Click 35mm Camera

Firstly, thank you for supporting me and my personal limited edition passion project, the Click. It's a camera/lens combination I've been working on over the the last 4 years around my production cameras so I'm really excited to be able to finally get some out into the hands of photographers like you.

The Click has the same 24mm F11 coated glass optics as my "Double Glass" lens, coupled with a 1/100th magnetic 'flick' shutter, which exposes a frame in either direction like a traditional Box camera.

On the front face there is a metal 49mm filter thread around the lens, allowing for any standard 49mm threaded or pinch lens cap, filter or hood to be fitted, along with a mount for the included wrist strap to be fitted. The integrated 24mm viewfinder can be used to compose your images.

On the rear of the camera you will see the winding wheel in the top right, the viewfinder window in the top left, the analogue frame spacing wheel in the centre above the door, a film tab slot on the rear door and the frame number reminder wheel on the base. 

On the right side of the camera you can see the spring rear door latch, which is pressed downwards to release the door. When closing the door, hold the latch downwards then push it upwards to secure the door in place. 

On the bottom of the camera from left to right, there is a magnetically-secured rewind knob which also secures the film canister in place, a manual frame number wheel with 36 positions and a spring-loaded film rewind button.

 

FRAME SIZE

The Click allows you to expose both 'full frame' (24x36mm) and 'half frame' (24x18mm) images by inserting or removing the included half frame insert. This is fitted in place in your camera when you receive it, and should be fitted/removed before loading film. The format cannot be changed mid-roll. The image below shows the half frame insert fitted in place.

 

LOADING FILM

As with most single speed film cameras, I'd recommend using ISO 400 film in most conditions, although 200 speed film works really well in good sunlight. All example images below were taken on either Kodak Gold 200 (colour) or Ilford/Foma 400 (b&w).

To insert the new film, lift the end of the handle on the magnetic rewind knob on the base of the camera to hinge it out, then pull the magnetic rewind knob gently to release it. This will allow for the new film canister to be inserted. Once in place, press the rewind handle and the knob will go back into place, securing the film. Push the end of the leader into one of the slots in the take up spool and hook the first sprocket hole onto the latch to secure it. Wind on slowly by turning the wind wheel, ensuring that the film is properly secured to the spool. Once the film is tightly wound onto the spool one complete rotation, ensure that the sprocket holes are correctly sitting on the winder gear in the centre of the frame and close the rear door by holding the sprung catch down until the door is fully closed, making sure that the sprung catch locks in fully to secure the door.

With the door closed, wind the film on slowly by turning the winding wheel to the right. As the film is wound on, watch the frame spacing wheel above the rear door (marked "FULL" and 'HALF") and stop winding after one complete rotation and the word Full or Half is shown, depending on the frame size you are using. Your Click is now ready for you to take your first photo.

 

TAKING A PHOTO

I designed the Click to be a very simple 'point and shoot' camera, that anyone could pick up and use. As the aperture (F11), shutter speed (1/100th) and focus (1.5m-infinity) are all fixed, you can concentrate entirely on your image composition without the camera getting in the way. The shutter uses a pair of strong magnets, meaning that you only need to gently 'flick' the trigger on the front to fire it.

If you manually push the trigger, rather than letting the magnets move it, your actual shutter speed will vary from the expected 1/100th, leading to over/underexposed images. Practice 'flicking' the trigger before loading film to get the feel of it first. 

The shutter is separate from the film transport, meaning that you have complete control over multiple exposures allowing for complete creative control over your images. Every time you 'flick' the shutter, in either direction, the film is exposed to light. If you don't want to create a multiple exposure image, you must wind the film on to the next frame before triggering the shutter again.

 

WINDING ON FILM 

After triggering the shutter and exposing an image, turn the winding wheel until the frame spacing wheel rotates according to the frame size you are exposing;

Half Frame Insert Fitted - 24x18 frame size - Wind 1/2 rotation "HALF > FULL" - Next Frame wind another 1/2 rotation "FULL > HALF" etc

No Insert Fitted - 24x36 frame size - Wind complete rotation "FULL > FULL" - Next frame wind another complete rotation "FULL > FULL" etc

After each exposure you can use the manual frame number wheel on the base of the camera to keep track of your film progress. There are 36 click stops on the wheel, you would rotate the wheel twice when exposing half frames (with a 36 exposure film).

 

REWINDING FILM ONCE COMPLETE

As with many traditional cameras, there is a rewind button on the bottom of the Click, this detaches the take up spool from the winder mechanism so you be able to rewind the film without damaging it. Keep the button pressed whilst rewinding the film, using the magnetic rewind knob on the base. As you rewind the film you will see the frame spacing wheel rotate. If you want to leave the leader out of the canister for developing simply stop rewinding the film once the spacing wheel stops turning and before the film is fully rewound.

 

Example Images

Most importantly, have fun, and welcome to the Chroma Family.

Cheers, Steve