What Is The Best Film Camera To Buy In 2022?
Is it a Contax? Is it a Leica? What film camera should you invest in?
Now you have seen a few Tik-Toks of cool party photos, a few streetwear look-books, and street photography Instagrams shot on a 35mm camera and now your rabbit hole search has made you want to elevate beyond a disposable camera. Now, where should you be looking?
There are a few things to consider when searching for a film camera
What is your budget?
What do you primarily want to shoot?
Will it be worth it to invest more money into it now?
Let’s start off by talking about your budget. Film cameras can cost you up into the $10,000+ range and all the way down to free 99. If you are just getting started I suggest you start off by looking into how you can get a film camera for free. Ask around your family, friends, and community and see if anyone is still holding on to a film camera. They might have given it to your cousin who just moved to bushwhack in hopes of becoming the next big thing. If you are unsuccessful with that then I recommend checking online resources such as eBay and community marketplaces.
Depending on what you want to shoot, the type of film camera body style you choose will be important. The main 3 body types are SLR (single lens reflex), range finders, and compact cameras with other specialty types also added to the mix. The easiest way to get into just shooting and easing your way into the intricacies of photography is to go for a compact camera. They slip into your pocket/bag, some have zoom lenses built-in, and are probably the cheapest cameras to find on the marketplace. Now the rangefinders are typically sought after by street/ documentary photographers and are not the easiest to use. Slr style bodies range in shape and size. Do your research and figure out which camera will suit what you want to ultimately shoot.
Now should you invest thousands into grailed cameras such as Leica, Contax, and Hasselblad?
It’s really up to you but I don’t think so. All of these cameras are old and will eventually break. If you just want something to bring around with you all the time you don’t really need to invest a stack to get the results you want. It would suck to spend all of that and have it brick on you mid-shoot right? (Okay I’m projecting)
The best camera you can buy is really whatever is just accessible to you. Don’t get caught up with gear and just have fun creating. You’ll know when it’s time to upgrade/ build your collection as you get deeper into the hobby. For right now just get your hands on a camera and shoot!
