I discovered the Pentax Auto 110 on Youtube very early into my days of collecting cameras. I had one Berkley Keyshore 110 camera and one roll of 110 film. I figured this was a camera that I would just enjoy observing from a distance. I purchased it 2 weeks later. I call it my best friend in the review title because I love this camera so much. You do not see anything else like it anymore and I love having the ability to say I own this camera. But yet I have issues with it…
I managed to get the Pentax Auto for around $120 dollars. If you have read my Lomomatic review, you will assume that this is a very high price for a 110 camera. It is expensive but it is awesome and I would personally say almost worth the money for what it brings to the table. As a 110 film SLR, I feel that it gives you such an interesting approach and experience with such a weird film stock.
The lens that I own and have shot photos on include the 18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 20-40mm, and the 70mm. I have a sweet collection of the lens and plan on buying a micro 3/4 camera with an adaptor so I can use them more. The lens are so cool and I can’t believe they aren’t just toys. They are small, yet functional and I have fun with each and every one.
As I sit here typing with all of the parts that I have collected for this camera, I am torn on how to feel. I simply cannot say it is worth the kind of money I have put into it. The photos are awesome and yet inconsistent.
Being an SLR, you almost expect to get what you see with each photo you take. It seems like the case with any of them, but this one just feels so misleading at times. I have taken photos in settings that I would expect to turn out at least decent, and they look terrible. Even vice versa, this camera is so hit or miss and I do not think I will ever grasp how to use it 100% effectively.
One thing I have noticed is significant amounts of flare in photos. Listed below is one example of it. This is definitely user error in most instances, but it occurs with the slightest error or miscalculation in the photos you take.
This camera also has some weird effects on reds from what I have seen. It makes anything close to red almost look like it is painted on top of the photo. I have seen it on every lens and do not quite understand what I am doing to cause this to happen.
And it’s so expensive that I fear breaking it and leaving it unusable after buying these outstanding lens for it. Because it is so outdated, if it breaks I have no where to turn to and will have to find a way to fix it on my own.
And overall, the photos are so cool! The camera is a conversation starter too. For such a small body, it packs a serious punch and has so much optional versatility. I would take this camera with me everywhere, I just fear breaking it too much.
Taken on Lomochrome Metropolis.
I have put roughly 6 rolls of film in on it. And yet the photos I am choosing are coming from pretty much just 3 of them, because the rest are simply terrible and not even worth showing. Likely coming down to user error, yes. But it can be annoying to get your hopes up after finishing a roll, to only get 4-5 good photos. I am still adjusting and learning it overall and do not have this puzzling camera figured out. I want to understand it and have it conquered, but I just keep falling short.
With full confidence I cannot suggest this camera much outside of keeping it as a collectible. I want to keep shooting on it, but I want to keep it safe at all costs because I care about the investment so much. Whenever I have the time to take photos around town, I pack it up, get it ready to go, then end up leaving it behind because I talk myself out of packing it anywhere. I also do not see myself going through the hassle of taking it to travel anywhere on vacations. I just want to keep it safe in its protective case at all times.
If you want an awesome 110 camera that stands out from the rest, buy this camera. If, like me, you have a low risk tolerance with your cameras, I personally would not make this purchase again.
