Buying a film camera in 2025 without funding a collector’s yacht

Read time
2 minutes

Body
Film cameras are simple machines that became fashion items. That is why the prices sometimes read like a dare. You do not need a Leica to make an honest picture. You need a camera that works every time and a lens that is not secretly growing fungus in a cupboard.

Three sensible starting points in 2025:

1. Manual SLR with cheap lenses
   Nikon FM or FM2, Pentax K1000, Olympus OM-1. Fully mechanical, bright finders, and a world of affordable glass. They teach you exposure without nagging.

2. Aperture priority classics
   Nikon FE or FE2, Canon AE-1 Program, Minolta XD7. If you want a little help with metering, these are steady choices. They feel modern enough without the plastic creaks.

3. Compact point and shoots
   Olympus Mju-II, Nikon L35AF, Canon Sure Shot. Prices swing with hype. If the premium compacts feel silly, look for lesser known models from the same era and save your budget for film.

What to check before you buy
Shutter speeds that sound right. Light seals not melting into goo. Clean viewfinder. Meter responds to light. Film advance feels smooth. If the seller mentions a recent service, great. If not, assume you will pay for a clean and adjust at some point.

Pricing reality
Think in ranges rather than bargains. A reliable manual SLR with a 50 mm lens can often be found under £300 if you avoid the trendy bodies. Add £80 to £120 for a basic service if needed. Point and shoots vary more. Do not sink your entire budget into a rare model on day one.

Lenses
Start with a 50. Add a 28 or 35 when you feel cramped. Keep filters off unless you need one. A cheap rubber hood saves contrast and hides small sins.

Film and metering
If you shoot colour, Portra or Gold are gentle. If you shoot black and white, Ilford HP5 or Delta are forgiving. Rate the film at box speed for a month before you experiment. Learn how your meter behaves in overcast light and in bright backlight. If in doubt, expose for the shadows with colour and for the midtones with black and white.

Where to buy
Local shops, camera fairs, and reputable online dealers give you a return path. Auctions are fine if you know what you are looking at. Avoid anything described as mint if the photos look like a stock image.

One tip
Buy from people who answer questions clearly. If the replies feel slippery, walk away. There will always be another camera.