I get an email everyday asking what are the best film cameras and the reply is always the same – there’s no such thing as the best film camera, only what’s best for you. If I love the photos that come out of the Underwater Disposable film cameras, and spend my entire life shooting underwater, then the Leica MP isn’t anywhere near one of the best film cameras for me is it? If I have one arm and 1 finger on my only other hand, and don’t know the difference between shooting at F2 and F22, then the Leica M3 is going to be pretty much useless. Stop asking what the best film cameras are and start asking, what is important to you, what do you spend most of your time shooting and then try and find out what options you have.
Yep,What we can do is give you our opinion, after asking you some questions, what film camera might be the best for you, but really, the best thing to do is try a few and see what you like and don’t like about each of them. One of the best things about shooting with film cameras is it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. And by the way, while we’re on the subject, whoever said “the best camera is the one you have in your hands” can also eat a bag of dicks. I often have my sons mobile phone in my hands and that camera is a piece of shite. There’s no such thing as the best film camera, or best camera. If you only shoot fast action sports, the Fujifilm GFX is definitely the best camera. It depends entirely on what you shoot, your style of shooting, what’s important to you (weight, looks, ergonomics, price, ecosystem, durability, battery life, video, SLR or Rangefinder and a shitload of other factors.
If you have no idea about photography and what Aperture, ISO and Shutter speeds do, then you’re going to struggle with pretty much any film camera with the exception of most point and shoots, which can usually be shot in Automatic mode. On the other hand, it’s true that using a film camera can teach you a lot about photography and pretty quickly, if you have half a brain, you’ll be able to to guess the shutter speed at any given aperture under different lighting situations. I might go as far to say that if you’re shooting your $3000 DSLR on P Mode, and wanting to get out of it, then picking up a film camera is one of the best things you can do to make you learn about Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO.
If you like rangefinders, which require you to line up a couple of images, and money isn’t really an issue, then by all means, go for a Leica. The Leica M6 is a great camera whether you’re just starting out in film, or whether you’ve been shooting for a while and think you know all there is to know (trust me, the more people think they know, they less they actually know in reality). It can be picked up for around USD$1000. A good Leica lens will cost you at least that, and probably much more, but you can go with a much cheaper Voigtlander or even Zeiss lens and you’ll struggle to tell the difference. Is the Leica M6 one of the best film cameras? Who gives a flying fuck? For sure it’s a good film camera but it’s not for everyone. A lot of people say this is light and compact, but this is complete bollocks. It’s a heavy little thing and you’re not going to be pocketing this anywhere.
How about the legendary Nikon F3 – is this one of the best Film Cameras. Not to me, but probably for a lot of photojournalists who used this to shoot everything way back when. To me the Nikon F3 is a big beast of a thing with a thunderous shutter. It’s nice for sure, but too big for me. If you haven’t worked it out yet, you’re not going to get an answer on what the best film cameras are because there’s no such thing. I will say this though, the best film camera for street photography and shooting kids or candids is anything with a 35mm lens on it where you can zone focus. Stick it to F8, set the focus scale to 5-15 feet, and shoot away. If you’re outside in consistent light, set the shutter speed and you won’t need to change anything.
I don’t know how many film cameras are out there, probably hundreds, thousands. I’ve shot with 5 and have no business telling you what the best film cameras are. Nor does a guy who’s shot 10, or 15 or even used every single film camera known to man. Sure, do a bit of research, see what people are saying about each one, but then think about what you want and what’s important to you and make a decision based on that, not on what some bellend on YouTube has decided to conjure up.
