Konica Pop - a completely whimsical and amateur sort of review
Never thought I’d do any piece of writing, let alone a review, on anything. But this camera has fulfilled my biggest desire ever since I started taking up film photography, which is ‘having photos of me taken on film’ 😂 Absolutely absurd I know, but I’m happy it did the job, so I feel the need to give it some recognition!
Pop baby, taken with Pentax Spotmatic F.
So what’s the deal?
1) Ergonomics: for a female’s grip, it’s square, small but not too small, and has a certain weight to it. This is important, because this kinda keeps me grounded and reduces the shaking when I take photos. The XA is significantly smaller and much lighter - but then I never felt like I was operating a camera when using it.
2) Focus: stay 1.5-2m away from the subject, and nothing can go wrong! Also: THE MAIN REASON WHY I BOUGHT THIS CAMERA!
Why? Because (a) I suck at zone focus; (b) rangefinder with tiny viewfinder and tinier focus patch/zone is basically another zone focused camera; and (c) literally anyone can take a correctly focused photo with this!
So I don’t have to torture myself with the distance-guessing game anymore, and can always ask my friend/travel mate to take my photo without a hassle. Yay👌🏻
3) Aperture/shutter speed: either one is kinda fixed (l don’t remember which lol) and the other doesn’t really vary much, so users can only adjust the mode (flash/no flash) and the ISO/ASA. The tips is: when the camera iso is set at the same film iso, always use flash if you’re not taking photos outdoor in broad daylight (with the sun out)! Even when you feel like it’s bright enough indoor or under shade, 99% it’s not sufficient for a (film) photo.
Taken with Konica Pop, film iso200 (probably Kodak) at flash mode, under shade/shadow during daylight.
I actually followed a pretty useful guide on how to adjust the aperture/shutter speed when I first started. Later I became quite lazy and just vaguely adjusted however I thought it would work.. But most photos turned out well so guess I was better at it than I was with the zone focus =.=
4) Camera ISO setting: 100 - 200 - 400.
Recommended film speed: 200-400. Why? Because I’m a cheapskate, and because these 2 do the job. Let me tell you how:
- with iso100, you only have 2 options for aperture/shutter combo, which are flash mode and non flash mode. More use of flash, I must say, which certainly gives less flattering photos.
- with iso800: the highest setting is 400, so if you’re taking photos under direct sunlight, there’s a high chance the photo will be overexposed. It’s another story if your aim is nighttime/indoor shooting- but then flash is involved, and the difference between iso400 and 800 is not so visible imho.
- I personally find that iso200 and 400 give you plenty choices with your photo exposure- at 100 setting and 400 film, you can even take a decent non flash photo in a shadowy condition! (because who prefers flash to a regular sufficiently exposed photo??) And minus the possibility of overexposure.
Taken with Konica Pop, iso200 film (probably Kodak) and camera setting at iso100 without flash.
Taken with Konica Pop, iso200 film (probably Kodak) and camera setting at iso200 or 400 (I don’t even know anymore) without flash.
Well, since it’s a PnS, please please please don’t have high expectation on the camera lense. Looking at the photos taken by my Pentax Spotmatic F using the same film, developed and scanned by the same lab, the Pop couldn’t come near! But for the first time, I feel the joy and carefreeness in using a non-SLR camera, and at the same time got my superficial wish fulfilled. I also like how the lense renders colours- so really, I should not ask for more 😂
Some more photos taken with the Pop during my trip in Taiwan
