Halina Super 35x
written by hanspan
on February 1st, 2009
, 11 comments
(4 votes)
image from here
“WOAH” it weighs a ton!!?? Ok, so not literally but the Halina Super 35x is a heavy little camera! Spanning dimensions of roughly 4.5” wide , 2.5” front to back by just over 3” high. I guess its weight is down to the top plate being made from some “silver metal” I have no idea which and have not found any information to support any guesses! But this weight is substantial enough to bear, yet so contrary to the plastic cameras I was used to before Halina.
This model is an upgrade of the Halina 35x made in Hong Kong by Haking, circa 1963. The upgrade on this being a larger viewfinder and a lever wind on. The camera has a cold shoe mount on top of the camera. The lever wind I think is great for quick shooting.
Stamped with empire made, this camera is sturdy, and a pleasure to use. All mechanisms seem to function happily, and contently with one another combined with satisfactory shutter sound that is a delicate and dainty single “click” as the sounds unite. The shutter release is also a cable release mount too and this would just screw into the top of the button – rather ingenious I feel… and when you don’t get instructions it takes you a while to realise! I realised after a roll or too when Identifying what the indentation on my finger was ‘o’ shaped.. I put two and two together eventually!
There is a tripod mount on the base, although this is not centered due to the back opening mechanism, and my lowly tripod does not like the voluptuous lady that is the halina on its delicate frame. Super is inscribed onto the top plate of the camera in what would have been a delicate addition to the camera.
This camera was one of the first I used out in my garden to catch my dog. And this camera really appealed to me, but I can’t pinpoint why. The shots had a richness about them, a vibrancy to the colours and soft vignettes around the edges. This 35mm eater happily takes roll after roll and has not failed me yet. Teamed with a wired flash, I guess she’s pretty brill! I guess the only thing that put me off is it’s weight.
But all round a great camera, capturing without fail moments in time forever. Lomographers, you’d enjoy this camera if you wanted something for the moment a camera to be left around on the side for those specific camera moments.. but for me it’s not an “I’l take it with me all the time” camera, I’ve had many a dead shoulder from carrying many cameras at once (which I guess is the problem)
In brief, I’ll let the pics do the talking, great camera although not very attractive, but an ideal addition for any collection as they cost literally a few £ – maybe even a use me, enjoy me and pass me on camera :D although I’m not passing mine on just yet…
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