One Two Crap - or Using Underperformer Cameras pt. One (Bencini, Orizont, Meikai)

As anyone who's been reading this blog knows I am partial to the not-so-great cameras of the world. Today we'll have a look at two of them. And go back to one I've written about before, at the end of the post.

No. 1: Bencini Comet NK135
The first one is the one appearing in the topmost image: Bencini Comet NK135. I like how it looks like a cross between a rangefinder and an SLR camera with its peak on the top.

I also like the shutter speed control to the right in the image, situated on the front left of the camera. It is rather light, despite the slightly bulky shape of the camera, mostly I think due to the plastic lens barrel. I think that the lens itself is glass - but I can't be sure.

These are the photographs from the first film I exposed with the Comet NK135. Again - apologies for the crappy scans made with a rickety rig with a digital camera. The pictures were edited using the Negative Image app and Google Photos app.

There was a film in the camera when I bought it from Italy last year. Here's a link to the post where I show the results from when I got it developed.

No. 2: Orizont

The Orizont. It's a Hungarian camera from the early 1950s. It's a very obvious clone/copy/rip-off/licensing of the high-end Altissa Altix.

My Orizont didn't work. The shutter release was all limp. Since the camera was so cheap to buy and so obviously not precious to anyone I dared to try my hand at fixing it. I did get it to work, and all parts but one made it back into the mechanism. I now have to put it to my ear to listen for a little click to know when the shutter is properly wound and the shutter is cocked.

Again - I will update the scans when I have upgraded my stuff.

As you can see the focus is not really there. And it's not only due to my shaky hands or the bad scans. The lens is misty, most probably uncoated. I do like the look to the pictures though. Very retro. I will try the camera with b&w film and expose in better light in the near future.

No. 3: Meikai Harmony EL

Last but not least of the bad cameras, linked here is my slightly older post about the Meikai Harmony EL at 35mmc.com.

Thanks for reading this post! Don't hesitate to comment or check out my Instagram at #ourbooksmalmo. Visit my Etsy shop getOurBooks where there are cameras aplenty to choose from.

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