I say, go for it!!!
There is so much to love about shooting film. I’m going to be honest, I don’t know absolutely EVERYTHING there is to know about it, (I’m still learning myself) but I thought I would put together some tips I’ve picked up over the past few years.
Let’s jump in!
Finding a Camera
First things first, you need a camera. There are a lot of different kinds out there, and it can easily get confusing and even a little intimidating when you’re just starting to look for one. A lot of people (including myself at one point) think that in order to take beautiful photos, you need the best, most expensive cameras right off the bat. Yes, pricier cameras will definitely help you produce higher quality photos, but it’s not necessary, especially when you’re just getting into it. This applies to both digital and film cameras. You’d be surprised what you can create with a simple point and shoot, which is exactly what I suggest you try and look for! I can’t vouch for every single model out there, (as previously stated, there are a LOT of them) but I’d say they all generally function the same way. Point and shoots are also great because the camera will do most of the work for you! If you’re worrying about “messing up” your photos because you’re not ready to shoot manually, the point and shoot will take care of the trickier aspects of photography like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. The main thing you’ll need to be thinking about before taking a photo, is whether or not you want to use the flash.
This camera is no longer being manufactured, but there are still a bunch of them floating around the internet. I have gotten great results and highly recommend it! You can find some listed for relatively cheap here .
I was lucky to find one (pictured above) amongst a bunch of old keepsakes in my parents house. They had used it to take our family photos when my sister and I were little before they switched to digital. I know not everyone will be in this same situation, BUT you never know what the people in your life might have laying around, which brings me to:
Ask Your Family Members/Friends
Before you go out and buy a camera right away, there’s a possibility people in your life could still have some that they no longer use. Film cameras definitely aren’t as widely used anymore, so if they do happen to have some hidden away, there’s a very good chance they won’t be needing them anytime soon. So ask your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or siblings and see what they say! It definitely couldn’t hurt, and if they do happen to have one or two (or more, maybe they’re hoarding them!!), it could end up starting some great conversations about places they’ve traveled to with them or people they’ve met. I think only good things could come from asking. You never know!
Check Your Local Thrift Stores
Most thrift stores are treasure troves of photography gear. If you’ve never been to one before, they usually have designated electronics sections, but could also have cameras and things sprinkled here and there throughout the store. You have to look very carefully sometimes. I’ve bought a bunch of cameras this way. Being completely honest, not all of them have been in working condition, BUT it’s very possible to find some that are! What’s great about this method, is that most of the time you won’t be spending more than $10-$15 per camera. Some could be as cheap as $5! If you buy one not knowing whether it works or not and it turns out that it doesn’t, you can rest knowing you didn’t spend too much on it. Plus, it could end up being a cool addition to your collection! I have a bunch of cameras that I use as decoration. Depending on the stores/owners, sometimes they’ll write on the tag that it’s working, other times there will just be a price. I would definitely recommend asking if they have any additional information about it before purchasing. The main thing to take away, is that a lot of the time these stores are dealing with a ton of merchandise and might not know they have a great, working film camera, and will price them low! (at least that’s what I’ve gathered) Also, do not be discouraged if you don’t find something right away! Be patient, stay positive and have fun!
Look Online
The prices will definitely be a little higher, but the next place to look would probably be the internet. You can find cameras on many sites: eBay, Amazon, and Etsy just to name a few. I would say the best piece of advice I could share about this is to really pay attention to the sellers and their reviews. Good reviews and learning that they’re a photographer themselves are good signs that they won’t try and charge you a ridiculous amount of money. I recently bought a point and shoot from someone through Etsy and was very pleased with the way they handled it. I think I ended up paying around $30 with shipping which isn’t too bad! Again, the prices will most likely be higher online than at a thrift store or a garage sale, but there’s a better chance you’ll come away with a working camera which is definitely worth it.
Buy a Disposable Camera
Another great option is to buy yourself a disposable camera! They’re super easy to use, and will always give you great retro looking results. There are a bunch of brands out there. I’ve had experience using both Fujifilm and Kodak. CVS, Walgreens, Target, and Walmart usually have a section reserved for them in their stores, but they’re not always in stock. The next place to check would definitely be Amazon. Most are priced between $10-$12, which is basically the equivalent of one cheaper roll of film, so they’re pretty affordable. If you’ve never shot one before, I definitely recommend doing so! They’re always fun to bring with you on a trip.
2. Picking Film
There are a lot of films out there to try. I would definitely recommend sticking to the cheaper stocks in the beginning. The two pictured above are rolls I’ve bought a bunch of times so far because they are on the lower end of the price spectrum. I mostly buy my film from Amazon where you’ll be able to find cheap bundles with Prime shipping. A 3 pack of Kodak Gold is about $20 on there which is great. It’s about the same for Color Plus. When you start looking at higher quality stocks, it will easily be $16-$18 per roll. If you’re a little nervous to start shooting because you think you might “ruin” your first few rolls, these less expensive options should help lessen the pressure you’re putting on yourself. I totally know what it’s like to stress yourself out over potentially “screwing up” your film, I still do it all of the time. I’ll probably go into this in more detail down the road, but just know that you are going to make mistakes. Sometimes (a lot of the time) those “errors” end up looking awesome and super unique! The main thing to take away here, is that these are great choices if you’re not sure where to start and don’t want to break the bank.
3. Finding a Lab
The last general tip/step I have to share about getting into film is finding a lab that will develop your photos for you. They’re definitely not as common as they once were before the digital photography era came about, but there are still a bunch of them out there. Self developing is also an option. I haven’t taken that step quite yet, but will definitely let you know when I do. I was lucky to find a lab fairly close to me that I visit frequently. I’ve also mailed my film to a place called The Darkroom (https://thedarkroom.com/), which is located in San Clemente, CA.
If you don’t have a lab close enough for you to visit physically, I highly suggest checking them out. I’ve sent my film to them a bunch of times and have always been happy with the quality of the prints as well as the service. I’d say most of the labs out there probably function the same way. From my experience, they’ll ask whether or not you want physical prints made, and will list what sizes they offer. They will most likely provide digital scans on a disc or in a link they’ll send you through Dropbox or WeTransfer. You can also let them know if you’d like your film to be cross processed or pushed/pulled. Cross processing is when you process the film in the wrong chemicals which can result in funky colors. To push/pull film is to shoot at a higher or lower film speed (aka ISO) than what is printed on the box. Since you’ll most likely be working with a point and shoot at first, you won’t need to worry about pushing or pulling just yet. Even on the rolls I’ve shot manually, I usually ignore those options. It mostly comes down to what you prefer after you’ve been shooting for a while. The hardest part about sending your film away or dropping it off, is waiting for them to get back to you. Most film photographers will agree that it’s easy to grow impatient, but the wait is always worth it!
I hope you’ve found these tips helpful in some way! I will definitely write more posts like this in the coming months. If you happen to shoot your first roll after reading this, 1. that would be so cool, and 2. I would love to see your results! Feel free to comment them on this post or tag me on my photo instagram!
