Step aside Labubu, and let welcome Kodak

[SGMCF328]

I am interested for sure, for it handiness and that retro-ness.

What is the Kodak Charmera blind box camera craze and why is everyone trying to get one?

Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/trending/kodak-charmera-blind-box-camera-viral-craze-472001

Step aside Labubu, you ugly-looking grinning doll monster that for some silly reason some people find really cute, a new collectible craze is in town.

Meet the US$30 Kodak Charmera, a tiny digital camera on a keychain with retro looks that comes in a blind box and features seven designs: Six standard ones and a special secret edition version.

Made in collaboration with Reto Production, the Kodak Charmera features a style inspired by Kodak's single-use disposable camera from the 1980s called the Fling, and lets you record both photo and video. The secret edition comes with a transparent shell that shows off the camera's internals.

Weighing in at 30g, the Kodak Charmera shoots 1.6MP images with the ability to add Kodak frames, filters, and a date stamp, just like something you'd see in an old film camera. It stores the images on to a microSD memory card (but it doesn't come with one), and you can transfer the files out using the included USB-C cable.

"There's a huge interest in it because it's easier to shoot than shooting actual film which is tedious and costly when you count film, development and scanning costs," said Shawn Low, founder of Camera Assembly, which sells and repairs film cameras.

"But as a film person I just think they are trying to jump on the blind box hype because the camera is toy-like and does not replicate the experience of actually shooting film."

So far, demand has been ridiculously high after the Kodak Charmera went viral on social media thanks to videos of the blind box unboxing experience. It's pretty similar to the Labubu craze, which had also been mocked in a recent South Park episode. 

Social media pundits such as mrbrown have also called it the "Labubu of cameras", and the popularity of its blind box cameras has helped raise the profile of the 133-year-old photography company on social media, which had warned investors last month that it may have to cease operations. Kodak said that it may not be able to pay its upcoming debt obligations of US$500 million and may have to shutter its doors.

Like Fujifilm, which has successfully made the pivot into pharmaceutical, cosmetics and healthcare by using its expertise in chemicals that were developed for film processing, Kodak has also tried to do the same thing with a US$765 million loan from the US government in 2020.

It's not clear when this will start paying off, as the company's 2025 second quarter financials reported a net loss of US$26 million, a decrease from a net income of US$26 million from the same quarter last year.

That said, with the Kodak Charmera selling out every time there's stock, perhaps there's hope yet for Kodak to find success with more blind box products. Otherwise, if Kodak has to close down, the Charmera could become even more limited than it already is.

The Kodak Charmera is sold online at the official Retopro store, but you can also pick one up at authorised third party stores such as 8storeytree. That said, whether you can get one is another issue altogether. The official second preorder was launched Sep 30, and they sold out within seconds. There's no word yet on when the next preorder will take place. Find the list of official retailers here.

[Jman888]

i doubt this can sell half or even 10% of the labubu craze 

[SGMCF328]

I have been pondering what makes the Labubu sooooo specialllll. Should have call it uglybubu, cos it is really Ugly like f**k.

At least this Kodak Charmera is functional and relatively inexpensive (comparing to even non-limited edition of the uglybubu).

 

Selling here at S$39 but sold out. Malaysia selling for about S$51 with SD card.

 

Edited October 2 by SGMCF328

[Ody_2004]

On 10/2/2025 at 8:58 AM, Jman888 said:

i doubt this can sell half or even 10% of the labubu craze 

can hit 1% steal laugh oredi...

[Jman888]

this type of retro toy camera has been around for many years in different forms and designs, i have a few at home inside drawer collecting dust.

end of the day phone camera will be the first thing you take out when you want to take photo 

[kobayashiGT]

On 10/2/2025 at 9:29 AM, Jman888 said:

this type of retro toy camera has been around for many years in different forms and designs, i have a few at home inside drawer collecting dust.

end of the day phone camera will be the first thing you take out when you want to take photo 

Then why did you buy in the first place? hahahah 

[Jman888]

On 10/2/2025 at 9:32 AM, kobayashiGT said:

Then why did you buy in the first place? hahahah 

i usually bought them during travel overseas at those creative markets, see cute cute then buy lor 

[mersaylee]

Donch underestimate the draw of the fugly labooboo...one full grown man cum all the way from the far west to my place to pick up one blind box from me selling on behalf of my better half whom also finds it fugly...😂

[Kopites]

来噗噗.

😁

[Gnahp]

last time, before we have digital camera

I keep one disposable camera in the car

in case I need photo evidence after an accident (choy)

[Gnahp]

double post

Edited October 2 by Gnahp

[Benarsenal]

Someone here once told me, Labubu craze is because one of the BlackPink girls was spotted carrying it. So it become they have = I must have.

That is all. So simple.

[Ody_2004]

On 10/2/2025 at 9:50 AM, Benarsenal said:

Someone here once told me, Labubu craze is because one of the BlackPink girls was spotted carrying it. So it become they have = I must have.

That is all. So simple.

yeah the thai girl Lisa.. honestly i very skeptical on this Lao Bu thing until we use it to draw in the high spenders... the magnet it create is unexplainable..

now every where/country you go Pop Mart is everywhere... 

now if ask Lisa to hang this Kodak on her bag i wonder still works! whahahahahaha..

[Sosaria]

Quite a gamble since now virtually every phone is a camera with vastly superior imaging capability and memory.

It's only value proposition is the uniqueness of being able to capture low-res photos to get that genuine retro feel.

Just like how retro digital cameras are a thing out there now, with pre-owned selling for $100 to $200 online.

[Jman888]

On 10/2/2025 at 10:10 AM, Sosaria said:

Quite a gamble since now virtually every phone is a camera with vastly superior imaging capability and memory.

It's only value proposition is the uniqueness of being able to capture low-res photos to get that genuine retro feel.

Just like how retro digital cameras are a thing out there now, with pre-owned selling for $100 to $200 online.

the real retro is still going back to film camera, it was quite hip amongst the young people few years back. I also collected 2 of them (now in drawer) and when i go to 'develop' the film at the shop, they only email me the 'soft' copy, no negative and no printed photo unless i go back and pay to get them printed 

[SGMCF328]

For me, it is the retro feel. I ever bought the disposal Kodak camera just for my chalet (staycation in modern term, wtf). 

Now you understand why I am a fan of this charmera.

[Playtime]

sorry but what does this kodak do that any decent mobile phone cannot do better?

purely for nostalgia?

[13177]

On 10/2/2025 at 9:50 AM, Benarsenal said:

Someone here once told me, Labubu craze is because one of the BlackPink girls was spotted carrying it. So it become they have = I must have.

That is all. So simple.

Don’t understand why people are crazy over labubu, even guys also like them.

Maybe labubu appeals to young people? Old people like me don’t know how to appreciate?!