Okay, so you’re a photographer who loves film. That’s great—but if you’re looking for a new film camera, finding the perfect model can be tough.
We researched the best film cameras on the market, evaluating each on ease of use, image quality, and versatility. Our top pick, the Fujifilm Flash 400 Disposable 35mm Camera, is a classic SLR that’s a joy to use and offers professional-quality images.
Here are the best specialty film cameras.
Best Specialty Film Cameras: Editor Recommended
Our Editor’s Best Specialty Film Cameras Reviews
- KODAK EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera (Sage, Bundle with 24exp film)
- Brand: KODAK
- Color: Sage
- Product Type: Camera Film
- 📷 Film-saving: You can have twice as many images per roll. For example, a film roll with 36 exposures can yield around 72 half-frame photos - doubled!
- 📷 Lightweight and Easy-to-use: The pocket-size camera is light and tiny, and hence convenient for you to bring along daily. Since its instructions are simple, it is suitable for all analog hobbyists.
- 📷 Built-in Flash: Turning on the flash by adjusting the silver ring around the lens so that you can use KODAK EKTAR H35 during days and nights, outdoor and indoor.
- 📷 Perfect for Beginners: The point-and-shoot camera is easy to use for new analogue hobbyists.
- 📷 Five colors: Off-white, black, brown, sage and sand. Neat and natural.
- ✨ Built-in Star Filter: Photographs tiny light sources to create a four-beam flare on light spots.
- 🔍 Coated, Improved Glass Lens: One element of glass lens sharpens the clarity of the images.
- 💡 Bulb Function (Long Exposure): Helps to capture the trail of moving objects, mostly at night.
- 📷 Tripod Hole: Uses a tripod to keep your camera steady to support long exposure photography.
- ⚠️ Film, AAA battery, cable release and tripod are not included with the product.
- 📷 Film-saving: You can have twice as many images per roll. For example, a film roll with 36 exposures can yield around 72 half-frame photos - doubled!
- 📷 Lightweight and Easy-to-use: The pocket-size camera is light and tiny, and hence convenient for you to bring along daily. Since its instructions are simple, it is suitable for all analog hobbyists.
- 📷 Built-in Flash: Turning on the flash by adjusting the silver ring around the lens so that you can use KODAK EKTAR H35 during days and nights, outdoor and indoor.
- 📷 Four colours: Black, brown, sage and sand. Neat and natural.
- 📷 Perfect for Beginners: The point-and-shoot camera is easy to use for new analogue hobbyists.
- INCLUDES: Holga 120N Camera + Ilford HP5 Film + MicroFiber Cloth
- Classic Toy Camera - 60mm f/8 Plastic Lens
- Zone Focusing System - Shutter Speeds: 1/100 sec. and Bulb
- Aperture Settings: f/8 or f/11 - Hot Shoe and Tripod Mount
- Uses 120 Roll Film - Includes 6 x 4.5cm and 6 x 6cm Masks
- 📷 35mm Film Camera : suitable for 35mm negatives and slides, either colors or B&W
- 📷 Suit for Film Beginner : easy to use and control for every film use, even beginners
- 📷 22mm Ultra Wide Lens : capture wide views and put everything in the picture
- 📷 Slim and Lightweight : pocket-size camera which weights only 68.8g
- 📷 Daylight Use : perfect for street snapshots to record your bright, everyday life
- Suitable for 35mm negatives and slides, either colors or B&W
- 22mm ultra wide lens capture wide views and put everything in the picture
- Easy switch between panoramic and standard ratio
- Lens cover to protect the lens from scratch when not in use
- Built-in flash for shooting indoor and dim environment
- Bundle Includes: 2 x Kodak Fun Saver Single Use Camera
- Ideal For: If you're looking for a fun, easy way to take great pictures, indoors or out, the Kodak Fun Saver Single-Use Camera is a great choice
- Brighter, Vibrant Colors: Loaded with Kodak 800 speed, 27 exposure film for pictures with bright, vibrant colors
- 23% Better Pictures: Compared to any 400-speed film camera
- Simple Manual Flash: With a 4 to 11.5-feet flash range. Must charge before every picture
- 📷 A MUST FOR FILM CAMERA HOBBYISTS: 1 Shot retro half frame reusable point and shoot 35mm film camera, a delightful camera, compact & functional, light in weight, good for portrait photos reloadable film camera.
- 📷 FOCUS FREE LIGHT IN WEIGHT EASY TO USE: 1 Shot half frame reusable film cameras are very easy to use, it is suitable for film camera beginners. Light in weight, convenient for travels and special occasions.
- 📷 CLASSIC BLACK & WHITE FILM: One roll of black and white film 35mm film with 18 Exposures is bundled. Black and white pictures can bring a new perspective and aesthetic to your photos, the different lighting contrasts that come to life and creating classic timeless grainy nostalgic photos. Our B/W film is made in EU.
- 📷 COST SAVING & ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY: Shoot 18×24mm photographs on 35mm film, that’s half of what standard full-frame cameras takes (24×36mm), portrait photos, smartphone viewing friendly. Cost saving product, environmental friendly for using less film—a 24-, or 36-frame roll yields twice the number of shots on a 35mm film. It is double.
- 📷 PERFECT FOR OUTDOORS & INDOORS SHOOTING: One button fully automatic point and shoot camera with 1/120s shutter speed, 50mm lens, fixed focusing, has an aperture of F5.6 perfect for daytime scenes. Built-in flash, recommended using 1 AAA alkaline battery and the flash has 10-15 seconds recycle time, it’s perfect for night time or party shoot. (AAA battery is not included)
- Simple & Intuitive: There are no fussy dials or settings, making it the perfect road trip buddy that anyone in the car can pick-up and shoot with.
Best Specialty Film Cameras Buying Guide
Before choosing the best specialty film camera you should consider the following options:
1. Imaginative Potential: All cameras have some creative potential, but specialty film cameras have more.
The larger image format allows for a more expressive and creative use of depth, and the film itself is more expressive. The film stock has grain, which is part of its aesthetic.
On digital, you can’t achieve the same look. You can fake it with some special effects, but to start with a camera that has that aesthetic built into the medium itself is a big plus.
2. Image Quality: This is the area where digital cameras have the upper hand. There is no doubt that a digital image will be sharper, with less grain, and less likely to require some special effect to make it look like film.
But specialty film cameras are better in other ways. For one thing, they have a larger image format. This means that you can crop your image without losing much detail.
That’s something you can’t do with a digital image. Also, the stock has a unique tone that digital doesn’t have.
3. Cost: Digital cameras are cheaper, but only when you disregard the cost of the stock. If you shoot more than a few rolls, then the film will be cheaper.
Another important point is that digital cameras are easier to sell than film cameras. This means that if you switch to digital, then you’ll probably get your money back.
4. Availability of Film: This is a big advantage of digital cameras. The film is available everywhere, even at convenience stores. The film is also cheaper and more convenient.
Specialty film cameras are more expensive and harder to find. Of course, this is more of a problem if you shoot black and white films.
5. Availability of Training: If you have never used a film camera, this is an important point. Not only are film cameras more complicated, but there is a lot more to learn.
Training is more readily available with digital cameras, and there is plenty of information online.
6. Image Quality: The final point to consider is image quality. A digital image will be sharper, with less grain, and less likely to require special effects to make it look like film.
But specialty film cameras are better in other ways. For one thing, they have a larger image format.
What else you should know about the best specialty film cameras
1. What are the best specialty film cameras for beginners?
Some of the best specialty film cameras for beginners include the Leica M6, the Nikon F3, and the Canon AE-1.
2. What are the best specialty film cameras for professionals?
Some of the most popular specialty film cameras among professional photographers include the Hasselblad X1D, the Leica M10, and the Fuji GFX 50S.
3. What are the best specialty film cameras for low light photography?
There are a few different types of specialty film cameras that are known for their low light photography capabilities. Some of the most popular ones include the Leica M6, the Nikon F6, and the Contax G2.
4. What are the best specialty film cameras for black and white photography?
The best specialty film cameras for black and white photography are the Leica M6 and the Hasselblad 501CM.
5. What are the best specialty film cameras for landscape photography?
The best specialty film cameras for landscape photography are large format cameras. These cameras are the best for capturing wide scenes with great detail.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best specialty film cameras. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best specialty film cameras will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.