Kodak Ektar H35
One of the greatest luxuries brought by the digital age might also be photography’s greatest enemy: the option for endless continuous shooting. I realized that while we try to capture the "perfect shot" by taking thousands of frames, we actually lose the true spirit and magic of the moment. That is exactly why I stepped into the world of analog—to return to the core essence of photography, knowing that a roll of film has its limits, and to give every single frame the value it truly deserves.
So far, I’ve already finished two black-and-white rolls and one color roll; the fourth is already loaded in the camera. I haven't sent the films to the lab for development yet, but the sweet excitement inside me is already enough to seal my passion for analog.
Actually, I own another analog camera as well, but lately, my hand always goes to my new companion: the Kodak Ektar H35. So, why did I choose this camera, and how does it make me feel? Let’s take a closer look at the story of this little giant that lives in my pocket right next to my digital camera.
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©Selcuk Ozdil
The best feature that makes the Kodak Ektar H35 indispensable for me is that it literally "fits in a pocket." Even when I'm wearing tight jeans, it never bothers me. Even on days when I go out with my digital camera, the Ektar H35 is always in my pocket. Whenever I catch a fleeting moment I want to immortalize, I can pull it out of my pocket in seconds, take the shot, and slip it right back in.
Structurally, the camera is a true price-to-performance and retro design marvel. Weighing just 100 grams, this body—despite being made of plastic—offers a highly elegant and nostalgic feel thanks to the brushed aluminum details on the front and its leather-look coating. The best part is its optical lens with a 22mm fixed focal length ($f/9.5$). This wide-angle view is absolutely perfect for street photography and capturing spontaneous moments.
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©Selcuk Ozdil
The most exciting technical detail of this camera is its "Half-Frame" system. In other words, when you load a standard 36-exposure roll, it gives you a whopping 72 frames! In this day and age where film prices are skyrocketing, this not only provides great economy but also gives you much more room to tell your story.
I haven't sent my films to the lab (for the developing process) yet, and I am incredibly curious about this stage. Just like in the old days, the surprise factor inherent in analog's nature both excites me and makes me wonder. Maybe there will be burned or underexposed photos, or maybe—though I hope not—they will all be ruined... However, what makes analog analog is precisely this uncertainty and breaking away from the "see it instantly" impatience of digital.
There are two major fears I secretly harbor while using the camera:
The Finger Trap: Due to the camera's compact structure and lightweight nature, I usually use it with one hand. Since it has a direct viewfinder (Point and Shoot) system, my biggest worry is that my fingers might accidentally block the front of the lens when pressing the shutter button, ruining the shot. Because there is no screen like on a digital camera, I will only be able to see this after the film is developed!
The Parallax Error: This fear also stems from the direct viewfinder system. The angle I see through the viewfinder is not perfectly aligned with what the lens sees. Therefore, whether a frame I think is perfectly centered in the viewfinder will yield the exact same result in print remains a complete mystery.
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©Selcuk Ozdil
Despite all these fears, the uncertainty of the development process, and stepping out of the comfort zone of digital, analog photography teaches me to live in the moment. The Kodak Ektar H35 is like a little time machine I carry in my pocket. Let’s see what stories the first three rolls coming out of the lab will reveal to me.
If you, too, are tired of the frantic pace of digital and want to experience the mechanical sound of that shutter and the sensation of winding the film with every frame, I highly recommend giving this pocket-sized piece of nostalgia a chance.
Selcuk Ozdil - International Photographer