Last week I decided to test out the Canon Sure Shot Z135 that my dad gave me (along with a few other compacts) a couple of years ago. I’d only shot the camera once before, mostly because there was a part used roll of film in the camera and I was keen to see what was on it (it was some photos of aircraft at the RAF Waddington airshow from about fifteen years ago). ALthough I really liked the airplane images, my results were pretty average, although that was mainly down to my slightly insipid choice of subject matter rather than the camera. As a result, it has lain unused in a drawer since then.

However, as I’ve had very nice results from my Sure Shot Telemax, I decided I’d give the Z135 a proper test rung with some fresh film to see how it stood up. The outcome was good – it produced a whole roll of nice images, not all standout compositions, but technically decent. The lens is sharp, although with some noticeable softness right in the corners, though this may change at different focal lengths (I shot mostly at it’s fully wide setting). The zoom is smooth and allows you to choose any point through the full range (as opposed to my Telemax, which just has a wide and zoom setting and nothing inbetween).

The camera also has a bunch of other modes (although how many of these I’ll use, I’m not sure), but also lets itself down with an annoying auto-flash setting. This can be disabled by means of a tiny button under a flap on the rear of the camera, but it’s a pain to have to do it each time you power up the camera lest you accidentally flash strangers in the face in a Bruce Gilden style when attempting inconspicuous street candids.

I’ve got a couple of trips coming up this year and I’m thinking of taking this (or the Telemax) as my 35mm option, It won’t have the flexibility of an SLR, but it’ll be a lot more convenient while still being able to deliver nice results.

Here are a trio of shots from the test roll.

Canon Sure Shot Z135 & Ilford HP5+.

Taken on 27 April 2019