Analog cameras in 2025 - analog photography lives on

Pentax 17 - Why this camera rekindles the analog fire

There are cameras that are just nice. And then there are cameras like the Pentax 17 that grab you, shake you and say: "Go out and take pictures!"
This little beauty is not a sterile reincarnation of old technology, but a genuine declaration of love to analog photography. It is exactly what many of us have wanted for years: A new 35mm camera that not only feels like it did back then, but also captures the zeitgeist of today.

Half-frame, twice as many pictures, twice as much magic. That means 72 shots on a 36 mm film. And the best thing? This format invites creativity! Whether it's two pictures as a story in one frame, a film look with rich grain or simply the pleasure of being out and about with a roll for longer - it all just feels right.

Pentax hasn't just churned out a retro camera here, but has built a tool for real photographic moments. The operation? Intuitive. Tangible. Direct. No menu jungle, no distractions - just you, your subject and the feeling when the mechanical shutter clicks.

And that's exactly what makes the difference. The Pentax 17 slows you down. It forces you to take a closer look instead of just holding it. Every film change becomes a ritual, every image has meaning. In a world overwhelmed by digital abundance, this is a gift.

Rollei 35 AF - The return of a legend

Sometimes there are cameras that are not just tools. They are a piece of contemporary history, a feeling, an icon. And just such a camera is now returning: the Rollei 35 AF.
In the 60s, the Rollei 35 was a masterpiece of engineering - small, precise, iconic. And now, in an era in which film photography is experiencing an unexpected but powerful revival, it is back. With autofocus. With modern technology. But with the same soul.

Sounds banal? It's not. Because anyone who knows the classic Rollei 35 knows that it was beautiful, but also challenging. Focusing via zone focus, no mistakes forgiven - a real tool for purists. But the new Rollei 35 AF retains its character, but takes the hurdle of manual focusing. This means: more flow, more speed, more freedom.

• The size? Still tiny.
• The design? Pure nostalgia.
• The look? A dream of contrast, light and shadow.

The autofocus makes them faster, more intuitive - without destroying the charm of analog. The manual film advance is retained because it simply belongs there. The feeling of continuing to wind the film, feeling that slight resistance - it is a moment that grounds you, that makes you feel that you are really taking pictures.

The Rollei 35 AF is not a camera for snapshots - it is a camera for deliberate pictures. It slows you down, it lets you see things in a new way, it makes every click meaningful. And when you rewind the film at the end of the day, carefully remove it from the camera and know that all the moments you captured are stored there - that's when you understand why this camera is more than just a tool.

Tips for better analog photos

We not only want to introduce you to cameras, but also give you some tips for better analog photos.

Choose the right film

• ISO value: Low ISO values (ISO 100-200) are ideal for sunny days, high ISO values (ISO 400-800+) for poor lighting conditions.
• Color film vs. black and white: Color films offer vivid tones, while black and white films often have more contrast and depth.
• Brand +amp; look: Each film has its own character - Kodak (warm tones), Fujifilm (greenish colors), Ilford (classic for black and white).

Assess exposure correctly

• "Sunny 16" rule: On a sunny day, set the aperture to f/16 and select a shutter speed that corresponds to the reciprocal of the film ISO (e.g. 1/100s for ISO 100).
• Use a light meter or app: If your camera doesn't have a light meter, apps such as "LightMeter" or "myLightMeter PRO" can help.

Focus +amp; pay attention to sharpness

• Practice manual focusing: Use zone focusing or a camera with a rangefinder for more precise focus.
• Close the aperture: A smaller aperture (e.g. f/8-f/11) provides more depth of field and sharper images.

Improve image composition

• Golden ratio +amp; rule of thirds: Don't place your main subject directly in the center.
• Use leading lines +amp; frames: Streets, fences or windows as a natural guide for the eye.
• Try out perspectives: Play with angles - frog's-eye view or bird's-eye view for more exciting images.

Improve development +amp; scan

• Develop it yourself: If you use black and white film, it's worth learning to develop it yourself - gives you full control.
• Optimize scans: Make sure your lab scans to a high quality, or invest in a good film scanner (e.g. Epson V600).

Reduced to the essentials - and that's exactly what makes the Long Weekend 35mm so appealing

Behind the simple design is a camera that delivers exactly what is important: a 31mm F9 lens with a wide-angle character, a fixed shutter speed of 1/120s and a Focus-Free system that captures everything in focus from one meter. Perfect for street photography, spontaneous snapshots or creative film experiments.

There is no automatic mode and no instant preview - instead, the manual film advance and rewind mechanism provides that authentic film camera feeling. A small window on the back shows how many shots are left, and if it gets darker, the integrated flash helps out. The camera is powered by a simple AAA battery - and that's all you need.

The Long Weekend 35mm Film Camera is not a high-tech camera - but that is exactly what makes it special. It takes photography back to its roots and ensures that every picture counts. So: load the film, set off and capture analog moments.

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