RETO PANO 35mm Panoramic

The RETO PANO is a little 35mm film camera with a wider way of looking at the world.

At first glance, it's a simple point and shoot. Load a roll of film, frame your photograph and press the shutter. No complicated settings, no screens and nothing to distract you from what's happening in front of the lens.

But there's a nice little trick built in.

With a simple switch on the front, you can move between standard 35mm photographs and a panoramic format, giving your pictures a longer, wider composition.

It's particularly fun for landscapes, city streets, road trips and those moments when you want to fit a little more of the scene into the frame.

The 22mm ultra-wide lens makes it easy to photograph larger scenes, while the fixed-focus design keeps things refreshingly simple. There's also a built-in flash for when the light starts to disappear.

And unlike a disposable camera, the RETO PANO is designed to be used again and again. Once you've finished a roll, just reload it and head out for another.

A lovely little camera for someone getting into film photography, or anyone who wants to experiment with panoramic photographs without carrying around a complicated setup.

Best for

Travel, landscapes, street photography, everyday snapshots, group photographs, creative panoramic compositions and beginners looking for an approachable 35mm film camera.

What to expect

The RETO PANO is a fully analogue, reusable 35mm camera.

You can choose between two shooting formats:

Standard: A traditional 35mm photograph, suitable for everyday shooting.

Panoramic: A wider-looking photograph that crops the top and bottom of the standard 35mm frame.

The important thing to understand is that panoramic mode doesn't create a larger film negative. It uses a mask to give the photograph its panoramic shape, so you still get the same number of exposures from your roll.

The camera uses a fixed-focus lens, meaning you don't need to adjust focus before taking a photograph. It works best in good daylight, although the built-in flash can help with closer subjects in darker conditions.

Because it's a simple film camera, you won't have the exposure controls or focusing options found on more advanced models. That's part of its appeal.

35mm film is sold separately unless specifically included.

Developing

The RETO PANO uses standard 35mm photographic film.

Once you've finished your roll, it will need to be developed using the appropriate process for the film you've chosen.

• Colour negative film: C-41 processing

• Black and white film: Black and white processing

• Slide film: E-6 processing

If you've taken photographs in panoramic mode, let your film lab know when arranging your scans. That way, they can account for the wider composition.