How a TOY CAMERA Made Me Fall in Love with Photography (again)

I've got a huge collection of camera including digital and film cameras, of various sizes and capabilities. And yet, from all the cameras I own, this one here stands out - A kids toy camera that takes instant images. And the best part: the images only cost a couple of cents per shots. Additionally, this camera delivers unique results, with a full, high contrast, gritty, black and white look. I got this camera for a very specific use case and didn't know yet how much I would actually use it and how much it would affect my photography in general. Therefore, in this video I will show you why this toy camera is the perfect tool to unlock creativity.
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Gear I use regularly use*:
DJI OSMO POCKET 3 - US: amzn.to/3zC4K9H or DE: amzn.to/3WfgvLS
FUJIFILM X-S20 - US: amzn.to/3MGqHYK or DE: amzn.to/3QXGwgh
TRAVEL LENS - US: amzn.to/3MGPdsT or DE: amzn.to/3u705cU
MIC (Shotgun) - US: amzn.to/3fCagz5 or DE: amzn.to/3fux43v
MIC (Wireless) - US: amzn.to/3rmFH2U or DE: amzn.to/3Rt08pl
BACKPACK - US: amzn.to/3y9T6zj or DE: amzn.to/3LZ9LLk
SLING BAG - US: amzn.to/3eBcgYi or DE: amzn.to/3eBWTP5
STRAP - US: amzn.to/3RA8f3r or DE: amzn.to/3C8X6RQ
TRIPOD - US: amzn.to/3y8AejY or DE: amzn.to/3SSc70K

[@jackrocks8350]

The specific one in this video is by Usteetic in case anyone is wondering

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks! I didn't even know it had a brand name somewhere haha. In case people are interested, here is the link to the camera (price might vary since I got mine during Black Friday last year): GERMANY - amzn.to/415aKTA US - tinyurl.com/34tdcsh3

[@kackenderkevin]

its the same as the ones from aliexpress

[@BrennanLetkeman]

I bought one of these the other day! super fun. the notebook sticker idea is great, the one thing I wish the regular receipt paper did was sit flatter in the end

[@Remii___]

That concept for a shot a day with a camera like this spoke so hard to me I went and immediately ordered one that looks like a pink dog. I’m just starting as a photographer and doing this to just get out there and take photos seems fantastic

[@anikaaa_1904]

I saw this camera 1 month ago on youtube bought it asap and it was one of the best decisions ever! I love to shoot with it and the pictures are perfect for journaling:)

[@ChrisBrogan]

I have a blue one just like it. Super fun camera. And a great "palate cleanser."

[@Mamiya645]

Hasselblad, Fuji, Ricoh, Leica, Yashica, Contax: I sleep. This camera: GAS engaged! Thank you for the video, it's very inspiring.

[@KarinMajoka]

Hahaha, that was exactly what happened to me, when I saw Maya's camera for the first time my GAS was over the moon! Thanks for your comment. :)

[@Cole_Bailey]

I had a very similar experience with these kids instant cameras. I've shot a wide range of film formats and cameras and picked one of these up in December before a trip. I love shooting film more than anything else in the world but I had more fun with this camera than I have ever had with even my Leica. The connection it can provide with people is incredible. I was able to take photos and hand out copies to friends, strangers, and street performers. It's a beautiful little tool.

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, so cool to hear you had a great experience with this camera type! I also think it helps a lot to engage with other people and come into contact with strangers on the street. Surely helps that these cameras are usually colorful and not looking intimidating haha

[@JuanManuelTastzian]

Hi Karin! First video I see from you, and I'm glad I did. Sounds like you had a ton of fun and really inspired a ton of us here. I'll take a look and see if I can get one, but also a bit worried about the refills. I hope reasonable alternative rolls can be found with ease not to hamper the joy this device can give. Keep up the great work!

[@VioletBird]

This is wonderful. I am trying to take one photo a day, with 5 kids it is hard to not take portraits hahaha! Instax and Polaroid are $$$ but i do like the variety

[@gtberg]

OK, you sold me. I bought one of these off Amazon. Looks like fun. I like the idea of journaling!

[@neiljclarke]

One of the most refreshing and inspiring videos that I've seen in ages!

[@yarrflee]

I've been using one of these for a few months and it is SO fun, love that you can get paper rolls for it that have adhesive backing so you can have your instant shots as stickers too! I got one for my nephew after using it myself and he went through a roll and a half on christmas day :')

[@KarinMajoka]

Totally agree, I love the self-adhesive paper as well, you can get so creative with using photos as stickers! Hahaha, luckily the rolls are not as expensive, just imagine it would be 1,5 packs of Polaroid instead 😅💸

[@WMARUoriginal]

I have two of these! I was looking for a low fi BW experience similar to the Nintendo Gameboy camera and printer I had growing up, but a bit better quality. As you said, the biggest challenge is the paper. Finding replacement sticker paper has been especially challenging. The ones that came with the camera work fine, but all the replacements I've order have been either too thick or the paper has this gloss that makes the image very very light. Those are meant for the thermal printers which I also picked up. They look a lot like the toy cameras, but print from your phone and are more detailed. Something to check out as well if you're interested.

[@KarinMajoka]

Oh yeah, I had to think of the GameBoy Camera as well when I learned about this type of thermal printing cameras for the first time! I only used the included paper and the sticker paper I bought, so I don't have as much experience as you. I will definitely be careful when ordering another batch of paper in the future, thanks for the warning!

[@luismartins3262]

I haven't seen a camera review in a long time that has made me want a new camera this badly! This is why I love shooting with compact digital cameras, my Olympus Trip 35 or 120 Diana, or my half-frame Ricoh. Now excuse me while I go try to find one (perhaps a green or blue dinosaur).

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for your comment, I am glad to hear you found the video helpful :) And yes, the smaller the barriers to get creative, the better! And for that, those simple, minimal cameras are just perfect.

[@greysuit17]

This is a fantastic idea! Thank you for sharing! I am going to get one for my kid to help them on their journey of intentional creativity!

[@mgflash4337]

❤️ this video

[@VndyPrince]

Stoked to see you grab one. I was looking at them in the past but couldn’t get into saving receipts. The option with adhesive didn’t even cross my mind. Thanks!

[@garybrowser6885]

Can clearly see the joy and freedom using the camera has given you Karin - what a lovely story at the end too !

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for watching and for your kind comment, I appreciate it. :)

[@VesaJurva-d6f]

Hi Karin! This is the most entertaining video you have made. Thank you so much!

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for watching, glad you've enjoyed it! :)

[@bartoscar]

I bought one recently for pretty much the same reasons and I agree-it is such a joy to use! Mine is black and vaguely polaroid-like but it still has the same kid-style interface.

[@KarinMajoka]

Yours certainly sounds more discreet haha. Thanks for your comment and for sharing your experience. :)

[@GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff496]

So much fun … thanks, I hadn’t heard of this toy camera before. Good on you for paying it forward with your godchild … those early influences can have a big effect later in life! 📷🦕😄

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for your comment. :) and yes, absolutely, I think it's great to nourish creativity early on!

[@Papierzeit]

Back to the root. Nice. :)

[@KarinMajoka]

Exactly! :) thanks for your comment!

[@Papierzeit]

@@KarinMajoka sehr gerne oh wait... with pleasure :)

[@leeny1871]

❤ this looks like so much fun! I would love to get one... it's a shame that the printed images will fade over time.

[@derrenleepoole]

What a brilliant little project Karin. Really enjoyed this episode :)

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for watching :)

[@umasonne]

LOVE IT ❤❤❤❤

[@KarinMajoka]

Thank you :)

[@realPivo]

This is such a fun camera! Immidiately watching the video I understood that I want it here and now :)

[@KarinMajoka]

Totally, the fun aspect is the best thing about it. Great to hear it inspired you to get one yourself. :)

[@marcmcvey6276]

Wonderful video and beside Moriyama, the images reminded me of Joseph Kouldeka. With the relatively short life of the prints, please consider scanning them and then creating a book…I know I’d buy it! Are you based in Koln? Really love your videos ….but you cost me a small pile of $$ because of your M6 videos…ended up getting one myself (black, .85 TTL version)

[@stojanovicmiljan]

Fun idea! Use those instant thermal print pictures in an enlarger and make large photographs from it ! :D

[@ankerwiedemann]

Dear Karin, thanks for a refreshingly inspirational feature on the dino-cam instant photos. I got an Instaxprinter for a similar reason and love to turn my M10 into a fun instant camera. It brings joy and playfulness into taking photographs, and I also enjoy the simplicity of the prints which aren't fantastic but convey the experience and captures the moment in a way very true to the capital M of my camera. I am almost thinking my grandson should have one - but at two it is perhaps better that he sticks to books and dinosaur stickers and toys. He will get his fair share of "Uneentbehrlichkeiten" in terms of electronics for sure anytime soon regardless ;-) I might want one though..

[@marklawson8346]

Thank you for your video it’s sound a great idea 😘

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it :)

[@Mark-Helmy]

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks for watching. :)

[@_Just_Some1]

My daughter got a little printer for Xmas that prints on that type of paper (thermal paper I think it’s called). The rolls are supper cheap. We’ve been having a lot of fun.

[@KarinMajoka]

Sounds great, awesome to hear you have been enjoying it! And of course thanks for your comment. :)

[@batex3]

Nice video! Didn’t know they had thermal sticker paper! I recently got a thermal camera, not the dinosaur model 🙁 but I love it! Some of us on the World Toy Camera Day Facebook group are using them, so I shared your video there. I experimented with printing photos on thermal receipts!

[@willh7014]

@karinmajoka Thank you so much for sharing this! May I ask, will you please share the link for the sticker paper you are using?

[@KarinMajoka]

Sure! I got mine from German Amazon, I think it must have been this one here: tinyurl.com/2je54wyt

[@willh7014]

Thank you!

[@feefawfern8240]

Different [seems to bring inspiration] love it. Lensbaby did something similar, for me, the other day.

[@RoubenDickranian-e5d]

brilliant. love it. this short video brought a smile to my face. I really like the idea of fun as we tend to lose that fun element when using our cameras. Thanks for another great idea but also fun video.

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for your comment, I appreciate it a lot! And yes, it's a bit harsh to realize how quickly fun can be compromised when getting stuck too much with perfection and gear. So a simple camera and simple project like that truly helps to boost the fun factor again!

[@janondruska6775]

beautiful

[@KarinMajoka]

Thank you :)

[@ssadonnelly]

I have something similar a Canon Zeomini (I should be an influencer with all the canon cameras I have in my collection LOL) . Basically works the same way only printing onto small format colour thermal sticker paper. I mainly used it at events to promote our Canon Club by taking portraits of strangers and giving them the results. It’s a much better pure digital camera interestingly you cant shoot directly to the SD card without paper in it ッ

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks for your comment! That's actually pretty cool and I assume it's also convenient to be able to print in colour. And I love how taking photos of strangers and handing it to them is such an essential part of fun and building community. :)

[@andydreadsbmx]

This actually looks super fun and the note book idea of one a day is awesome!! Makes me wonder if something like clear packaging tape could help with the archival-ness of the prints.

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for your comment! :) That's an interest idea actually, not sure if this would work. I assume when finding a way to keep it away from UV light, the longevity might be improved maybe

[@helstor]

@@KarinMajoka Maybe "fixative" would work? The stuff you spray on pencil, charcoal and chalk drawings to protect them from smudging and fading.

[@PhilKnall]

This is so cool, I love the point about doing one shot a day - I think I'll start a photo diary with my little Canon printer too. Might need to get one like this for our kids too... Currently our son loves my Lomo Automat, and I'm not sure I should let him shoot Instax mini 🤑🤑💀

[@KarinMajoka]

Hahah, Instax (even the mini one) can ruin the bank quickly 😅💸 This one is a bit more forgiving - but in my opinion just as much fun for the little humans who will be the photographers of tomorrow :)

[@loafbyRYE]

I’ve never been influenced SO fast.

[@hamzasiddiqui5258]

Great video. I will buy one for my cousin sister (and for me also ofc XD)

[@dr.seltsam1975]

Klasse Video. Mir ging es mit der Camp Snap Camera genauso 👍🏻☺️

[@KarinMajoka]

Ist das diese digitale "Einwegkamera"? Sehr spannend, wollte ich auch zukünftig gerne mal probieren. :)

[@jesusmendez1419]

yo la quiero!!!!!

[@coffeecuparcade]

Love it

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks for your comment :)

[@coffeecuparcade]

@@KarinMajoka I remember using a Gameboy and its camera attachment years ago to take B&W photos and it was such a fun time. My friends all thought I was insane but it unleashed creativity. Looks like you found something similar and I love it!

[@etnevel.naitzsirk]

Just an idea, What if you would blend somehow the jpeg with the physical print's scan, and maybe you would add some collage into the mix. 🤔 The roughness of the print's texture mixed with a more sterile, "higher" quality look (which is obviously a stretch in the case of camera made for kids) would be interesting. Probably a simple blending mode in Photoshop wouldn't be the answer, though, but maybe it would look perfect. Anyways, the neurons in my brain are flashing now how could this little camera be pushed to its limits.

[@lumi7610]

I was considering to buy the Fujifilm instax evo these few days… seems like my opinions might change…very tempting lmao. A kids toy 10x cheaper than Fujifilm might be what im buying instead

[@KarinMajoka]

I mean, there isn't such a thing like "too many cameras", so why not get both haha. I think both have their use cases and Instax is a beautiful format I enjoy a lot. But depending on what you want to do, one might be more suitable than the other and in my opinion this thermal print camera system is undefeated when it comes to the cost per shot.

[@Jaywestend]

I've personally fell victim to this camera. woke up to prints of me sleeping by my nieces 😅

[@KarinMajoka]

Hahahha, that's awesome actually, love this story! 😂

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I’ve experimented with a similar thermal printing camera and figured out how to contact print the thermal images onto B/W film, then enlarge them to silver gelatin paper. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5aTaWejgNilfdU

[@DunkelRuhrOutdoors]

Be honest, it's fun and that's what it always was about...

[@firstletterofthealphabet7308]

Hey, careful with longevity when you deal with receipt ink. It tends to fade pretty quick, and text printed on it is nearly unreadable in a matter of several years.

[@KarinMajoka]

I am very aware of that and mention it in the video as well - but thanks so much for pointing it out, it's crucial to take into account. :)

[@beduinolounge]

I thought this was a camera giveaway! I accept the Pentax 17.😊

[@KarinMajoka]

I don't get it? 😅

[@jr8440]

Oh thanks for the review, now i know what out 4 yr. old will use this Summer 😮🎉

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks for your comment. This camera certainly is perfect for kids starting out in photography. :)

[@michaelh.gerloff3659]

7:00 What a great idea to use a notebook as an album! I love the imperfectness of these prints. I use a cheap thermal printer for DIY zines but after your video I will invest in a camera, too 🤓 Leslie of Comfortable Shoes Studio showed an interesting way to use a stripe as a kind of film with a handmade "projector" ("A Long Walk to Work - a hand cranked photo tour of my commute", kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3eXhIecpbWAprc)

[@joaoduarte9423]

🦕🦖🦕🦖🦕

[@KarinMajoka]

🦖📸

[@slippinjimmothy]

My only concern with these is that thermal paper has been known to contain BPA. These being primarily marketed for children is a bit alarming when it’s difficult to tell if the paper is BPA free.

[@KarinMajoka]

I totally understand your concern. At the same time, you usually don't come into contact with those papers in your mouth or something like that. So I think BPA is a bigger concern in plastics like in water bottles for example.

[@mp_martin]

A photograph per day is not a project. It’s a simple exercise. Project implies a concept and considered execution