I’m not sure how or when I first discovered the plastic White Slim Angel camera – but I think it was around 2009 or 2010. For those not familiar with this gem, it is a plastic point and shoot film camera, with a wide angle lens of 22mm, fixed at f/11 and 1/125. I didn’t learn until reading a post on 35mmc that the The White Slim Angel is essentially the resurrected / cloned version of the Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim.
It was cheap and it had a wide angle – which I didn’t shoot, so I thought it would be a fun way to see if I could get the hang of that kind of perspective. At the time, film and processing were also readily available and inexpensive. Shortly after I got my little plastic jewel, I signed up for a photo walk as part of the global Flickr Photowalk event in 2010. I got some of my favorite shots with this little camera on that photo walk.
Time passed, I forgot I even had this and then rediscovered it a few months ago. Eager to capture similarly enjoyable images and the fun experience I remembered from that 2010 adventure, I found some film and loaded it up. Below are my 5 frames from 2010 and 5 frames from 2020. I don’t know what the film was in 2010 but the film I used for the 2020 images is Fuji Superia Xtra 800.
5 Frames in 2010
5 Frames in 2020
I still enjoy using this little camera. It’s lightweight, fully automatic and lets you be in the moment. It’s almost like the precursor to your phone camera – only lighter weight and you get actual film prints. It is fun, and you can make some surprisingly enjoyable images with it. I plan to put some other rolls through it – my current favorite being Kodak Portra 400.
The Slim Angel is overpriced now but if you are patient you may be able to find one in a bargain bin somewhere. It is also delicate since it is plastic – particularly when you are winding the film back into the spool when you have finished, so if you do find one, just be extra careful when you rewind your film. I’m enjoying mine and I am glad I found it before it was too fashionable to afford. 😉
You can find more of my photography on Flickr, at my website, and random, intermittent postings on Instagram.
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Mike Watkins on 5 Frames with a White Slim Angel – Then and Now – By DeeDee Yelverton
Comment posted: 26/08/2020
Comment posted: 26/08/2020
Terry B on 5 Frames with a White Slim Angel – Then and Now – By DeeDee Yelverton
Comment posted: 26/08/2020
I did a quick check on ebay and indeed the camera is way overpriced for what it is, but if they all perform to the standard of your unit, still cheaper than the hundreds of $/£/€ a reasonable "proper" lens of, say, 21mm will cost, and this little camera makes sense if one wishes to do the odd super wide shot and not invest in pricey glass.
Thanks for posting.
Comment posted: 26/08/2020
James T on 5 Frames with a White Slim Angel – Then and Now – By DeeDee Yelverton
Comment posted: 26/08/2020
Comment posted: 26/08/2020
Stala Gavrielides on 5 Frames with a White Slim Angel – Then and Now – By DeeDee Yelverton
Comment posted: 26/08/2020
I was told that it’s safer to load 24 exp film to avoid breaking that rewind crank.
Comment posted: 26/08/2020
Alec Brown on 5 Frames with a White Slim Angel – Then and Now – By DeeDee Yelverton
Comment posted: 26/08/2020
I had a Vivitar UWS back in 2009 that I picked up for pennies, I sold it for 50 times what I paid for it a few years later then regretted it.
I've just picked up another for not too much and am running a film through it now.
Comment posted: 26/08/2020
Carl Cozzone on 5 Frames with a White Slim Angel – Then and Now – By DeeDee Yelverton
Comment posted: 27/08/2020
I raan a roll of Velvia through the UWS maybe 10 years ago? The shots were pretty spectacular as i remember. Sadly it failed. I still miss it. I have the flickr link if you re keen to look at some of the pics?
Comment posted: 27/08/2020
Carl Cozzone on 5 Frames with a White Slim Angel – Then and Now – By DeeDee Yelverton
Comment posted: 27/08/2020
Alec Brown on 5 Frames with a White Slim Angel – Then and Now – By DeeDee Yelverton
Comment posted: 31/08/2020
In fact I just finished it this morning.
You know what I might just share the images.