“Do you know the global film camera market size is anticipated to be $312.55 million by 2029? And the film camera industry’s average growth rate is 3.74% from 2022 to 2029.” By Cognitive Market Research.
The following illustration shows the film camera market share by regions from 2019 to 2031
Source: Cognitive Market Research
This means film cameras have gained much popularity in recent years among ardent photographers who are looking forward to experiencing shooting on film hands-on. Good manners dictate that if you want to invest in a brand-new camera or second-hand cameras, acquainting yourself with some of the unique features of a film camera is a must this year.
Understanding the different features of a film camera is essential for mastering this type of camera. Therefore, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, this article will provide you with a more profound knowledge and mastery of various features of a film camera.
Are you ready to explore some fantastic features of a film camera you didn’t know existed?
Let’s dive in!
5 Amazing Features of Film Cameras Every Photographer Must Know
1. Manual Mode Setting
One of the fantastic features of film cameras is the manual mode setting. This feature enhances photographers’ creativity as they adjust and re-adjust the settings to suit their tastes and preferences.
Many modern digital cameras depend solely on automation, which deprives the photographer of creativity and the ability to generate new ideas. However, several film cameras are designed with a manual mode setting, which compels photographers to manually adjust settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, among others.
This feature forces photographers to be more creative about each shot, helping them develop a solid understanding of camera composition and exposure. Many experts in photography often term this an aspect of the learning curve, especially for beginners.
2. Optical Viewfinders
“The Viewfinder is the eyepiece on a camera that you hold close to your eye to allow you to see what’s being photographed.” By- Canon.
Viewfinders come in two types;
- Optical Viewfinder
- Digital Viewfinder
An optical viewfinder is one of film cameras’ standout features. It often provides photographers with a direct optical representation of what the lens sees.
While the optical viewfinder directly represents what the lens sees, this is different from digital cameras. In digital cameras, the image projected on an LCD screen may not be accurate compared to what the optical viewfinder shows in a film camera.
Therefore, optical viewfinders usually offer more explicit and more genuine images, thus helping photographers compose their shots properly. Additionally, what photographers see using optical viewfinders is precisely what the camera lens captures on film, unlike in digital sensors, where the image might not be as accurate as the camera lens has captured.
3. Interchangeable Lenses
Do you find it interesting to swap camera lenses to locate a scene that best describes your dream shots? Interchangeable lenses are a savior in film cameras, allowing photographers to swap and adapt to various shooting scenes.
Therefore, whether you love wide-angle lenses for landscaping photos or telephoto lenses for distance shooting, interchangeable lenses’ flexibility provides photographers with countless photography ideas to embrace.
Interchangeable lenses remain one of film cameras’ best features; every photographer must know their purpose. Canon AE-1 or Nikon F-Series are popularly known for their compatibility with different types of lenses.
The table below shows different types of lenses and their purpose in film cameras.
| Lens Type | Purpose |
| Wide-Angle Lens | Suitable for landscapes and architecture |
| Telephoto Lens | Suitable for wildlife and sports |
| Prime Lens | Known for sharpness and low-light ability |
4. Film Formats and Types
Film formats and types are another vital feature you cannot ignore, especially if you’re a beginner in photography. It would help if you acclimatized to different film formats and types for practical film shooting.
Therefore, film cameras often come with a wide range of film formats, each with standalone features in film shooting. The following are the most popular film formats you must familiarize yourself with, whether you’re a seasoned photographer or an amateur.
- 35mm format
- Medium format
- Large format
The above film type and format you opt for profoundly impact the resolution, general image aesthetic, and details in the photo. For instance, the 35mm film format is the best for this shooting if you’re looking for a versatile and easy-to-use film type. On the other hand, for higher image quality, medium format plays a significant role in this execution.
Conversely, various film types, including color negative, black-and-white or slide film, greatly influence the mood and tone of your images during shooting. Nonetheless, each film format and type is designed with stunning texture and feel, thus offering photographers countless photography ideas.
5. Light Metering Systems
We cannot discuss the features of film cameras without mentioning light metering systems, which are crucial to this type of camera. Typically, the primary purpose of light metering systems in this camera type is to measure the exact amount of light falling onto objects.
Therefore, film cameras are designed with light metering systems to help photographers fully understand the different light exposures used in various film scenarios when shooting. Many modern digital cameras feature advanced metering systems, while film cameras come with built-in light meters, and some might need handheld devices.
Learning to read light meters grants photographers an added advantage in the film industry over those who haven’t mastered proper lighting in film production. For instance, if you want to focus on the central part of the frame, it goes without saying that you’ll use centered metering in film cameras for exceptional shooting. This will help you create a well-balanced exposure while taking shots in different scenarios.
If you want to learn more about light metering in film cameras, please get in touch with us at PhotoCo Camera House.
Bottom-Line
Film cameras are designed with various unique features, such as light metering, manual mode setting, and film format and types, which offer a mix of craftsmanship and creativity in photography compared to digital photography.
Therefore, whether you want to purchase a second-hand camera or a brand new one, understanding the above stunning features of film cameras will help you improve your shooting style and film production.
