Best Film Cameras For Getting Into Film

The Holga 120GN offers those characteristic, dreamlike images in an easy-to-use and affordable package. With the vignetting on the images. This camera is often used for fine art or just for fun. The focus is achieved by twisting the barrel to select one of the four focus points (or a point in between). Small and compact, it's made from plastic so it's not as sturdy as some, but it's lightweight. A color flash wheel allows you to add a unique color hue to any image, while the glass lens offers crisp images. Multiple exposures are possible and it can be used with 6x6 or 6x4.5 film. The camera doesn't need batteries to operate, though to use the flash you'll need to pick up two batteries.

Both lomography and fisheyes are known for their unusual, characteristic images, so it only makes sense to pair them together. The Lomography Fisheye No. 2 captures distinct, rounded images with those bold colors and extreme contrasts that are characteristic of lomography. A big depth of field means almost the entire image is in focus, making the fixed-focus style a non-issue. The fish-eye lens captures a 170 degree view into one circular image. A bulb setting for long exposures and a multiple exposure switch make the No. 2 a bit better than the original version. The viewfinder allows you to preview the fisheye effect. It includes a built-in flash, but there's also a slot for adding another external unit if you wish.

Don't let the simple styling of this camera fool you—it's actually more like three cameras in one. It's a rangefinder-style camera at heart, but it can use interchangeable lenses and can be used for panoramas with an adapter. Talk about versatility. If you're not using the interchangeable lenses, there's a light meter to attach instead, which is very accurate at reading the scene. The Mamiya 7 II has been lauded for it's bright, easy to see rangefinder. The images have also been noted for their sharpness. This simple-looking camera can be ready to snap in a hurry and handles so well, it doesn't feel like a hefty, complex medium format camera.

A popular reason for choosing medium format is the ability to take panoramic images and this Horeseman camera is an excellent option for just that. This camera operates without batteries, includes six excellent lenses and features an excellent viewfinder. This Horseman has perspective control in both lateral shift (horizontal) and rise and fall (vertical). Focusing scales and spirit levels, both also viewed through the viewfinder, help to accurately compose the shots. The various film holders available make this camera quite versatile—it can use 6x7, 6x9 or 6x12 film. The camera body has an exceptional build, including rubber grips, and should have a long lifespan.

Wrapped in alligator embossed calf's leather on the outside, with modern conveniences on the inside, the classically-designed Rolleiflex 2.8 is certainly a contender in the medium format category. With 6x6 film and a bright 80 mm Planar f/2.8 lens, this twin reflex camera will produce excellent images. While the 2.8 sports a classically styles exterior, the camera uses modern film tools like TTL exposure metering and flash metering, LED exposure indicators and built-in light meter. With the backing of a manufacturer that's been around for years, this camera is built to last.

The Nikon F6 is a well-reviewed 35mm SLR film camera with a lot to offer. The F6 has an excellent 11-area autofocus system and 3D Color Matrix metering for sharp, colorful images. Since it's compatible with Nikon's most popular lenses, including the AF-S series used on their digital cameras, the F6 is an excellent purchase for the Nikon shooter looking to add film without picking up a lot of expensive lenses. With years of Nikon experience behind it, the F6 has been very well received and well reviewed as a solid film camera with excellent performance and image quality.

With a 10 fps burst speed, the Canon EOS-1V is one of the fastest film SLR cameras out there (beware though, 10 fps will go through a lot of film!). Canon has a long reputation for quality images, and the EOS-1V is no exception. The EOS-1V is Canon's top 35mm camera with the most features, including a 45-point autofocus, 1/8000 maximum shutter speed, depth-of-field preview, plus 100 percent viewfinder coverage. Compatible with Canon's autofocuses lenses as well as their Speedlites, it's an ideal option for photographers that already have a few Canon accessories in their bag. But at under $2,000, it's enticing even for those starting from scratch.

For those picking up a film camera just to develop a better understanding of photography, the FM10 is an excellent option. The FM10 only includes manual modes, so it's an excellent learning tool to better understand exposure. While the settings are all manual, a built-in light meter helps the user to make the best decisions for exposure. Using a center weighted metering system, an LED screen allows for +/- exposure adjustments as well. The FM10 includes a built-in depth of field preview button, to help those learning the affects of varying aperture settings. Priced just over $300 and compatible with many more recent lenses, including AF-S, the Nikon FM10 is also very affordable.

The Vivitar V3800N SLR kit is perfect for students or casual hobbyist photographers. The 35mm film camera comes with a fast f/1.8 50mm lens. With fully manual settings, including film crank, the V3800N also includes an LED screen that displays the light meter and the correct exposure. The included depth-of-field preview button is also a great tool for students. Perhaps the best part? All of these features are within a camera that's priced right around $200, including the fast lens.

With a 10 fps burst speed, the Canon EOS-1V is one of the fastest film SLR cameras out there (beware though, 10 fps will go through a lot of film!). Canon has a long reputation for quality images, and the EOS-1V is no exception. The EOS-1V is Canon's top 35mm camera with the most features, including a 45-point autofocus, 1/8000 maximum shutter speed, depth-of-field preview, plus 100 percent viewfinder coverage. Compatible with Canon's autofocuses lenses as well as their Speedlites, it's an ideal option for photographers that already have a few Canon accessories in their bag. But at under $2,000, it's enticing even for those starting from scratch.

The Nikon F6 is a well-reviewed 35mm SLR film camera with a lot to offer. The F6 has an excellent 11-area autofocus system and 3D Color Matrix metering for sharp, colorful images. Since it's compatible with Nikon's most popular lenses, including the AF-S series used on their digital cameras, the F6 is an excellent purchase for the Nikon shooter looking to add film without picking up a lot of expensive lenses. With years of Nikon experience behind it, the F6 has been very well received and well reviewed as a solid film camera with excellent performance and image quality.

For those picking up a film camera just to develop a better understanding of photography, the FM10 is an excellent option. The FM10 only includes manual modes, so it's an excellent learning tool to better understand exposure. While the settings are all manual, a built-in light meter helps the user to make the best decisions for exposure. Using a center weighted metering system, an LED screen allows for +/- exposure adjustments as well. The FM10 includes a built-in depth of field preview button, to help those learning the affects of varying aperture settings. Priced just over $300 and compatible with many more recent lenses, including AF-S, the Nikon FM10 is also very affordable.

Nothing will give you a better understanding of photography than experimenting with an all manual film camera—and this Vivitar V3800N is an excellent camera for just that. For less than $250, you get a well-built manual camera and an f1.7 lens that's great for low light and a strong depth of field. Even the built-in meter is a simple match style. Unlike some other student cameras though, the V8300N allows for multiple exposures on a single frame and also includes a self-timer and a depth of field preview button. If you'd like to add more glass to the already excellent kit lens, the V3800N takes any Pentax K-mount with an aperture ring.