The Pop 9, pop⁹ or Pop9 is a 35mm camera with 9 lenses. It is manufactured by Lomography in China and distributed worldwide. Amazon.de first had it on sale on December 5, 2006.
With the camera you can take nine small pictures on one frame. These are arranged in a 3×3 layout. Nine lenses with a focal length of 24 mm and a fixed aperture of f11 are installed in the Lomography Pop 9. The Toy Camera’s focus is fixed at 80 cm to infinity. The lenses of the Pop 9 all fire simultaneously and not one after the other like the Octomat.
The nine images are almost identical, but still differ a bit from each other. The only exposure time is 1/100 second. “Controlled” the later image can be through a very simple viewfinder.
A normal AA battery (eBay / Amazon*) is needed for the built-in flash, otherwise the camera will run fully mechanically without power. AA battery you can get in most supermarkets, but also without problems online. The flash can be used to create difficult lighting situations most of the time. Especially indoors you should use the flash, otherwise you will get underexposed pictures very quickly.
The Pop 9 is very compact and comes with a shiny golden case made of lightweight plastic. In addition to the camera, the package also includes a poster, a strap and a multilingual manual for using the device. There is also a lens cap in a matching design to protect the lenses.
In addition to the gold version, the Pop 9 is also available in black.
Films for the Pop 9
What is needed for the Pop 9 is 35mm film. The 35mm format is still very popular with some users due to its compatibility with many cameras and its ease of use, which leads to some suppliers producing for this format. As a 35mm film for taking color pictures with the camera, the Kodak Gold 200* is recommended. A possible choice for B&W images is the Ilford Delta 400*.
Sample photos
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Multi lens camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Film transport mechanism | Thumbwheel |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 24 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/11 |
| Minimum focus distance | 80 cm / 2.624 ft |
| Focus | Fixed |
| Exposure times | 1/100 second |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Date imprinting | No |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Tripod mount | No |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | 1x AA battery |
| Country of production | China |
FAQ about the Pop 9
How many lenses does the Pop 9 camera have?
The Pop 9 has nine lenses, all with a 24mm focal length and f/11 aperture. These lenses all take pictures simultaneously, creating a 3x3 grid of images on one frame.
What type of film does this little camera use?
It uses standard 35mm film, which is readily available. You can use color film like Kodak Gold 200 or black and white film such as Ilford Delta 400.
Is a battery needed for the Pop 9 to work?
A standard AA battery is needed only for the built-in flash. The camera functions mechanically without a battery, but flash is recommended for indoor shots.
What's the focus range of the 9-lens camera?
The focus is fixed at 80cm to infinity. This means that subjects closer than 80cm will be blurry, and anything farther than that will be in focus.
What's included when you buy the Pop 9?
Besides the camera itself, you'll get a poster, a carrying strap, a lens cap, and a multilingual instruction manual. It comes in a shiny gold or black plastic body.