Even though we are swimming in digital cameras, film photography is still going strong. Like vinyl, analog photography has many enthusiasts. Supporters that prefer the physical to the digital and prefers the better quality to slower speed ratio.
If you’re looking to start with film photography or pull back into a slower yet more rewarding analog world, look no further. We are looking at five of the best analog cameras that you can still buy today.
What is an Analog SLR 35mm Camera?
Analog refers to cameras that use film to record the scenes, opposed to digital, where a sensor records to a digital file.
An SLR (Single-Lens Reflex)is a camera that uses one lens to view and capture the scene. TLR (Twin-Lens Reflex) cameras, such as the LOMO Lubitel, used two lenses; one for viewing and one for capturing.
35mm, also known as 135mm or small format refers to the film size, where the negative measures 3.6 x 2.4 cm. It is one of the most used film sizes, due to its easy of loading and developing. These come in canisters of 24 or 36 shots on a roll, yet it’s also possible to buy a large roll and cut them yourself.
Larger film sizes are used with medium (120 film – 6.1cm wide) and large format cameras (4x5 at 10.2 x 12.7cm).
5. Smena Symbol
This camera popped up in our interview with Cuban photographer Ossain, so It’s worth a mention, for a few reasons. This Russian camera came fro, LOMO (the company that inspired Lomography) between the years of 1970 and 1993. During that time, 8 types and a further 3 sub-types were available.
The lens is a Industar-73 40mm with an aperture range of f/4- f/16, and a focusing distance of 1-10 meters to infinity (and beyond!). The body is plastic, so its very easy to carry around, and small enough to slip in a pocket. What is interesting about this camera is the shutter release sits on the lens. It even has space for a flash on the hot shoe, or a cable release.
These cameras are best for rapid street photography due to their size and weight. They worked well with those who wanted to experiment because they were cheap, and produced light leaks. I even heard a story that this was on purpose so that people would buy more and more film. Try Etsy for one of these, setting you back around $25. Make sure you get one without a loose aperture barrel, and you’re good to go.
By Dr.K (via Wikipedia)
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4. Pentax K1000
The Pentax K1000 is an SLR (Single Lens Reflex), and a workhorse of a camera. Its weight and design makes it sturdy - enough for handheld photography, even if not for long periods. As far as its siblings go, this K-series model has no electronics nor unnecessary features. This (originally) Japanese camera was manufactured between 1976 and 1997, selling over 3 million units.
One of the best things about the K1000 are the interchangeable lenses. There are still many options to expand your glass repertoire – as long as they are K bayonet mounts. Like the Symbol, it doesn’t need batteries (light meter), but looks flashier due to the metal body.
If you’re looking for something to boost your analog photography – this is a good place to start. Affordable, rugged and well built. The K1000 is completely manual, forcing you to look at your settings and focusing. Try eBay for this SLR, and expect to pay $100 for one with a lens.
By Bubba73 (Jud McCranie via Wikipedia)
3. Nikon F5
Nikon is one of the most well-known camera brands throughout the world. They were a front-runner for SLR 35mm format analog cameras since the 70’s, battling it out against Canon. The Nikon F series (F for Film) started in 1959 where F5 was the fifth member of the family. It is one of the newer models on our list, manufactured between 1996 and 2004.
Being newer means more features and improved capabilities in getting that shot. The predecessor F4 introduced multi-segment matrix metering, where as the F5 comes with 3-D color matrix metering; the first of its kind. The biggest advantage is the electronics; exposure times range from 1/8000 second to 30 seconds. You also get 5 points of autofocus, and anti-shake mirror balance system.
This camera is a go to for those who want to capture fast moving objects, while keeping the film aesthetic. The Built-in motor drive allows 8 frame per second motor drive, which is great for movement, but requires batteries. As it comes with an F mount, you’re never short of lens possibilities. Expect to pay around $200 for the Nikon F5 body and double with a lens.
by Ralf Roletschek (via Wikipedia)
2. Canon AE-1
One of my all-time favorite cameras was the Canon A-1. Not only did it have a beautiful shutter sound, but it beat Nikon in an unofficial ‘best 35mm camera’ of the 70s. The Canon AE-1 was the updated version of that, manufactured in Japan between 1976 and 1984. What set it apart was the microprocessor, the first of its kind in an SLR, and helped push it to sell over 5.7 million.
This much sought-after camera wasn’t produced for professionals. Instead, the simple controls and auto-aperture made it perfect for photographic newcomers. It was the first film camera to sell in the millions. The one let down was that it needed an (uncommon° battery to capture scenes. Without it, the AE-1 became a paperweight.
My favorite features were the shutter priority auto exposure and the motor driveadd-on, making it perfect for speedy subjects. Due to the locking ring on the FD lenses (opposed to bayonet mounts) this camera didn’t suffer the usual wear and tear. You can find this beautiful beast on eBay for around $250 with a 50mm f/1.8 lens.
by Cburnett (via Wikipedia)
1. Leica M6
You can’t write a photographic article about analog cameras without including a Leica. These cameras were a favorite of mid-century photojournalists (Henri-Cartier Bresson) and street photographers. They still continue to be the pinnacle of film photography. This rangefinder was manufactured between 1984 and 2002 and came with more special editions than any other camera on the market (as of 2013). As one of the more modern analog cameras, we can expect to see an improvement on features compared to the others on our list.
This is a fantastic camera, and one that will be the envy of those that see you shooting with it. The ISO dial on the back sets it apart from other cameras, and it goes all the way to 6400. But, loading the film is easier on other camera brands – on the M6, you need to remove the bottom plate. Also, don’t expect to find an exposure compensation dial. The final point is that the Leica was the first rangefinder to use TTL (through-the-lens) metering.
Leica’s have a reputation of being compact and light weight and this model is no different. This automatic analog camera came with a solid magnesium body, and weighed 560 grams. It’s a bold choice, not only because of the infamous red-dot logo and engraved name, but also the cost. Expect to pay upwards of $2500 for a standard edition in good condition on eBay.
by Sodacan (via Wikipedia)