So you've already studied the great digital versus film debate, and have decided on film. It's now a matter of choosing a camera. Most of the film cameras on the market are secondhand, but a few models (Nikon FM2, Nikon FM10, Nikon F6, Leica M6, Leica M7) are still available new.
Types of Film Cameras
People choose film for different reasons. Knowing your reasons will help decide the right camera:
- Learning photography: 35mm mechanical SLR
- Creative art: Holga
- Long exposure astronomy: 35mm SLR
- High resolution (for large print blow-ups): 4 x 5 inch or 8 x 10 inch large format
- Classic style: 35mm rangefinder
35mm SLRs
The image quality of an analog photo depends on the lens and the film, not so much on the camera itself. This means that the various camera models differ mainly in the degree of automation, and lens quality.
The 35mm film format is what people have in mind when they think about SLRs. The size of one frame is 36 x 24mm. Looking through the various types of available secondhand SLRs, is like looking through the history of late twentieth century photography. The cameras range from mechanical SLRs, all the way up to electronic autofocus models.
I've left out the Leica R series in the discussion below. Karen Nakamura has details on the Leica R series.
Fully Manual, Mechanical Film SLRs
Mechanical film cameras are perfectly capable of producing top-notch images. They will work without batteries. Small button cell batteries are needed only for the light meter.
Advantages
- Simple, good for learning the basics.
- Reliable, can work without batteries.
- Direct control of mechanical dials gives beginners a good feel for the settings.
- Sometimes compatible with today's DSLR lenses (full frame only). Canon's EOS DSLR lenses can't be used on old Canon SLRs, but Pentax and Nikon (FX, non-G only) lenses will work on their respective bodies.
Disadvantages
- No automatic mode.
- Should not be stored with shutter spring wound as this will weaken the spring and affect the timing. If shutter spring is wound at the end of the day, it's necessary to waste a photo, to release the spring.
Examples
- Nikon FM2
- Nikon FM10
- Pentax K1000
- Vivitar V3800N
Automatic Exposure, Aperture Priority, Analog Electronic SLRs
Analog electronic cameras have some electronic automation, most notably aperture-priority automatic exposure (AE). If you turn the shutter dial to "A" the camera will set the shutter speed, based on the light meter's reading, and the aperture that you set.
Advantages
- Good mix of fully manual and automatic exposure modes, except for some automatic-only models such as the Nikon EM.
- Sometimes compatible with today's DSLR lenses (full frame only). Canon's EOS DSLR lenses can't be used on old Canon SLRs, but Pentax and Nikon (FX, non-G only) lenses will work on their respective bodies.
Disadvantages
- Will not work without batteries. Some models have an emergency shutter release that can be triggered for a fixed 1/90 seconds, without batteries.
- Lacks cachet of being fully mechanical.
Examples
- Canon AE-1
- Nikon FE2
- Nikon EM
- Pentax ME
Fully Automatic, Autofocus, Film SLR Cameras
Before digital SLRs swept the market, fully automated 35mm SLRs (autofocus, Program mode, Green mode) were available. They are as easy to use as today's DSLRs, with digital microprocessor control of the camera's functions. The main difference is that they use film instead of a digital image sensor.
Advantages
- Fully automatic, like today's DSLRs.
- Includes features such as image-stabilized lenses.
- Often compatible with today's DSLR lenses (full frame only). Canon's EOS EF DSLR lenses can be used. Pentax and Nikon (FX, non-G, autofocus with AF but not AF-S) DSLR lenses will work on their respective bodies.
Disadvantages
- Some use proprietary rechargeable batteries that are no longer in production.
- Lacks simplicity of mechanical models. Might as well go all the way and get a DSLR.
Examples
- Canon Rebel series (EOS)
- Canon Elan series (EOS)
- Nikon N6006, N8008 (F-601, F801)
- Nikon N60, N65, N70, N75, N80 (F60, F65, F70, F75, F80)
- Nikon F6 (compatible with G and AF-S lenses)
- Minolta Maxxum
Analog 35mm Rangefinders
Rangefinders don't have a reflex mirror that allows the photographer to see through the camera's lens. Instead, a separate viewfinder is used. Focusing is done by manually turning the focusing ring on the lens, until two images coincide.
Though technically simpler than SLRs, they have an enthusiastic fan base, and a good reputation. Consumer models have fixed lenses, while more serious systems have interchangeable lenses. High quality rangefinders, like the Leicas, cost more than equivalent SLRs.
Advantages
- Small camera and lens, compared to equivalent SLRs.
- Quieter and able to use slower shutter speeds in dim light (no vibration from mirror).
- Bright viewfinder.
- Possible to see in the viewfinder, objects outside the photo's field of view. This allows the position of moving objects to be anticipated.
Disadvantages
- Not what-you-see-is-what-you-get. Need to look at different framing lines in the viewfinder depending on the lens used, and compensate for parallax error at close distances
- Limited to lenses with focal lengths of less than 135mm.
Examples
- Leica M6, M7
- Yashica Electro
- Rollei 35, XF 35
- Kodak Retina
- Olympus 35 Series
- Nikon S Series
- Canon VI, P, 7
Michael Reichmann explains the Leica rangefinder mystique, in his review of the digital Leica M9.
Twin Lens Reflex
TLR cameras use two similar lenses: one for composing the photo and focusing, and another to take the photo. The two lenses are arranged vertically, one over the other, giving this type of camera a distinctive old-fashioned appearance.
The viewfinder is at the top of the camera. The photographer looks down at it. It's called a waist-level finder. The lenses are usually fixed, and they don't zoom. TLRs were popular for a long time as portrait cameras, where a fixed lens is sufficient. Their simplicity makes them a popular choice in photography schools. Most are medium format cameras that use 120 or 220 roll film that is 60mm wide.
Examples
- Lubitel
- Rolleiflex
- Seagull
- Mamiya
- Yashica
- Blackbird (toy/art plastic camera, similar to Holga)
The Holga Blog has more information on TLR cameras.
How to Choose a Film Camera
Analog cameras are about more than technical performance. Choosing the right one is therefore highly subjective. However, practicalities are also important:
- Availability of batteries.
- Availability of lenses.
- Film size: 35mm or medium format? Medium format film is larger, giving better performance, but is more expensive. Finding a shop to process the film is also more difficult.
When buying a camera, its mechanics should be tested:
- Shutter speeds. All shutter speeds should be tested. It's possible that some speeds work, while others don't.
- Lens diaphragm. The diaphragm should open and close smoothly. It should not stick.
- Shutter blades. Open up the camera and look at the shutter blades against a strong light. Some shutters are covered with cloth, and can develop pinholes.
- Light sealing. Check all door edges for proper sealing against light. The rubber seal might have rotted away.
Run a roll of film through the camera. Ideally you should also develop the roll to check image quality (the lens might be out of focus alignment, nicks in the camera might scratch the film). If there is no time for this, at least confirm that the film can be spooled out and the frame counter works, and that the film can be rewound back into the film cartridge.
The light meter can be checked against a DSLR. If there is no light meter, or if it doesn't work, a separate handheld meter can be used. A few years ago, I saw a teenager with an old medium format film camera. He used a DSLR as a light meter. I found it funny at first, then realized that it was a good idea.
New and used film cameras are available online. Amazon.com also has user reviews of the film cameras that it sells.
Yuen Kit Mun - Kit Mun is a self-confessed information junkie, reading an average of a book a week over the past two decades. His growing Internet ...
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