Trends in Japan - CScout Japan Blog » BBF blackbird, fly TLR camera from Superheadz

BBF blackbird, fly TLR camera from Superheadz

Written by: Michael Keferl on August 12, 2008 at 10:16 am | In Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Technology & Gadget Trends |

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.

blackbird fly tlr camera superheadz 1

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.

blackbird fly tlr camera superheadz 2

For those interested, Japan Trend Shop now carries the Blackbird, fly camera since it’s unavailable outside of Japan.

Tags: Cameras, Film, LOMO, Retro
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Technology & Gadget Trends
Other categories: Marketing & Ad Trends

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If you’re nostalgic for your old Rolleiflex . . . the Blackbird, Fly is coming soon…

These retro cameras from Superheadz, called “Blackbird, Fly” are reminiscent of the twin lens reflex Rolleiflex cameras from the olden days, only these cameras take 35mm film rather than the traditional medium format film used in the originals. But,…

Trackback by Popgadget: Personal Tech for Women — August 18, 2008 #
[...] será um dos lançamentos bacanas de 2008 no ramo da fotografia. Lembra a Rolleiflex, claro. Outras informações aqui. Via [...]

Pingback by Desculpe a Poeira » Blog Archive » Fotografei você na minha Rolleiflex — August 19, 2008 #
so is it available to purchase now?

Comment by Gusti — August 22, 2008 #
[...] to my Holga 135, which I just hip-shoot or whimsically aim. Plastic Lens has some info, as does Scout. As soon as I can get my grubby hands on one, there will be a review here as [...]

Pingback by Four Corners Dark : Holga, Lomo, Toy Camera and Low-fi Photography Blog » Somebody get me this Camera! — August 27, 2008 #
[...] http://www.kilian-nakamura.com, [...]

Pingback by Black Bird Fly 135 Twin Lens Reflect Camera on retro-filmikamera - Hilavitkutin.com - Uutisia tekniikasta, ilmiöistä ja hilavitkuttimista — September 5, 2008 #
[...] blackbird, fly TLR camera from Superheadz is a wonderful, playful design for a retro / novelty hobby. For $100 I’d pick up this [...]

Pingback by the adventures of teapot the cat » blackbird, fly TLR camera — September 9, 2008 #
[...] японские друзья выпустили очередную камеру для ломографии Blackbird Fly, [...]

Pingback by Lubitel » Blackbird Fly — September 10, 2008 #
[...] Trends in Japan » BBF blackbird, fly TLR camera from Superheadz Tags: camera, Fotografia, japão, lomo, Produto, wishlist [...]

Pingback by pristina.org | everything design » Blog Archive » A Resposta Japonesa a Lomo — September 10, 2008 #
[...] Para gastar la quincena en una bonita cámara [...]

Pingback by Links Links Links! I | NiceFuckingGraphics! — September 23, 2008 #
[...] Cute TRL Cameras that use 35mm (again in Japan…must be a trend…) [...]

Pingback by Wednesday’s Weekly Reader: Double Stuffed! — September 25, 2008 #
[...] Check ook: http://www.kilian-nakamura.com/blog-english/index.php/blackbird-fly-tlr-camera-from-superheadz/ [...]

Pingback by » Analoog is niet dood! — October 7, 2008 #
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)

Comment by Gianfranco Chicco — October 11, 2008 #
[...] without breaking the bank. The Blackbird, Fly will be out soon. Details at superheadz.com or here if you can’t read Japanese. Tags: cameras, gadgets, Japan, [...]

Pingback by Blackbird, Fly TLR Camera - Josh Spear, Trendspotting — October 15, 2008 #
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.

Comment by ak — October 15, 2008 #
[...] Read more about the BBF here. [...]

Pingback by Twin Lens Reflex Lust: Blackbird Fly | iPleadtheFirst — October 16, 2008 #
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.

Comment by jphn pain — October 16, 2008 #
[...] BBF blackbird, fly TLR camera from Superheadz [Killian-Nakamura.com via Josh Spear] [...]

Pingback by Blackbird, Fly: Plastic vintage-inspired camera uses 35mm film | MostReviews.com — October 17, 2008 #
[...] BBF blackbird, fly TLR camera from Superheadz [Killian-Nakamura.com via Josh Spear] [...]

Pingback by Blackbird, Fly: Plastic vintage-inspired camera uses 35mm film | Sugar Mob — October 17, 2008 #
wow those are cool

Comment by scott — October 17, 2008 #
dude!

Comment by ch — October 17, 2008 #
“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.

Comment by Mark T. — October 18, 2008 #
Does anyone know of any sample photos posted anywhere?

Comment by Joe Plumber — October 18, 2008 #
Where can I get this?

Comment by Evy — October 19, 2008 #
I don’t get it… it’s not under $100 bucks.. it’s selling for about 127

Comment by noaH — October 31, 2008 #
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!

Comment by Michael — October 31, 2008 #
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???

Comment by Ray — October 31, 2008 #
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

Comment by noaH — November 1, 2008 #
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!

Comment by radio_cosmo — November 4, 2008 #
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 + …

Comment by Cameron — November 5, 2008 #
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.
:-)>

Comment by Cameron — November 5, 2008 #
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?

Comment by Robk — November 8, 2008 #
…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.

Comment by Robk — November 8, 2008 #
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!!

Comment by muffyskat — November 9, 2008 #
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

Comment by rupert — November 30, 2008 #
although I have just thought these might be great fun for shooting slides and projecting them.

And I meant Ricoh Diacord (not flex)

Comment by rupert — November 30, 2008 #