This camera is a little spark of fun every time I hold it. My Kodak Ektar H35N isn’t complicated or high-tech, but that’s part of its charm. It's the kind of camera that invites me to slow down, to think before I shoot, and to appreciate the surprises that come with shooting film, especially half-frame.
I picked this one up as an inexpensive way to shoot half frame analog photography. There's something deeply satisfying about knowing I’ll get 72 shots out of a 36 exposure roll. It turns a single film roll into a small adventure, stretching each moment further. Whether I’m wandering around city streets or capturing quiet moments on weekend getaways, the H35N makes me see things differently, in pairs, in diptychs, in rhythm.
It doesn’t have auto-focus or fancy meters. The flash is manual, and I have to guess my settings sometimes. But that’s exactly what makes it feel alive. I’ve come to appreciate its simplicity, a fixed focus lens, a single aperture, and the joy of not knowing exactly how the photo will turn out until I get the scans back. Some of my favorite images have come from the H35N, imperfect and full of character.
This camera brought back the joy of not overthinking. I shoot for fun again, without pixel-peeping or post-processing. And because it’s so lightweight, I end up taking it places I wouldn’t bring a bigger setup. It’s the kind of camera that fits in my pocket but fills a bigger space in my creative life.
I’ll always have room in my bag, and my heart, for this little half-frame wonder.
KODAK EKTAR H35N SPECIFICATIONS
Camera Type: 35mm half-frame film camera
Format: Half-frame (18×24mm) – yields 72 exposures from a 36-exposure roll
Lens: 22mm fixed-focus lens
Aperture: f/9.5
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
Focus: Fixed focus (approx. 1.5m to infinity)
Flash: Built-in manual flash with on/off switch
Material: Plastic body with metal details
Power: 1× AAA battery (for flash only)
Weight: Approx. 110g (without battery or film)
Viewfinder: Optical viewfinder
Film Advance: Manual with thumb wheel
Rewind: Manual rewind crank
Release Year: 2023
Camera Type: 35mm half-frame film camera
Format: Half-frame (18×24mm) – yields 72 exposures from a 36-exposure roll
Lens: 22mm fixed-focus lens
Aperture: f/9.5
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
Focus: Fixed focus (approx. 1.5m to infinity)
Flash: Built-in manual flash with on/off switch
Material: Plastic body with metal details
Power: 1× AAA battery (for flash only)
Weight: Approx. 110g (without battery or film)
Viewfinder: Optical viewfinder
Film Advance: Manual with thumb wheel
Rewind: Manual rewind crank
Release Year: 2023
NOTES:
Half-frame format doubles your exposures, great for storytelling through diptychs
Lightweight and portable, ideal for daily carry or travel
Fixed focus and aperture make it a true point and shoot experience
Built-in flash gives versatility for indoor or low-light shots
Best results with ISO 200–400 film
Great camera for experimenting, journaling, and rediscovering film