Retro Photography with the Kodak Charmera & Retro Film with Camp Snap’s CS-8

/ Film, Photography / By

Charmera as Charm + Camera?

Instead of a blog-blog, I wanted to do something that used to bring me joy in the past – taking pictures in the moment with a point-and-shoot camera. Growing up the late 80’s as a child and a teen in the 90’s, I had experience with film photography in the disposable camera form. It was easy to use and not something you worried about losing. You can stash it in the back of your baggy jeans to capture the moment. It was awesome. Below are some fun facts and the chronological journey with my Kodak Charmera.

When in stock you can get yours here as well: https://amzn.to/3W8XLwF

Manufactured by Reto Project, the Kodak Charmera Keychain Digital Cameras are pocket-sized gadgets designed to look like the Kodak Fling, the iconic disposable camera first launched in 1987. Unlike their single-use inspiration, these are fully digital, capable of snapping photos and recording videos – all while being small enough to clip onto your keychain. Just pop in a Micro SD card, and you’re ready to capture memories on the go.

Why not just use your phone? I could, but that doesn’t have the same feel as the good ol’ point-and-shoot and move on to live in the moment.

It’s not as good as a smartphone camera! Yes, I know it’s not and that’s the beauty of it. It’s just whimsically good enough for retro photography.

Kodak Charmera Keychain Digital Camera Specs
Dimensions: 58(W) x 24.5(H) x 20(D) mm, weighing at 30 grams
Material (outer): ABS plastic
Lens: 35mm F2.4
Image Sensor: 1/4 inch CMOS
Image Output: 1440 × 1080
Image Format: JPEG
Video Frame Rate: 30 fps, AVI
Storage: Micro SD card (card not included) (1GB to 128 GB)
Battery: 200mAh Rechargeable with USB-C (included)

Fun Fact for the Fling’s successor (pre-Charmera), the Kodak FunSaver
If you grew up in the ’90s, chances are you remember the Kodak FunSaver. Pre-loaded with Kodak Gold 35mm film and often packing a built-in flash, it was the go-to disposable camera for school dances, summer trips, and everyday adventures. Affordable, durable, and easy to use, the FunSaver became a cultural staple of the decade and it’s still sold today for weddings, parties, and retro vibes.

Retro Filmography with Camp Snap’s CS-8

I remembered my family’s old camcorder that was wider than most carry-on luggage and about the same thickness (ok, I exaggerate but it was bulk). We also had to carry a bag of extra batteries and VHS tapes because it could only shoot a fraction of what our smartphones can hold today. I didn’t have a Super 8 back in the days and it was very expensive, but I can relive the retro dream with Camp Snap’s CS-8 camera (https://www.campsnapphoto.com/products/cs8). It only comes with the camera, a pre-installed 4GB microSD card, USB-C charging cable, and no lanyard.

Minimum packaging is awesome. It came bubble wrapped and pristine in condition. You can see the content that was included. You get all the stuff necessary to get yourself up and running, but I’ve opted to add a bit more.

Here comes the fun part. Installing a new SD card to expand it to the maximum 128 GB. I opt for a high endurance SanDisk card (link) since I am not going to be swapping the card as much and it’ll be running for longer than a photo camera. That bumps the 30 minute recording time with the pre-installed 4GB card to 16 hours with the new 128GB card. That should be enough for birthday parties, catching my son running around, theme park visits, family gatherings, and road trips.

The next upgrade I wanted to do was protect the camera lens as I lug it around. The lens can use a 55-62 mm lens cap but I opt for something that remained on the camera. This rubberized version for rifles, Monstrum Rubberized Flip-Up Rifle Scope Lens Covers (55-62 mm), seem to work well. Just note that installing it to flip to the side works better than flipping up or down. You don’t want it to flip up and cover the microphone. You just flip it to the side and you’re good to go in a snap. Also, you’ll feel like a real analog pro with the hinge flip cover.

Last upgrade I needed before taking it out for a spin is a lanyard. I didn’t pick a wrist lanyard since I knew that being parent meant that you’ll have other things to carry including your kiddo. Instead, I got an 18-inches and 3 mm thick neck lanyard. This meant that I could wrap it around my wrist for a make-shift wrist lanyard or let it go to the full length for a neck lanyard. I can then toss the camera behind me as I pick up my kiddo, diaper bag, or whatever my kids hands me (i.e., sippy cup, half-eaten food, snack bag, etc.). This set up works well and still allows me to carry the camera around.

I’ve also thought about the grip (left in pic). It’s hard plastic and doesn’t have the grippy feel that even selfie sticks have. Also, it seems like it could scratch over time so I had to think about wrapping it with something like a baseball bat or tennis racket so I bought non-glue type wrap that adhere to itself. Phixbear’s 1.1 mm silicon sports tape seemed to do the trick. After I wrapped it (right in pic), it felt more secured in hand and less prone to losing grip on it.

CS-8 Spec Overview

Dimensions: 8.75×8.25×2.75 in

Max resolution: 2.7K (2704 x 1520) at 30fps in Standard (STD) or using one of the four filters of B&W, Vintage 1 (soft faded colors), Vintage 2 (warm, nostalgic tones), and Analog mode (18fps with a “home movie” look and added grain).

Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (Reels), 16:9 (cinematic widescreen), 1:1 (social squares), and 4:3 (classic film/home movie feel)

Lens: Fixed 3.29mm f/2.0.

Zoom: 8x digital zoom.

Focus: Fixed

Stabilization: None (keep it steady!)

Screen: None and no playbacks until you access it later

Controls: Analog dials and SD card meter for “fullness”

The Upgrades

SanDisk 128 GB MicroSD card with adapter

uxcell Nylon 18 inches length and 3 mm thick woven nylon lanyard

Monstrum Rubberized flip-up rifle scope lens cover (55-62 mm outside diameter)

PHIXBEAR’s Baseball bat grip tape, 1.1 mm silicon material with self-fusing action (no glue residue)

Various vinyl stickers to customize and personalize your camera

I’m sure I’ll be adding more stuff to it and customizing it up the yin-yang. It’ll have its own personality and form in time. Remember, it’s all about capturing the moment and being in the moment.

Happy 2026!

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