6 Months with the Ilford Sprite 35-II (With Photos!)

Ilford’s new Sprite 35-II camera is going to be the most fun camera in your collection. If you haven’t seen these yet, they’re essentially everything you know and love about disposable cameras, but in a reusable, 35mm format. 

The Sprite II is a beautiful, retro redesign of the Harman Reusable Camera. Other than the exterior, this camera is exactly the same. It features a fixed-focus 31mm lens, with a 1/120th shutter speed and an f/9 aperture when the flash is off. It weighs just 112 grams and fits easily in a jacket pocket.

Whether it is the simplicity or the look of this camera, something about it makes it capture more smiles than any other camera in my collection. After shooting a couple of rolls through this camera, and its not-so-identical twin, the Harman Reusable Camera, I’ve come to learn a lot about how to get the most out of it. 

Film is an extremely forgiving photographic medium, especially when it comes to over-exposure. While this camera does struggle in low light when the flash is turned off, it’ll never miss a shot during the day or evening.

At night, it’s the perfect camera for capturing photos of friends. Simply turn on the flash, and take some cheeky photos when people aren’t expecting it. The photos always turn out exactly how you’d want them to: full of life and vivacity.

Find the Ilford Sprite for the best price on Amazon here.

What do the images look like? 

It’s no secret that the Ilford Sprite 35-II cameras do not capture sharp images. But that’s not what this camera is about. 

The corners are completely unsharp while suffering from vignetting, lens flare, chromatic aberration, and dramatic distortion. The center of the frame is a little better, but that’s about where it ends. If you’re capturing landscapes, this camera isn’t going to capture photos that get featured in National Geographic (though, they could probably make it in Vogue!) 

Where this camera really shines is in the way it captures human expression and skin. You’ll never need to do skin retouching when using this camera — it does everything for you. People tend to look really good in this camera without needing fancy angles or ring lights. 

What type of film does the Ilford Sprite take? 

Because of the fixed shutter speed and aperture, the types of film that can be used are limited.

Ilford recommends using ISO 200 and 400 films with the Ilford Sprite 35-II. ISO 200 is great for full sun, while ISO 400 film works for every scenario, including when taking snapshots at sunset and sunrise, or when taking images at night with the flash on.

While Ilford doesn’t advertise this, the aperture does get larger when you turn on the flash. That means you can get a brighter exposure by turning on the flash — even if you’re taking landscape photos.

This camera looks amazing using color films like Kodak Gold, Ultramax. Their warm, saturated feel looks stunning in this camera, capturing perfect skin tones that look gorgeous at sunsets. ISO 400 film will give you more exposure latitude in the shadows and is preferable when shooting later in the day, or with flash at night.

400-speed B&W films, like Ilford HP5, also perform extremely well in this camera when shooting contrasty scenes. B&W films work best when there is a simple composition and good light. So as a general rule, I use color film when taking snapshots of friends, and throw in some HP5 or Kentmere films when out for walks.

Which films should I avoid using with the Ilford Sprite 35-II?

I don’t recommend using E6 color positive films like Kodak Ektachrome, or Fuji Velvia with a camera like the Ilford Sprite. These film stocks require nearly perfect exposures to create beautiful photographs, and this camera just cannot guarantee a good exposure in every situation. 

I also don’t recommend using professional color-negative film stocks like Kodak Portra, Kodak TMax, or Ilford Delta films. While those films will create perfectly exposed images in this camera, you won’t be able to take advantage of the sharpness, color, and exposure flexibility that professionals pay extra for. 

Using the Ilford Sprite 35-II at night

The great thing about the Ilford Sprite 35-II is that it comes with a built-in flash. So while you can’t change the settings, you will be able to capture photographs of people at night, or in darker circumstances. 

The flash only reaches between 1 and 2.5 meters and drops off very quickly after that. That means when using this camera at night, any distant background will become nearly black. When using the flash, this camera easily captures the candid energy in the room.

When taking photographs at night, it is not recommended to put higher ISO films in this camera. Even though film like Ilford Delta 3200 or CineStill 800t will typically create brighter backgrounds at night, the flash will completely over-expose people in the frame.

What battery does the Ilford Sprite 35-II need? 

While it doesn’t need a battery to operate the shutter, the Ilford Sprite 35-II does require one AAA battery to operate the flash. The camera does not come with a battery, so photographers will need to purchase their own batteries to use with this camera.

I’ve used these rechargeable batteries, which will last longer than 8 months in the Ilford Sprite 35-II on a single charge. In older models, the flash will make a whining sound when first charging (newer models don’t make this sound), and lights up a red LED on top of the camera when it is ready to fire. 

According to Ilford, It takes 15 seconds for the flash to charge for a full shot. In practice, I’ve had the flash recycle time take anywhere from 3 to 20 seconds depending on how cold it is outside, and how much juice is left in the battery. 

What’s the difference between the Ilford Sprite 35-II and the Harman Reusable Camera?

The Harman Reusable Camera is actually the same camera as the Ilford Sprite 35-II — just in a different shell. The Harman Reusable Camera was first released at the end of 2019 and was one of the cameras that I most anticipated purchasing. I picked it up the moment I found it on store shelves, and have loved using it every single minute. So is there any difference between the Harman Reusable Camera and the Ilford Sprite 35-II? 

The Harman Reusable Camera and the Ilford Sprite 35-II are the same camera, but with different looks. The Ilford Sprite 35-II has a vintage vibe and color options, while the Harman Reusable only comes in black. The lens, flash, and controls are exactly the same. However, the Harman Reusable Camera comes with a AAA battery and 2 rolls of Kentmere 400 film. 

If aesthetics are more important to you, then the Ilford Sprite 35-II is definitely the way to go. The camera does look and feel better than the Harman Reusable Camera. But the Harman Reusable Camera is a better deal out of the box, as it comes with 2 rolls of film and a battery for the same price as the Sprite.

Find the Harman Reusable Camera on Amazon here.

Final thoughts  

The Ilford Sprite II is a camera that’s built for candid photographs. It’s perfect for parties, campfires, vacation snaps, and every other situation that needs a wide-angle camera with a quick trigger.

For that reason, this camera is way better as a film camera than it could ever be as a digital point-and-shoot. Film makes the process easy, thought-free, and fun. Throw in a roll of Kodak Ultramax or Lomo Purple and have fun. 

This is not a camera for pixel peepers or people who care more about the quality of images than the memories captured in them. 

For the price, the Ilford Sprite 35-II camera is an incredible value. It’s been the most fun camera in my entire collection, and it’s one that I’ll always have with me when I’m hanging around with friends or exploring. Find the best price for the Ilford Sprite 35-II on Amazon.