A List of my Favorite Film Camera’s
Hello Friends and welcome to the blog today.
Hola to everyone and how are you doing today. It’s Wednesday and mid-week as the summer progresses. Let me say that it’s hot and humid already. The only reason why I don’t dread it so much is that we are still working from home. Plus, when your riding public transit in hot, sticky weather it’s no fun, and everything you thought you liked about summer dripped away like the perfume you put on that morning. (LOL)
Let’s talk about photos! I know it’s so easy to take a picture with your phone these days, and folks don’t think much about cameras, let alone an analog one, but I love my film camera. It’s a frustrating love that developed a few years back when I was taking this manual film course and processing my own images. It challenged me on all levels but I also came away with a respect for film photography.
I love film but it does require a little extra to get it processed, unless you’re doing it from home, which I don’t recommend because of the chemicals, but there are a few places that will still process it for you, and it’s inexpensive.
Today I’m sharing some analog (film) cameras that are easy on the wallet and guaranteed to teach you about light, juxtaposition, and perspective when it comes to shooting film.
The prices of these cameras vary, so it would depend on your skill level how much you want to spend. If you’re just learning you can keep it under $50, and that includes the film.
Sproket 35mm Film Panoramic ($$)
Launch yourself into a new Lomographic experience with the astounding Sprocket Rocket. This 35mm compact camera boasts a super-wide-angle lens for panoramas and is the first analog camera to be fitted with a reverse gear, allowing you to rewind and remix your photos! Get photos with an unmistakably analog look by exposing the sprocket holes. (Urban Outfitters)
Nikon N80 35mm Film Cameran ($$$)
Photography lovers who have been searching for a camera that exceeds their expectations but not their budgets will delight in the discovery of Nikon’s N80 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. Engineered to exhilarate photographers, having a passion to make great pictures, the N80 includes a wide selection of features, which complement other top Nikon models. (Google)
-REVIEW- This was the 2nd film camera I purchased a few years ago. My first (a Canon F1 from eBay) worked one time and then quit … so do your homework if your shopping on that platform.
The Nikon was perfect for class projects and just all around because of the weight and features. It was also compatible with my other Nikon lenses. It’s on the pricier side of about $100, (when I purchased it) but it still works with no issues. I’ve also learned a lot with this camera through trial and error.
Photos taken for NVCC Course: Black and White Darkroom
Canon T70 35mm Film Camera ($$)
The Canon T70 was a 35mm FD-mount single-lens reflex camera introduced in April 1984 as the second in Canon’s T series. The T70 started with the concepts explored in 1983’s T50, took them further, and applied them to a more sophisticated camera. (Wikipedia)
FujiFilm Instax Square SQ1 ($$$)
Showcasing a modern, minimal and clean design, the INSTAX SQUARE SQ1 is loaded with features. From square-formatted prints and Automatic Exposure to One-Touch Selfie Mode and textured grip for a comfortable shooting experience, you’re in complete command of capturing your most precious moments. (Instax)
– COMMENT/REVIEW – I think we all at some point had an instant film camera. Mine was a Polaroid (which they still manufacture). My Mom was always taking pictures. Instant film has that blown-out glossy quality that breathes nostalgia every time you see it. My daughter has an Instax Mini, which is so fun to use. This camera works best with outdoor lighting but can be used anywhere. Great for projects and scrapbooking.
Holga 120N Film Camera ($$)
The Holga is a medium format 120 film camera, made in Hong Kong, known for its low-fidelity aesthetic. The Holga’s low-cost construction and simple meniscus lens often yields pictures that display vignetting, blur, light leaks, and other distortions. (Wikipedia)
Ilford Sprite II-35 ($$)
Offered here in Black the Sprite 35-II Film Camera from Ilford is a basic and easy-to-use film camera for general use. The camera has a fixed-focus wide-angle lens perfect for capturing the most well-focused daylight scenes and the camera also features a built-in flash with a 15 second recycle time for nighttime shooting. Compatible with 35mm color negative or black and white film the Sprite-II allows you to capture quick snapshots or moody monochrome scenes. (Ilford)
Film
Film is also reasonably priced and usually comes in rolls of 2 or 3. The Lomography style cameras or medium format cameras (in some cases) require using 120 films vs 35mm film. These numbers are the format size of the film. 35mm is a smaller format while 120 is a medium format. 35mm film is the average format while the medium format allows you to have much more space in isolating your subjects and in some instances blurring your background or foreground.
The ISO number (or film speed … 400 or 800) determines how light or dark your image will be. You will need to use a higher ISO film for indoors (like 800) and lower for outside (or cloudy days) at 400.
I know your thinking…ok I’ve taken my pictures now what do I do with this film. Well your local drug stores still process film with the option to just develop your negatives, or get your negatives, and prints on a disk. In that case, you can still manipulate your jpeg formats with presets. There are a few other mail-in spots like MPix, and The Darkroom, that have some good deals on sending in your rolls.
Well, that wraps up my film camera list with a few extras on film and processing. Thanks so much for visiting the blog today. Don’t forget to follow the blog and subscribe. — Peace —
