Review of Lomography's Lomomatic 110 Zebra Crossing Camera & Flash Using LomoChrome Color ’92 Film and B&W Orca 110 Film | My First Two Rolls of Film

March 5, 2025

(By using the links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

I’m so excited to team up with Lomography for this blog post featuring the Lomomatic 110 Zebra Crossing Camera. I’ve been wanting to try out a 110 camera for years and it was honestly as fun as I’d hoped. There are a lot of things I love about this camera, but there are also a few snags I ran into that I’m hoping to sort out while shooting my next roll of film. As with any film camera, it takes some time and patience to learn a new camera, and especially a new film format. 110 film has been around since the 1970s and is known for it’s retro vibes and easy-to-load film cartridges. You can find vintage 110 film cameras on Etsy and eBay, but Lomography went above and beyond and created their own version of the 110 camera. They have tons of different styles and colors, but I wanted to share the pros and cons I discovered through my first two rolls of film with the Lomomatic 110 Zebra Crossing, so that your experience using 110 film goes smoothly and you end up with beautiful photos!

PROS OF THE LOMOMATIC 110

Perfect for Travel
I think my favorite thing about this camera is the portability. It’s so small and convenient. It was super easy to take with me wherever I went. I used the wrist strap most of the time, which made it simple to use quickly when I stumbled across something I wanted to photograph. It’s definitely one of the smallest cameras I own, and it’s nice that I don’t have to worry about a detachable lens or anything like that that might get damaged easily. You guys know I like to travel with at least 5-8 cameras and the fact that I can squeeze this camera in any camera bag is a huge pro for me, and means I can take it with me on more adventures!
The Photos are Grainy & Vibe-y
I wasn’t expecting super sharp photos going into this process, but the photos are even more old school that I thought they’d be. I absolutely love vintage-looking photographs with lots of grain that look like they’re from hundreds of years ago. There is something so addicting about creating photographs that are strange and unusual (because I, myself, am strange and unusual). I know that not everyone feels the same way, but I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone! This camera will definitely make you do that. :) I did learn that this camera requires a lot of light to function properly, so I’d recommend only shooting in very bright conditions, or using the flash if you’re inside or in the shade. You’ll notice some of my images have motion blur or aren’t fully in focus, and that’s because the images were taken close to sunset and the shutter was too slow. Next time, I’ll be sure to shoot in full daylight with this camera. It’s also important to make sure you have the correct distance setting for each image before you take it.
Lots of Creative Features for Such a Small, Affordable Camera
I was surprised by how many different options and features this camera is capable of. If you follow my work, you know I’m obsessed with multiple exposures. The fact that this camera has a dedicated multiple exposure button is a huge plus for me. I’m actually going to be ordering more 110 film today because now that I’m sitting here writing this blog post, I feel antsy to test out another roll! I’ve learned so much with my first two rolls and can’t wait to learn from my mistakes and go into it with a little more user knowledge. It also has various distance settings, a flash, flash filters, a bulb setting, and two aperture settings - day (f/5.6) & night (f/2.8). For such a tiny camera, the creative control is really nice.

CONS OF THE LOMOMATIC 110

The Film Doesn’t Advance Occasionally
The main issue I have with this camera is that sometimes the film doesn’t advance when you close it and pull it back open. The film counter will sometimes stay on the same number. I’ve watched a few videos from other photographers and they seem to run into the same issue. However, on my second roll of film, I think I figured out what was happening. You have to make sure you push the shutter button down all the way when taking your photo. I believe what happens is that you think you’ve captured your image, but really, the shutter wasn’t decompressed and you actually didn’t even take your photo! If you just make sure to fully push the button all the way, you should be totally fine.
The Frames Become Misaligned
By the end of both of my first two rolls of film, I noticed the frames became misaligned. This is probably because I began to close the camera and then changed my mind and opened it back up. So, essentially, the film began to advance a little but then was stopped. So, whatever you do, make sure to fully open and close the camera in between shots and you shouldn’t run into this problem. I’ll be testing this theory out again with my next roll of film, but it makes sense that halfway closing the camera would cause the frames to get out of line.
Film Development is Expensive
It’s difficult to find labs that will process 110 film. Personally, I used Blue Moon Camera in Portland, Oregon. I also had to buy a 110 film holder for my Epson Perfection V750 Pro Scanner so that I could save some money by scanning the film myself. It was a bit of an investment just to experiment with this camera. However, I do think that I’ll feel a bit better about the whole thing if I follow the tips mentioned above for my next roll of film. It’s definitely more of a hobby camera and not something I would use at a client photo shoot, mostly because I don’t have the functionality fully down yet. I’m hoping in the future I will feel differently.

(example of the frames being misaligned)

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m so glad that Lomography has created their own 110 camera. It’s incredibly important as photographers and hobbyists to support these dying film formats. I love that 110 film hasn’t disappeared from the world yet and that Lomography is working to keep it alive. While I do think that the camera has a few glitches and requires a bit of a learning curve, it was still an absolute blast to use. It might even be the most fun I’ve had in years trying out a new camera. I plan to test out more of the fun features with my next roll of film.

The Lomomatic 110 is something special though. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another company that values film photography as much as Lomography. The fact that they’ve put time into developing a 110 camera, along with a handful of different film options to choose from, is truly a miracle in today’s world. I always love checking out what Lomography is up to and the new cameras that they release.

I’m honestly so excited to try this camera out again and see what I end up with. I recommend shooting only one roll for your first time so that you can learn from any mistakes you might have made. Make sure to check the aperture, ISO, and distance settings before taking each shot too. I had the wrong distance setting for a few of my images and it definitely makes a difference if you want your images as sharp as possible with a camera like this.

While it is a pricey venture to get into shooting 110 film, it’s always fun for me to try out new cameras and learn something about photography along the way. As my first 110 film experience, it was exciting and different for me. I get bored easily and this camera kept me on my toes. I’ll be sure to share my next roll of film with you!

WHERE TO BUY

Lomomatic 110 Camera & Flash

Lomography.com

eBay.com (used)

Etsy (vintage 110 cameras)

110 Film Cartridges

Lomography.com

Amazon

Etsy (vintage 110 film)

If you found this post helpful or inspiring, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.

Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my Amazon storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

Review of the Sears KS Super II SR 2000 35 mm Film Camera with Sample Photos in Cape Charles, Virginia

January 22, 2025

(By using the links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

The Sears KS Super II SR 2000 is quickly becoming one of my favorite 35 mm cameras. When my grandma gave me the camera, along with a handful of expired film rolls from the 1980s, I was so excited. Usually when people give me old cameras, they are typically Polaroids or box cameras (which I’m not complaining because I love them both… I just have so many of them now). But a heavy duty metal frame 35 mm manual focus film camera with a 50mm f/2.0 lens in excellent condition? That’s a dream camera for any film photographer. I don’t think the camera was ever even used!

I also just posted a video about the KS Super II on my YouTube channel if you’d prefer to watch rather than read. :) You can check it out here!

HISTORY

The KS Super II was originally produced in the early 1980s and was released under the Sears brand by Ricoh. It’s also known as the Ricoh SR 2000 camera. Because it was released by Sears, it was made to be more marketable to the average consumer. It’s a 35 mm SLR camera and has interchangeable lenses. It’s meant for beginner/intermediate photographers but can easily be enjoyed by amateur, semi-professional and professional photographers!

LENS

The camera uses a Pentax K-mount so you have lots of options for lenses. Personally, a 50mm lens is usually my preference for 35mm film cameras. They are typically nice and compact for traveling but also create dreamy, surreal images because of their slightly zoomed-in field of view. If you prefer images that more closely resemble what the human eye sees, a 35 mm lens might be a better option. Zoom lenses are also a great option for any camera because they are more versatile, but they are usually much larger and more difficult to travel with or carry around.

My camera has the 50mm f/2.0 lens. I’m unsure of the brand of the lens because it just says “Lens Japan”. This was probably the kit lens that was sold with the camera so is likely a Ricoh lens or was created as an OEM lens by a Japanese manufacturer specifically for Sears or Ricoh.

MAIN SETTINGS

One of the things I love most about this camera is that it has an Aperture Priority or Auto setting. You can set the aperture and it will automatically set the correct shutter speed. This setting makes it a lot easier to use than a fully manual 35 mm cameras. You don’t need to constantly worry about light meters or managing multiple settings at once. Aperture Priority is something I look for in every camera I buy. As a wedding photographer, it’s an absolute necessity for me because it allows me to shoot much quicker and allows for less errors when shooting film. This means less money wasted on film that doesn’t turn out!

The KS Super II is pretty limited overall but is made to be incredibly easy to use for both beginners and professionals. The main settings are “L”, “A” and “X”. The “L” is a lock setting that prevents the shutter from accidentally engaging. It also protects the battery from being drained. So basically, you just use this setting when you aren’t using the camera. The “A” is the Aperture Priority setting I mentioned above. The “X” setting is for using a mounted flash. It will set the shutter speed to around 1/125th of a second to create nicely exposed flash images.

The camera also has a self-timer button, exposure compensation adjustment, ISO setting, tripod mount, and manual film advance. Unfortunately, there is no option for multiple exposure, though you can always press the film rewind button and wind the film back a turn or turn and a half to overlap your images. It’s difficult to get images that are perfectly overlapped though. I’ve included a few examples below.

(expired film)

BODY

The body is likely made from a metal alloy which is sturdy and durable. It doesn’t feel super heavy though, which is really nice for traveling. One of my favorite 35 mm cameras, the Nikon FE2, feels similar when holding it and reminds me a lot of the KS Super II. As a full-time photographer who travels a lot and shoots a lot of weddings, it’s not uncommon for me to drop a camera (oops…). The KS Super II feels strong enough to withstand a few spills, which is so important to me. It’s definitely not a fragile camera!

It also just has that retro, vintage 80s film camera look with the all-black body and clean edges. It’s perfect for walking around town with friends or slinging over your shoulder for a day at the park. It looks cute on a shelf too!

PROS

Easy to Use, Beginner-Friendly settings like “Aperture Priority”
Sturdy, Metal Alloy Body
Decently Sharp Lens Options like the 50 mm f/2.0 Lens
Great for Travel
Has that Classic 80s 35 mm Film Camera Vibe

CONS

Limited Settings - No Fully Manual Option
No Dedicated Option for Multiple Exposures (Though You Can Press the Film Rewind Button and Manually Overlap Frames)
Manual Film Advance (Personally, I like Manual Film Advance because it Reminds Me that I’m Using a Film Camera!)

BATTERY

The KS Super II uses two 1.5V LR44/SR44 batteries, or you can use one CR-1/3N lithium battery. The shutter will still decompress without a battery, but the light meter will not function. These batteries can be difficult to find, but I haven’t had trouble picking them up on Amazon.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’ve shot 3 rolls so far with the KS Super II and I absolutely love it so far. While I prefer my Nikon FE2 because of it’s multiple exposure option, I still see myself bringing this camera out of adventures every once in a while. I’d definitely recommend this camera for beginner film photographers because it’s a great way to get used to the functionality of a film camera without it being too overwhelming. If you see one of these at a thrift store, grab it! It’s likely that it still works because these cameras were made to last. However, always be sure to check the battery compartment for corrosion. In many cases, you can clean corrosion off but in some cases, it will make the camera non-operational and might not be fixable.

Two of the rolls I’ve shot have been expired, so I’ve really only shot one roll that fully showcases the capabilities of the camera. I still need to try out the flash setting and the self-timer, so that will be on my to-do list for next time. :) I think the imagers are decently sharp, though maybe not quite as spectacular as the images I can get with my Nikon FE2.

I’ve included tons of sample photos below so you can decide if this camera is for you!

WHERE TO BUY

Camera Body

Etsy

eBay

CAMERA LENS

eBay

Etsy

35 MM FILM RECOMMENDATIONS

(You can also check out my blog post about Unique Film Stocks for 35 mm Cameras here or my Top 5 Favorite Color Films for 35 mm Cameras here.)

Kodak Gold 200 35 mm Film

Kodak Portra 160 35 mm Film

Kodak Portra 400 35 mm Film

Kodak Pro Image 100 35 mm Film

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my Amazon storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

Lomography LomoChrome Metropolis 120 Film Review | Sample Photos with a Holga GCFN Toy Camera in Lisbon, Portugal!

January 14, 2025

(By using the links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

Happy New Year! It’s 2025, can you believe it? I was chatting with a friend the other day and realized, that means it’s been five years since the infamous 2020. That revelation makes my insides hurt, but if I think about all of the things I’ve accomplished and survived since then, it makes a lot more sense. It’s never a good idea to look at the big picture, especially when it comes to all of the catastrophes of the world. I’ve learned that life is a little less overwhelming if you just focus on the day to day.

I have a lot of travel plans this year, but also I’ve been feeling a strong urge to be cozy in my house. Maybe it’s the fact that we have a new puppy, or maybe it’s because I’m turning 36 in February and I’m just getting old, or maybe it’s just pure exhaustion from the last five years, but traveling just sounds like a bit much at the moment. I know I’ll plan a trip for my birthday, but for now, I’m going to enjoy these snowstorms and my crazy little puppy, and spend my days catching up on blogging and editing.

I’ve been meaning to share these images from my trip to Portugal for a while because I find Lomography’s LomoChrome Metropolis to be a very unique film stock. I don’t typically go for film that is desaturated in any way, just because I prefer either bright color or black and white. But I have an affinity for Lomography’s LomoChrome film and I’m particularly obsessed with the LomoChrome Purple film. I like the LomoChrome Turquoise as well, but the purple film holds a special place in my heart. I found that the LomoChrome Metropolis actually scans similarly to the LomoChrome Purple. And by that I mean, the film scans I made at my house with my Epson V750 Pro Scanner didn’t look too different than the scans I get with LomoChrome Purple. I find that Metropolis images have a slight purple undertone, which makes me think that it’s the same film as the purple, but just a little less saturated. The Metropolis film also tends to run a little cheaper than the purple film, so if you’re interested in just testing out one of these funky films without breaking the bank, Metropolis is probably your best bet. You’ll find that samples of this film range from golden to greenish to purple-y blue tones, but that’s kind of the fun of this film. You can really adjust the tones during or after scanning to fit your personal style. You can either make it more vintage by embracing the desaturated vibes, or you can add warmth or coolness if you want a different undertone. It’s really a fun film though and I’ll definitely be shooting more of it in the future! For these images, I used a Holga GCFN (my favorite camera in the world). You can read more about the Holga GCFN on my blog here. Or you can watch my full review of the camera on my YouTube channel here! All of these photographs were taken in Lisbon, Portugal and the majority were taken in Jerónimos Monastery, a stunning late Gothic style monastery by the waterfront.

The Metropolis film comes in 35 mm or 120 formats. I just recently finished up a disposable 35 mm camera with Metropolis preloaded inside. You can pick one up on Amazon if you find a disposable camera more approachable. I always love shooting with disposable cameras. There is a special retro vibe that you get with disposable cameras that is just impossihle to replicate.

<3 Myles Katherine