Anybody notice this little quirky thing?

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/07/yashica-debuts-ez-f521-digicam-webcam-snoozefest/

Looks like a cheap sensor, cheap lens, cheap build... for under $100, with two focus settings: macro and hyperfocal. But an optical viewfinder!

It'll be interesting to see the image quality. Looks like the lens might be easy to remove -- perhaps to transplant a Holga one?

Most likely any older gen "normal" compact would be a more sensible purchase if you just want to take decent pictures, but still... intriguing somehow.

Yashica used to make average, low-cost twin-lens-reflex cameras eventually ended up doing the same to 35mm P&S film cameras. It looks like they have an assortment of digital cameras on their Japanese website, but I think the brand is no longer available in the USA, at least B&H doesn't sell them. So with no distributer here, it's unlikely that you will ever see the EZ F521 Holga-like camera. It is priced at the equivalent of $89 US in Japan.

I think the criticisms here and on the linked site are noteworthy. The Holga ($20-40), a descendant of the Diana, another POS "camera" from the 60s, is also a complete disaster with so many flaws that it's a miracle if you get a decent frame on a roll of 120 film. It is the antithesis of quality, and would probably drive almost any poster on the FM Canon forum insane. It's doubtful that a digital Holga improves on the film version except, of course, it's instant digital crap. I think photographers who like to be completely surprised with what spits out of a Holga will somehow find a way to own one, although don't count Fisher-Price out. Meantime, there are many PS tools, and plug-ins that do the same thing.

Well, you can pre-order them from Japan Exposures if you want one. I did, since I am one of those people who like (and own) Holgas and other crap cameras.

It's kind of fun taking a break from my L glass and quest for image quality at times...

If there was someway to get an english version, I'd probably buy one

weezintrumpete wrote:
If there was someway to get an english version, I'd probably buy one

According to Dirk (Japan Exposures) the preproduction version had the menus in Spanish, English, Japanese and other languages. Hopefully the production version will be the same.

pingflood wrote:
weezintrumpete wrote:
If there was someway to get an english version, I'd probably buy one

According to Dirk (Japan Exposures) the preproduction version had the menus in Spanish, English, Japanese and other languages. Hopefully the production version will be the same.

Awesome!

Finally! The funny thing is that this inexpensive camera has some really nice ergonomics. Note the comfortable looking built-in grip and the "zone focusing mode" (Ok, that might be going a bit far). And YaY, a built in viewfinder. All for under $100. Also note the Leica X1 like rounded ends and the indented round area above the viewfinder (oddly, the same place where the X1 built in flash is located). Hmm.

Oh, there's no doubt some styling was heavily inspired. The flash location though looks to be in just about the worst possible place, which goes along with the general Holga approach.

Well, I dug up what could be useful information here:

http://storpotaten.blogspot.com/2009/10/speculation-on-f521-digital-holga.html

Including what I believe are sample shots from a camera using the same lens but different sensor. Looks "promising" Fairly sure "Yashica" recycles components as much as possible and the same LCD, lens etc appears to be used in multiple models.

Heads up, the camera has started shipping and multi-lingual menu has been confirmed.

Barry Pehlman wrote:
I think the criticisms here and on the linked site are noteworthy. The Holga ($20-40), a descendant of the Diana, another POS "camera" from the 60s, is also a complete disaster with so many flaws that it's a miracle if you get a decent frame on a roll of 120 film. It is the antithesis of quality, and would probably drive almost any poster on the FM Canon forum insane. It's doubtful that a digital Holga improves on the film version except, of course, it's instant digital crap. I think photographers who like to be completely surprised with what spits out of a Holga will somehow find a way to own one, although don't count Fisher-Price out. Meantime, there are many PS tools, and plug-ins that do the same thing.

You underestimate Generation Y. (which this camera is no doubt aimed at)
Holga's (and Diana's) are sold at Urban Outfitters to the Hipster crowd, and they sell decently enough. The fact that Yashica is now going to provide a digital equivalent is just a boon to their love of everything crappy, poorly focussed and lazy. Add-in the reality of it being a Yashica ("just like what Grampa used back in the day!") and low-cost ("it'll only cost me half a paycheque!), it will fill a niche quite well, along with their horrible 80s-inspired fashion taste and love for dishrags as scarves. :P

Besides... how many no-name/knock-off digital P&S cameras are out there? How would this one being added to the market change anything?

Well gramps, for those of us who like to have fun on occasion, the review is now up.. looks like a pretty fun little piece of gear.

http://storpotaten.blogspot.com/2009/10/first-yashica-f521-review-is-up.html

(or direct link to it: http://www.japanexposures.com/2009/10/31/a-first-look-at-the-yashica-ez-f521/ )

I kinda get the "Digital Holga" thing, but needless to say there's a huuuuuge difference in look between shooting with 120 and this thing (which presumably has a tiny sensor) in terms of DoF. If you like the out of focus-ness you get with the Holga, you're likely to be pretty disappointed with this thing.

I was sort of tempted to pick one up until I heard that it completely resets everything in the camera once you pull out the battery (including the date).

Yes, it'll be different in that you pretty much have EVERYTHING in focus with this one.

The battery reset thing is quirky -- I don't care about the time/date, but having to switch languages back to English every time will be a pain. But hey, that's part of the "charm" of cheap, crappy gear right?

Just a quick bump, mine is here and I've been posting impressions, a few shots, and a modification:

http://storpotaten.blogspot.com/search/label/F521

Fun camera? Yes. Worth the price? Probably not. Regret getting it? Not at all!