First off, in case you don’t know who I am, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Tony Wodarck. I’m a hybrid photographer (meaning I shoot digital and film) out of Southern California. I specialize in wedding and portrait photography and mix in some travel photos as much as possible. I love shooting wide open and lean towards primes in all situations, besides my 70-200 which I can’t find any prime to beat. (I tried to replace it with the 135, doesn’t compare).
So why film? You obviously ended up here because you have some sort of interest. Maybe you have a film camera sitting on your shelf looking more like a prop than a tool. Or you love the look of film, but you’re scared to get started. Like any new thing, it’s intimidating at first. But what if I told you that shooting film was easier, and more fun than shooting digital? Yes, you heard that right. You ready?
This is step one of a several part series around film. To start, I’m gonna take you through how I find my film cameras, what to look for, what I like & what I don’t, and hopefully at the end of it, you dust off your film camera or you go grab a freshy for yourself. Because every photographer has to shoot at least one roll of film in their life.
Why Film
Before we jump in, here are the many reasons why I love film.
The look - even with my digital edits I use Mastin Labs to emulate film. I’ve always loved the graininess, the texture, feeling, skin tones, everything about film. It just has a vibe.
It’s easy - As a professional photographer, sometimes taking photos for fun can feel like work. Because we know we’re going to have to dump the cards, cull, import, edit, export, backup, blah blah blah. Film is easy and it keeps photography fun for me.
It forces me to slow down and pay attention to details and light. Since the shots are more valuable/expensive, I pay a lot more attention before I shoot.
I love how it handles highlights and shadows. You can overexpose film quite a bit and it holds the highlights, the opposite of digital.
I love how it handles skin tones. Much cleaner, softer, smoother and more natural than digital.
Film has a timeless feel. Trends come and go, film is forever.
I freaking love getting to experience the shot for the first time several days/weeks later. It’s the same awesome feeling our clients get, but now we get to experience it for ourself.
I love not obsessing on perfection. I setup the shot, snap, and move on. With digital we get caught checking the photo, adjusting, shooting, adjusting, shooting.
And one of the best things, even mistakes look good. With digital photos, it’s not sharp, it’s tossed. With film it’s almost better.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR FILM CAMERA
Hate watching videos? Don’t like the way I look? Can’t stand my amateur video skills? I get it. I typed out the info below for you.
Okay before you even figure out WHAT film camera you want, how do you find a film camera? Here’s where I look.
WHERE TO FIND A FILM CAMERA
Ask a family member. Chances are your parents or grandparents, uncles, aunts, someones got one they aren’t using. The best camera is a free one. Ask around and see what you get.
Next check eBay. If you’re buying a camera under $1000 I like this platform. Spending anything more than that creeps me out a bit without some more info. Unless you’re buying from a legit company on ebay like KEH.
THE MOST TRUSTWORTHY SPOT TO BUY FILM CAMERAS ONLINE | KEH CAMERA
Either way I’d recommend finding ones that have return options and say tested and working. Make sure they have amazing seller reviews too. Ken Rockwell did a great article on “how to win at eBay” read it. TL;DR, that’s okay, I feel you. Just never bid until the last ten seconds. Figure out how much something is worth by checking what those cameras are selling at on eBay for. Figure out how much you’re willing to spend. Set an alarm for when the auction is about to end, and input your highest bid you’re willing to spend, a few seconds before the auction ends. This will make it so no one can outbid you, the only way someone else can win is if they did the same thing and put a higher overall bid than you.
Check your local camera store or thrift store. A camera store will have inspected it. If you find one at a thrift shop do the following things. Open up the back and see if the foam lining looks good. Is it clean? Is it beat up? Set it to a 1 sec shutter speed and a 1/1000 shutter speed and snap away. Does it sound right? Give it a good look over and get it if it seems like it works.
Okay, now for my cameras. Before we jump in, you should know one other thing. I have the three most common types of film cameras: 35mm, 120 and instant film. You’ll want to know the difference because they all have their own pros and cons.
35mm is the most common. Typically comes in 24 or 36 exposures. The size of the negative is the same size as a full-frame digital sensor. Meaning you can find a Nikon or Canon camera that will allow you to use your digital lenses and shoot 35mm film. More on that later. I’d suggest you start with a 35mm film camera to get more experience shooting more exposures on a roll.
120 is much larger than 35mm. See photo. The larger negatives means higher res scans, less grain and a higher quality looking photo all around. It also means the bodies are typically much bigger and heavier. You also get less exposures on a roll, typically 10-16.
TL;DR
Before we get into the nitty gritty with each camera. I’d recommend the following: Find a SLR 35mm film camera like the Canon AE-1. This will let you experience shooting a manual film camera and give you all the film feels. They’re cheap, easy to find and a low barrier to entry. From there you can build your collection like I have. Already have a 35mm SLR and looking for something else? I’d recommend jumping into the medium format, 120 film world. You could get a Yashica or Rolleiflex. I love my Yashica-D but do with it had a 2.8 lens. They both make them, I’d recommend hunting for one of those.
Canon AE-1
Type: SLR, interchangeable lenses (FD mount)
Film: 35mm
Circa: 1976
Cost: $50-$200, typically come with the kit 50mm 1.8 lens. Which is the original nifty fifty.
Very easy to find, sturdy camera.
Where I got mine: Passed down from my dad. He bought it after just getting married to my mom. Has been in the family ever since and still works great. Battery cover has crumbled away from wear and tear but easy and cheap to replace. This is the camera I used to learn photography on in high school.
Pros: Common. Works well. Super simple. Has that classic feel and look. Inexpensive. Light meter built in. Is accurate enough. Would always suggest getting a separate light meter, but this one will get you close enough in most cases. Can shoot fully manual. Has lots of great lenses you can use with it. I have the Canon FD 85 1.2L and I LOVE it.
Cons: 1/1000 max shutter speed. Only really an issue for me in bright sun when I like to shoot wide open. You can get away with overexposing a stop or two no problem, or just get a ND filter for your lens.
YASHICA-D
Type: TLR
Film: 120
Circa: 1958
Cost: $150-$400, but you don’t need to buy any other lenses with it, so it’s a fair price.
Where I got mine: My wife gave this to me as a gift. She bought it on Etsy.
Pros: So unique looking and feeling. Looking down into the viewfinder to shoot is such a unique experience. It also puts your subject at ease not having the camera right in their face. Gives you a different perspective. The medium format is so nice and allows for big beautiful scans and good bokeh. Shoots in a square which is fun for Instagram and unique to how you compose a shot. Also, can do double exposures. People will see you shooting with this and ask lots of questions or smile. You’ll definitely get some positive reactions using this camera. Also if you want to get super inspired, watch Finding Vivian Maier on Netflix.
Cons: Only drawback with this is it only goes to 3.5 you can find a 2.8 and the 1/500 shutter speed is a bit limiting as well. It’s super slow composing and shooting and focusing with but it’s fun. Takes 120 film and gets 12 shots per roll.
Canon EOS 3
Type: SLR
Film: 35mm
Circa: 1998
Cost: $200-$400, worth every penny if you already shoot Canon for your digital bodies.
Where I got mine: I bought mine on eBay for $257. It worked perfect, in awesome condition.
Pros: If you shoot canon for your digital and have some good glass you need to get your hands on this or a 1V or a 1N. Small differences between them, 1N being the cheapest, this is the mid range and 1V is the nicest. The 1V has the best build and weatherproofing. This doesn’t haven’t the novelty of shooting film since there’s digital components and great autofocusing and you’re using your digital AF lenses, but it takes beautiful photos if you have good glass. Highly recommend this camera. Uses 35mm film which you can get in 24 or 36 exposures.
Cons: Only drawback really is it feels so similar to your digital bodies. You’ll end up looking at the back waiting for your photo to appear. Hahaha. You also don’t get the smiles and questions when you’re using this camera. People just assume you’re shooting digital.
CONTAX 645
Type: SLR
Film: 120
Circa: 1999
Cost: $3500-$6000, depending on condition and accessories. You need the Zeiss 80mm 2.0 T* lens if you buy this.
Where I got mine: I bought mine from a professional wedding photographer. We looked it over and tested it in person.
Pros: Wow. Hard to put this next to the other cameras. These are all a couple hundred and this is a professional grade few thousand dollar camera. The Zeiss 80mm 2.0 lens is the most beautiful, sharp, versatile lens. Most people I know who shoot with a Contax shoot entire weddings with just this lens. It’s perfect. The body itself is a bit finicky as most people will tell you. The dials easily flip which is why I put gaff tape all over it. If you’re serious about film this should be what you work up towards. This and the Canon EOS 3 or a 1V would let you crush any job with medium format and 35mm film. This camera is regarded as one of the best film medium format cameras ever created. It’s a beast, but honestly, the lens is the best part. The bokeh/depth of field is incomparable.
Cons: It’s expensive. It’s rare. It’s finicky. If it breaks, there are very few camera places to service it. It’s heavy. But honestly, when you take a few photos at 2.0 and 2.8 with it, you will forget about any negatives.
CONTAX T2
Type: Point and Shoot with fixed 38mm Zeiss Sonnar 2.8 lens.
Film: 35mm
Circa: 1991
Cost: $600-1200, depending on condition and color. These are super trendy right now and the price has only gone up over the past couple years.
Where I got mine: I bought mine on eBay for $699 in perfect condition.
Pros: This is my newest toy I got. I really wanted a film camera I could throw in my pocket. This is regarded as one of the best film point and shoots available. The Zeiss 2.8 lens is sharp and beautiful and the camera is built super strong. It’s got full auto or aperture priority. It’s a great camera and I love the size and the fact I can hand it to someone and they can get a good photo with ease. It also includes a built-in flash.
Cons: Only drawback is if you choose the aperture you can’t choose 2.8 for how they set it up. The widest aperture you can pick is 4.0. Also it only shoots to 1/500 shutter speed. Meaning if you want to be shooting 2.8 or 4.0 you’ll want to shoot in the shade or load some low iso film.
I don’t have any film back to show examples of the Contax T2, more to come.
POLAROID SX-70
Type: Manual focus instant film SLR folding camera
Film: SX-70 large square polaroids.
Circa: 1972
Cost: $100-400
Where I got mine: I bought mine on eBay for $84, untested. Was a gamble and it’s worked okay. Might need to get it serviced soon as it’s been a bit finicky. I’d recommend buying one that’s tested or getting a refurbished one from Brooklyn Film Camera. Polaroid film is expensive, don’t waste it with a camera that kinda works and really doesn’t. I’m giving this advice to myself.
Pros: As novelty as it gets. A manual focus Polaroid camera. Super fun. Love that it folds down to be packable. A bit too big for your standard pocket but can fit in a bag super nice. People love it when you bust this thing out. So fun shooting it at all sorts of occasions.
Cons: Film is expensive. $18.99 a pack for 8 exposures. The film speed is 160 ISO so you want to be shooting in good light or be using a flash (mine didn’t come with one).
That’s It
That’s my current film camera collection. It will probably change over this next year, but I’m finally happy with where it’s at. All the cameras are different and serve their own purpose. The only camera I feel like I’m missing is a rangefinder. Something like a Leica or Canon 7. One day. One day… Hahaha.
If you enjoyed this, have questions, want to throw me a high five. Please step into my DMs. I LOVE hearing from you.
If you’re in SoCal and want to learn hands on with me how to shoot film. I offer mentor sessions. Hit me up for details. I can let you use my film cameras, help you buy your next one, and walk you through the entire process on how I shoot film.
The next article and video will walk you through me shooting a roll of film with one of these cameras. Leave a comment below with what camera you’d like to see more of. If you read this, got a film camera and are ready to go, check out this article for your next steps.
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