Kodak Snapic A1 – hope carrier or the next plastic bomb?

Kodak Snapic A1 – Hopeful Contender or the Next Plastic Dud?

As a manufacturer of accessories for the analog photo community, we are naturally interested in the future availability of analog cameras. Of course, few come close to the mechanical quality of the SLRs and rangefinders from the golden age of analog, but especially for beginners, easily available and above all reliable new cameras are needed.

Here are finally some facts: After the release of the Lomo MC-A, the Kodak Snapic A1 (from licensee RETO) is now also available. Basically, this is a positive signal for all of us, because new hardware secures the long-term demand for film. We took a closer look at the specs and the first reviews.

The Specs: Glass Meets Hard Limits

The teaser already revealed the most important figure: it has a 25mm glass lens (triplet) installed. This is the crucial difference to the usual "reusable" cameras, which often only have a simple plastic lens. According to initial tests, the sharpness is actually decent and clearly above the "Lomo look".

But here comes my personal criticism:

The camera operates with a fixed aperture of f/9.5 and a fixed shutter speed of 1/100 second. There is no ISO setting. This means the camera is basically a better disposable camera (with glass lens and reload function).

For the price of just under 100 € (or $99), you have to think carefully. On the used market, you can get cameras like a Nikon L35AF, Canon AF-1, or various point-and-shoots for much less money, which have apertures of f/2.8 or f/3.5. These let in much more light and often have variable shutter speeds. With the Snapic’s f/9.5 aperture, you are extremely dependent on sunlight – or you have to keep using the flash.

Zone Focus & LCD: Gimmick or Useful?

Focusing is done via zone focusing. Physically speaking, with a 25mm wide-angle and the tiny aperture, this is not critical. The depth of field is so huge that it’s almost impossible to produce blurry images.

The LCD display on the top is interesting. In practice, it proves more useful than expected:

• It shows the frame counter and flash modes.
• Feature highlight: The camera remembers the flash setting when turned off (no annoying flash reset).
• It controls the double exposure mode, which is a nice creative feature.

Warning: Reviews show very strong vignetting (dark corners) when the flash is used. You have to like that.

The Comparison: Lomo MC-A vs. Kodak Snapic A1

Alongside the Snapic, the new Lomo MC-A is causing a stir. Here we see two completely different approaches:

The Lomo MC-A costs about 550 €, which is five times as much, but it is a "real" camera:

• Bright f/2.8 Minitar lens.
• True autofocus (LiDAR).
• Manual control over aperture and focus possible.
• Solid metal body instead of plastic.

If you want to take photography seriously and need control, you end up with the Lomo (or vintage cameras). The Snapic A1 clearly positions itself as an uncomplicated "fun camera".

Our Wish to the Industry

We welcome the Snapic A1 as an entry point for new analog photographers. But the market is currently flooded either with extremely simple plastic cameras or very expensive premium reissues.

What is really missing – and we hear this from you again and again – is the courage for mid-range mechanics. A modern interpretation of a classic SLR, like a Pentax Spotmatic with M42 mount, would be a dream.

• Fully mechanical (repairable in 50 years).
• No vulnerable electronics.
• Compatible with millions of existing vintage lenses.

Of course, this is expensive and complex to manufacture. But until a manufacturer dares to tackle this again, we keep the old treasures alive.

Conclusion

The Snapic A1 could be a fun "daily driver" for a beach vacation, where there is enough light for the f/9.5 aperture and you’d rather leave the expensive Contax T2 in the safe.

But if you want to shoot without flash in lower light and only have a 100 euro budget, you are often better off with a tested used camera (even though there is always the risk it might break down eventually and you have no warranty).

What do you think? Is f/9.5 enough for your snapshots or is that a dealbreaker?

Your Vladi

Image credit: The pictures are taken from the teaser video on Instagram.