Finding a Good Film Camera - The Basics of 35mm

But I Thought You'd Help Me Find A Film Camera, Brian!

Alright, I've been talking about film camera this, and film camera that but you just want to grab a freaking camera and start shooting it. So, I've decided to rip up the script and tell you a dirty secret about finding a great 35mm film camera. Ready?

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Your family and friends 

Yes, that's right, I can guarantee almost 100% that if you asked around someone in your family has one of those awful, rectangular shaped camera cases collecting dust with a Canon AE-1, Nikon FM or Olympus OM-2/4/10 in there. 

Here are a couple of things to look for: 

1) Battery compartment corrosion 

Take a look at the left. Go ahead, I'll wait...

 It's corrosion and it's B.A.D. don't attempt to clean it as shown here. With the volume of great film cameras sitting around in attics across America it's easier to just find another camera that hasn't had a battery left in it for 10+ years. 






2) Shutter working

Here's a great little video that shows how to test the shutter

And here's an awesome overview of how to test your shutter using audio:

Testing Your Shutter Via Audio

3) Winder is smooth - Make sure there's no resistance when you pull on the shutter cock. If there is you may want to use another one. 

4) Buttons/Settings work - Make sure the button operate smoothly and setting are easy to change. 

But Brian, I don't know anyone who has a film camera because I was like born in the 90's! 

Really?! I mean really?! Your grandma or grandpa? Maybe your friend's grandma or grandpa? Ok, Ok... Here are some more places to look:

If no one in your family or friend group has a camera you can always purchase a plastic one from Lomography.com a cute, quirky website dedicated to "Lomography" or Lo-Fi Photography. 

Lomography is actually pretty awesome. A group of artists fell in love with a Russian Lomo LC-A camera. Here's an awesome little video on this camera. I highly recommend picking one of these up. 

LOMO LC-A+ from Lomography on Vimeo.

If you're looking for something a bit better than a plastic camera that takes funky pictures and looks different that those pristine digital files your Canon/Nikon point and shoot takes, check out ebay. For about $100 you should be able to purchase any one of the cameras named above. All these cameras have incredible optics, great form factor, and design. 

Here's a link to ebay showing a bunch of cameras for less than $200:

Or, For Something Completely Different

A Polaroid! Yes, instant photography at your fingertips! YES! 

Am I enthusiastic about instant photography?! YES I AM! Polaroid was once THE giant of the film industry, everyone, I mean everyone had one of these cheap, beautiful plastic cameras in their house making sure to snap the family at birthday parties, Christmas, New Years, whatever needed to be documented. Unfortunately, Polaroid doesn't make the film anymore but some crazy ex-polaroid employees from the Netherlands decided to keep one factory alive and kicking to produce this incredible film. 

Check them out at: here the-impossible-project.com it's completely awesome. I own more polaroid cameras than I care to admit (eh hem, 3 and counting). 

Check our this amazing video for a taste of the analogue and instant revolution!

WARNING: You will become addicted to this medium. You will blow all your scratch on this film. You will never be the same again! You have been warned! 

A final Word

I'd suggest purchasing one of the major brands of 35mm camera. Once you're totally addicted, I'll introduce you to medium and large format cameras, film, and film processing. 

Next up: The beauty and power of medium and large format film and film cameras. Plus - how to curl a medium format camera for better biceps :p