When I first put this list together it was a lot shorter… so I’ve tried to break it down so it’s not quite so much to take in.
All of the cameras that I used/have used take 35mm film
(other than the instant cameras)
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- – Cameras I love and use all the time – -
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~ Holga 135bc ~
This was my first lomography camera and really the camera that caused my love of photography and cameras again. You can read me gushing about it more here.
Pros: Great vignetting, clear results and its so versatile, it can take any film and its easy to use.
Cons: Other than forgetting to check its not on bulb mode (N not B) None. haha. I love it.
~ Refurbished LC-A ~
One of my newest cameras and definitely one of my favourites already. My LC-A is from 1992. With further aperture settings than the holga and diana and a light meter, this camera is perfect for most situations and creates amazing results.
Pros: Again, this camera is perfect for most situations and creates amazing results.
Cons: You can’t do multiple exposures, if you want these, get the LC-A+. Also you can’t use the Lomography LC-A+ accessories with it.
~ Polaroid Automatic 340 Land Camera ~
I’ve really struggled with polaroids in the past and I’ve never been able to find that micarulous balance with the Impossible Project film that others seem to find so beautifully. But finally I’ve found a polaroid that works for me and it works incredibly well!!
Pros: The film for this camera is still made by FujiFilm and it’s easy to get and use.
Cons: This camera weighs a fair bit and although it folds so easily, its still a trek to carry it around.
~ Diana Mini ~
It took me much longer to learn to love my Diana Mini than my Holga, but I do love it, especially in the square frame mode. You can read more about why I love it here.
Pros: Beautiful, dreamy results, square mode, compact.
Cons: Temperamental, need patience, needs higher iso films and lots of sunshine.
~ Yashica Samurai ~
The best camera Thomas has ever found for me! Technically a SLR with an autofocus, this half frame camera is amazing. I love the zoom, it captures details perfectly and the results are always stunning. It’s my go to camera on holiday.
Pro: It has a zoom! Also, you get double the photos, what you see through the viewfinder is what you take and it has beautiful grain.
Cons: Heavy, needs a battery which is quite hard to find.
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~ Olympus OM-10 ~
This is my Daddy’s camera, so I love it for that. But its also a very impressive SLR with great results. I used to be quite intimidated by it, but this camera has really grown on me lately, especially playing with the aperture settings and depth of field. A truly great camera that I can imagine I’ll be playing with for a long time.
Pros: It’s an SLR, amazing lens and results.
Cons: It’s a bit hefty and very picky with light, but worth it.
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~ Superheadz Wide and Slim ~
A simple point and click camera with a wide lens. If you’re new to 35mm film and a little scared of the Lomography cameras unpredictable results, I would recommend one of these as your first plastic camera.
Pros: Simple to use, beautiful results, great for locations with the wide angle lens.
Cons: My only complaint is you can’t do multiple exposures.
This camera is fun! So so fun. I love it so…
I personally love the colours from these and its the perfect companion to any of my 35mm cameras whereever I go.
I also like that the film is consistent and relatively cheap on Ebay.
Pros: Beautiful colours, instant fun, perfect for a gift or your wallet.
Cons: The film is ISO 800 so can over expose in the sunshine but its rare.
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~ Lomokino ~
Normally, it takes me a few rolls of film and a couple of months for me to truly love a camera. But this, one I fell for straight away because of its results. I love that I can now have videos that are in a format that I think reflects me the best: film!
Pros: The resulting videos look amazing and it’s a really fun camera to use.
Cons: It needs a lot of film, it’s a bit tedious to scan and put together the videos and it needs practice for loading as the process is quite different from other cameras. Worth all the effort though I think.
- – Cameras that I love and should use more – -
My first TLR camera to take photos with and because I made it, I love it. I know how it works, I know that its missing a screw somewhere and its yellow! A fun experience to make and to shoot. I love it far more than I should perhaps.
Pros: It’s yellow! Fun to make, really helps to explain how a camera works, light and great results.
Cons: Takes longer to make than it says and you have to really decipher the instructions but I’d say that is part of the fun!
~ Olympus Trip ~
I have wanted one of these for so long that I can’t actually believe I have one. They are just as pretty in person. And Thomas found it for £10!!! Have I said before that he is my camera finding hero? He is. Anyway, this is a gorgeous camera with huge potential.
Pros: Solid, compact, sturdy camera with great results when you get it right.
Cons: None yet, the mistakes were mine, not the cameras…
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Another wonderful Yashica autofocus camera. I’m always really pleased with the results from this camera, the grain is always lovely with great contrasts.
Pros: Easy to use, focus options, great results
Cons: Although great results, they have a similar look to the Samurai, which is why I don’t use it as much.
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~ Ricoh 500G ~
I nearly didn’t buy this camera, it was a little bit more than I was willing to pay but an amazing old man in the charity shop turned out to be quite a knowledgeable fellow and convinced me into buying it. I’m so glad he did.
Pros: Like the Olympus Trip, a sturdy camera with great results when you get it right.
Cons: The light protection stuff inside mine is falling apart, its quite common with these cameras apparently.
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~ Action Tracker ~
An amazing gift from one of my best friends which I still love. Taking four photos one after the other, it’s fun, provides great action shots and I love the results.
Pros: See above
Cons: This camera needs a lot of light, a high iso film and preferably action.
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~ Double Dip ~
A really fun little plastic 35mm camera modified by James Butler to do multiple exposures. I love experimenting with it and find it a great little camera to use with other cameras when visiting new places.
Pros: Easy to use, lightweight and so fun.
Cons: Possibly too simple for a photographer used to more control but I can’t think of much wrong with it.
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- – Cameras I’ve used but probably won’t use much more – -
~ Polaroid 600 ~
Like the OM-10, one of my polaroids (I have a few) is my parents camera and I really wish I could use it more but the Impossible Project film, right now, is too expensive and too unpredictable for my tastes. I love the consistantcy of my fuji instax mini’s and they haven’t faded whilst the only Impossible films that I’ve taken have. Hopefully the film will keep getting better.
Pros: You can acheive some amazing results with polaroids, a lot of my favourite photographers take the most amazing polaroid photos and they are great cameras.
Cons: Film is expensive and unpredictable at the moment.
My latest Lomography camera and my latest love/hate conquest.
A fun, pretty looking camera with unique fun results but I often choose other cameras over it, perhaps I should try using it more.
Pros: Great wide angle lens, looks amazing, fun to experiment with
Cons: Clunky and awkward.
~ Instax Wide 100 ~
I’m kind of sad that this camera is on this list as I was very excited about it when I found it (for £4! ha!). However I just can’t bring myself to like it… I’ve had mixed results with the photos, the camera is huge and heavy, the flash is massive, bright and annoying and honestly, I’d rather just use my instax mini camera. It’s not a bad camera, don’t get me wrong, other photographers have produced amazing results, but I just didn’t click with it, so I never bought any more film for it.
Pros: Bigger photos than the mini.
Cons: Heavy, mixed results, annoying flash.
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This is a fun camera, but its not a true wide angle lens, just a standard lens with a cropped frame inside which just annoys me as it wastes film really. Fun for a few tries, but not really a keeper.
Pros: Fun and simple to use with good results.
Cons: Cropped frame rather than a wide lens.
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This one was a hard camera to categorise as I do love the results I’ve had from it and the flash is also perfect for parties etc. However, I’ve used it twice since I’ve had it… so I think this will be a limited use camera as I have so many others that I would use before it.
Pros: It has a flash, its compact and easy to use. Also, it’s yellow!
Cons: It’s meant to be a disposable, so you have to wind the film fully onto it before you can use it – not a problem as such but a bit tricky and a worry when loading the camera.
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So there is the round up of all the cameras I’ve used so far on here – I’m actually amazed that its as many as that. I’m sure the list will get bigger…
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