The Yashica MF-1 Snapshot Art Camera is a 35mm film camera that's hopefully not as poor as the Yashica Y35
(Image credit: Yashica)
Yashica is back from the dead once again, with the release of a new 35mm film camera: the Yashica MF-1 Snapshot Art Camera. It is joined by a trio of new 35mm ISO 400 film stocks, one color, one black and white, and one called "Golden 80s".
Unlike its previous release – the ill-fated and abominable Yashica Y35 "digiFilm" camera, which was a sad electronic mockery of an analogue camera – the Yashica MF-1 is a true 35mm film camera. Likewise, the new films are real 35mm rolls, not the ludicrous popinjays that were the digiFilm modules for the Y35.
While it's a real film camera this time around, don't expect the MF-1 to challenge the best film cameras, and it is a low cost point-and-shoot – which is reflected by its HK$278 price tag ($36 / £28).
The camera has a 31mm f/11 lens, with a fixed shutter speed of 1/120 sec. It has a built-in flash (with a lifetime of 3,000 discharges) and accepts a single AA battery, which will take 120 shots with flash.
The Yashica MF-1 Snapshot Art Camera comes in 13 attractive color options (Image credit: Yashica)
The Yashica MF-1 has been "optimized" for ISO400 film, such as the company's three new stocks that have been released at the same time. Time will tell how these compare to the best 35mm film out there.
Described as a portrait film, the HKD$55 ($7 / £5.50) Yashica 400 produces photos that "look a little on the warm side, good for skin tones. Balance grainy converts to a stylish photo." The contrasty HKD$60 $7.60 / £6) Yashica 400 Black & White, meanwhile, looks promising for street photography.
Then there's the limited edition HKD$65 ($8.30 / £6.45) Yashica Golden 80s, with a suitably garish canister, that "tends to skew more towards large saturate scale, probably best working with natural light and street snap. Strong grainy which perfect for your moody shot."
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You can investigate and order the Yashica MF-1 Snapshot Art Camera, along with the three new films, on the Yashica online store. Without a hint of irony, one of the sample photographs on the Yashica film page is a facepalming statue.
James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus / OM System, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and he loves instant cameras, too.
