Harman Disposable and Reusable Cameras in Bangkok: Ilford and Kentmere Film

By Graham K. Rogers

I spend a lot of time using film cameras: 35mm and medium format. In central Bangkok I recently spotted Harman reusable and disposable cameras: an inexpensive way in for those thinking of black and white film photography.

I use digital cameras for much of the photography I do, but in the last five years have switched most of my leisure activities to the use of film cameras, working with medium format and 35mm devices. I have also investigated several films while using those cameras and have been pleased to work with a couple of new films, including CatLABS80 and KosmoFoto Mono 100. The latter is one of my favourite films and I recently ordered some more. I prefer medium format because of the negative size: this records more information, and it is easier for me to handle when scanning. As well as the Kosmo Foto, I tend to use Bergger Pancro 400 and Ilford films (e.g. PanF Plus, SFX) most.

When looking at online ordering sites, had seen that Ilford also made a couple of Harman disposable cameras: with Ilford XP2 400, and HP5 Plus 400. The former uses C41 processing so can be handled by labs that do color processing. In central Bangkok a couple of the malls have reasonable camera shops. I tend to use one of these, but when I mislaid a lens protector I had to visit another camera store (Zoom Camera) where I saw the Harman disposable camera with XP2 400, along with a Harman reusable camera that comes with 2 rolls of Kentmere 400 film.

Harman Reusable camera with Kentmere films and Harman Disposable camera with XP2 film

The disposable camera was 395 baht ($12.03), the reusable camera, 1000 baht ($30.47). I bought both, but as the disposable camera with HP5 Plus 400 was not available, ordered this online from CameraFilmPhoto in Hong Kong a few days later with an order for other films, for $12.80.

While confirming the price on the site more recently, I saw that Ilford Ortho is now available, so ordered some, along with a refill of Bergger Pancro. It was also announced the following day (1 April) that Ilford is shutting down production temporarily with the risks to its staff from the Coronovirus. I wish them well and look forward to a resumption for them and any manufacturers faced with the same problems in these difficult times.

I had mixed results with the three cameras and some of that must be down to me, with the best output from the disposable camera with HP5 film. I was deliberately careless taking shots, telling myself that the market for these devices is not aimed at professional use, but at children or one-off events, like a party or (say) a trip to the beach when users are likely to take a little less care with framing a shot. Exposure, aperture and focus of all three cameras are not adjustable, so this is very much a point and shoot exercise. I also had to remind myself that the cameras and lenses I use are somewhat more expensive than these starter kits.

Harman Disposable camera with XP2 film

Harman disposable camera with XP2 400

In the camera, the film is already unrolled. Winding on when each photograph is taken returns it to a standard 35mm cassette. The camera has 27 shots on a roll which I did not find restrictive: when I used 35mm in the 1990s I would always buy rolls of 24 rather than 36. There was a nifty economy with the flash system which was operated by pressing a button on the front when taking a photo once the flash had been charged by the capacitor. On the disposable camera the flash operates automatically like a SLR camera. Of course, the disposable camera uses a battery (AAA) to charge the flash and that must also be disposed of, along with circuits, plastic container and lens system.

Output from Harman Disposable camera with XP2 film

Technical details of the camera are available on the Ilford site

• Built-in flash effective up to 3m/10ft;
• 30mm lens
• Aperture f/9.5
• Shutter speed 1/100 sec

The specifications sheet adds that the camera is focus-free and can take pictures from 3m to infinity: a typical easy to use, point and shoot, except that it is loaded with a roll of black and white film.

Output from Harman Disposable camera with XP2 film

I wanted the disposable camera to be good and tried to push it to its limits, hoping to emulate the types of conditions a novice user might meet, but I may have pushed it too far. Photographs taken in poor light conditions, while in motion or in other non-standard situations were understandably poor, although I had one lucky shot from a taxi when a motorcyclist rode past as I was taking the shot. In good light conditions when using the camera for non-experimental photographs, the results were acceptable, but I needed to rethink the workflow and recognize that I was being too cavalier.

Disassembled Harman camera

I was unsure if the shop I use would be willing to handle the camera, so I pulled it apart in my office. It was easy enough to pry the clear plastic open. The film container dropped out easily. It seemed such a shame to trash the unit. I kept the circuits and the lens, along with other parts that students might have some use for.

The Department technician reminded me to remove the battery as the capacitor could still deliver a hefty voltage if mishandled.

When I took the film for processing, there was the normal banter about black and white, but the assistant spotted the C41 label immediately. The process adds a dye to the negative (Kodak is orange, Ilford mauve). I had forgotten about this, so when scanning using black and white settings, the results were not the best. I did try to scan one or two as color, but I am unsure of the right setting to use. Perhaps using black and white filtering in editing would tidy this up.

Most of the scans were not as clear or sharp as I usually see with my medium format output, although that is understandable. Some heavy editing brought out the potential in some shots, although many could not be saved and this was clearly user error. In the end, 8 from the roll were acceptable, with 3 more showing some potential. There were no prize winners. Processed by the shop and printed small, these may have looked better.

Output from Harman Disposable camera with XP2 film

I was critical of the initial output viewed on the Mac or iPad Pro, but when I selected certain of the images and uploaded to social networking sites (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) or prepared them for web output, the images as displayed in these media did not look quite so bad. Output from the reusable and disposable cameras are unlikely to be used in situations that demand studio quality images.

Harman Reusable camera with Kentmere film

Harman Reusable Camera with Kentmere 400

Output from Harman Reusable camera with Kentmere 400 film

Specifications are shown on the Harman product page:

• Optical Lens 31mm, F=10, 1 element
• Focus Free, 1m - infinity
• Shutter Speed: 1 / 120s
• Film Format - 135 Film (24x36mm) ISO 200 / 400
• View Finder Field = 70%
• Built-in Flash Push Switch - 15s recycle time
• Power source 1 AAA - Alkaline Battery (included)
• Main Plastic Material - ABS
• Weight - 100 grams
• Dimensions 114 (W) x 63 (H) x 35 (D) mm

I ran a utility on the iPhone which showed that in late morning light here, at F10 with 400 film, the shutter speed is 1/1250, so the conditions I work in may not be optimal for the camera.

Harman Reusable camera with Kentmere film

I did have a couple of problems with loading film. This is moved by a single tooth on the take-up roller and if this fails to engage, the film does not move. It is easy to spot as nothing moves, but it is a little frustrating. Once this tooth is properly inserted into the film, and some taken up on the roll, there is no problem. This can be confirmed by the movement of the rewind wheel. Additional teeth at the bottom (and the top) of the spool might improve this. The counter could also be better as I was not alone in having difficulty reading this at times.

Output from Harman Reusable camera with Kentmere 400 film

I am unfamiliar with the Kentmere ISO 400 film that came with the camera. Two rolls were included in the box which is useful. Like the disposable camera, I pushed this device quite hard and unsurprisingly there were a few unacceptable shots. However, as the Kentmere is not C41, the negatives looked sharp and scanned better, although still needed considerable editing before I was satisfied.

After I had used the first roll of Kentmere, I bought a roll of Fujicolor 400. There was an odd reaction when I dropped this off for developing as the staff in the shop had only ever seen me use B&W film before. The negatives looked reasonable at first glance, with one or two blank frames although after scanning, results were not high quality. As with the other films I had run though the roll quickly and expected this. I do take more time usually with my other cameras.

Output from Harman Reusable camera with Fuji 400 film

While writing this, Ilford put online a video of Matt Parry of Ilford at home with Number One Son, trying to keep active during a period of isolation. The main thrust of the video was the developing of output from the Harman reusable camera with Kentmere 400 film using a LabBox. Let's hope that this was a stepping stone to the boy's first 35mm or even medium format camera.

Harman Disposable camera with HP5 Plus film

Harman disposable camera with HP5 Plus 400

Output from Harman Disposable camera using HP5 Plus film

The green design with dots was obviously different and I think this makes it slightly less dynamic-looking than the other disposable camera with XP2 film. There were a couple of minor differences to controls: the image counter for one. When it was time to pull it apart, that was easier, although this could simply have been experience. The specifications are identical:

• Built-in flash effective up to 3m/10ft;
• 30mm lens;
• Aperture f/9.5;
• Shutter speed 1/100 sec

Output from Harman Disposable camera Using HP5 Plus film

The camera was just as easy to use as its sibling. Whether it was familiarity or the use of a film type with which I am more familiar, the output seemed better to me although there was a certain lack of sharpness to some of the images. I am being picky, when comparing the plastic lens of this camera to some of the lenses in my collection, but neither camera (nor the disposable one) put out anything other than moderate quality images. Considering the market, and the ability for users to try film on the cheap, this is not wholly negative.

Output from Harman Disposable camera Using HP5 Plus film

Closing Remarks

Film itself has plastic backing, and the chemicals used in creating films, then later developing the output, may all cause problems. Not that digital cameras are environmentally friendly with their electronic components, rare earths and other parts that have to be dug out of the ground, manufactured and later disposed of.

With the increased awareness that we have these days, those responsible for handling the chemicals and other items may be able to dispose of them properly, although I note that in 19th Century London, the Metropolitan Engineers wanted toxic heavy metals (e.g mercury) to be dumped into the sewage system as there were proper process for their disposal at the works (Beckton and Crossness). Other cities may not have suitable disposal mechanisms.

Output from Harman Disposable camera using XP2 film

My original cameras in the late 1950s were a couple of used Box Brownies, and some plastic specials. With each of these I was able to take some respectable photographs as a pre-teen. Even in the 1970s as a poor student I used a cheap 110 camera. When I returned to film in recent years, I was able to pick up a respectable, used Hasselblad 500c/m and my enthusiasm for film was rekindled.

I see many young people now thinking of film; but they are wary of the cost of a used camera. There are only a couple of film cameras still being made new, and the used market has woken up, although like many businesses, current world problems are causing fluctuations in pricing. Many young people are unable to buy such cameras and the idea of a disposable or usable camera is attractive, either for recording a specific event, or to try out the medium of film. These are a good way to start.

Output from Harman Disposable camera using HP5 Plus film

Ilford being Ilford, the niche area of black and white films is not served by other brands and young people like to experiment. At the price of 395 baht here ($12.80) this does not hit the wallet too hard; nor would the 1,000 baht price of the reusable camera. For those who want to take the experiment a little further with the reusable camera, 35mm film is fairly widely available here, including some Lomo films, although shops are closed currently. We look forward to the return of safer times.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. After 3 years writing a column in the Life supplement, he is now no longer associated with the Bangkok Post. He can be followed on Twitter (@extensions_th)