Photography, like many mediums, is no stranger to trends. And while many come and go, one trend that has continued to persist since its pandemic-fuelled resurgence in the early 2020s is film photography. Initially, film saw something of a mild resurgence in the early 2010s, but it wasn’t until the world was forced into lockdown that younger photographers really began to take note. In fact, Gen Z are largely responsible for creating a soaring demand for the hardware, and in turn driving up the prices of used film cameras much to the dismay of longtime film fanatics. Impressively, some film cameras on the second-hand market can fetch prices higher than that of a brand new DSLR, proving that people will pay a high price to get their hands on a camera that has essentially existed for decades. And it’s not just hobbyists and collectors that are driving up the trend – recent reports online seem to suggest that a growing number of wedding and portrait photographers are now offering film photography alongside digital in their paid services. Naturally then, this begs the question – why are photographers taking up film again, and what do they seek to gain from it?
Why Are People Shooting Film Again?
There are many arguments to be made in film’s favour. After all, it is no secret that, from a purely visual perspective, film has always had a slight edge when it comes to producing a more distinctive image. Of course, even a low-end modern digital camera is likely to outperform a film camera when it comes to overall image clarity, but for those shooting film, megapixel counts are not normally the primary concern. The general consensus seems to be that the true appeal of film, lies in it’s warmer colour palettes and fuzzy tones, which evoke a sense of nostalgia and visual comfort. There is a certain timelessness that photos captured on film emit, which would explain why wedding photographers have also jumped on the film wagon. Additionally, the tactile experience with a film camera can be a deciding factor alone. In fact, anyone who has ever felt the mechanical click of the shutter and wound the lever back on a film camera will be able to tell you how satisfying an experience the hardware provides, even if it is ancient and long discontinued.
Additionally, there is a longer process involved in capturing photos on film cameras. Film roll is expensive, and many photographers like the additional emphasis this puts on the process itself; elements like light, framing and composition all add to the immersion of the experience. Even if the desired shot is not captured in the way the photographer would have liked, they do not have the luxury to edit or scrutinise the photo in the same manner as digital. As expected, the influence of social media too cannot be downplayed, and in the world of photography, platforms like Instagram have provided both hobbyists and professionals a way to showcase their work; popular hashtags such as #filmisnotdead have spurred the film community to share their snaps, with influencers and the like promoting the timeless aesthetic associated with it. Furthermore, camera companies themselves have played a role in promoting film again, with major brands like Kodak reintroducing their previously discontinued Ektachrome film in 2017, then in 2022 CineStill 400D film was launched in both 35mm and 120 medium formats. Clearly then, the resurgence of film is a trend that is viable enough for major manufacturers to start investing in it again. This has also led to the rise of film simulations – but what are these?
Digital Simulations vs Real Film
Digital film simulations are digital presets designed to replicate the look and feel of traditional film photography on digital cameras. This is achieved in a number of ways, like adjusting colour saturation levels, grain, and other visual aspects to mimic the characteristics of classic film stocks, and they are very effective in capturing this look, but they still process tones and shadows in a more digital way, meaning the difference is still perceptible at times and elements like noise and grain can occasionally look more artificial than organic. This is because digital sensors have a much higher dynamic range, which allows greater detail to be captured in both highlights and shadows compared to film. On the other hand, because these simulations are applied in-camera, the photographer is able to see the simulated image in both the viewfinder and on the screen. With this in mind, what are the best film cameras available on today’s market?
Best Film Cameras Still Available
There are several film cameras available to choose from, and some of them are digital in nature. For example, the Fujifilm X-Pro3, a digital mirrorless camera released in 2019, is somewhat attainable for around a thousand pounds – though as expected, it’s discontinuation has meant it can often demand a higher resale price. It does however have many things going for it and some interesting quirks that set it apart from many other cameras on the market. For example, unlike most cameras, the X-Pro3’s screen folds inward and remains completely concealed from view until it is folded out again. Additionally, it’s front level switches between EVF and OVF with the OVF providing clear framelines and the view outside of these framelines in a rangefinder style. This feature alone has made the camera highly desirable for street photographers wanting to better see the overall image entering their shot.
The main attraction of course are the film simulations which are implemented well and provide more room to experiment with elements like noise reduction, colour, and sharpness. Then, there is the Leica M-A, characterised by it’s full metal frame and solid brass plate covers. The M-A has many film-like features, with a highly regarded rangefinder and fantastic capture abilities. The downside however is that it is significantly more expensive, and one can expect to pay upwards of £4,500 to obtain such a camera. Ultimately though, the X-Pro3 is the better of the two and will satisfy both hobbyists and professionals alike.
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