Want to try film photography? These are the best analog cameras to buy

Digital cameras have all but wiped analog photography off the face of the Earth, but cinema is making a comeback. Analog cameras – and the “film look” – have grown in popularity over the past couple of years, thanks in large part to social media. Film photography offers a very different experience than that of a photo with your phone or a digital camera. It’s less about that instant gratification and more about being in the moment and really considering the image you want to capture. Besides instant film, used in cameras like a Fuji Instax or Polaroid, you also have to wait for your film to be developed and images to be printed. It can be incredibly rewarding and a satisfying process, especially if you’re the one doing everything.

If you’ve never shot on film, it’s worth a try, whether you’re a seasoned digital photographer or want to take your first photos on a real camera instead of your phone. I’ve put together this guide to help you get started with film photography: from camera selection to choosing the right film to where to buy both.

I’ve been a professional photographer for over a decade, and although I grew up with digital cameras, I’ve really enjoyed diving into the world of film. So I’m going to share what I learned.

Also, once you own an analog camera, be sure to read my story and watch the video below to learn how to use it:

Why shoot cinema?

Before digital cameras were common, film was the default way to take photos, and although it has almost disappeared, the popularity of film photography has skyrocketed in recent years, as has the price of film.

What is the best film camera to buy?

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different cameras to choose from, all offering surprisingly different ways to take photos. So, deciding which one is best for you will depend on various factors. The cost is significant. But here are the main types of cameras to consider.

“Point and shoot” cameras

Point-and-shoot film cameras are generally the easiest to use. They have a fixed lens, usually with autofocus, and usually have automatic settings that adjust the shutter speed or aperture depending on conditions. They are often the quickest way to get started. And if you want quick snaps with your friends, then a point-and-shoot is the best place to start.

You can find cheap ones like Canon Prima Zoom which ranges from $50 to $130, depending on condition and specific model, or you can increase the price up to something like Konica Hexar AF which sells for between $800 and $1,000. Generally speaking, expensive models offer higher quality lenses with wider apertures and probably more adjustments and features, but otherwise they perform about the same as cheaper options.

Vintage SLR cameras

Vintage SLRs, like the Canon AE1, Nikon or the PentaxK1000feature retro looks, which is never a bad thing, and have been mass-produced over the years; there are a lot of them, usually for little money, as well as lenses and accessories. The Pentax K1000 I bought cost me the princely sum of 8 pounds (or around $10 if you’re in the US). Better yet, older Pentax lenses are generally less expensive than their modern equivalents.

Modern reflex film cameras

Perhaps the best camera to start with is a more modern SLR, like the Canon EOS1000F. These cameras are newer and feature wider auto settings, interchangeable lenses, and autofocus, making them much faster and easier to use, especially if it’s your first time using a camera. They are also among the easiest to obtain, as most were mass-produced until the 2000s. Because they are not considered collectibles, they remain plentiful and inexpensive. The Canon 1000F costs between $20 and $50 on film camera reseller sites like Kamerastore or KEH.

Lentils are also easier to obtain. For example, Canon’s most recent EOS line of SLR cameras uses the same lens mount as its DSLRs before switching to mirrorless. If you’re like me, you’ve shot with Canon digital cameras (such as the 6D or 5D MkIV), so you may already have a closet full of compatible Canon EF mount lenses. Otherwise, the vast selection available means they are cheap and plentiful on the second-hand market.

Most film cameras are 35mm, literally the size of a film frame. You can look at medium format cameras that use 120 film, but they tend to be more complicated, more expensive, and use more expensive film than 35mm cameras.

The iconic Hasselblad 500C is an absolute beauty, for example, and I love photographing with it. But it costs hundreds, if not thousands, and only gets 12 frames per roll of film. The 500C is more complicated to use, as it requires you to manually measure your scene and adjust all the parameters. THE Mom 6for its part, has an integrated light meter and some automatic adjustments; However, even though it is easier to use, it is still expensive. Medium format is probably best considered as an additional option once you’ve mastered 35mm film photography and are looking to branch out.

And of course, large format photography, like 4″x5″ or 8″x10″, also exists, but that’s a whole level of expense and complexity that really isn’t for a beginner.

Are there any new film cameras being made?

Few new film cameras are currently being made. There is the Pentax17which takes half-frame photos, meaning it splits a 35mm image in half to get two images: more shots per film, but lower quality images as a result. Or if you want to spend a lot of money, Leica still produces its MP film camera – the MP stands for mechanical perfection.

I expect more film cameras to come on sale as film photography continues to grow in popularity, but for now it’s best to buy used.

Where should I buy film cameras?

We all dream of finding a vintage Hasselblad or Leica for five dollars at a flea market, but the reality is that it’s not going to happen. So you actually have to pay money.

Many used cameras can be found online at eBay, Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist or even just in a flyer at your local camera store. And maybe you were tempted. Buy used this way can practice, as long as you know what you’re looking for; however, you must be careful. Some people will sell equipment that doesn’t work, and you may not realize it’s broken until you try to put a movie on it. And if you just buy from a guy on the street, you’ll have no recourse if it turns out you spent hundreds on a dud.

Cameras can suffer from a variety of problems, from worn lighting seals to damaged mechanisms, while old lenses may be scratched, unable to focus properly or even attacked by fungus. Other times, you can get exactly what you want and at a price that suits you. I bought a Mamiya 645 for 500 pounds (about $670) from a guy in a parking lot and it seems to work well. But I’m not a camera tech, and I just had to trust that the guy wasn’t selling me a e junk.

To avoid spending a lot of money on a camera that might be trash, look to companies like Kamerastore, KEH, and Adorama. Kamerastore, for example, buys and sells used film equipment, and everything that comes through its doors is individually inspected, certified and, if necessary, restored by technicians who, unlike me, know what they’re doing. This means you have peace of mind knowing that whether you spend $50 on a cheap compact or thousands of dollars on a high-end Hasselblad or Leica, you’re getting something that actually works the way it’s supposed to.

Kamerastore provided all the cameras I tested for this article – except for the Mamiya 645 and Pentax K1000, which I own – and I really enjoyed using them all while I was putting this together. When I expand my own collection, it will be with Kamerastore that I will spend.

Now that you have your analog camera, you need to put something on it.

What is the best film to use in a camera?

Cinema basically comes in two forms: color or black and white. Which choice you should use depends on your personal preference. Typically, black and white is cheaper than color film, but neither form is exactly cheap these days.

An excellent standard color film is Kodak Gold 200. It gives a classic look that people love for its warm and pleasant tones. It’s my favorite, as it happens, and at less than $10 a roll, it’s also one of the cheapest, making it a great starter film for everyday use, as does its 200 ISO, which is suitable for most daytime conditions.

As you progress, you may want to experiment with different films and the choices are immense. K Odak’s own range includes the desirable – and expensive – Portra 400 and 800, famous for their beautiful tones, while films like Harman Phoenix (first version Or version two) have a strong visual aspect and are fun to experiment with. Or go completely crazy with it Harman Redwhich gives your images an apocalyptic red tone.

I’ve found that most online stores that sell film usually have a variety of sample photos taken with each stock, so you can see what kind of tones you might get from them. And if you want to see more, just Google the film and the handy keyword “examples” to find additional footage to explore.

Buying film means making a decision on the particular look you want And the types of photos you want to take with it. Why then? Your choice of film dictates your ISO, something digital photographers are used to adjusting with the press of a button. Most films have an ISO sensitivity between 200 and 800.

Some films, like black and white Leica Monopan 50have an ISO sensitivity of 50. This is weak sensitivity, so you’ll need slower shutter speeds and/or wider apertures to let in enough light, especially if you’re in a dark environment. Ilford Delta 3200 Black and White Filmhowever has a a lot Faster ISO 3200. You’ll be able to use faster shutter speeds, making it ideal for handheld shooting in low-light scenes. For black and white movies, you can’t go wrong with Ilford HP5 for most scenarios or, for a cheaper alternative, Kentmere 400. They’re both solid, provide nice contrast, and both have ISO speeds of 400.

Now that you have a camera, you’re ready to go. And you have your movie. Are you doing well. Now it’s time to take some photos. Check out my guide on how to take film photos with an analog camera.