Bought 7 budget cameras (point-and-shoots) on OLX

I decided to start taking photos with compact cameras (point-and-shoots) inspired by the movie "Perfect Days". The main character of the film used an Olympus Mju 1 camera. A used Mju in good condition costs about 200 dollars. Not having confidence that this new hobby would be long-term, I decided to take a different path.

I purchased several budget used cameras on OLX. Why several? Camera owners usually cannot check if the camera works (film, batteries, time, etc. are needed). So the cameras are sold as-is and without claims. Therefore, I expected that some cameras would not work.

Initially, I had the idea to buy a brand new yellow Kodak m35 camera. In Ukraine, the retail price is about 70 dollars. On Ali ~ 20 dollars. A good example of a point-and-shoot camera for my purposes. But for a camera made in China, even 20 dollars seemed a bit too much. So I started looking for the cheapest alternatives on OLX.

On OLX, you can find many budget cameras. My goal was to find cameras made in Japan or cameras that have a nice / interesting look, or just in good condition.

Out of 8 orders made - I was sent only 6. I was using OLX delivery, so the money was returned immediately (when the seller canceled the sale or did not confirm).

Delivery by UkrPost was free (this is a big plus, because in the case of purchasing with paid delivery, the delivery itself would be more expensive than the camera). So let's count.

What did I buy?

• Mikona MV-828       - 145 UAH
• ACER SP-200           - 130 UAH
• Konica POP EF-88  - 170 UAH
• Fujifilm ClearShot   - 280 UAH
• Kodak Cameo           - 120 UAH

• Kodak ektra 22
• Fujifilm Nexia 30 auto

(20 UAH from the price of each purchase is the fee for a safe transaction on OLX)

Total 965 UAH.

That is, for ~ 23 dollars I have 7 cameras (approximately the price of Kodak m35 if ordered from Ali), which even in non-working condition can simply be a decorative element. But we need at least one camera to start shooting on film (and consider the mission of finding a budget device successful). So let's look at the condition.

Mikona MV-828

• Condition - like new (possibly new)
• Price
• Has a flash, frame counter
• There is little information about it, so maybe someone will find it useful what I will later write about it
• On the lomography website, Instagram, and Twitter (X) you can find a few examples of photos that look good

It runs on two AA batteries (flash). The downside for now is that I don't understand how to reset the frame counter to 0 (S). Maybe I need to insert a film (test) and rewind the film back.

Before I start taking photos with it, I want to reset the counter to 0. You can insert the film and start shooting, but the counter will be at 36, which is not very convenient.

Overall, I assess the condition as working (in my opinion).

ACER SP-200

There is even less known about this model than about Mikona. The brand is a no-name. In one of the ads online, I saw a sticker "Made in Taiwan". There are 0 examples of photos online. The brand name Acer is most likely a coincidence with the well-known tech brand.

Why did I buy ACER SP-200?

• Condition - like new (possibly new) + has a box (I, like a cat, love boxes)
• Price
• Fully manual (no flash, no batteries needed) - will be an interesting experience
• There is no information about it, so maybe someone will find it useful what I will later write about it
• On the lomography website, Instagram, and Twitter (X) you cannot find examples of photos. Maybe I will be the first

Konica POP EF-88

We move from Chinese no-names to Japanese classics. The Konica POP EF-88 was produced in Japan (since 1988). Konica, as one of the leading Japanese companies in the field of optics and photographic equipment, was known for its attention to quality and innovation in camera manufacturing. This model, like most of the company's products, was created and manufactured specifically in Japan.

Some specifications of the Konica POP EF-88

• Film format: 35 mm
• Image size: 24 × 36 mm
• Film winding: Motorized
• Film rewind: Motorized
• Red-eye correction: Yes
• ISO: DX from 100 to 400
• Viewfinder: Direct optical viewfinder
• Flash: Present
• Lens: 4.3/34 mm
• Focusing: Fixed, from 1.3

• Condition - good
• Price
• Made in Japan
• Availability of examples of photographs online

Fujifilm ClearShot

Currently, my most expensive camera. Made in Japan. It has the original box and even instructions. Fujifilm ClearShot is a more common model than Konica POP EF-88. You can find many examples of photographs taken with this model online.

I expected and hoped that I would take my first shot on film with this camera. But I got a bit tense when I saw corrosion in the battery compartment.

Why did I buy FUJIFILM CLEAR SHOT

• Condition - good
• Price
• Made in Japan
• Availability of a large number of examples of photographs online

Kodak Cameo

An even more popular model (than those described before). Many blog posts, video reviews, and of course, a ton of examples of photographs taken with this camera. It has a cool shape/design. Pop-up flash/lens cover, ISO switch. But I bought this model as non-working.

A bit dusty, a bit worn, but still a very interesting find.

But what is not working? What's the matter? See the photo below ^_^

Here I have already come to terms with the fact that at least this camera will look nice on the shelf. I started looking for information on how to clean equipment if a battery has leaked.

Why did I buy Kodak Cameo?

• Price
• Shape/design
• Popularity of the model
• Availability of a large number of examples of photographs online
• Small but still probability of fixing this camera

Kodak ektra 22 and Fujifilm Nexia 30 auto

This was one lot for two cameras. I was interested in the Kodak Ektra 22 camera, which is why I made this purchase. I googled it a bit and decided to take it for decoration. This camera uses 110 format film. Maybe someday I will test it (because visually it is in working condition and has only a few visual scuffs), but not in the near future. Right now, the focus is on 35mm film.

Fujifilm Nexia 30 was not considered as a camera for 35mm film, so I didn't even google it. When it came into my hands - I saw a problem with the batteries.

After turning the camera around, I realized that it uses a different film format, namely APS. And it has a cartridge, which most likely has photographs of the previous owner. But for now, I can't get this cartridge out, it is stuck. But I liked the camera itself - how it sits in the hand. So I decided to spend some time on it (cleaning, getting the stuck cartridge out).

What do we have after the first visual inspection?

• Mikona MV-828 - working
• ACER SP-200 - working
• Konica POP EF-88 - working
• Fujifilm ClearShot - working (needs contact cleaning)
• Kodak Cameo - needs contact cleaning, most likely not working
• Kodak ektra 22 - working (110 film format)
• Fujifilm Nexia 30 auto (APS film, needs repair, if the film is not damaged - needs to be sent to the owner)