The Rewindpix is a new digital camera that looks and feels like old disposable film cameras. It's currently on Kickstarter. The camera aims to bring back the fun, spontaneous feel of taking pictures in the 1990s.
Disposable cameras were simple, cheap, and often used at parties or vacations. They created unique photos with slight color shifts, which added to their charm.
Capturing the Retro Vibe
Photographer Xiao Liu designed the Rewindpix. He wanted to combine the slow, hands-on feel of film cameras with the quickness of digital uploads. Users can switch between a "film" mode, which mimics 35mm analog style, and a standard digital mode.
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Start Your News DetoxMany retro digital cameras have small viewfinders and slow shutters. The Rewindpix stands out with a larger 25 x 20-mm optical viewfinder. It has a 3:2 aspect ratio, like a film camera, and clear frame guidelines. Liu says it's the most accurate viewfinder for screen-free digital cameras.
The camera uses a Sony 13MP sensor. This helps it perform well in low light and capture a wide range of tones.
Design and Features
The Rewindpix weighs 185 grams and is made from PVC and metal. It has a built-in Xenon flash, effective from one to three meters. There's also a cold shoe mount for extra flash accessories. The battery lasts about 300 shots, or 250 with flash.
The lens is made of glass and plastic, with a fixed f/2.2 aperture. Shutter speeds range from one second to 1/2,000 second. It can focus on objects from one meter to infinity. The camera also has a tripod mount and a 43-mm lens thread for filters.
Liu included a film winder, even though no film is needed. This gives users the feel of advancing a frame. It also has a swappable shutter button and a filter switch with three settings. A one-inch LCD screen shows remaining frames and exposure settings.
In film mode, the camera works like an analog camera with a maximum of 36 exposures. ISO settings can be changed from 100 to 6400, even in the middle of a "roll." A RAW JPEG file is saved to the included 4GB SD card.
Users can transfer images to their smartphone via Wi-Fi. A free app offers 36 film-inspired filters.
The Rewindpix is available in Sand Dune (ivory) or Moon Rock (black). Pledges start at $119. If funding and production go as planned, it should ship in June.
