The opener controls film advance (down position) and rewind (up position).  Press the small white top button on the left side while turning the whole can cover to rewind film. Right below the button, there is a small round window of frame counter. 

The button at can button.  Press it to open the film door. 

I also know a similar coke can camera with a flash at the position of the smile sign. The coke can camera has a flash with a AA-battery chamber opened at the bottom and a flash switch.

Monday, April 23, 2012

The User's Review: Konica Cube Flash, the Smallest I Have

This flash is small, in a size of a shoe light meter.

After a fire, the flash cube on the right needs to be turned, so a unused bulb will face front for the next fire. 

To change a flash cube, turn the flash cube to 45 degree and pull it out. 

The flash is powered by a Eveready 504 15v battery, The price tag shows $1.5 on this old one. A new battery is still available at more than $8 today.  

The compatible flash cube is N-type, which has the wires as contacts at the bottom.

The cable is for M or X synch socket, but must be plugged into the internal socket for hot shoe use.