Toy Cameras Take Tokyo

Written by: Michael Keferl on June 30, 2009 at 4:54 pm | In LIFESTYLE / FASHION | No Comments

The last few years have been a huge boom for toy cameras in Japan, tapping into both retro trends and the embedded camera culture of the country. Two companies are leading the charge: Lomography (the original reviver of plastic camera goodness) and Superheadz (the Japanese equivalent with its own offerings).

Last week was the 25th anniversary of the LOMO LC-A, the Russian model that started it all, with a surprisingly fun party at the Tokyo Lomography “Embassy”.

I was planning to go, but missed out on the party and am wishing I’d made it. As an avid user of my favorite Holga, Horizon, and Blackbird Fly cameras, it’s been great seeing this culture catch on among 20-somethings in Japan. Digital camera makers, by the way, could learn a lot from what’s going on here, especially from a fashion/design perspective.

Tags: Cameras
Category: LIFESTYLE / FASHION
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, DIGITAL LIFE, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Doraemon Exilim camera smiles, makes you do it too

Written by: Michael Keferl on October 17, 2008 at 11:28 am | In DIGITAL LIFE | 4 Comments

Collaborations between manufacturers and pop culture in Japan have a been a hit as of late, especially with electronics. Sure, Doraemon might be for kids, but Japan’s “Anime Ambassador” is popular across age groups (not to Hello Kitty levels of course). This new Exilim camera from Casio mixes smile detection technology with Dora-chan to create a new experience for snapshot taking.

In this case, Dora-chan’s face is used to give visual cues as to how the picture is going to turn out. If the picture is out of focus, Doraemon’s face isn’t happy, but smiles ear to ear once there’s good focus and your subject is smiling “properly”. Say what you will about being forced to smile by Doraemon, but the concept is unique.

While the body, case, and strap are also physically branded, the camera includes built in animations and menus based around the character. The result is an experience Doraemon and the camera simultaneously, adding value to both. Such collaborations are often hard to pull off without it seeming cheap, but the unique Japanese penchant for characters makes it work well here.

Pre-orders are already being taken for the camera, which will be officially released in December for about $350.

Tags: anime, Cameras, Collaborations, Electronics
Category: DIGITAL LIFE
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Olympus offers chance to photograph solar eclipse

Written by: Rebecca Milner on September 21, 2008 at 8:55 pm | In MARKETING IDEAS | No Comments

Olympus Imaging has launched an inventive marketing campaign: a chance to win an all expenses paid trip to the remote southern island of Tanegashima for the purpose of photographing a total solar eclipse under the guidance of a professional.

Customers who spend over ¥500,000 ($4,750) will be entered into the lottery for a chance to win one of 30 spots on the three day, two night trip. Considering that the eclipse, the first total one visible in Japan in 46 years, doesn’t take place until July 22 of next year, Olympus is giving itself plenty of time to rack up big spending customers.

¥500,000 is conveniently the price for the top Olympus E-System DSLR kit, including lens and flash. The E-System line includes pro and high-end consumer models. An additional 15 customers whose bills total ¥300,000 ($2,850) to ¥500,000 and 5 who spend ¥150,000 ($1,425) to ¥300,000 will also be invited to join, though obviously the odds aren’t as good.

This literally once in a lifetime opportunity is a tempting incentive for the legions of serious photography hobbyists who might be considering one of several brands for an equipment upgrade in the coming year. In case you are wondering if Olympus can sell enough of these expensive cameras to cover the cost of the extravagant prize, remember that they don’t call the country’s major all-purpose electronics chains Yodabashi Camera and Bic Camera for nothing.

Tags: Cameras, Hobby
Category: MARKETING IDEAS
Other categories: DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

BBF blackbird, fly TLR camera from Superheadz

Written by: Michael Keferl on August 12, 2008 at 10:16 am | In DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION | 38 Comments

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.

Tags: Cameras, Film, LOMO, Retro
Category: DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Spiegel features Wonderful Shot dog camera

Written by: Michael Keferl on December 14, 2007 at 8:28 pm | In Uncategorized | 1 Comment

On December 10th in its “Gaga-Gadgets” column, major German magazine Spiegel highlighted the Wonderful Shot dog camera from Tomy, including our unpaid model dog Sakura (soon to be suing us).

Don’t worry Sakura, a case of Happy Lager is on the way…

Tags: Cameras, pets, Press, Press coverage
Category: Uncategorized
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS