The Nana Camera is an Uncomplicated, Compact 35mm Film Point-and-Shoot

Jaron Schneider

Close-up shot of a retro-style camera. The camera has a circular lens, a small flash, and a textured grip on the left. It features a selector switch beneath the lens, and the words "Film Never Die" engraved on the right side. The design suggests a vintage aesthetic.

FilmNeverDie introduced the Nana, a compact and uncomplicated 35mm film point-and-shoot that is designed to mimic the ease of a disposable but in a reusable design.

“Three years ago, FilmNeverDie introduced the Niji 35mm reusable film camera, sparking a wave of nostalgia and creativity within the film photography community,” Gary Wong, founder of FilmNeverDie, says. “Today, we are thrilled to announce the next chapter in our journey — the Nana camera.”

Two vintage-style silver cameras are placed on a dark surface. The camera in the foreground has a lens pointing upwards, while the camera in the background has its lens facing forward, emphasizing its yellow inner ring.

Wong says that the Nana has three design enhancements that are meant to make the film photography experience better. Firstly, it has fully motorized film winding which he argues makes the process of shooting film smoother and therefore more enjoyable. Secondly, the body of the Nana is all-metal. Inspired by the Contax N2, the sturdy casing has a minimalist design, too. Finally, the Nana has a dual focus mode, which is a new optical system meant to deliver sharper photos. Wong says that it excels specifically at landscape photography right now and before the camera becomes generally available, it will be great for portraits, too when the optional second element is complete.

The camera features a 31mm f/11 fixed, single-element, lens and a fixed 1/125 second shutter. It has a built-in flash, operates on AA batteries, and has a dual focus mode thanks to an additional lens element via the 30mm thread. When loaded with film, the Nana weighs 300 grams and is designed to be pocket-able thanks to its 110 by 62 by 38mm size.

“We believe Nana represents a significant step forward in film photography, merging the charm of analog with modern enhancements,” Wong says.

That note about general availability is linked to Wong’s choice to use crowdfunding to move the Nana camera into the final phase. There, the Nana is available starting at $225 Australian (about $150), which is discounted from the eventual plan to charge between $350 and $395 Australian (about $235 to $265).

FilmNeverDie did attempt to launch the Nana last year outside of crowdfunding, but apparently shifted its plans to Kickstarter.

Below are some sample images captured using the FilmNeverDie Nana:

A sunny cityscape featuring several high-rise buildings. The image shows a mix of older and newer architecture, with trees in the foreground adding greenery. The sky is clear and blue, casting a warm light on the scene.

A parking structure entrance with a yellow and red "No Entry" sign. A billboard above advertises "Atlas Car Rental." A person stands near the entrance. A sign nearby shows parking rates and mentions "Open 24/7." The structure is in an urban setting.

An urban alleyway framed by modern high-rise buildings. The scene features a mix of glass and concrete architecture with sunlight streaming through, casting shadows. A metal staircase is attached to one building, and a "P" parking sign is visible on the left.

A two-story building on a sunny street corner houses a café with some outdoor seating. A classic car drives by in the foreground. The building has a weathered, yellow facade with red-framed windows, and a sign above the entrance reads "Maisy's Café.

A red-brick building with a neon sign that reads "PALERMO" vertically hangs from the side. The building is located at the corner of Kirks Lane and another street, as indicated by the street sign. Cars are parked along the street in a sunny, urban setting.

“We are in the final tooling stage at the moment, so we need your investment to finalize our Research and Development, most importantly the improved optic element,” Wong says.

FilmNeverDie’s Nana camera Kickstarter is live through the end of next week and is, at the time of publication, significantly below the threshold required to finish the project — it has raised just $7,600 of its 33,316 goal.

Disclaimer: Make sure you do your own research into any crowdfunding project you’re considering backing. While we aim to only share legitimate and trustworthy campaigns, there’s always a real chance that you can lose your money when backing any crowdfunded project.

Image credits: FilmNeverDie

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