It's the gift-giving season again, and if you have someone who is interested in film photography in your life, you might be looking for some inspiration. Well, look no more. This article covers some ideas for gifts to buy for that budding or experienced film photographer in your life.
Disposable Film Cameras
Disposable film cameras have been around forever and are one of the easiest ways to take film photographs. These minimal cameras are among the most straightforward cameras to use and come with everything you need to start taking fun analog pictures. They come preloaded with (usually) 35mm film, which many photo labs worldwide still develop. Most disposable film cameras will come with a built-in flash and batteries included. There are no moving parts on these cameras besides the button to take pictures and the knob to wind the film. The simplicity makes them perfect for beginners. Because of their small size and relatively low price, single-use disposable film cameras make a perfect stocking stuffer or gift for your office Secret Santa.
Color Disposable Film Cameras
Kodak FunSaver Disposable
Made by one of the longest-lived photo film brands out there, the Kodak FunSaver Disposable Camera is one of the best, all-purpose disposable cameras that you can buy. This single-use camera comes preloaded with 27 exposures of ISO 800 Kodak Gold film and a built-in flash. You can find the Kodak FunSaver for around $15 USD.
Fujifilm QuickSnap
Fujifilm is another camera and film brand with a disposable camera. The Fujifilm QuickSnap comes loaded with 27 exposures of Fujicolor Superia film. Compared to the Kodak cameras, this camera comes with ISO 400 film. Great if you want less grain in your images and if the camera will be used in lots of bright light but will require a flash more often in subdued light.
The Fujifilm QuickSnap is available as a single camera or in a two-pack.
Waterproof Disposable Film Cameras
I love travelling to Mexico in the winter, and when I remember to, I bring along a waterproof disposable film camera. They are cheap enough that I don't care if they get lost or damaged, and when I'm at the beach, I can take photos on the water or underwater - think paddleboarding, snorkelling, coral reefs, turtles and more.
Kodak Sport
The Kodak Sport is a great waterproof disposable camera. It has no built-in flash, so you'll want to use it in bright daylight. The hard plastic body of this camera is waterproof and can be completely submerged to capture photos underwater. With 27 exposures of ISO 800 film, this camera is ready for a trip to a sunny and hopefully tropical beach.
Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof
Another waterproof option is the Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof disposable camera. Like the Kodak Sport, this camera has no flash and comes with 27 exposures of ISO 800 film. Again, this camera's rugged, transparent plastic body keeps water out, perfect for activities in or around water.
Black and White Disposable Film Cameras
Disposable cameras even come in black and white film, which can be a fun novelty for anyone new to film photography, or who hasn't yet shot with a black and white film.
Ilford XP2 Single Use
The Ilford XP2 Single Use is a disposable camera loaded with - you guessed it - Ilford's black and white XP2 film. The film is 27 exposures and ISO 400, and the camera comes with a built-in flash. A bonus of this camera, and the XP2 film, in particular, is that you can get it developed at any lab that develops color film, increasing your options for places to develop.
Ilford HP5 Single Use
Ilford also offers their classic HP5 b&w film in a disposable camera form. The Ilford HP5 Single Use comes with 27 exposures of ISO 400 HP5 film. It comes with a flash, and the lens optics are pretty good. Because it is a true black and white film, you need to take it to a lab that can develop black and white film. It is less convenient, but HP5 black and white film is well known for its great range and overall look and feel.
Affordable Used Film Cameras
There are many excellent and affordable used film cameras to be found if you know where to look. Ask someone in your family, and there could be one kicking around in a relative's closet or attic somewhere. If you know what to look for on eBay or at your local thrift store, you can often find a gem there.
When it comes to buying used film cameras, I prefer buying them from eBay because I can choose to deal with someone with a good reputation. I choose cameras that have fungus-free lenses, clear eyepieces, and that are tested and confirmed working. And the seller has to have a near-perfect reputation selling cameras. Otherwise, I'll keep looking. Here are a few used film cameras that you can find on eBay for not a ton of money:
Affordable SLRs
Single-lens reflex cameras are often a good choice for photography students or anyone looking for high-quality lenses and excellent image quality. Anyone taking a photography class will likely want something that shoots full manual exposure.
Minolta XG-M
My wife has one of these cameras, and I didn't know how amazing it was until I started helping her use it. It was her mom's, and it was sitting in the closet for pretty much our entire relationship (10 years) until we dusted it off and had it cleaned this past year.
The XG-M is a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera with a TON of features. In 1981, it was Minolta's top-of-the-line consumer camera with a manual focus. The XG-M has that old retro SLR camera look, with a leatherette wrapped metal body, silver top and manual focus lenses. It's packed with all the features any photographer could want - self-timer, aperture priority, auto exposure, exposure compensation, full manual mode and more. The XG-M doesn't come with a flash but pick one up one (and at least a 35mm or 50mm lens), and you have a combo perfect for a photography student or anyone first learning to shoot. You can usually find the Minolta XG-M, with a lens, on eBay for under $90 USD.
Canon EOS 750 QD
There is a whole segment of mostly ignored film cameras that you can look at to save a good chunk of money if you don't mind an older camera that doesn't look like an old camera. I'm talking about autofocus SLRs from about the late eighties onwards. These were made to be easy to use and came with autofocus, auto film advance and often a built-in flash. With the EOS 750 QD and other similar cameras of the era, you get the features of a point and shoot with the lens performance of an SLR camera.
The Canon EOS 750 QD is one of these cameras. It can be found on eBay for under $70 USD, often with a lens. It is Canon's first SLR with a built-in flash. This particular model also comes with a date back, which imprints the time and date on images taken with the camera, if desired. There is no manual mode, shooting only in programmed autoexposure.
Affordable Point and Shoot Film Cameras
Point and shoot cameras are compact like disposable cameras but usually come with better-performing lenses and more features. They fit right in your pocket, ready to use at a party or just as part of your everyday carry. Just make sure you look for something that takes 35mm film because some point and shoot cameras will only take film that is no longer made today, like 110 or APS.
Pentax IQZoom series
If you do an eBay search for "Pentax IQZoom," you get many results under $100 USD. They come in many variants: weather-resistant, long zoom (some up to 200mm!), different focal lengths. For the price, you get a glass lens, tons of features, all packed into a portable camera that takes good photos.
Canon Sure Shot series
Most major film camera manufacturers made a series of consumer point and shoots that are of decent quality. Just like Pentax, Canon released a series of cameras with different features and focal lengths. The Canon Sure Shot series of cameras come in many different types. The Sure Shot 85 Zoom includes a 38-85mm zoom lens and comes with a fully automatic and an aperture priority mode. The Sure Shot Joy comes with a fixed 35mm lens and basic features. Take a look on eBay, and you'll find many of these for less than $70 USD.
Instant Film Cameras
An instant film camera is just plain fun. Easy to use - point the camera, push the shutter button and wait a couple of minutes for your image to appear right before your eyes. Instant film cameras are low maintenance for film cameras. You don't have to wait for a lab to develop your photos.
Polaroid Now+
The Polaroid Now+ is the modern take on the classic. If you are familiar with Polaroids, this works as you'd imagine. Point, shoot, shake it like a Polaroid picture (though technically, you shouldn't shake the photos while developing). However, the modern version also lets you connect the camera to an app on your phone. Via the app, you can shoot in aperture mode, shoot double exposures, do long exposures, and more. It also comes with color and specialty lens filters for extra-creative images.
The Polaroid Now+ can be found at electronics and photography stores around you or online for around $130.
Lomography Lomo'Instant Automat Glass
I love this camera. I picked mine up at the Lomography shot in Seoul a couple of years ago. It's small and light. The glass lens takes excellent photos. With the built-in flash, I get great shots at night too. It even comes with a couple of lens attachments and other accessories to display the photos that come out of it.
The Lomo'Instant Automat takes Fujifilm Instax instant film, smaller than the standard Polaroid size, which I find charming.
Cheap New Film Cameras
There are still a few companies that manufacture film cameras, and some of these cameras are pretty good and affordable. If you don't want the hassle that can come with finding a used camera that isn't a lemon, and you don't want to spend a ton of money, one of these cameras is a good option.
Lomography Simple Use series
The Lomography Simple Use series of cameras are practically disposable cameras. They are priced very similarly, at around $30 USD, come preloaded with one of Lomography's film stocks, and include a built-in flash. These cameras are reloadable, though, so don't throw it away after you finish that roll! Take the roll to the lab, load a new one into the camera and repeat.
Holga 120N
The Holga 120N is an iconic and underrated medium format camera with a plastic body with a plastic lens. The image quality is decent, considering the price. Part of this camera's charm is that it's subject to light leaks and vignetting. It's a camera with an artistic feel and personality. It uses 120 film, which produces higher resolution negatives than 35mm. And it's nice and cheap at only $40CAD.
Film Stock
Any film photographer will always appreciate some rolls of film. Photographic film makes a great stocking stuffer because it's small and inexpensive. In addition to the usual color and b&w film stocks out there, you can also get interesting, creative film stocks that can be fun to try. Film comes in three main types: 35mm is the most common. 120, also known as "medium format," is another type. It's bigger than 35mm, with fewer shots on the roll. Then there is sheet film, which is used in "large format" cameras and comes in 4x5 and 8x10.
Color film stocks
There are many color film stocks on the market today, though less than when film photography was in its prime in the early '90s. Kodak and Fujifilm are still making film stocks, which you can find at mini drug stores and box stores.
Kodak Portra
Kodak Portra is a popular color film stock, especially in ISO 400. It was initially released in 1998 and made mainly for professional portrait photography, though many love to use it to shoot just about anything. The color saturation is excellent, and it works great in a variety of lighting situations. Available in both 35mm, 120 and sheet and 160, 400 and 800 ISO. You can buy rolls for around $15 USD for 35mm, and you can buy 5 35mm rolls in a pack for just over $50 USD. Kodak Portra is one of the more expensive film stocks out there, but there is a reason why many swear by it.
Kodak Gold
Kodak Gold is an excellent choice for beginner and casual photographers or anyone looking to save a few bucks per roll. It is a color 200 ISO film that sells for as little as $5.99 USD. It's a good film stock for the price - though it has less contrast and subtler tones than other more expensive film stocks. Three packs are also available at $18.99 USD.
Kodak Ultra Max 400
For a couple of dollars more than the Kodak Gold 200, you can get Kodak Ultra Max 40 film stock. It is a more sensitive color film with more latitude, which is more forgiving if your exposure is not perfect. It has more noticeable grain than Kodak Portra 400 but is half the price, at around $7.99 USD per roll. It also comes in packs of three rolls at $18.99 USD.
Creative film stocks
A few film manufacturers make interesting film stocks that are fun to use. Some of these use different chemical combos and emulsions to produce pretty incredible results.
Lomochrome Metropolis
Lomochrome Metropolis is one of my favourite emulsions to use. Colors are desaturated, and contrast pops. I feel like it adds an extra layer of nostalgia to your shots. It comes in 35mm and 120, and even 110. This film has such a wide latitude, and can you can shoot it at 100 - 400 ISO. Your local lab can develop this since it's compatible with the usual C-41 color process. A roll of 35mm or 120 will run you around $13 USD, and both are available in packs of 5 for $65 USD. You can get 110 in packs of 5 for $45 USD.
Psychedelic Blues
An experimental color film, Psychedelic Blues is a 400 ISO 35mm film stock that has been pre-exposed to produce light leaks and other variations on the film. The deliberate manual exposure overlays intense colors at the edges of the film, which combine with your images for a pretty neat effect. It's not for everyone, but a couple of rolls would make for a fun gift for someone who wouldn't usually buy a stock like this. A roll of 35mm will cost you $12.99 USD.
CineStill Film
Another of my favourite film stocks is CineStill film. I didn't know this until recently, but Cinestill is a Kodak motion picture film stock that has been repurposed for film photography. The process that makes this film compatible with the usual C-41 color film development process causes an interesting effect that many, including myself, love. Highlights in the image exhibit a glowing effect around them, like a halo. If the highlight is extreme, the highlight gains a bit of red. The result is neat when shooting bright lights at night, like neon or store signage. CineStill color film comes in 35mm and 120 formats, with 50 ISO and 800 ISO speeds. A roll of 35mm will set you back around $12.99 USD, while a roll of 120 is usually around $13.99.
Black and White Film Stocks
For a more traditional approach to film photography, black and white film is the choice. In fact, most, if not all, film photography students will need to take a good part of their learning with black and white film.
Kodak Tri-X 400
A legendary film from a legendary black and white film manufacturer, Kodak Tri-X 400 produces a classic and gritty look that many historic black and white photos share. It's available in 35mm, 120 and sheets of 4x5 and 8x10, all in 400 ISO. A 35mm or 120 roll will cost you around $9, and you can get five packs of each for about $43 USD.
Kodak T-Max
Another legend, Kodak T-Max, is the film stock I shot all through photography school in the late '90s. It has a more modern look than Tri-X, with a smoother grain and tones. It's available in 100 and 400 ISO, in 35mm, 120 and common sheet film sizes. Rolls cost around $6 USD for 100 ISO and $8 for 400 ISO and come in five packs for $40 - $45 USD.
Ilford HP5 Plus
Ilford is another well known black and white film manufacturer, with many love black and white film stocks. Ilford HP5 Plus is a popular black and white film stock that is great for many uses and is easy to use with wide exposure latitude. It is comparable to Kodak's Tri-X 400. HP5 Plus is a 400 ISO film and comes in 35mm, 120 and sheet sizes.
Camera Accessories
Most photographers love or need accessories for their cameras. Things like straps, camera cases and more. Here are some of my favourite suggestions:
Camera Straps
Most cameras will come with a strap. And when you buy a used camera, it will often come with a strap. However, a new strap can add a touch of character and personalize a camera for the owner. I have a couple of beautiful straps for my favourite cameras, and I love them.
Manfrotto Street Strap
The Manfrotto Street Strap is an inexpensive webbing style strap that will fit many cameras but is especially suited for smaller body styles. The length is adjustable, and it comes with a handy lens cap holder built into the strap. Legendary photography equipment company Manfrotto makes this strap.
Peak Design Slide Lite Strap
I own Peak Design's Slide Lite Strap and find it useful. Because it's compatible with Peak Design's Anchor Links, I can quickly and easily move it from camera to camera. It is super adjustable - just a quick pull on one of the adjusters, and the strap becomes as long or short as I need. It comes in various colors, including grey, sage green and black. The Peak Design Slide Lite sells for $50 USD.
Artisan & Artist Silk Camera Strap
When I bought my Leica M6 in Seoul, I also bought one of these silk camera straps by Artist & Artisan. I wasn't sure about silk since I'd only ever used webbing and leather straps before. Once I put my hands on this strap, however, I was convinced it was great. The silk is smooth and soft. It's a smooth motion when moving the camera around my body while it's hanging cross shoulder. I have heard that the dye can bleed, but I have carried the strap in the rain without any issue. The fixed-length 36" strap costs $160 USD.
Topo Designs Camera Strap
These straps by Topo Designs look like climbing rope, which is pretty cool. The 10mm nylon cord comes in four different patterns and colors. They include a quick-release camera attachment, making it easy to move this strap between all of your cameras. The Topo Designs strap can be yours for $40 USD.
Tap and Dye Leather Camera Strap
A leather camera strap like the ones from Tap and Dye can be a stylish addition to anyone's camera. This strap is hand-made to order by one of Tap and Dye's leather artisans. Durable nylon thread stitches the high-quality leather. You can select from three different leather colors, three different thread colors, and several lengths to customize your strap. The leather is sure to be durable and long-lived and will run you about $89 USD.
Film Storage Box
A film storage box is an excellent way to organize and protect rolls of film. Any film photographer might have a few rolls on hand at any time, either waiting to shoot or waiting for a trip to the lab. They keep rolls of film together in a backpack or bag or in the fridge (most photographers know to store their rolls of film in the fridge)! This film storage box holds a mix of 35mm and 120 rolls of film and will protect them from light, debris, moisture. And at only $15 USD, it is super affordable.
Camera Shutter Release Button
For an inexpensive stocking stuffer, a camera shutter release button fits the bill. For as little as $8 USD, you can add a machined and painted shutter release button to any compatible camera. The button screws into the cable release fitting of cameras that have them. They come in a wide variety, from painted colors to bare and knurled metal.
Creative Film Cameras
Lomography kickstarted a creative movement in modern photography and supplied a lot of the equipment to do it. They offer many intriguing film stocks, cameras and lenses that expand the traditional methods of photography.
Lomography LC-A+
The Lomography LC-A+ is an update on the original LC-A camera that started it all for Lomography. This newer version is compatible with a broader ISO range, and there are creative lens attachments made specifically for the camera. The aesthetic captured by both the LC-A and LC-A+ are definitively Lomo - the high color saturation and contrast of the lens coatings, the vignette created by the lens. These 35mm cameras have a cult following, and with good reason. The simple design, plus the Lomography manifesto that accompanied its release, promotes spontaneous creativity and a photographic look that defined an age and even informed a lot of the digital filters we see on apps like Instagram today. The LC-A+ sells for $300 USD.
LomoMod
The LomoMod is a camera that you assemble and more. After you put together the cardboard camera body and optionally decorate it to your liking, you can fill the lens with any liquid of your choosing. It's an excellent camera for crafty film photographers, providing a very hands-on experience in more ways than one. It promotes artistic expression and experimentation. It comes with a selection of accessories that make it a fully functioning medium format camera. The LomoMod sells for only $60 USD.
The Lomography Sprocket Rocket
The Sprocket Rocket by Lomography is a camera that celebrates the 35mm film format. It does this by capturing images on the entire width of the negative, right onto the sprocket holes. The 30mm lens creates images in a unique panoramic 1:3 aspect ratio. The Lomography Sprocket Rocket sells for $75 USD.
The Ultimate Used Film Cameras
There is a subset of very desirable film cameras. Many because of their combined features. Others because they are rare and unique. If you have no budget, any of these will make for an extraordinary gift.
Contax G2
The Contax G2 is a full-featured, fully automatic rangefinder camera that has no equal. The G2's body is lightweight and durable titanium. Any of the available Zeiss lenses are superb. You can find them in a 45mm f/2 (which initially came with the camera), a 28mm f/2.8, a 35mm and a 90mm. The viewfinder magnification changes when you change the lens to show the correct framing. The design of the camera is beautiful and highly functional. The autofocus system is speedy. It has a diopter adjustment, self-timer, shoots in auto program, aperture priority, and fully manual. The G2 has exposure compensation and can shoot multiple exposures, and the fastest shutter speed is a blazing 1/6000. I have this camera and will never sell it. It is a true pleasure to use. With a flash and two lenses, you can find a Contax G2 on eBay for about $2400 USD. The price of this camera keeps going up.
Mamiya 7
The Mamiya 7 is one of the most compact and high-performing medium format cameras out there. It's portable, which is a feat for a medium format camera. The glass in all the interchangeable lenses is superb, which makes for excellent images. The built-in light meter tells you if your exposure is correct or not, no need to bring an additional light meter. The camera will shoot in full manual or aperture priority. It's an excellent camera for someone who loves medium format enough to shoot it everywhere and every day. You can find the Mamiya 7, with a lens, on eBay for around $3000 USD.
Leica M6
The Leica M6 is a fantastic film rangefinder camera, if not also a piece of engineering and design to enjoy. It's a purist's camera. The M6 has everything a film photographer needs - a built-in light meter, full manual control, and that red Leica dot. What more do you need? You can find a Leica M6 body in decent condition for $2400 USD if you look on eBay.