Imagine a film camera so unconventional, it shatters the limits of a standard roll, offering a staggering 180 photos instead of the usual 36! This isn't science fiction; it's the ingenious creation of a film photographer who decided to redefine what's possible with 35mm film.
Meet Japhy Riddle, the visionary behind the affectionately nicknamed ‘little stupid camera’. His journey into extreme film photography began with a clever modification: transforming a full-frame 35mm camera into a half-frame shooter. How did he achieve this? By ingeniously masking the film gate in the viewfinder with electrical tape and then running the film through twice, with a slight offset of four perforations. This meant a standard 36-exposure roll yielded a remarkable 72 shots. Of course, this came with a trade-off: a slight reduction in resolution, narrower lens angles, and a bit more fuss during the loading process.
But Riddle wasn't content with doubling his shots; he wanted to go further. After an initial unsuccessful attempt, the ‘little stupid camera’ was born. The name, he admits, isn't exactly glamorous, but it stuck! The core of this camera is a standard 35mm body, distinguished by an attached handle and, crucially, a highly modified film gate.
But here's where it gets controversial... Riddle applied his masking technique with an extreme twist. Instead of the two exposures per frame of a half-frame camera, he managed to fit approximately five tiny exposures into each standard frame. This audacious modification allowed him to capture an astonishing 180 images from a single roll of film!
Now, you might be wondering how he managed this without running the film through multiple times. For the ‘little stupid camera,’ Riddle devised a completely new method. He essentially learned to 'shoot backwards.' The entire roll was advanced onto the take-up spool, and then he would carefully rewind it back by about a 1/6th of a full turn. This clever maneuver ensured the entire film was ready to be shot again, all within the confines of the canister. To aid this precise rewind, he even marked his rewinder every 60 degrees – a testament to his dedication!
And this is the part most people miss... Riddle's motivation wasn't just about maximizing shots; it was about freedom. He explains, "It’s easy to think of film as this really precious stuff and you want to make every picture count." However, with photos now roughly 1/5th the normal size and consequently, a fraction of the cost per shot, it liberates the photographer to experiment and "just go wild."
In 2026, even with Kodak reasserting control over its film distribution and slightly reducing prices, film photography remains a significant investment. The allure of getting 180 shots from one roll is undeniably strong, even if the resulting images adopt a distinctive letterbox shape.
Riddle shared that he used the ‘little stupid camera’ for a few rolls before passing it on to someone else. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how creativity and a little bit of 'stupidity' can push the boundaries of traditional photography.
What do you think about this extreme approach to film photography? Is it a brilliant innovation for accessibility, or does it fundamentally alter the art of film? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
