Types and Formats of 35mm Film Cameras

If you’re new to film photography, it can be hard to know where to start. There are so many different types of film cameras and formats available, it can be overwhelming.

The best way to find the right camera is to first decide what you want to photograph and what kind of budget you have. Then, you can choose which type of camera is best suited to your needs and style.

Single Lens Reflex

Single Lens Reflex 35mm Film Cameras are the most versatile of all 35mm camera types. They range from purely mechanical manual cameras with a shutter speed selection dial and an aperture ring to highly advanced and complex cameras with automatic features.

These cameras can be very cost effective for a first timer to 35mm photography, and are the best choice for someone wanting to start with a basic manual 35mm system. They can also be the perfect choice for those looking to expand their skills without sacrificing a full 35mm SLR system, or simply to try out the medium format world.

There are many different options to choose from when it comes to Single Lens Reflex cameras, so we’ve compiled some of the best ones on the market below. If you’re looking for a particular model that we don’t have on the site then please get in touch via our contact page and we will do our best to find one for you.

Rangefinder

The Rangefinder 35mm Film Camera is a compact and lightweight camera that uses a lens without a mirror, making it smaller than most SLR cameras. The lack of a mirror also allows the lenses to be designed smaller and lighter, creating sharper images.

Another advantage of the rangefinder is that it can be used with a wide open aperture, allowing the photographer to use slower shutter speeds handheld, especially useful when trying to freeze a moment. This is a great feature for street photographers as it allows them to freeze the decisive moment while avoiding any blurry backgrounds due to light pollution.

Fixed-lens 35mm rangefinders are a very popular option for many photographers. They are often cheaper than their SLR counterparts and are easy to operate 100% manually with no menus or buttons to click through.

Disposable

A disposable 35mm film camera is a single-use, plastic camera with a preloaded roll of film. These are often popular at weddings and other events because of their cheapness and ease of operation.

These cameras also have a fixed lens and a limited number of shots per roll. They also often have a flash.

Disposable film can be used to take black and white photographs, and there are also plenty of options for grainy images or golden-hued pictures. They’re great for those who like a more nostalgic feel to their photos.

Disposable film cameras work best in bright daylight and aren’t so good in low light situations without a flash. If you plan on using your disposable camera in low-light situations, consider buying a higher-sensitivity film. Most disposable cameras have 400 ISO film but some use 800 ISO film, which gives better results in low light conditions.

Large Format

Large format film cameras are popular with professional landscape, architectural, and still photographers who demand high resolution, increased flexibility, and improved tonal range. These cameras take sheet film in various sizes, including 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 inches.

Typical large format cameras use a monorail to control the length of the bellows, allowing the photographer to set up a tripod or other steadying device in front of the camera. They also require a dark space to load and unload the film, such as a changing bag or darkroom.

These cameras can be a lot of fun to use, but they can be quite heavy and cumbersome. That's partly because you have to work at a slower pace, but also because the camera requires manual adjustment and you need to take time to compose each shot.

For this reason, the majority of professionals who use large format cameras are more experienced and dedicated photographers. However, they can be a great choice for anyone who wants to make their photos more artistic and who wants to get more involved with the craft of photography.