SamsungFino 105S

The Samsung Fino 105S is a product of the last full decade of mass-market film, before APS and digital fought over the leftovers — a zoom compact paired with a Samsung 38–105mm f/4.5–8.5. Some backstory: sold as Maxima Zoom 105GL in some markets.

Format

35mm

Year

1997

Lens

Samsung 38–105mm f/4.5–8.5

Min. focus

0.8 m

Flash

Built-in

Battery

1× CR123A

The Samsung 38–105mm f/4.5–8.5 covers wide-to-short-tele in one barrel — one lens, no decisions, point and shoot. Film supply is a non-issue: any 35mm cassette from any lab works. A single CR123A lithium cell powers everything including the motor; still cheap and stocked at most camera shops. The built-in flash will fire whenever the meter decides it should, so learn the override before your first night out. Minimum focus is 0.8 m, close enough for a coffee cup or a face but stops short of true macro. Built for family events, holidays and anything where you'd rather reframe than walk.

Zoom compacts are still the bargain corner of the film market — pick up the Samsung Fino 105S cheap, run a roll through it and judge whether the convenience outweighs the slower aperture.

• §1Sold as Maxima Zoom 105GL in some markets.