Once thought dead, film photography has made a big comeback in recent years, largely buoyed by Instagram and sites like Analogue Wonderland, as more and more photographers discover the addictive pleasures of analog shooting, an alchemical thrill that can't be replicated in digital megapixels.
Why do people still shoot film? There's a lot to love: the physical permanence of it, the excitement of trying different film stocks, and seeing how different they look. There's also the sense of delayed gratification – which may seem a strange thing to say, but there is something exciting about the unknown quality of shooting film, and the delay between pressing the shutter and actually seeing the image you captured. It's exciting!
Then there's also the fact that many film cameras simply look cool, and are built with metallic durability that's arguably superior to the disposable plastic of today.
The Nikon FE is an advanced semi-pro 35mm SLR camera from 1978 to 1983 that has inspired the retro Nikon camera bodies of today. Easy to use, well-built, and also stunning to behold, this is one of the most iconic Nikon SLR cameras to have in your collection.
Canon AE-1's molded construction and new electronics made it one of the most successful cameras of all time – and today it is still going strong. Thanks to its popularity there are still lots of good quality copies out there on the secondhand market, which can be picked up for a very reasonable price.
Looking for a great camera to start your film journey? The Pentax ME Super is a great camera for beginners with a healthy mix of manual and electric controls. The camera is also cheap and lightweight making it an easy option to toss in a bag when heading out.
If you want a film camera that is an affordable but high-quality bit of kit to learn the basics of photography, then the Pentax K1000 has been the top choice for film students for decades and is still one of the best all-mechanical cameras to learn how t shoot film with.
The Leica MP's iconic design, manual controls, exceptional performance, and immersive shooting experience make it a timeless and valuable choice for film photography enthusiasts and professionals.
If you are looking for a step up in quality from the 35mm film format, then medium format 6x7 cameras might well offer a good alternative with their huge negatives. Also, most popular 35mm films are available in 120 roll. My favorite of these 6x7 cameras is the Mamiya RZ67.
Rangefinders take some time and practice to master, so they’re not to everyone’s taste – but for fans of the design, this is one of the all-time classic rangefinders, with a fixed 40mm lens that delivers superb image quality. There’s an issue to be aware of when it comes to batteries, though...
While some film cameras test your photography skills, others set out to make taking a shot as simple as possible – and this is certainly one of the latter. The only setting you need to think about is whether you want the flash turned on or off – then frame your shot in the high-quality f/1.9 lens.
You get a scant eight shots from each roll of film you put into the GW690, so you need to choose your shots with care – but that restriction opens up a new way of thinking about your photography, if you let it, and the f/3.5 90mm lens yields sumptuous results.
For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. He is familiar with and shows great interest in film photography having used many 35mm, medium, and large format cameras from Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, Sinar. Seb is still as passionate about shooting black and white film today as he was years ago, often using his Leica M2 to shoot street photography.
The best film cameras in 2024
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✅ You want compact: Thanks to its simple design, the Nikon FE is a great compact SLR to carry all day long
✅ You're on a budget: The FE is a great bargain, and can often be found under $200/£200
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You don't want to rely on batteries: For the FE's light meter and shutter to fire, you need a battery
❌ You want high shutter speeds: The highest shutter speed is 1/1,000, but others went to 1/8,000 in the same era
The Nikon FE is an icon of the film era – so much so that it has helped inspire Nikon's current range of retro digital cameras, which bear an uncanny resemblance to the Nikon Z fc. The camera has a design I can't help but fall for: with little touches of copper in the dials and faux-leather cladding on the pentaprism viewfinder, the Nikon FE is still a beauty that draws me to it.
The build of this camera is also renowned for being reliable, so some 30 years later these cameras should still be going strong (although might require some minor repairs like light seals). Our reviewer loved the viewfinder, finding it clear and bright, and the depth of field preview proved very effective.
Looks aren't everything, and thankfully the Nikon FE has the skills too. As an advanced semi-professional 35mm SLR camera with Manual and Aperture Priority shooting modes, it should suit anyone with a little camera know-how. Its shutter has a range of 1/1,000 sec to a maximum of eight seconds, while Bulb mode is mechanical and unlimited. Flash sync speed is 1/125 sec, while the ISO/ASA ranges from 12 to 3,200.
The camera can also be paired with Nikon's F-mount lenses – and luckily, this is one of the widest and best-selling lens ranges of all time, so you certainly won't have any trouble picking some up second-hand. There is a lens to suit everything from wide-angle street scenes to telephotos for wildlife and sports.
Manufactured by Nikon in Japan from 1978 to 1983, the Nikon FE is still a very capable SLR with a lovely design, and is perhaps the perfect model for those wanting to delve into film photography. Today, it's possible to pick up the Nikon FE secondhand for under $150 / £150.
✅ You want to own an icon: The AE-1 is one of the most popular cameras in the film community
✅ You want automatic controls: With Shutter Priority, it's great for beginners to learn the basics
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You don’t like electric shutter controls: Make sure you have a spare battery: when it dies, so does your photoshoot
❌ You want solid construction: Crafted from heavy-duty plastic – I've never broken one, but it is not metal
The Canon AE-1 is one of the best-known 35mm film cameras ever made – and the first 35mm SLR to sell one million units. This was certainly no fluke: the AE-1 was a groundbreaking camera for the time. It was the first camera to include some of the electronic components that paved the way for digital cameras.
The Canon AE-1's plastic construction was also a first. New manufacturing processes meant the camera could be produced at scale, which kept the price affordable for novices and enthusiasts. However, this hasn't affected its reliability, as there are plenty of cameras still going strong (including my own) decades after release.
The AE-1 features an electronically controlled cloth focal plane shutter offering a wide and repeatable shutter speed range. This means it needs a battery to power its operation, but offers more potential consistency than mechanically operated shutters. Metering is carried out by a single silicon photocell, offering a center-weighted meter. The AE-1 was unusual for offering Shutter Priority automation at a time when most makers favored Aperture Priority operation.
The AE-1 Program was a later variant that added a fully automatic exposure mode. If you are a bit more of a novice when it comes to film photography, the Program version is a great camera to start with.
The AE-1 uses Canon's FD breech-lock bayonet mount, and also Canon's 'new' style FD lenses; there are plenty of these to pick up secondhand for cheap. It has since been superseded by the EF and RF lens mounts; adaptors are available for mounting these modern lenses, although you won't benefit from any new technology like autofocus and image stabilization.
Some dials and buttons feel a bit cheap and flimsy
Buy it if:
✅ You're new to film photography: With Aperture Priority and Manual modes, this is one of the best cameras for learning how to shoot film
✅ You want a bright viewfinder: This features a huge viewfinder that is crisp and bright, perfect for framing images even in low-light situations
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You like the finer things in life: The ME Super is basic, and some of the dials feel it too
❌ You want accurate metering: Its light meter can sometimes be confusing
The Pentax ME Super never had the same kind of cultural impact as the legends of the film era – but where a lot of those cameras didn't endure, the ME Super is still a reliable go-to camera today. I inherited mine from my grandfather's attic and, with minimal cleaning, it is still going strong 40 years later.
The Pentax ME Super is a real crowd-pleaser, and will suit almost every film photographer from beginner to pro – but where I think this camera really hits the sweet spot is simplicity. There are full manual controls for seasoned photographers to get creative, but the camera also has excellent semi-automatic modes for those just getting into photography. The controls are also incredibly easy to understand, with a balance between mechanical and electronic settings. Responsive LEDs in the viewfinder also make dialing in the correct exposure quick and accurate.
The ME Super is super-light: the body is metal, although the dials are a little plastic-y. The viewfinder is dreamy to use, though: with a big, clear picture, it is very easy to compose shots quickly.
Thanks to Pentax’s incredible legacy of lenses, you can rapidly expand into all areas of photography, Pentax glass is also often cheaper online than some of the more popular brands, so you can grow your collection quickly.
✅ You want mechanical: 100% mechanical - no batteries required
✅ You want reliability: The K1000 has a worldwide reputation for reliability and being built like a tank!
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’re a photography beginner: Due to its manual-only operation, you need to know your exposure triangle or the Sunny 16 rule
❌ You want a timer: With no self-timer, you are limited in what shots you can take (and no film selfies)
The K1000's reputation has developed through what must have been seen at the time as simple cost-cutting. It was the cheapest of Pentax's DSLRs, and even had the self-timer and depth of field preview on other models removed, just to save money. It's an entirely manual camera, and although it does need a battery for its meter, the mechanical shutter will operate without one.
Generations of students have come to love this camera for its low cost, simplicity and durability, while generations of lecturers have chosen it for its purely manual controls and the way it forces you to learn exposure theory.
The K1000 uses the Pentax K bayonet mount still in use today (with some revisions for autofocus and electronics). This means that K1000 owners have decades of glass to choose from, giving a huge range of focal lengths and price points. Secondhand Pentax glass tends not to be overly pricey, so this adds another string to the K1000's educational bow: you can easily try out lots of different lenses without breaking the bank.
This might not be the film camera you carry through your whole life, but it is certainly one of the best cameras you can buy today to learn all about shooting film. The K1000's reputation and hipster desirability means the price has not sunk as low as some of the others on this list, though, but you should still be able to pick up a decent copy for below $150 / £150.
✅ You want a status symbol: Owning a Leica MP (new or old) has become the ultimate ‘you've made it’ symbol
✅ You love rangefinders: One of the best out there that Leica has just started to make again – with all the bells and whistles
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You're on a budget: To own this icon of photography, you are going to have to have deep pockets
❌ You find rangefinders tricky: For those not used to the rangefinder system, it can be a difficult thing to master
There is no denying that Leica knows how to make a stunning, iconic camera. Leica's M rangefinders are perhaps the pinnacle of that, with a world-renowned design that has proved so popular that the Leica MP is one of the few film cameras that can still be bought new.
I found the Leica MP’s shooting experience to be immersive and rewarding. The manual controls and mechanical feedback provide a tactile and engaging process, allowing photographers to feel deeply connected to their craft.
The Leica MP offers an unparalleled handling and performance experience that appeals to both analog enthusiasts and professional photographers. Its robust construction, intuitive controls, precise rangefinder, and reliable mechanical operation combine to create a camera that is both a joy to use and capable of producing outstanding photographic results.
While there are minor quirks, such as the front battery door and the absence of a shutter lock, these are easily overshadowed by the camera's overall excellence. For those committed to the art of film photography, the Leica MP is a timeless investment that promises a lifetime of exceptional performance.
The best medium-format film camera for studio work
Specifications
Type: SLR
Film format: 120/220 (medium-format)
Year introduced: 1982
Availability: Used
Lens: Interchangeable
Viewfinder: Various
Modes: Manual
User level: Expert/Professional
Reasons to buy
+
6 x 7cm images
+
Modular design
Reasons to avoid
-
Big and heavy
-
Quite expensive, even now
Buy it if:
✅ You want medium-format: The 6x7 format is a fan favorite, and the RZ67 is a highly prized camera in this field
✅ You love shooting portraits: The RZ67 is renowned for being a fantastic portrait and studio camera
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want something lightweight: Due to its design, the RZ67 is very bulky and rather heavy to carry around all day
❌ You want to shoot more: It only offers 10 shots per roll of 120 film; you might want to consider a 645 camera that offers a more economical 15/16 shots per roll
An evolution of the RB67, introduced in 1970, the RZ67 keeps the revolving back that gave the earlier system its name, and the just-off-square 6 x 7cm image area.
Just to put this in context, this is far larger than the 6 x 4.5cm area of the largest medium-format digital models today. Like the Hasselblad 500 C/M, the RZ67 is a modular camera with interchangeable lenses, viewing systems, and backs.
It's a bit big and heavy for extended handheld use, though, and it's best used on a tripod. High-quality medium-format film cameras are holding their prices pretty well at the moment, and you might have to shop around to get a working, affordable example.
✅ You value affordability: This is one of the most affordable rangefinders to try out the system - it is built well too!
✅ You like style: It has an amazing retro look that modern cameras can only dream about replicating
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want a good light meter: Its original battery is now illegal, and alternatives make the meter a bit unpredictable
❌ You’re not fond of small viewfinders: It can be tricky to hit critical focus with its small viewfinder and focus patch
One of the best-selling cameras of all time, the Canonet G-III QL17 found huge success by being simple to use, offering superb image quality, and a stunning high-quality build for a reasonable price. All three of these still hold true.
In my opinion, the Canonet G-III QL17 is one of the prettiest rangefinder cameras out there, with a classic design in a small compact body – but it is built like a tank. Rangefinders aren't for everyone: they are notoriously trickier to focus on with their smaller viewfinders, but the more compact size has the benefit of being a more discreet camera when out shooting on the streets, or for slipping into a bag more easily while traveling.
The image quality from the fixed lens on the Canonet G-III QL17 is simply superb – and lives up to its reputation as ‘the poor man's Leica'. The lens is a fixed 40mm lens, which limits the camera's versatility compared with interchangeable-lens cameras – but 40mm is a useful length for day-to-day photography including travel, street and some environmental portraiture. The wide aperture of f/1.7 also means you can achieve some nice background blur and better low-light images.
Where this camera falls down today is with its ease of use – since the camera was released, the original batteries have been deemed illegal in most countries, for containing mercury. There are workarounds using zinc hearing-aid batteries, but this has led to an unpredictable light meter, requiring a bit more knowledge and practice to ensure your images are properly exposed.
✅ You want something simple: Stick in some AA batteries and enjoy the simplicity of shooting what you see - without the brain work!
✅ You’re happy to use AA batteries: Widely available all around the world, and cheap compared to camera-specific ones
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want stealth: It is a rather loud camera when shooting and advancing film, so your best efforts to be stealthy could be wasted
❌ You shoot high-ISO film: Unfortunately, you can only shoot films with a max ASA/ISO of 400
The Canon AF35ML is a cheap and cheerful 35mm film camera for taking some quick snapshots without having to do all that much work. While this isn’t the coolest camera to come out of the film era, it has a following all its own.
The camera is fully automatic, including the focus, so you don't have to worry about any settings apart from whether you want the flash on or off. I think this camera is best described as the ultimate reloadable camera – the perfect camera for handing around at a party, on holiday, or even passing to a child, and knowing that you are going to get good results (providing they do a good job of framing, that is). Framing is made somewhat easier by the optical viewfinder; while it isn't the clearest viewfinder, it gives a good enough idea of the scene.
Other point-and-shoot cameras in this class can't hold a candle to the AF35ML's lens. With a f/1.9 aperture lens, it is much wider than usual, so can perform better in low light, as well as getting some nice subject separation. The lens is also higher-quality than the plastic-y build might suggest, and outputs clean and consistent photos. With built-in flash, it makes it great to take out at night as well.
This isn't a camera for capturing great artistry, but for capturing memories with ease, this is certainly a fantastic option. The AF35ML can usually be found for under $100 / £100, although sometimes decent copies can be found for half that.
✅ You want big negatives: With 6x9cm negatives, this is the biggest you can shoot without getting into large-format
✅ You want portability: This is the most portable 6x9 camera out there – it's still massive, but it's manageable
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want more than eight shots per roll: Film can be expensive, so you better make those eight shots per roll count!
❌ You prefer light over clunky: This is not a lightweight camera, and it can be rather bulky when you’re on the streets
The great thing about film, and especially medium-format 120-roll film, is that it's so flexible – both literally and metaphorically. The film rolls are 120mm wide, but it's up to the camera maker how much width they want to use.
6 x 4.5cm medium-format cameras shot rectangular images 'sideways' on a roll, whereas regular 6 x 6cm cameras shot square images so it didn't matter which way you turned the camera. Other cameras, like the RZ67 above and the Fuji GW690, shoot extra-wide images.
You get fewer exposures on a roll, but extra-large negatives and transparencies. The GW690 is a no-frills fixed-lens manual exposure camera that offers huge images in a comparatively portable package.
Film cameras come in many different shapes and sizes and some are fully mechanical, while others rely on electronics to function, while some film cameras are a more viable solution than others just because of the lens choice on offer for the system.
The most typical route into film photography is the form of 35mm cameras, these are the bread and butter for the analog resurgence and are popular with everyone from beginners to pros. Most come in the form of SLR-style bodies, rangefinder cameras, and let's not forget the humble disposable point-and-shoot.
Medium-format cameras are often the next step in an analog photography journey. Thanks to their bigger negative than 35mm, it opens up possibilities to enhance your images, as the bigger negative means higher resolution images with greater detail and sharpness. You are also treated to different format cameras that can shoot different dimensions on a roll of 120 film.
For example, the typical and most commonly used ratio in medium format cameras is 6 x 4.5, or 645 for short, however, if you want to double or even triple the size of a 35mm negative you can get medium format cameras that shoot 6x6 square format, like the popular Hasselblad 500 system, or other ratios of 6x7, 6x8 and the highest you can go on a roll of 120 - 6x9 when using a camera like the Fuji GW690. But bear in mind that the higher the ratio, the fewer images you will fit on a roll of 120 film. For instance, 645 cameras can produce either 15/16 shots on a roll, while 6x9 can only expose 8 - so choose wisely.
And if the medium format is too small for you, then you of course have large format, which is referred to when a negative is anything over 6x9, but you usually find these cameras in a 4x5 or 8x10 configuration. They offer the most micro adjustments possible when taking an image, however, due to their sheer size and the weight you expose your image onto a sheet of film, rather than a roll. Due to this and their impractical portability, you will only be able to take one image at a time, or two images per film holder.
Buying used film cameras is a bit of a minefield as you can't rely on warranty and digital retailers, and instead have to become a savant at sorting the deals from the dross, using eBay and other second-hand sites, and perhaps even rummaging through a yard sale or flea market.
Be on the lookout for reputable sellers and dealers, if someone has a good reputation online (through reviews or customer feedback) then they are probably a safer bet to buy from. Dealers who sell exclusively in used cameras will also likely have better stock, as they will know exactly what to look for (and what not to) in a camera. Don't be shy about asking for more details or photos, especially if it is an expensive purchase.
The key thing to avoid is fungus. This is a type of mold that grows inside cameras when they are kept in damp or humid environments. While it is not necessarily dangerous, it can have some nasty effects on camera and lens glass, leaving spiderweb-like etchings across the glass and ruining image quality. Inside cameras and lenses, it is nearly impossible to clean effectively without dismantling. Ask to see close-up images of any glass parts of a camera or lens as this will help you detect fungus.
Overall it’s best to look at the cosmetics of the camera to judge how it has been used, another way is to inspect the film plate and see if it has any marks or fine scratches, these will be caused by friction from the film advancing and rewinding into the film canister when shooting – if there are a lot of visible marks, the camera has had a lot of rolls through it if no marks can be seen then its had a lower use.
Which usually means it had not been used that much, another tip is to always ask to see sample images taken with the cameras in question, if you can see they take images and you're happy with the results, then congratulations you've found a film camera to add to your collection.
For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association.
He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.
