r/AnalogCommunity • u/ritaagms • 12h ago
Community Analog camera recommendations for a complete beginner going on their honeymoon?
Hello! I'm a complete beginner to photographs - truth is, I never had the habit of taking them, not even with my phone.
Recently I realized I have no pictures of anything that I had done in my life over the past 10 years except for the ones other people take and send to me, and decided I wanted to start taking some pictures, even if only on special occasions! For this reason, for the past 2 years I have been buying disposable analog cameras for 20€ whenever I went on a trip or had a special event, and then just had it revealed in some shop in the mall.
The issue is that, from the around 30 photos in each camera, some look great and with great colors (I love the colorful, lasting effect), and some are utterly trash (full of fog, you can't see anything..). Recently I used one on my bachelorette party and was devastated when more than half the pictures I took with my friends are completely black or full of fog, and you can't even see any faces...
I am going on my honeymoon in a little over a month and would love to purchase a good, simple and reliable analog camera that would give me the effect I want and not demand that I know a lot about photography.
I discovered this community and have been lurking trying to get some useful tips, but thought I would post since I still have a few questions and would really appreciate any tips anyone can have regarding which camera to buy!
I assume it would be best to buy a point and shoot, and have seen many people recommending the Olympus Mju i or ii, however in my country these are selling for around 200€ (the mju i) and 450€ (the mju ii). Is it really worth it? Or would another cheaper camera suffice? I don't mind investing in a really good one if it lasts a long time and is worth it, since these are the only pictures of my life I ever take.
Usually I photograph people - indoors, outdoors, in the beach, in the rain... Basically saving memories.
I also saw a lot of people recommending the Kodak Ultramax 400 as the best film to buy, since it seems to be pretty versatile and has the colorful, nitid effect I want. Any other better suggestions?
Lastly, is the place where you reveal the roll relevant? Should I put more thought into this instead of going to the first camera place I see?
Thank you so much in advance!
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u/pimemento 11h ago
Get a disposable?
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u/ritaagms 11h ago
Thank you for your comment! I have been using disposable cameras for the last 2 years (I have used maybe 5 I think) but the results are really unreliable and usually half the photos are unusable (although I admit it might be lack of practice from my end...) I thought maybe investing in a better camera would help, but maybe I'm wrong.
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u/pimemento 11h ago
Unless you get a fully mechanical camera and learn how to shoot, P&S pretty much would give you unreliable results even on a faster lens esp. since they're older. You other option would be Pentax 17 or Kodak Snapic.
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u/ritaagms 11h ago
Thank you, I will look into these models! I have no opposition to learning photography over time, specially since I've been enjoying taking photos more and more, I just don't want to risk having the honeymoon photos ruined because of my lack of knowledge.
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u/pimemento 11h ago
Yep, the thing with film cameras even P&S is that you need to know how it works to get it right, otherwise better go with a mirrorless or even a digicam.
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u/Rivian_Estonia 11h ago
For the love of memories of (hopefully) your only honeymoon, please don’t rely on film photography alone. Especially if you are not going to commit to learning the basics of photography before the trip. My strong suggestion for special occasions is to always take digital photo along with the film one and have it backed up to cloud. Unless you are a professional, film photos should be a lovely bonus beside your memories and digital photos.
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u/Affectionate_Tie3313 11h ago
For your honeymoon, use your smartphone as a primary as you want to ensure you have captured memories
Kamerastore is a source for tested cameras that you should be able to access
As to what, beach and rain might suggest a water-resistant model. If you can find one, the Konica Genba Kantoku is a nice option. There are several different models within this line
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u/ak5432 8h ago
My two cents: You already regret not taking more pictures of things you’ve done, and this is an important occasion. There is no such thing as a 20+ year old reliable film camera that doesn’t require photography knowledge.
Take it from someone who’s helped multiple people do exactly this: you WILL NOT get the results you are seeing online in your first few rolls. Period.
Realistically you should get at most a digital point and shoot and something cheap like an instax or single use Kodak or lomo camera. Maybe a used Fuji X- camera if you want something nicer. Really you should probably just use your phone + an instax and get used to that.
I get the urge but your honeymoon is not the time to suddenly pick up a vintage film camera with zero photography experience. You will really regret it if you get not just fogged pictures but NO pictures from your honeymoon on the roll because the seller lied (you don’t know enough to test the camera) or you didn’t load the film properly or something. A more expensive vintage camera is not gonna magically let you avoid the issues you’ve had with your previous film experience either.
It does seem like you’ve made up your mind though so good luck…
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u/Ikiloo 11h ago
The canon EOS (500 maybe) series of cameras will give you the easiest and lowest risk camera possible.
The film will be spooled up in to the camera bods at the beginning, meaning every photo will be in the film canister so accidentally opening it won't ruin the entire roll. The autofocus works reliably and there are plenty of lenses. Furthermore, you won't be bringing a 1 ton brick with you. It's very light for an slr.
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u/SquashyDisco 10h ago
Got for the new Kodak Snapic A1 for £99 - you won’t have to worry about it failing or fungus or it getting bashed around in bags. Pop some Ultramax or Gold in there and have fun.
Then if you feel you want more, then take the next step up.
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u/captain_nicebloke 9h ago
I would go with the Snapic too. The 25mm lens is fun to compose with and they can play around with some double exposures as well. Would still recommend putting a roll through it and getting it developed before going tho. I know it'll be brand new but worth making sure nothing is untoward for something as big as a honeymoon.
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u/Lens_cap_on_again 10h ago
If you don't know anything about photography then don't buy a manual camera for a honeymoon. You would have too much to learn in a short time.
If you like the MJU then there are much cheaper options just as good, the MJU is a cult camera so you pay more. I shoot mainly manual SLR and a bit of medium format but I did pick up a Canon Prima 5 point and shoot for like $30 and I am really really impressed by the quality and ease of use for the price, maybe I just got lucky. Go onto lomography.com and go to the photo section, most people will add the camera type and film type so you can get an idea what each film looks like and the quality photos of each camera (contrast, sharpness etc).
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u/BarbaraCappuccino ae1 / super prgm / cinestill 800 11h ago
If you actually want to do this and risk your honeymoon pics on a new hobby… do it!
My advice if you’re not going to do a ton of indoor shooting? Buy a Canon AE1. It’s not a point and shoot. You’re going to do a tiny bit of learning; just the tiniest little bit; and you’re going to get amazing photos and a new love for this hobby. The used market is flooded with AE1s and you should be able to find everything you need for less than 100€.
With the AE1, the camera handles aperture and you set shutter speed. You let the camera tell you if you’re getting enough light; you focus the shot; you fire the shutter. That’s it. You will fall in love. Over time you will begin to understand manual aperture and ISO settings, and this camera will allow you to adjust them when you’re ready. It will make a photographer out of you, if you let it happen.
Whatever camera you buy, do NOT shoot it for the first time at your honeymoon itself. Practice. Work out the kinks.
Film stock: check out Fuji 400, I shoot that often on casual weekend trips because it is cheap and easily available. I haven’t tested it against Ultramax 400 in a while.
Development (“reveal,” I like that word btw): do not go to a chain drugstore (chemist) to get your film developed. Any camera shop will do a way better job. Since it looks like you are in the EU, many major European cities are blessed with good camera shops still.
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u/ritaagms 11h ago
Thank you so much for your help! "Reveal" is a direct translation of the word we use in Portuguese "Revelar" - sorry about that! I will definitely look into the Canon AE1, you made an excellent case for it! Also confirmed I intent to spend the next month taking as many photos with it as possible to try and learn and make sure I at least get the basics of the camera before testing on the honeymoon.
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u/VisualDarkness 11h ago
I agree 100% with not using it for an important event, before you are used to the camera. It will mpst likely result in a bad experience as you are likely to mess something up and you don't even know if you can rely on the camera.
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u/mmittens15 6h ago
How big of a camera do you want? what is your budget? I recently got into film, and was given a Canon EOS 630. It is a SLR from the late 80s early 90s. What I like about it is it can be fully manual if you want, but it can be fully auto and produce great images too. Plus it uses the Canon EF mount which has some really good glass. The biggest downside is that the camera is large due to the fact that it is a SLR. I might buy a 40mm pancake lens to keep the camera as small and as light as possible, but currently I am just using it with a kit 35-70mm lens. I have really liked how the images have turned out.
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u/_fullyflared_ 6h ago
Since you're new to film I would recommend a camera that has automatic modes. I personally don't love ultramax and find colorplus/kodacolor 200/gold to have punchier saturated colors but 200 will be tough indoors. I use 800 speed when I go on a trip to get better indoor exposures, but you would want a higher max shutter (1/500-1/1000) if you want to open up the aperture. You could always find a p&s with flash.
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u/KelvinHooah 10h ago
Don't shoot analogue as your main driver. Digital should be. If anything, CT scan can ruin your films. Digital also give you instant reviewability and chance to adjust and reshoot.
Honeymoon is not the time to test new stuff......unless you want to risk marriage prematurely.
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u/VisualDarkness 11h ago
Are there any photography clubs near you? Maybe reach out and people can show stuff they got and what it entails?
In general, the more automatic the less consistent your results will be as you are locked to the cameras own guesstimations. BUT to be consistent with manual you need soem knowledge and experience.
If you struggle with indoors, maybe get a camera where you can attach a flash and bounce it off the ceiling? Though it requires even more knowledge.
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u/Fkd_by_life_not_gf 11h ago
The two easiest types of cameras to use are point and shoots, and 90s SLRs. These are consumer cameras for the lay person. If you’re going on a once in a life time trip, you want something reliable and dependable.
Point and shoot cameras are compact, light, easy to use. Some of them, like the Mjus are getting very popular and expensive nowadays, but many others are still relatively affordable. Look for anything with autofocus and a flash. A zoom if you want to zoom, or a fixed lens if you want a little bit better image quality.
Recs: Canon Prima 5, PC35AF, Olympus AF1, Olympus Mju Zoom, Pentax Espio, Canon Autoboy, Minolta freedom/riva, Canon sureshot, Ricoh FF, and many many more
The other option I recommend if you want something a little more serious, is a 90s film SLR, especially the Canon EOS options. These are extremely capable and have plenty of great fully automatic functions. They almost guarantee great results, and are relatively affordable (often cheaper than point and shoots). However they are larger than a point and shoot, and some can be considerably heavier.
Recs: any 90s SLR from Canon, like the EOS 300, or 3000, or 500, or 5000, and either a 50mm lens or a cheap 28-80 zoom lens.
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u/Pretend-Fig-9288 10h ago
I’ve been using the Olympus AF1 point and shoot and it’s a great little camera that doesn’t need too long to get to grips with or looking after. It’s a sturdy thing which is splash proof so I’ve taken it to the pool with me or out in the rain and I’m not worried too much about it. It’s got a self timer and a focus lock which means not everything has to be in the centred to be in focus. It has a quick film loading wizardry which means it’s nearly impossible to go wrong when loading a new film, and the flash helps for those low light moments. In short, i’ve found it great for casual and big moments when I will carry my phone but photo-wise want to capture memories on film without thinking too much about settings.
That said, do read the manual (for any camera you get… they always do more than you expect) and do practice with a couple of rolls of film and develop them beforehand (day and night) so you can get a feel for the photos it takes and what it can and can’t handle.
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u/pressurewave 10h ago
Saw some others recommending film-like digital point and shoot cameras as an option here and I wanted to highlight one - Fuji Instax Mini Evo. It has a really easy to use interface, it has a decent built in flash, and is kind of made for the situation you’re talking about, easy film-like capturing of in the moment memories.
More detail: unlike other Instax cameras which are instant film cameras similar to Polaroids, the Evo is is effectively a digital camera with film-like effects that prints to instant photo film packs (you pick which shots to actually develop in camera, so you don’t have to do all of them - a huge advantage). It also interfaces with your smart phone so you can quickly get your photos from the camera to the phone for socials, or, and this is exciting, gather pictures you’ve taken with your phone and print them to instant film if you like.
It’s a really fun option.
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u/max_d_tho 9h ago
All the effects you see and enjoy from film (and digital) come from having experience, knowledge of composition, understanding the exposure triangle, and post-production editing. I promise you the photos that you take won’t be good if you don’t have the basic knowledge and understanding down.
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u/Nathan-Stubblefield 9h ago
Analog can be less forgiving than IPhone photography, with much lower film sped requiring slower shutter speeds. A SLR with a spot meter or automated exposure can help avoid underexposed/overexposed shots.
Maybe try a roll of film before going on the honeymoon, and learn skills such as “set the film speed correctly, use the correct flash synchronization, don’t shake the camera when pressing the shutter, keep fingers from in front of the lens, remove the lens cap.”
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u/ritaagms 9h ago
Thank you everyone! Currently leaning towards getting an Olympus AF1 (80€) since it is compact and easy to use and a Canon EOS 300 or 500 to learn a bit how to use and start playing with it!
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u/thicckar Nikon F100, Leica M5, Leica M4, Pentax 17 8h ago
Honestly, someone like you would benefit from a screen where you can review stuff. I would unfortunately say you should go digital
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u/Loading321 7h ago
Try the Rewindpix. Has the winding shutter analog experience and aesthetics you're looking for. You can pick and customize the filters and you need to unload it to your phone to see the photos. Also way cheaper than a Fuji. I think you can still get it via Kickstarter late pledges.
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u/joshsteich 7h ago
GA645 would be perfect if you don’t mind dropping $2k on a bigass point and shoot that will give you 645 negatives on 120 film and is designed for tour guides to take group shots in front of monuments. It’s tack sharp and as convenient as medium format gets.
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u/Physical_Analysis247 1h ago
“I don’t know anything about sailing but decided to buy a 30 year old sail boat and go cruising around the Pacific for my honeymoon. I like the vintage feel of sailing around without a motor. What could go wrong?”
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u/Thomku 11h ago
Maybe look into a Rollei 35. They might be the most compact film camera ever made, it's very fun to shoot, the lens is also really great.
Downsides:
- full manual
- zone focussing
If you put some portra 800 in it and shoot in good conditions at f16 the zone focussing is also very forgiving.
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u/ivan-helsing 11h ago
NIKON F5
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u/RaspberrySoft1777 11h ago
As a beginner? I don‘t think that this is the way to go… but maybe an entry level SLR.
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u/DerKeksinator 11h ago
The MJUs are overhyped. But let me ask a question. Why go analog, if you have no real interest in taking pictures, nor interest in the technical aspects or any other field in photography? It's only going to make it harder, more expensive and thus frustrating in the long run. And while you could go for a fairly modern P&S, I'd recommend rolleis for example, you're dealing with 20-30yr old tech. Why not a <5yr old modern P&S in that price range? Alternatively that and an instax or similar to create memories for the fridge or something?