Camera : why choose a film camera ?
At a time when everything is going digital, some people are choosing to slow down. Far from screens and dozens of unsorted photos stored on devices, the film camera is making a comeback. It attracts enthusiasts and curious minds alike, who are looking for a different relationship with images.
Taking a photo with a film camera means rediscovering a rhythm, a gesture, a focus. You don't just snap away. You wait, you compose, then you discover the print a few days later. It's a different way of photographing, more intentional, more rooted in reality.
But is choosing a film camera still a good choice today? Is it reserved for experts or accessible to everyone? And what does this practice still have to offer, beyond nostalgia? This guide helps you answer these questions by exploring the technical, practical and emotional reasons why more and more photographers are returning to film.
Rediscover the essence of photography by choosing film
Returning to film means choosing to photograph differently. Whereas digital photography allows for unlimited shots, film encourages restraint. You no longer take photographs to check, but to keep. This slower, more conscious way of shooting puts the gesture back at the heart of creation. It gives weight back to each image.
What is a film camera?
A film camera is, above all, a camera that works with photographic film. Unlike digital cameras, the image is not recorded on a memory card, but captured on light-sensitive film. Once the film is finished, it must be developed to reveal the photos. This can be done in a laboratory or by a specialist photographer.
This type of camera often works without a screen, menu or editing capabilities. It is used with natural light, intuition and sometimes a little patience. The experience is more direct and physical. You take a photo by manually advancing the film, listening to the sound of the shutter and feeling the weight of the camera in your hand. It's a very different relationship with the image.
For those who want to get started with ease, the AgfaPhoto Film Camera is the option for you. It is lightweight, easy to load, and designed for use with standard 35mm film. It allows you to experience the joys of film photography without complications. Its compact design and robustness make it a good companion for exploring photography with a fresh eye.
What are the advantages of film photography?
At first glance, one might think that film photography is outdated. However, it continues to appeal, and not just out of nostalgia. What many people are looking for is a different way of taking photos. A slower, more thoughtful, more sensitive way. With film, every shot is carefully considered. You take the time to frame the shot, compose the image and feel the scene before pressing the shutter button.
The power of anticipation also plays a role. Not seeing the result immediately forces you to trust your eye. And when the prints arrive, the pleasure is tenfold. The images have a grain, a texture, a warmth that digital sensors don't always reproduce. They tell a different story.
This approach develops a certain discipline. It encourages patience, observation and mastery of the frame. It's also a good way to refocus on the essentials in a world saturated with images.
To fully explore these sensations, AgfaPhoto film, in colour or black and white, offers an excellent starting point. It allows you to vary the moods and styles, while ensuring good image quality. Combined with a reusable camera, it is the ideal duo for trying out this different way of taking photographs.
Getting started with film photography
Contrary to popular belief, getting started in film photography does not require a large budget or advanced technical training. Quite the contrary. Film photography is learned through practice, with simple techniques and accessible tools. It is a gateway to a more intuitive form of photography that develops both your eye and your patience.
How much should you budget to get started in film photography?
Getting started in film photography can be very affordable. For those who want to try it out without committing, buying a disposable camera is an excellent option. All you need is a pre-loaded film and good lighting, and you're ready to shoot. The only additional cost is the development, which varies depending on the lab, but remains reasonable.
It is also possible to opt for a reusable camera, which is slightly more expensive to purchase but more cost-effective in the long run. This type of model allows you to change the film as often as you like, so you can experiment with different styles or formats.
For a simple first attempt, the Realishot Flash Disposable is a good starting point. It includes a 27-exposure colour film and a built-in flash for indoor or low-light shooting. It is designed for immediate use. It is the perfect format for an outing, a weekend or an event that you want to capture without a digital filter.
What is the best film camera to start with?
The right camera for beginners often depends on how you plan to use it. For occasional use without technical constraints, disposable cameras remain a reliable solution. They are lightweight, easy to use and allow you to focus on composition without worrying about settings.
But to take it a step further, a pre-loaded black and white camera can offer a different experience. By removing colour, the focus shifts to contrasts, light and shapes. This encourages you to frame your shots differently and play with shadows and textures.
The LeBox Black&White 27 exposures, can be a good starting point. Compact and easy to use, it allows you to explore film photography from a more artistic angle, while retaining the simplicity of a single-use camera. It's a good choice for lovers of timeless visuals, or for young photographers who want to discover black and white without having to use a complex camera.
The pleasure of using a film camera
Film photography is also a way to slow down. Taking a photo is no longer a reflex, it becomes a decision. Each image has a cost, each exposure counts. Far from being a hindrance, this constraint transforms the photographer's approach. It encourages you to observe differently, to anticipate, to compose carefully. It is a practice that trains the eye as much as the hand.
How do you take a photo with a film camera?
Taking a photo with a film camera involves simple actions, but they require more attention. You start by looking through the viewfinder, focusing on the subject and the composition. Once the framing is in place, you take the photo by pressing the button, then manually advance the film to move on to the next shot. This rhythm requires a certain regularity and forces you to think about each image before immortalising it.
Light management is also key. Even with a simple camera, you need to pay attention to the lighting. Outdoors, natural light is often sufficient. Indoors or in the evening, a built-in flash can be useful to avoid overly dark areas. Film photography therefore requires you to anticipate conditions rather than correct them afterwards.
The LeBox Flash 27 colour is ideal for this discovery. It features a built-in automatic flash and standard colour film, ready to use. Easy to handle, it allows you to enjoy the film experience without worrying about complex settings. Perfect for capturing simple moments with a touch of spontaneity.
A film camera for learning photography
By reducing the number of images available, film encourages reflection. You don't take pictures ‘just in case,’ but because you have something to say. This mode of shooting reinforces awareness of the frame. But it also increases attention to light and the harmony of the elements in the image.
There is no immediate retouching, no instant viewing. The waiting time between shooting and printing forces you to trust your eye. It's a lesson in patience, but also in high standards. You learn to trust your intuition and develop a consistent photographic style.
This approach also allows you to reconnect with the emotion of discovery. When you pick up your prints, each image has a special value. It becomes a tangible memory, a fragment of time captured with care. In this sense, film photography does more than just produce photos. It shapes the way you look at things.
Choosing a film camera means giving meaning back to each photo
Choosing a film camera means taking a step back. It means preferring slowness to instant clicks, reflection to automatic capture. It also means rediscovering the pleasure of waiting for your images, holding them in your hands, and giving them real value.
Film photography is not opposed to digital photography. It simply offers another way. It's more sensory, more attentive, and more intimate too. Accessible to all, it allows you to start without pressure and progress at your own pace.
Whether you're a beginner, an enthusiast, or simply curious, it's never been easier to get started. A camera, some film, a little light... and the pleasure of photography takes on new meaning.