Beginner Film Camera? Review of the Kodak Ektar half frame

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Beginner Film Camera? Review of the Kodak Ektar half frame.

I have been a casual film photographer for 8 years now. By casual I mean that I admire and create film photography, have three basic, solid film cameras (Canon AE-1, Nikon F1, and Olympus Mju ii), and lots of beginner cameras (Ektar Half Frame H35N, Kodak M3, Polaroid Now +, etc). Still, I mainly shoot digital images professionally and film for fun. So, when I saw these 35mm Kodak Ektar H35N half-frame cameras I was super excited. A half-frame camera shoots two side-by-side images on the same frame of 35mm film, effectively giving you twice as many photos on a roll. It looks cool- comes in multiple vintage colors, allows you to get double the photos from one roll of film, and is easy to use. I decided this camera needs a review and my thoughts on why it is the perfect camera for a beginner film photographer.

Film photography can be a little intimidating to start- not only are certain decisions set in stone when you load a roll of film into your camera (I’m looking at you, ISO), but you don’t even get to see the results in real-time. Often, by the time I’ve developed a roll, I’ve forgotten what my settings are and if I’ve pushed or pulled the ISO. With this camera, you get access to a film look that identifies as a disposable camera (vintage and messy and so cool right now), but without the environmental impact of actually tossing the camera. PLUS it has limited settings so that you don’t have to worry about messing the whole thing up. It allows you to focus on taking the photos and enjoying the moment instead of worrying about aperture, ISO, or shutter speed- of course, this gives you less control as well. Let’s get into some of the specs of what these half-frame cameras have to offer.

Design & Construction

Let’s start with the way this camera looks and is designed. Right out of the box, the Kodak Ektar H35N makes a great impression. Its retro-inspired design is super charming, drawing from the aesthetics of classic cameras while having some fun modern touches. The H35N is compact and lightweight, making it a great choice for travel or casual everyday use. Available in a bunch of vintage colors, it has a playful vibe that appeals to all kinds of photographers.

The camera’s body is primarily constructed from plastic, which helps keep the weight down but it doesn’t feel cheap or fragile. Don’t get me wrong, it is not a high-end camera- closer to a toy than a real film body, but it has a metal faceplate that adds to its charm. It is easily slipped into a pocket or purse, it’s about the size of an iPhone, but thicker.

The layout of controls is straightforward the film advance wheel and shutter button is where they are located on any one time use camera. I did have some trouble loading the film the first time- I had a hard time getting the film to wind and I ended up using a small piece of tape to hold it in place. That allowed me to wind it easily- although I don’t know if this was just my model or a design flaw. It also has a built-in flash, that I highly suggest using unless you are in a bright light situation- unless you are outdoors I would turn it on. The flash is close to the lens and creates a modern- flashy look. The lens is glass, so it is of a higher quality than a plastic part, although don’t expect miracles when it comes to image quality. When it comes to ruggedness, it doesn’t feel delicate, but I would avoid extreme heat or cold or anything wet. Treat this like a fun camera- not one that can go anywhere or do anything!

Features and Specifications

Here is a closer look at some of the features and specs :

Half Frame Format: The H35N’s defining feature is its half-frame format, which allows you to shoot 72 exposures on a standard 36-exposure roll of 35mm film giving you double the amount of photos you get from a roll. The photos will be all vertical- so be prepared to frame your images in portrait orientation. It takes a minute to get familiar with that, but anyone who has used a phone to take photos is probably already used to taking photographs like that. Because it uses half of each frame, the size of the images scanned will be smaller.
Star Filter: I haven’t talked much about the star filter! This filter is a fun addition to this camera’s lens. A simple turn to a knob on the front and this filter transforms light sources (the sun, headlights, lamps, etc) into a really interesting composition. As you shoot your first roll of film with this half frame camera I recommend trying this filter on different light sources and see which you like the most!
Fixed Focus Lens: The Kodak H has a 22mm focal length fixed-focus glass lens (not a plastic lens like previous versions) with an aperture of f/9.5. It is going to have that fuzzy, one time use camera look, but a bit sharper and better looking. It will be its sharpest at about 1 meter or further, so keep your subject at arm’s length or further away from you.
Shutter Speed: The camera features a single shutter speed of 1/100s, which works well for general photography but may not suit every lighting or movement situation. The flash will help freeze motion, but you will want to avoid using this when your subject is fast-moving. I hold my breath when I take a photo so there isn’t any camera shake. Sunny day shooting with this camera is going to give you the best results!
Built-In Flash: A handy built-in flash is included for low-light scenarios. It’s powered by a single AAA battery, which is easy to replace and widely available.
Film Compatibility: The H35N supports standard 35mm film, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned film users. I would recommend using ISO 200 or 400 film, offering versatility in various lighting conditions. As for film stock to choose from, I love Kodak Gold 200 or Portra 400, I think they complement how this camera creates images.
Viewfinder: The optical viewfinder is basic but functional, you can easily frame your photo up and photograph it- the way you see it is the way it photographs, which is the perfect

While these specifications might not seem groundbreaking compared to modern digital cameras, they’re well-suited to the H35N’s intended purpose: simple, fun, and accessible analog photography- a great beginner camera.

Diptychs

Creating diptychs while making half-Frame photography is an art in itself. When you go to develop the film, you can have your film lab scan it as one frame. So if you are creative you can line your photos up in what is called a diptych. In photography, a diptych is an artwork consisting of two photographs that together create a single art piece. It can be two from the same scene or totally different locations. A lot of times it’s an up-close image of something and then a pullback of the same scene, but photographers are really creative with these and I have seen some really amazing combinations. Personally, I have never been the best at these, but they are an interesting thing to attempt on film in the same frame and can add a ton of storytelling to the roll.

Image Quality

The half-frame format produces images with a charmingly vintage aesthetic. Photos have a noticeable grain that enhances the analog feel, and the colors are vibrant, especially when using high-quality film. The fixed-focus lens delivers sharp images in well-lit conditions, but it’s worth noting that the limited aperture and shutter speed mean that the camera performs best outdoors or in brightly lit environments.

Portability and Everyday Use

One of the H35N’s biggest strengths is its portability. It’s light enough to carry around all day without feeling burdensome, and its compact size means you’re more likely to bring it along on spontaneous outings. The camera’s unobtrusive design makes it perfect for candid street photography, travel, or casual snapshots with friends. Plus its relatively low price point of around $50 means that you aren’t too precious with this camera- it’s meant to be used!

The built-in flash is a nice touch for low-light situations, though it’s not particularly powerful. It’s best suited for close-range shots and can add a fun, modern look to images.

Rewinding

Rewinding the film roll is manual and simple. When you finish the roll, press the rewind button on the bottom of the camera and turn the rewind knob hand crank in the direction of the arrows until you see the frame counter come back to zero and the tension is released. Then open the back of your camera and remove your film.

Bulb Mode

For the more advanced photographer, this camera has both a tripod and a bulb mount on the bottom for long exposures. Light trails and long exposures are a fun way to experiment with film, but if I’m being honest, I don’t know if this is the right camera to do these with and to be fair the photographer who is experimenting with those types of creative images are probably not going to use this half-frame film camera to do it with.

two images taken with the star filter on the Kodak Ektar H35N Half Frame camera — Star filter examples

Conclusion

The Kodak Ektar H35N Half Frame camera is a delightful tool for anyone looking to explore the world of analog photography and a great choice over a one time use camera. Its retro design, user-friendly operation, and unique half-frame format make it a simple and fun beginner film camera. You have double the frames to work with so a roll of film will last you a while (a great benefit because it can be quite expensive to buy and develop a film roll. You will not have a ton of control over settings or quality, and while these constraints might frustrate advanced users, they’re part of what makes the H35N so approachable for beginners. The focus is on having fun and experimenting rather than achieving technical perfection. While it’s not without its limitations, these quirks are part of the camera’s charm, encouraging users to embrace imperfection and creativity.

Whether you’re a seasoned photographer looking to experiment with half-frame compositions or a beginner eager to dive into film, the H35N offers a fun and accessible way to capture memories. It’s a perfect way to take a photograph without the baggage that sometimes comes with shooting film (although the “baggage” is also why shooting film is fun in the first place). In either case, this is a great camera to have in your arsenal of cameras!