This review is a bit overdue. The nice folks at Superheadz sent a big box of goodies for us to test, and we got right to it. Then I tried to get the 110 processed, and that is where the frustration began. I was going to send it out to one of the pro labs that I use, but I really wanted to see the images right away, and one of our readers suggested I try Walmart. I had never actually been to a Walmart, so I found the closest one online, called them and they assured me if I dropped it off on Sunday, I’d have it back by Wednesday. I could deal with that, so off I dropped it off and waited for a phone call. And waited. 19 days later it arrived. Was it worth the wait? Will I ever shoot 110 again? Yes, and yes.

I have a lot of cameras, and if you are faithful reader of this blog, you probably do as well. I have cameras for every occasion, and every mood. Serious cameras like the D300 and D90, patient cameras like the Speed Graphics, beautiful cameras like the Mamiya 6mf and of course, a massive collection of Toy Cameras. There are times when you want to take that relaxing hike up the mountain and shoot some 4×5, and then there are times when you want to just play. With the Ikimono in hand, it was playtime.

110 is not an easy film to deal with in the States, but there is hope. More labs are popping up that will process it, and a few fun loving companies are starting to produce both cameras and film. SuperHeadz has quite a few 110 cams, and we’ll be testing all of them. The Ikimono 110 is their most popular and highest selling for good reason- it’s tiny, cute, comes in a bunch of colors and is very easy to shoot with. But will it catch on in the States? Still a little early to tell, but I really hope that it does.

I wasn’t sure what to make of this little camera when it arrived on the doorstep, I hadn’t shot 110 since I was a kid. I wasn’t even sure how to load it! But with a quick snap, the film pops in the back, a flap locks it in, and away you go. The camera and film becomes one cute little unit. Quick note- pop up the sportfinder, because if you don’t, you won’t open the lens. I ended up with a few black frames by accident. I guess that’s why we just throw away the lens caps for our Holgas.

So what will folks use the Ikimono for? Pure fun. It hit me when I was driving around a few weeks back looking for colorful spots to shoot- this camera is like the Mini Cooper S of Toy Cams. I hadn’t driven our Mini in a while, and had almost forgotten how much fun it was flying around the back roads going through the 6 speed gearbox like a mad man. The Mini isn’t the car we take to the Opera, (mostly because we don’t go…) it’s the fun car. The weekend car. The Ikimono is just like that. You can get a great 35mm image with a Blackbird, Fly- but it won’t fit in your pocket. The Ikimono will go anywhere. Pocket, bag, even on your key chain. And at $20, it’s very inexpensive as well.

So how well does it shoot? That depends on distance, light and film. The image of the table and bench shows just how sharp of an image you can get at about 3 feet in good light. It’s clear, in focus and has plenty of detail. The rest of the images are just snaps, just for the fun of it shots. We were playing around that day with a bunch of 110 cams, and they are just fun little cams. You don’t feel the need to make a perfect image with the Ikimono, it just makes its own. You have a relative idea of the picture you are framing, but don’t expect the prints to look exactly like what you thought you shot. Just aim it and shoot.

I scanned the images on my Heidelberg Linoscan 1450, and was surprised just how much of the image is hidden in the white area between frames. I also discovered that I really liked the look of the numbers, masked areas and full frame of the exposure. There is a lot more to a 110 image then the little 4×5 print they send you back, so if you have the time and a scanner, scan the whole negative. You will find some nice surprises in-between each little frame.

The verdict? For $20 you aren’t going to find something with more character, ease of use and fun to shoot. Grab one, load it up and throw it in your bag. Let’s bring 110 back.

…and don’t play it safe!