If you’re thinking about buying your first film camera, you’re not alone. Interest in 35mm film photography has grown steadily over the past years — not as nostalgia, but as a desire for a slower, more deliberate way of working.
Film cameras are mechanical, tactile, and built around clear photographic principles. But for beginners, the second-hand market can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of models, countless opinions, and widely varying prices.
This guide focuses on what actually matters when buying your first 35mm film camera — and what doesn’t.
Why Start with a 35mm Film Camera?
35mm is the most accessible film format for beginners:
- Film is widely available and affordable
- Cameras are compact and easy to handle
- Development and scanning options are everywhere
- Mistakes are less costly than with larger formats
- Most importantly, 35mm cameras teach the fundamentals of photography without unnecessary complexity.
- Opt for a SLR (Single Lens Reflex) style camera. This means a separate body + lens system where you look directly through the lens.
(A little side note: 35mm refers to the film format or film size. 35mm can also refer to a focal length for a lens though, so keep that it mind)
Manual vs Automatic: Why Manual Control Matters
Many beginner guides recommend fully automatic film cameras. While automation can be convenient, starting with a camera that offers manual control helps you understand how photographs are actually made.
A manual 35mm camera allows you to control:
- Aperture (depth of field)
- Shutter speed (motion and exposure time)
- Focus (what is sharp and what isn’t)
- You don’t need to shoot fully manual all the time — but the option should be there.
Best option for beginners: A camera with manual exposure or aperture priority.
Choose Simplicity Over Features
When buying your first film camera, fewer features are better.
Avoid:
- Overly complex functions
- Motor-driven everything
- Rare or proprietary batteries
- Flash-dependent cameras
Instead, look for:
- A clear shutter speed dial
- An aperture ring on the lens
- A bright viewfinder with a clear focusing system
- Proven mechanical reliability
Beginner 35mm Film Camera Recommendations
These cameras are widely available on the second-hand market, reliable, and ideal for learning the fundamentals.
- A classic beginner camera with excellent lens availability.
- Aperture priority exposure
- Simple, intuitive controls
- Huge range of affordable Canon FD lenses
- Good for: First-time shooters who want guidance without losing control.
Related: How to use: Canon AE-1 Program
- Fully mechanical, very durable, and built to last.
- Full manual control
- Works without batteries (meter only)
- Excellent Nikon F-mount lenses
- Good for: Beginners who want to truly understand exposure.
- Compact, elegant, and optically excellent.
- Bright viewfinder
- Small and lightweight
- Outstanding Zuiko lenses
- Good for: Those who want a minimal, well-balanced system.
Related: How to use: Olympus OM-1
- Perhaps the most famous beginner film camera ever made.
- Fully manual
- Extremely simple layout
- Massive lens ecosystem
- Good for: Learning photography without distractions.
- A great balance between automation and control.
- Aperture priority and manual modes
- Bright viewfinder
- Excellent Rokkor lenses
- Good for: Beginners who want room to grow.
Related: How to use: Minolta X-700
Lenses Matter More Than Camera Bodies
When starting out, a single standard lens is all you need, ideally either a 35mm or a 50mm focal length. Don't worry too much about the Aperture or F-Stop (f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8 — these numbers indicate the maximum aperture. The smaller the number the more light passes through the lens). Pick either a fixed 35mm or a 50mm focal length, with anything between f/1.4-f/2.8 as a maximum aperture. A fixed (often called prime) lens will teach composition, distance, and light far better than a zoom lens. Remember to match the lens to your camera body: a Nikon F system will need a Nikon F type lens, you can use our filters in our store to make sure you find the right gear!
Top tip: In digital photography, the camera sensor + the lens make up the final image. In analogue photography it's the film type + the lens that make up the final image. The camera is essentially just a box that holds the film in place and for this reason it's a good idea to invest in a high quality lens rather than an expensive camera body with many features.
What to Watch Out for When Buying a Used 35mm Film Camera
Almost all film cameras are bought second-hand — and that’s perfectly fine. There are only a few brands that still produce new film cameras: the Leica M6 and MP are very premium cameras and not recommended for beginners. The Pentax 17 is very affordable compared to the Leicas but still requires some more confidence in shooting as it does not offer the same manual controls like a simple SLR does.
When scouting for a used 35mm film camera check for:
- Consistent shutter sounds
- Clean viewfinder
- Smooth focusing and aperture rings
- Intact light seals
- Cosmetic wear is totally normal. Mechanical issues are not.
When buying from Kamerastore, you can trust that cameras with a rating passed, certified and restored all have been checked and if necessary repaired to full function by our trusted technicians and mechanics.
Electronics vs Fully Mechanical Cameras
Some cameras need batteries only for metering; others won’t function at all without power.
For beginners:
- Cameras that still fire without batteries are reassuring and reliable
- Simple light-meters are easier to understand
- Fewer electronics mean fewer failures
35mm Film Choice for Beginners
Start with:
- Colour negative film for flexibility (Kodak Gold 200, Kodak Ultramax 400)
- Black & white film to understand light and contrast (Ilford HP5+ 400, Kentmere Pan 400, Kodak Tri-X 400)
- Avoid slide film (positive film) until you’re confident with exposure.
Conclusion: Start Simple, Learn Deeply
The best first film camera is not the most expensive one — it’s the one that helps you understand photography.
Choose a simple 35mm camera, learn manual exposure, shoot often, and let mistakes teach you. Film photography rewards attention, patience, and curiosity.
Friendly reminder: This article was actually written by a human being. We take a lot of pride in putting in the research and writing it down for you to expand your knowledge of photography. Artificial Intelligence often make mistakes like misinterpreting data, a good example of this was it once mentioned the Leica M8 was an advanced film camera -- it's a digital! Or that a Nikon F2 would only function with a battery -- it's fully mechanical. Happy shooting!
