1970’s Mickey Mouse Camera
In the world of vintage toy collectibles, few items capture the charm of the 1970s like Helm Toys' plastic toy cameras for the instant load 126 film format. Helm Toys, a toy company known for its inventive and kid-friendly products, introduced a series of colorful plastic cameras that let children feel like real photographers. One of the standout pieces in this collection was the Mickey Mouse camera, produced in collaboration with Walt Disney Productions Inc.
I recently bought this vintage toy camera and thought it would be perfect to bring along to Magic Kingdom for a day of fun. Since the camera was originally designed for the now-discontinued 126 film format, I got creative and found a 3D-printed adapter to use 35mm film instead. In my excitement, I forgot that to avoid double exposures, I’d need to wind the camera at least twice between shots. Despite this happy little accident, I adore the unique look and feel of the photos—it adds an unexpected charm to each shot!
