Film Cameras
Film and instant film cameras offer something different. They don’t provide the cutting-edge technical perfection of mirrorless cameras, and you won’t find too many professionals using them these days.
However, they do provide advantages of their own. Having digital images instantly saved to a memory card may be convenient, but physical prints of an image last forever. Cameras from the likes of Fujifilm, Lomography and Ilford provide you with a way to make real, lasting memories from your images.
Thinking about buying an instant camera? Our experts have rounded the best instant cameras on the market. Find out their opinions on the best cameras plus get buying advice and great tips for getting the best shots!
Film Cameras
There are loads of fantastic 35mm film and instant film cameras on the market. While there’s a burgeoning market for second-hand film cameras, there are also plenty you can buy new. You may want an instant film camera that gives you an image right away, or you might want a 35mm film camera, or even a medium-format 120 camera. Let’s take a look at the key brands.
Film camera brands – who makes film cameras?
Since the revival of the brand in 2017, Polaroid film cameras are some of the best instant film cameras around. Polaroid prints look the business, with lots of latitude and great colour. They’re just as charming as you remember! The range includes the flagship Polaroid OneStep+, which has all the functionality of a classic film camera with flashy modern features like app connectivity. For new users, the Polaroid Now is a simpler and more affordable option, available in loads of colours.
Fujifilm Instax cameras are hugely popular among instant film fanatics. They produce photos that develop ultra-fast – in as little as 90 seconds – and are smaller than Polaroids. Instax prints are great for scrapbooking, fridge magnets, wall art and more. The range includes cameras like the Instax Mini 11, so simple even a child can get the hang of it, or the super-stylish Instax Square SQ1.
Ilford is a name mostly known for producing photographic film. However, they also produce some simple point-and-shoot cameras for those who want to try out 35mm shooting without chancing the second-hand film camera market. The Ilford Sprite 35-II is affordable and easy to use, designed for those who don’t want to fiddle around with settings.
Kodak makes interesting digital instant print cameras. They aren’t film cameras, technically, but function pretty much exactly like a Polaroid or an Instax. Take a picture, wait a few seconds, and a printed version comes out on Kodak’s ZINK paper. Many of the cameras will also save a digital copy to a memory card, so you get the best of both worlds.
Known as the makers of exciting film stocks and lenses with a twist, Lomography also makes film cameras! The Lomography Konstruktor is a camera you construct yourself, with all the latest technology such as a PC socket, bulb setting and lots more. A great project for families and tech-heads alike.
Holga has been a name synonymous with larger 120 medium format film since the 1980s. The Holga 120N film camera has a 60mm f/8 lens, a zone focusing system, an eye-level viewfinder and much, much more. It’s a fantastic tool for serious film shooters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you still buy film for cameras?
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Absolutely! Film of all types is undergoing something of a revival in recent years, and many photographers young and old are discovering the joys of shooting film. Browse our range of film and darkroom products here.
- Which film camera is the best?
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It depends on what you need! If you’re looking for something quick and easy that’ll be fun at parties, instant cameras like those from Polaroid or Fujifilm Instax are definitely the way to go. If, however, you’re looking for a more serious photographic tool, then you’re better off looking at Ilford or Holga.
- Can film cameras zoom?
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It depends on the camera. A lot of film cameras, particularly instant ones or point-and-shoots, have lenses with fixed focal lengths that can’t be changed. However, some have rudimentary zoom lenses or at least the ability to switch to a longer lens, allowing you to shoot with more versatility. For example, the Polaroid OneStep+ has a standard and portrait lens that the user can toggle between.
- Why do film cameras need batteries?
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Not all do! But modern film cameras will tend to have electronic functions and require batteries to keep them powered. These can include obvious stuff like the built-in flash, but also the metering system and wireless connectivity if the camera has it.
