3 years ago today I launched this blog. I never had any expectations, I just felt like writing about my experiences with cameras I liked shooting with. After a little bit of time, I got a bit of momentum with it, and soon started enjoying the film photography community that it became a part of.
It wasn’t long before I started taking it a little more seriously, but even then I never expected it would be where it is by the end of the third year. I now have thousands of people visiting the website every day, a few of whom contribute posts for me regularly. Frankly, it’s wonderful, and I couldn’t be more happy with how its all turned out!
One thing that started happening more and more as the site began to grow was all people getting in touch to tell me that they would donate money if I provided such a facility. I didn’t, and somehow the idea made me slightly uncomfortable. That was until I figured that rather than donate to me, people could donate to a cause. I decided that cause would be raising money to buy a Leica M4. Once the cash was raised and the camera bought, the idea was to review it and give it away to someone else in the film photography community.
A couple of weeks ago I found a nice looking M4 for £530. I mentioned on social media that I’d found the camera and soon the final £100ish of contributions I needed flowed in and I met my target of £400. The camera was bought, and it arrived with me about a week ago.
A couple of days later I realised the blog was about to turn three – What better time could there possibly be to launch the competition to win it?!
Before I talk through the details of the competition, I just want to say thanks to everyone who has supported the blog over the years, all the people who have contributed content, and latterly all the people who have, and continue to contribute to the pot to buy cameras!
Win a Leica M4
Right, to the business bit! How to win the Leica M4. Just like the last time I gave away a Leica, I’m doing a film photo competition. Also like last time, I’m doing a budget-camera photo competition…
I want to see a photo you have taken on a 35mm compact point & shoot camera. To make it a little more interesting, the camera must cost and be worth no more than £10! I don’t mind what film you use, or how you process it, scan it etc, as long as the camera is worth no more than a tenner!
There are plenty of cameras that cost as little as this. I have reviewed a fair few of them myself, and invariably manage to get pretty decent photos. Examples include Olympus AF-10 Super, Canon Prima 120, Ricoh ff90, Minolta AFZ, Olympus mju-iii etc. If it is autofocus, autoexposure, made in the late 70’s, 80’s or 90’s, is predominantly plastic bodied and regarded by many people as a bit crap, you are probably on the right lines!
The idea is about harnessing and or defeating something that is bit on the basic side to take a photo that belies the cameras nature! If you are unsure about a camera, ask me in the comments section below, before you enter!
Deadline:
Fortunately, because I need enough time to write my review, I’m going to give you a long time to enter. The deadline for entires is the 19th of July. That’s two months. Enough time to buy a camera, take a photo and enter it if you don’t already have a camera.
The rules:
I have a strong idea of what I am looking for, so as I say, I am going to be really strict with these. I hope I am leaving no grey areas but if any come up I will add to these and tighten them up as I see fit.
- The photo must be taken with a camera bought for less than £10 (or the equivalent in your local currency).
- The camera must not be worth more than £10 if you were to resell it. So no charity shop bargain Contax T2’s please!!
- The camera must be a 35mm point & shoot camera like the examples above – if its made of plastic you are probably on the right lines!
- The camera must be autoexposure or fixed exposure! (exposure compensation is fine)
- The camera must be autofocus or fixed focus! (as long as is no way of adjusting focus it’s fine)
- Only one photo to be entered per person!
- The photo must be taken this year!
Please remember this is supposed to be fun. I know it is a really nice prize, but all this is supposed to be about a reflection of how positive the film photography community is! If you don’t shoot with these sorts of cameras usually, go out and buy one. There are millions of them on ebay, in charity shops, at car boot sales etc. Find one, load a roll and take some photos – you never know, you just might enjoy yourself more than you expect!
What I am looking for:
I’m looking for a good photo – both objectively and subjectively speaking. I want to see an image that belies its origin as being taken with a cheap camera. There are some really great automatic point & shoot cameras out there that can be had for next to no cash at all. I want this to be a celebration of just what these sorts of cameras are capable of.
How its going to be judged:
The photos will be judged by a few photographers who I have I worked with on other competition projects in the past. Whilst I will have a part in the short listing process, the final judging process will be based on the collective decisions of a group of 5 or 6 people who only know each other through social media. In the past we have found that this removes any possibility of bias winning out, and the end result is always completely fair.
I will be asking the judges to consider objective and subjective quality of the images and value of the camera. Lower valued cameras will have an advantage if the judging comes down 2 favoured images.
How to enter:
Just enter you first name, surname, email address, the details of your entry and upload a photo – simple as that!
I can only accept JPG files, I’d like them to be 2000px maximum on the long edge, and please keep them less than 300kb, tops!
Just so you know you will also be added to my list of email subscribers. My main reason for taking your email address is to make administering the competition easier. If you don’t like/want my email updates, I’d recommend waiting until the competition is finished before unsubscribing – though you can of course unsubscribe at any time.
Competition is Closed
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Paul Needham on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Mamie on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Rasmus L on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
I have two clarifying questions: is it strictly 35mm or would say an old 120 box camera be okay? Second. I is it strictly af, or are the 'focus free' compact cameras fine for the competition?
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Mark on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Blanche Llanes on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Seven on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Mike B. on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
This is an awesome thing you are doing, your blog is a regular destination for me on the web.
Thank you!
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Jonathan McNickle on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Giovanni on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Ren on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Aaron on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Thomas Preuß on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
John Sok on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Ren on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Mikael on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Sandy on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
alvaro anguita on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Zerihun on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Ren on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Ren on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Aukje on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Michael Tervanen on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Fredrik on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
Is the Olympus tripp 35 ok?
I haven three and I bought the all for less then £10
Comment posted: 19/05/2016
ivan on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Holga 135?
AGFA Optima Sensor 335? its pretty old and basic :P
Kalimar MX?
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
erwin gerardo yañez calfante on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Andrew Tran on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Yaniv on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Frank Lehnen on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Jaffar Alhaddad on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
This competition sounds FUN!
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Edward on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Christopher on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Ken Hindle-May on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Now I'm wondering if I can stomach putting a roll of Portra 400 through a Holga K205 (cat camera)!
Laurence on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Neal on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Can I use a Canon MC (micro compact?)
it was in grandma's closet for many years and it does work, I've been looking for an excuse to test it out.
Cheers
Neal.
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Lila on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Can I join with a Nikon analog camera F75 or a Smena Symbol? Greetings from Oslo.
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Fredrik on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Edwin on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
1. Hand made diy pinhole camera?
2. Fixed focus and exposure plastic toy camera, which I got it as a free gift?
3. Double exposures?
Thanks!
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Michael Rennie on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
If not I've just bought a £8.99 Canon AF35J/ Sprint from ebay that will surely be suitable!
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Daniel Fjäll on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 20/05/2016
Eduardo García on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Alun on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
DangNguyen on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Oswaldo on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Christian on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Kyle Lang on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
I bought a Minolta Weathermatic 35mm point and shoot for $10, would I be allowed to shoot with that for the contest?
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Raven on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Comment posted: 21/05/2016
Adrian Morgan on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 22/05/2016
Comment posted: 22/05/2016
Jimmy on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 22/05/2016
Thank you.
Comment posted: 22/05/2016
Comment posted: 22/05/2016
Comment posted: 22/05/2016
Comment posted: 22/05/2016
Comment posted: 22/05/2016
Comment posted: 22/05/2016
Comment posted: 22/05/2016
Mikael on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 22/05/2016
I have to ask you again if the Minolta AF-C is ok to use _ I asked further up and got a no but see you have said yes to another questioner.
I just want to make sure it's ok so my contribution does not get thrown in the trash,
Thanks for this competition _ had so much fun already with the Minolta Hi Matic AF2 I bought for this purpose ( for less than 3 pounds)
Fortes Odair Nelson on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 23/05/2016
Comment posted: 23/05/2016
Roy Jr. Loyola on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Yaniv Rozen on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Christos Theofilogiannakos on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Odair Nelson on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Marc on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
DangNguyen on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Phillip Bearshield on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Phillip Bearshield on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 24/05/2016
Brandon Bogardus on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 25/05/2016
Comment posted: 25/05/2016
Nathan Harwood on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 26/05/2016
Comment posted: 26/05/2016
Fortes Odair on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 27/05/2016
What about the Olympus Is 10?
Samsung AF Zoom 105S
Comment posted: 27/05/2016
Thomas Böttcher on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 28/05/2016
Comment posted: 28/05/2016
Daniel Fjäll on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 29/05/2016
Comment posted: 29/05/2016
Francois on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 31/05/2016
My pick:
1.Spencer
2.Seth
3.Aukje
4.Isaac
5.Simon
jules on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 31/05/2016
Comment posted: 31/05/2016
Ilko Randzhev on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 31/05/2016
I see that my photo isn't up here so i guess you think that the camera is too expensive, but in the same time here are pictures taken with Oly stylus ( oly mju) series that cost a lot more then mine oly superzoom 70g. In my part of the world (eastern europe) most of the compact cameras cost little to no money with exception of the contaxes and the yashica's. Event the mju is about 15-20 USD so i think that the entry photo is taken with cheep enough camera. If you still stick to your decision just tell me to add something else.
All the best!
Comment posted: 31/05/2016
Clémence on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 31/05/2016
It's been 24 hours since I've send you my picture to participate but I don't see it in the list. I just wanted to know why? Just to know what rule I broke. :-)
Comment posted: 31/05/2016
Clémence on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 01/06/2016
Christopher on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 01/06/2016
Comment posted: 01/06/2016
Comment posted: 01/06/2016
Comment posted: 01/06/2016
Comment posted: 01/06/2016
Comment posted: 01/06/2016
Amaury on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 01/06/2016
Comment posted: 01/06/2016
Philip on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 07/06/2016
Comment posted: 07/06/2016
Roy Jr. Loyola on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 08/06/2016
Comment posted: 08/06/2016
Jordan Morris on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 08/06/2016
All the best, Jordan.
Julien richefeu on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 08/06/2016
Comment posted: 08/06/2016
Robert Stevens on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 10/06/2016
Comment posted: 10/06/2016
Cooper on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 10/06/2016
Oliver on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 10/06/2016
Comment posted: 10/06/2016
KitKat on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 11/06/2016
Also, I 've always felt that kid/pet pics are manipulative. You can't look at a kid/pet picture and analyze it from any point of view other than how cute the subject is. And kids/pets are always cute.
Comment posted: 11/06/2016
J Clark on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 18/06/2016
Mike on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/06/2016
Comment posted: 19/06/2016
Michael Rennie on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 21/06/2016
Omar on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 23/06/2016
I noticed my photo has not been posted :(
Comment posted: 23/06/2016
Comment posted: 23/06/2016
Ken Bryson on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 25/06/2016
Comment posted: 25/06/2016
Comment posted: 25/06/2016
Comment posted: 25/06/2016
Ken Bryson on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 25/06/2016
Thanasis on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 26/06/2016
Comment posted: 26/06/2016
Michael Rennie on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 29/06/2016
Have a read and get in contact if you're interested.
http://www.badbeaglephotography.com/blog/2016/6/28/simple-pleasures
Chris Wessells on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 30/06/2016
Comment posted: 30/06/2016
Michael Rennie on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 01/07/2016
God speed little black brick.
Johan Adermalm on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 02/07/2016
Comment posted: 02/07/2016
Ken Hindle-May on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 06/07/2016
Comment posted: 06/07/2016
Sandy Pirouzi on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 17/07/2016
Comment posted: 17/07/2016
Comment posted: 17/07/2016
Comment posted: 17/07/2016
Mehrdad on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 17/07/2016
don't want to discuss this only curios why my entry is not listed. Fujifilm disposal Ace camera should at least pass the $10 term.
Comment posted: 17/07/2016
Bryan on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 18/07/2016
Comment posted: 18/07/2016
Britt Rutan on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 18/07/2016
Comment posted: 18/07/2016
Loreman on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 18/07/2016
John henson on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/07/2016
Keith McGovern on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/07/2016
Manfredi on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/07/2016
Petar on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/07/2016
Stephen on Win a Leica M4
Comment posted: 19/07/2016