Reto Project has launched the Kodak EC35, a small reusable film camera designed to be carried without much thought. Priced at $34.99, the Kodak-branded model offers a low-cost way into 35mm photography without the waste of repeatedly buying disposable cameras.
The EC35 keeps its controls deliberately basic, making it closer to a reloadable disposable camera than an advanced compact. It uses a fixed-focus 25mm two-element acrylic lens, a fixed f/10 aperture and a 1/100-second shutter speed. Film advance and rewind are both manual, so there are few settings to adjust before taking a picture.
That simplicity should suit beginners or anyone who wants a camera for casual street photos, holidays and nights out. A built-in flash helps when the available light is low and runs on a single AA battery. The battery is only needed for the flash, while the camera itself remains fully mechanical.
Its most practical feature is the curved sliding lens cover. Closing it protects the lens from dust and scratches while the camera is being carried. It also locks the shutter button, reducing the chance of wasting a frame when the EC35 is loose inside a bag.
Reto has kept the body light enough for everyday use, with the ABS plastic camera weighing 102g. It measures 119mm wide, 65mm high and 41.5mm deep, making it compact enough to fit into a small bag or jacket pocket.
Seven colours are available: Midnight Black, Vanilla White, Butter Yellow, Lavender, Powder Blue, Blush Pink and Avocado Green. A camera strap is included, although film and the AA battery must be bought separately.
Buyers can also choose a $44.99 bundle that adds a 24-exposure roll of Kodak Ultramax 400 film. That makes it easier to start shooting immediately without having to choose a film stock separately.
Serious photographers may find the fixed settings limiting, but that simplicity is exactly what makes the EC35 easy to pick up and use. It offers a cheap and uncomplicated way to keep a real film camera close at hand.