Hanimex's c1988 fixed-focus 35mm compact — no exposure controls, manual wind, AA-powered flash, made in China.
The Hanimex 35HL was a basic 35mm compact from around 1988, sold by the Australian distributor Hanimex, whose badge appeared on inexpensive far-eastern cameras throughout the UK and Commonwealth markets. Made in China, it sat at the bottom of the range alongside models like the 35HS, and camera-wiki notes the same camera was also marketed under the Vivitar name.
It is a fixed-focus camera with no exposure settings at all: one lens, one shutter speed, and film latitude doing the work. Film advance and rewind are manual, by thumbwheel and crank, so the camera itself needs no power. The built-in flash is the only electrical system, running on two AA batteries, and the camera shoots happily without them when the flash is not needed. A blue-bodied version was sold alongside the standard black.
This is about as simple as 35mm photography gets, which is exactly its appeal: no motor to fail, no meter to die, and nothing to configure. It suits absolute beginners, kids and lomography-style shooters who want a battery-free daylight camera with a flash on tap for parties. Results are soft-cornered snapshot fare, best on ISO 200-400 negative film outdoors.
With manual wind there is little to go wrong: check the advance wheel, rewind crank and frame counter operate, and the shutter clicks consistently. Test the flash on fresh AA cells since capacitor failure is the most likely fault, and inspect the battery bay for corrosion. Black examples are common and cheap; the blue version attracts a small premium from collectors of colourful compacts.