AgfaPhoto 35mm Reusable Photo Camera Review

The world of analog photography offers not only complex cameras but also simple models that focus on the essentials: capturing the moment. The AgfaPhoto 35mm Reusable Photo Camera belongs to this category. It is positioned as a camera with a low barrier to entry and an alternative to disposable cameras. Whether it can live up to this and whether the purchase is worthwhile – in this review of AgfaPhoto’s 35mm camera.

Info on the AgfaPhoto 35mm Reusable Photo Camera

The AgfaPhoto 35mm Reusable Photo Camera was introduced in 2020 and is sold under the AgfaPhoto brand name, which is used by Lupus Imaging & Media GmbH & Co. KG. On closer inspection, it is a camera model that is also available in a similar or identical design under other brand names, such as Ilford Sprite 35-II or FilmNeverDie Niji.

The camera’s body is made entirely of plastic, which results in a very low weight of about 121 grams without a battery and film inserted, but with a wrist strap. Its dimensions are approximately 115 x 64 x 44 millimeters.

The camera is offered in various color variants, including classic black, a brown reminiscent of leather, and a striking red. Later, other colors such as mint green and beige were added.

The scope of delivery usually includes a simple wrist strap and a fabric bag for storage. A film or the battery required for flash operation are not included and must be purchased separately.

All sample images were taken with a Kodak Color Plus 200

Features

A user manual in several languages is also included. The manual consists of 9 points, which already indicates the minimal range of functions.

In terms of functionality, the comparison to a disposable camera is obvious. Choose a subject and press the red shutter button, that’s all you need to do.

The camera’s lens is a wide-angle lens with a fixed focal length of 31 mm. This focal length is well suited for everyday snapshots, landscape shots, and group photos.

The aperture of the camera cannot be changed and is f/9. In combination with the also fixed shutter speed of 1/120 second, this results in a fixed exposure setting. Due to these fixed values, there is no possibility to control the exposure manually. The camera has no built-in light meter.

The focusing is also fixed; it is a so-called “Fixed-Focus” or “Focus-Free” lens. This means that the camera is designed to cover a wide range of sharpness. In practice, it is recommended to maintain a minimum distance of about one meter to the subject to ensure acceptable sharpness.

Caution is advised if the subject is too close

The only real setting option is the built-in flash. This is activated manually via a slider on the front of the camera. A small red light on the top of the camera lights up as soon as the flash is charged and ready for use.

The energy for the flash is supplied by a single AAA battery (eBay / Amazon*), which is inserted into a compartment on the underside of the camera. The camera remains functional without a battery inserted, but without the possibility of using the flash.

The flash is also necessary for this type of camera. With the small aperture and the fixed shutter speed, you need a lot of light for a correctly exposed image. Especially indoors or on cloudy days, depending on the film inserted, it can already be a bit too dark. In this case, you should use the flash or forgo the photo if necessary.

Flash shot in daylight

A general tip for beginners here: install a light meter app for your smartphone. You can then set it to the values (f/9, 1/120 second, ISO X) and then simply see what values it outputs. Sometimes you are very surprised how little light is present compared to what you perceive with your eyes and still consider very bright.

The viewfinder is not connected to the lens, as in a single-lens reflex camera. It therefore only provides an approximate indication and not the complete final image.

The subject

View through the viewfinder

The final result

The indicated lens/focus ring has no direct function. However, it prevents you from accidentally placing your finger in front of the lens.

Film transport is entirely manual. After each shot, the film must be advanced with the thumbwheel in the upper right corner of the camera until it clicks into place. A small counter on the top of the camera indicates how many frames have already been exposed.

When the film is finished, it must be rewound manually. To do this, a small button on the underside of the camera is pressed, and then the rewind crank on the top is turned until the film is completely transported back into the cartridge.

Conclusion

Is the AgfaPhoto analog camera recommended for purchase? It depends.

I like the low barrier to entry of the AgfaPhoto camera. A beginner can simply buy the camera on Amazon with the appropriate films and get started right away. No uncertainty about whether an old used camera still works or if batteries are no longer available. Just take photos.

Just take photos, that’s the main theme of the camera. It’s the charm that disposable cameras also bring. The AgfaPhoto camera has the advantage that you can use it multiple times and have the freedom to choose your film material.

Thus, the camera can be a good choice for a wedding, a party, or another event. Place it on a table and let guests capture the gathering in analog images.

Will the AgfaPhoto 35mm Reusable Photo Camera find a permanent place in my camera gear? Probably not. On the one hand, it doesn’t offer enough creative possibilities for me, which it admittedly doesn’t aim to do. On the other hand, I already have many snapshot cameras from which it doesn’t really stand out.

Of course, it is commendable that analog cameras are still being manufactured. But this model personally doesn’t bring me anything new. In the highly competitive category of compact plastic 35mm cameras, I prefer the RETO Ultra Wide and Slim, which is even more compact and comes with a wide-angle lens, or the Kodak M35 or M38, which are available in brighter colors. In addition, there are the countless “old” cameras that can be found for a few euros.

With a slightly higher budget, I would also consider the La Sardina or LomoApparat. The LomoApparat, in particular, offers some “innovations” here, such as color filters for the flash, a bulb mode for long exposures, and lens attachments.

Film recommendations for the AgfaPhoto 35mm Reusable Photo Camera

Of course, you can theoretically use any 35mm film in the camera. For beginners in analog photography or new owners of the AgfaPhoto camera, I would recommend a color film as the first film.

Regarding film sensitivity, i.e., how much light is needed for a correct image, I would recommend an ISO 400 film. Analog color negative films have a very wide exposure latitude and can therefore be over- or underexposed and still deliver a usable image. This will inevitably happen with a camera with fixed exposure settings.

A solid color film that is also easy to get is the Kodak Ultramax 400*. This film delivers beautiful color photos and can be easily developed at drugstores without any problems.

For this test, the Kodak Color Plus 200 was used. It should be noted that the film was expired for a longer time at the time of the test, which naturally affects the quality somewhat. Especially with an ISO 200 film, one should be a bit careful, as there can quickly be too little light.

Photo shortly before sunset

If you prefer to take black and white photos, you can use the Ilford XP2 Super*. This black and white film also has a sensitivity rating of ISO 400 and has the advantage over other black and white films that it is developed in the same process (C-41) as a color negative film. Since this development process is offered by most photo labs and is often cheaper, development is therefore much easier.