5 Great Film Cameras to Use in 2024
Introduction
Film is far from dead. There is a market for analog photography. This resurgence has led to a steady increase in the price and scarcity of certain used film cameras. Except for Leica's expensive offerings ( M6, M-A, and MP), there has been little from the major camera manufacturers. Pentax will launch two new cameras this year. This will mark decades since a major camera manufacturer produced an entirely new film camera.
The following are cameras that I own and use. They may not be the darlings of social media “influencers” but all are excellent performers. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. They are reasonably priced and are readily available for anyone considering analog photography or wanting to add to their collection.
Minolta Autocord
Year Released: 1955
Camera Type: Twin Lens Reflex (TLR)
Film Format: 120, 6x6
Len: Chiyoko Rokkor 75mm f3.5 in 4 elements, Tessar-Type
Minimum Focus: 3.3 feet (1 meter), closeup lenses were available: (set 1) 16-26 inches, (set 2) 14-18 inches
Shutter:Leaf Shutter, Seikosha/Optiper/Citizen
Shutter speed:1 to 1/500 sec, bulbFlash sync:PC port, M/X, All speeds
Self timer:10 sec
Dimensions:5.5 x 3 x 4 inches
Weight: 990 gr
Detailed Manual* (Minolta came out with several versions of the Autocord this manual is of the basic model I own)
The Minolta Autocord has a mechanical shutter and is a fixed lens TLR (twin lens reflex) camera. It uses 120 medium format film (6x6). It was introduced in 1955. The majority lack a built-in light meter. The L version uses a selenium light meter (very few are in working condition). The CDS version uses an integrated electronic light meter with CDS sensors (some work but require batteries). They used the Eveready EIN or Mallory RM-1R mercury battery which are no longer available. However, there are modern alternatives. Prices range between $200 to $800 depending on the version and condition.
The lens on all versions of the camera is the same and is excellent. If you have not used a TLR camera before it might take some adjusting. Your perspective is reversed in the viewfinder. Some may find the 6X6 format (a perfect square) to be restrictive. It is a format that stresses symmetry and simplicity.
Minolta Autocord
The only real weakness of the camera can be the metal focusing tab. It can become brittle and break off. If the focusing knob breaks the only real solution is to replace the entire focusing lever. This often means salvaging another Autocord.
Shooting with a manual TLR is a unique shooting experience. It requires the photographer to slow down and be deliberate in their approach and view their subject from a different perspective. If you are patient, you can produce stunning results with the Autocord.
Olympus 35 SP
Olympus 35 SP
Year Released: 1969
Camea Type: Fixed lens Range Finder
Film Format: 35mm
Lens: G. Zuiko f/1.7, 42 mm, 7 elements in 4 groups
Aperture Range: f/1.7–22 for auto exposure, f/1.7–16 for manual mode
Shutter Speeds: B, 1–1/500 for manual mode
Focus Range: .85 meters (279 feet)– infinity
Automatic Exposure Control: Fully automatic program exposure, EV 5.5–17 in ISO 100
Exposure Meter: dual system, center-weighted or 6 degree spot metering, EV 3–17 in manual mode
Filter Size: 49 mm
Film Speed Scale: ASA 25–800
Self timer:10 sec
Size: 129 mm × 76 mm × 61 mm (5.1 in × 3.0 in × 2.4 in)
Weight: 600 grams (21 ounces)
Battery: PX625 1.3 volt mercury cell (Only used to power the light meter)
The Olympus 35 SP is a fixed lens manual focusing range finder. It has a mechanical shutter. Some have lauded the 35 SP as a Leica killer. I’m not sure about that but the 42mm/1.7f G. Zuiko lens is fantastic. The 35 SP was Olympus’s preeminent camera in its 35 series of fixed lens range finders. When introduced in 1969, it was state of the art. It features a spot meter, and it has a manual mode and a fully automatic mode.
Olympus 35 SP
The 35SP feels solid in the hands. It is not as refined as a Leica, but you are not paying the premium Leica price. One can find a good copy for around USD 250.
The camera used the now obsolete mercury PX625 which produced 1.35 volts. However, there are a few modern options. You can use the modern SR44 battery, but it produces 1.5 volts. This increased voltage can skew your light meter’s accuracy. Another option is to use mercury-free Zinc Air batteries MRB625. This gives the proper steady voltage of 1.35. However, they are relatively expensive and usually last a few months. A permanent solution that some utilize is to introduce resistance into the camera’s electrical system. This is done by wiring in a diode to lower the voltage of the SR44 battery. Finally, my option is to use the smaller LR41 battery (outputting 1.55 volts) paired with a battery adapter that reduces the voltage to 1.35.
There is no on/off switch for the light meter. So your options are removing the batteries when not in use or not exposing the camera to light. Those with large hands might have difficulty changing the shutter speed, and aperture from the lens.
The Olympus 35SP is one of the best fixed-lens rangefinder cameras that came out during that era. It is easy to use and has an outstanding lens.
CONTAX RX
Year Released: 1994
Lens: Interchangable Contax/Yashica MM mount
Shutter: Vertical-travel focal plane shutter
Shutter Release: Electromagnetic release, provided with a special release socket
Shutter Speeds: 16 seconds to 1/4000 second at “Av” and “P”, 4 second t0 1/4000 second (setting values) at “Tv”; Manual mode 4 seconds to 1/4000 second, B and X (1/125 second)
Flash Sync Speed: 1/125
Electronic self-timer with a 10-second delay
Automatic Exposure Control: Aperture-priority auto exposure, Shutter speed-priority auto exposure, Programmed auto exposure, Manual exposure, TTL auto flash control, Manual flash control
Exposure Meter: TTL center-weighted average light metering/spot metering switch cover
Film Speed Scale: ISO 25-5000 for automatic setting with DX film, ISO 6-6400 for manual setting
Film Loading: Auto-loading, automatic film positioning to “01” on the counter
Film Advance: Automatic winding with built-in motor
Film Rewinding: Automatic rewinding with a built-in motor, automatic stop after rewinding is completed, mid-roll rewinding possible
Viewfider Information: 95% Field of view
Drive Modes: Single-frame shooting, continuous shooting, self-timer shooting, and multiple exposure shooting, Winding speed up to 3 frames/second on continuous shooting
Self timer: Electronic self-timer with a 10-second delay
Size: 151 (W) x 104.5 (H) x 59 (D) mm
Weight: 810 grams
Battery: One 6V lithium battery (2CR5)
The CONTAX brand was retired in 2005. A few of their camera lines have built cult followings(CONTAX 645, CONTAX T series, and CONTAX G series). Thus prices of certain cameras have increased over the past several years. They use lenses from the legendary Carl Zeiss. Zeiss produced some of the best lenses in photography. If you are craving a camera with the CONTAX name then the RX is still an inexpensive option. It’s a manual focus camera with a focus assist. CONTAX released a simpler version of the RX without focus assistance in 2002, the RX II. The RX body sells for about $200-$300. There is a great selection of Carl Zeiss T* lenses for the system, some are spectacular. A few of their lenses are increasing in price due to their popularity, especially among videographers.
The camera has an electronically controlled shutter. It is reliant on batteries and electronics for operation. This is a weakness for some photographers, who consider mechanical shutters a purer film shooting experience. If you research the RX on forums, then you encounter the mirror slippage issue. After several decades, the adhesive may lose its effectiveness and the mirror can come out of alignment. The mirror completely fell out of my RX. I repaired it using a double-sided paper thin strip of silicone tape used in cell phones. For now, the mirror is securely in place.
The camera feels solid and dense but comfortable in one’s hands. The controls are easily accessible and clear. Despite being one of my most temperamental cameras, it is one of my favorites, but I am a Carl Zeiss lens fanboy. CONTAX did a great job of combining modern design and old-world sensibilities with their cameras. It’s a shame the brand is no longer around.
Yashica FX-3 Super 2000
Year Released: 1986
Lens: Interchangable Contax/Yashica MM mount
Shutter: focal plane shutter
Shutter Release: Mechanical
Shutter Speeds: 1 seconds to 1/2000 +B
Flash Sync Speed: 1/125 or slower
Exposure Metering: Through-the-lens, full-aperture center-weighted light metering with SPD cell; manual exposure with LED display; metering range: EV 2-19 (with ISO 100 and 50 mm F1.4 lens); ISO 25-3200 film speed range; exposure meter switch activated by pressing shutter release button halfway in.
Film Speed Scale: ISO 25-3200
Film Advance: Lever with 130 deg. stroke and 20 deg. stand-off.
Film Rewinding: Film rewind crank
Viewfider Information: 92 % Field of view. Display of correct exposure, over- and underexposure with 3 LEDs; flash signal indicating that the flash is fully charged.
Self timer: Mechanical self-timer with a 10-second delay
Size: 135x84.5x50mm
Weight: 445g
Battery: Two 1.5 V alkaline (LR44) or 1.55 V silver-oxide (SR44) batteries. (only to power the light meter)
The FX-3 Super 2000 is a basic mechanical shutter, manual focusing 35mm SLR camera. The Yashica is simple. It’s so simple it’s boring. This is not a slight against the camera. It gets the job done. Nothing extra is needed or gets in the way of taking pictures. The Yashica shares the same lens mount as CONTAX. So, you can use Yashicha’s consumer-graded single-coated lens (DSB) their premium (ML for multi-layered/MC for multi-coating) lenses, or the legendary Carl Zeiss T*lenses.
The camera is small light and compact. The top and bottom plates are metal and the body is made primarily of plastic. The camera takes Two 1.5 V alkaline LR44 or 1.55 V silver-oxide SR44 batteries. They are needed only to power the light meter. Its shutter speed tops off at a very respectable 1/2000 of a second.
The majority of the body is plastic. I'd prefer a camera of metal construction, but the Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 is a solid contender. Prices range between $100 to $250 for the body depending on condition.
The Yashica is a stripped-down, durable, and minimalist camera. Many of Yashica’s MC and ML lenses are excellent. It is also a great alternative if you want access to the Carl Zeiss line of Lens. It is an excellent camera to learn film photography.
Minolta Maxxum 9/Dynax 9/Alpha 9
Year Released: 1998
Lens: Minolta A-type bayonet lens mount
Shutter: focal plane shutter
Shutter Release: electronically controled
Shutter Speeds: 30 seconds to 1/12000 +B
Flash Sync Speed: 1/300 or slower (sync with all speeds in HSS mode)
Metering Cell: TTL metering;direct TTL metering for flash Ambient: 14-segment honeycomb, center weighted average, spot (5.5 0)
Metering Range: 14-segment metering:EV 0-20, Center weighted average:EV 0-20, Spot metering:EV 3-20
Film Speed Scale: (Automatic) ISO 25-5000 DX-Coaded film (Manual) ISO 6 to 6400 (Flash) ISO 25-1000
Film Advance: Auto
Film Rewinding: Auto (High Speed or Silent)
Viewfider Information: 100% field of view
Shooting Modes: P, A, S, M
Self timer: electronic 2 or 10-second delay
Size: 155x111.0x75.0mm (WxHxD)
Weight: 910g (w/o camera battery)
Battery: Two CR123A Lithium Batteries
The Alpha 9 (α-9) is an electronically controlled, 35mm SLR camera made by Minolta. It is also known as the Maxxum 9 in the USA, and The Dynax 9 in Europe. It is the only camera with autofocusing on this list.
The A-9 was Minolta’s last professional film camera before Sony bought their camera division in 2006. It is a beast. Close to 30 years after its introduction, it’s still more camera than the average person will need. If you previously used a digital SLR, the Alpha 9 might be the smoothest transition to film photography.
It has some of the best specs for any film camera ever made. A top shutter speed of 1/12000 of a second, a top flash sync speed of 1/300 of a second, 5.5 frames per second in continuous shooting, built-in flash, and 21 customizable functions. In well-lit conditions, the autofocus is quick and accurate. Prices of the Alpha 9/Maxxum 9/Dynax 9 body range between $250 to $450.
Mechanically, I have not had issues. My problem was cosmetic and it’s an issue consistently shared, the deteriorating rubber grip. The rubber can crack, become brittle, and crumble off over time. Once it starts, this process is difficult to reverse. I constantly had flaking chunks of rubber covering my hands every time I used my Alpha. I finally settled on the ugly but effective repair of using Sugru (molding glue) to cover and hold in place what was left of the disintegrating grip. I’m sure there are better options but I have not done the research.
The Alpha is an excellent rugged professional camera. It is a highly competent tool. It has all the bells and whistles that you will need. It makes shooting film easy. Just pay special attention to the grip and its condition if you are considering one.
Conclusion
The current stock of used film cameras is often decades old. Hopefully, other major manufacturers will follow the lead of Pentax and offer new film camera options.
There is no perfect camera. Find the one that is perfect for you, one that fits your personal needs and shooting style. When buying, be cautious. It is best to buy from a knowledgeable seller that has a favorable reputation, a clear return policy, or offers a warranty. You don’t want a camera that doesn’t work or is so rare there are no parts to repair it. There are great cameras to be had (many not mentioned here) but buyers need to do their due diligence.
* All manuals are found on OrhpanCamera and is run by Mike Butkus. He has always helped hunt down obscure camera or camera accessories manuals. Mr. Butkus does great work helping keep film photography alive by providing manuals to us film shooters. He accepts donations and it’s entirely voluntary.
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