Pygmy camera brings blast from the past

Leonard Goh | Jun 04, 2008

Before digital, there was 35mm film. Prior to that, the timeline of photography showed that the 110 format was the most popular choice among shutterbugs in the 1970s and early 1980s. The film strip is stored in a cartridge and plugs into the back of the shooter. If you think this long-forgotten media obsolete, Japanese cult design house Superheadz has engineered the Ikimono Series 110 Camera and attempted to resurrect the days of the hippies.

Its boxy design is small enough to be hung as a keychain and the cutesy animal print seems set to draw a few "Kawaii!" (Japanese for cute) from girls.

The Ikimono camera may be petite (40mm x 30mm at 26.6g without cartridge) but it is a fully functional shooter. Flip the sides and back of the camera (think Transformer) to secure a 110 film cartridge behind it and you're set to shoot. Only problem I can think of is the availability and processing of the ancient format. You may want to check your area to see if any old film-processing stores still handle them.

Vintage photography comes cheap, as the Ikimono shooter goes for US$14.50 at the Superheadz Web site. It bundles one film cartridge but processing fee is not included.

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