In the last few years, the Lomography movement has gained a lot of traction in Japan. First beginning in novelty shops like Village Vanguard, we started seeing pinholes, Holgas, Horizons, LCAs, and other unique cameras popping up in bookstores, cafes, and even major retailers like Yodobashi Camera. Film has become fashionable now that digital cameras have freed up cheap film cameras to be used for fun and experimenting with different films, techniques, and developing methods.
Coming soon from the film lovers at Japan’s Superheadz, the blackbird, fly is a twin-lens reflex camera that fits right into the retro film trend and has great design that would fit right in at a trendy lifestyle store in Tokyo.
Priced at less than $100 Priced at ￥12,600, these limited edition Rolleiflex lookalikes shoot square images on 35mm rather than 120 (medium format) film, making development costs (and cheap scanning at home) less of an issue.
For those interested, Japan Trend Shop now carries the Blackbird, fly camera since it’s unavailable outside of Japan.
Michael is CEO and Co-Founder of the 
so is it available to purchase now?
On sale in Japan since yesterday! (at Camera Cabaret in Shibuya)…
got a sample one several weeks ago and I’m loving it! The right looks, light to carry around and a good quality of image (for a toy camera)
Horrible… TLRs have traditionally always been middle-format cameras. 35mm film isn’t even made for the TLR-typical 6×6cm image size.
@Gianfranco: TLRs aren’t toy cameras.
Lighten up, ak. Evolution is about hybridising. Punk rock is about doin things with tools that they weren’t meant to do. Framing differently on 35 will result in a new look.
And Gianfranco wasn’t saying TLR’s are toys, he’s saying this plastic Holga-like version of the Rollieflex is. Read before letting your knee jerk, jerk.
wow those are cool
dude!
“Read before letting your knee jerk, jerk.”
jphn pain:
Um. I think you’re the one that needs to lighten up instead of resorting to name calling. Your first comment was worthwhile, but the last part really turns me off.
Does anyone know of any sample photos posted anywhere?
Where can I get this?
I don’t get it… it’s not under $100 bucks.. it’s selling for about 127
I don’t get it… it’s not under $100 bucks.. it’s selling for about 127
Well, when it was announced the dollar was a lot stronger!
Can anyone for the love of a higher being tell me where I can aquire one of these in the US AND at a price less than $100.00 as mentioned in this article???
haha yea, the dollar was stronger.. but for the difference in price to be more than 27 bucks.. i don’t know.
anything would be helpful! thank youu
This looks cool – wanted to get a Rolleiflex but dont have the $$. BTW you can still find cool old retro 35mm cameras – just search ebay for a voightlander Vito B which can be had for about $30US or if you are feeling rich, whip out the visa and get a Leica – looking to get a blackbird tho!
Joe – re: Does anyone know of any sample photos posted anywhere?
There are now two bbf groups on flickr with plenty of photos in their respective pools:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/842894@N24/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/830027@N25/
There is even a facebook group dedicated to the bbf
Also I have quite a few on my site, as well as a video review of the camera.
This is a fantastic little camera if you like shooting film and lean towards lo-tech photography. For the first camera I reach for when I head out the door the blackbird,fly has now replaced my Diana + …
Oh, btw @ ak, I agree with you that there is no need for name calling. I am curious however as to how you justify your initial comment of “Horrible” – I presume you have never held or tried the camera? Making a statement that is so much a gross generalisation like
“…35mm film isn’t even made for the TLR-typical 6×6cm image size.
@Gianfranco: TLRs aren’t toy cameras”
sort of shows a certain ignorance regarding the subject being discussed. It is a fact that this particular camera is both a plastic camera (that may well be regarded as a toy camera by some) and a TLR! I mean no offense, just voicing the impression the original statement you made gives.
:-)>
Wasn’t the point of med format to have a larger neg? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been shooting cheap Russian and Ukranian cameras for years and playing with expired film, etc, but I don’t really get why you not just shoot with a Lomo or Kiev for 35 or a Holga or a cheap Yasika TLR if you really want med format?
…oh yeah most vintage TLRs have 120->35mm adaptors for shooting 35 but you get the advantage of both with good glass. On the other hand, I guess to each his own.
hi..i just got mine today..the black one(hk$890) and i just put in some black and white film!! i will take some photos tmr!! i cant wait to see how they out!!
I have just had a play with one of these in a shop on old compton street – £75 – I was amazed by how light it was but I agree I wouldn’t want to carry something that size around if I was only shooting 35mm format. If you want to get a rollei substitute I would go for a Minolta autocord with meter or for about £35 a ricoh diaflex from on an online auction site. The best thing about the BBF is the colour of the machine, I found the viewfinder bright but tiny and I didn’t see a magnifier – but for a fun toy great
although I have just thought these might be great fun for shooting slides and projecting them.
And I meant Ricoh Diacord (not flex)
I just bought the twin reflex blackbird, fly last nite.
and it’s awesome.
can’t wait to go out and shoot with it
$100 seems quite expensive for a plastic toycamera…it looks good though
Would appreciate learning what the ASA (ISO) 35 mm film should be used with this camers. I have it but can’t find out this information.
I’ve been meaning to get one – tried to bribe a friend on his way to Japan to buy one, but as luck would have it, they’re available at Urban Outfitters stateside. A little more at $125, beats the plane ticket!
probably not the place … i apologize … but … an anyone tell me the name of those cameras that take a series of images one after the other? if anyone would be so kind as to email me on info@dressupskids.com with an answer i would be most appreciative!
Thanks in advance
Living in Paris I’d like to buy a BBF, who knows where I can found a Blackbird Fly shop in France or ub UK ?
Awesome looking camera and I really want one…but there’s no way I would pay over $50 for a plastic camera…I’d rather by a heavier vintage one lol.
Go to urban outfitters, take out of box….steal.
i love my blackbird, fly and it didnt set me back a dime.
whoa!! i want the pink one.. like once used in Masked Rider Decade Movie Wars.. plzzz.. just can’t say how much i’m in love with that superhero..