Skip to main content

This classic bellows camera recharges with phone cord and spits out Instax film

Jollylook Auto - The Modern Vintage Instant Film Camera Kickstarter Video

If it wasn’t for the Micro USB port hidden in the side, the Jollylook Auto could fit right in with a collection of vintage film cameras. Launching on Kickstarter on January 28, the Jollylook Auto is a modern instant film camera disguised as a retro camera with a wood body and folding bellows.

Recommended Videos

The wood body of the Jollylook Auto is about the size of the box that your smartphone came in, but using old school bellows, the camera unfolds to its full stature to shoot. Continuing to channel vintage cameras, the focus is set using a knob adjusting the position of the lens, extending the lens out on those bellows. A flip-out Fresnel lens viewfinder helps guide the composition. Fujifilm Instax Mini film spits out the back after a turn with a hand crank.

At the front of the camera, a dial swaps through different apertures, from f/16 to f/64, while the camera automatically balances out that selection with shutter speed and a built-in flash, powered by a lithium-ion battery. The lens can slide out of the way to convert to a pinhole camera, while a polarizing filter can flip up over the lens or sit tucked underneath — looking more like a decorative piece when not in use.

Along with the rechargeable lithium-ion battery flash, the camera’s modern features include an electro-mechanical shutter. The camera is capable of snapping double exposures, as well as long exposures with the option for a bulb shutter.

The body is made with a biodegradable laminated wood fiber — but the environmentally savvy should note that Instax Mini film cassettes that come with every pack of ten images are plastic. While there are plenty of Instax Mini cameras on the market, none quite offer the old school aesthetics of the Jollylook Auto and the fold-out design.

The camera comes from a team of designers based in Ukraine — the same team behind the original Jollylook, which was constructed from cardboard and paper and doesn’t require any electronics.

While the manual focus and narrow aperture may be a turn-off for some — and may make the camera tough to work with indoors — the Jollylook Auto is already garnering support on Kickstarter, where the camera is more than 75% of the way to a $20,000 funding goal. If the project is successful, early backers can pick up the camera for $79, with delivery estimated for November.

Hillary K. Grigonis
Hillary never planned on becoming a photographer—and then she was handed a camera at her first writing job and she's been…
An ace photographer is about to leave the ISS. Here are his best shots
The moon and Earth as seen from the ISS.

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick is preparing to return to Earth after spending seven months living and working aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

After arriving at the orbital outpost, Dominick -- who is on his first mission to space -- quickly earned a reputation for being an ace photographer. He's been using the facility’s plethora of high-end cameras and lenses to capture amazing shots from his unique vantage point some 250 miles above Earth. Sharing his content on social media, the American astronaut has always been happy to reveal how he captured the imagery and offer extra insight for folks interested to know more.

Read more
Filter-free and fun, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera is on sale Right Now for Prime Day
fujifilm instax mini 11 camera prime big deal days

It's 2024, and you’re considering a point-and-shoot camera. Zero judgment here. I miss the good ol’ days of flipping through actual photo albums instead of doom-scrolling on Instagram. You can get back to those days by snagging a (in the ice white color), and it’s the perfect time because it’s on sale. Get it for 24% off during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, but hurry while inventory is going strong.
There’s something magical about having a physical photo right in your hand seconds after snapping the shot, and it adds a fun, retro vibe to moments you want to capture and keep. Plus, having an actual picture to hold and display can be so much more satisfying than just another digital file on your phone. I picked one up two years ago for my eight-year-old daughter, and it’s been an instant hit in our household. And now, at its $59 sale price, I'm definitely going to be stocking up on a few to gift ahead of the holiday season.

How the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 works
The delightful throwback comes with a FUJINON 60mm lens and an automatic exposure feature that adjusts the shutter speed for the best shot, even in low light. While the picture quality won’t be as crisp as what your smartphone can capture, it’ll still produce a quality image worthy of slapping on a refrigerator.
If selfies are your thing, this camera has a dedicated Selfie Mode (with a mirror). We set up a DIY photo booth for my daughter's birthday party with sticker frames so each kid could go home with a photo souvenir, and it was a total hit.
You can opt to make it a set with a range of accessories to buy separately, like a carrying case, a handy strap, those sticker borders I mentioned, and photo albums to hold the memories.

Read more
The Canon EOS R100 mirrorless is ideal for beginners — $170 off today
Canon EOS R100 mirrorless camera with lens attached

If you don't want to spend the money on a high-end DSLR camera, mirrorless cameras are an excellent alternative. But they, too, can be expensive, at least normally. Right now, thanks to a bevy of Prime Big Deal Days discounts, the best camera deals, in general, and super great Prime Day camera deals there are a ton of offers available. So, it's a great time to shop if you've been on the fence. However, we wanted to call out a great deal for novice photographers on the Canon EOS R100 mirrorless camera. Normally $600, it's just $429 right now as part of the event, saving you over $170. The bundle includes the RF-S18-45mm lens. Again, a great starting point for casual or novice photographers.

 
Why shop this Canon EOS R100 mirrorless camera deal for Prime Big Deal Days?

Read more