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Film Photography 101: Start Shooting on Film
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items I started film photography about 9 months ago, and I’m still very much a beginner myself. This list is a collection of the resources, tips, and tools I wish I had when I was just starting out. From choosing your first camera to understanding film sto...
Sections
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Choosing Your First Camera
Selecting Beginner-Friendly Film Stocks
Guides on how to shoot film
Developing Your Film: Labs & DIY Options
Choosing Your First Camera
When I started 9 months ago, I realized the best camera is the one you’ll actually use. This section highlights beginner-friendly options—simple, reliable, and fun—so you can start shooting without feeling overwhelmed.
A vintage SLR with auto + manual modes—perfect for beginners. Just make sure it comes with a lens and has been tested so you’re ready to shoot right away.
Minolta XG-1 Film Cameras for sale
Perfect for an easy, stress-free film experience. Grab one with a flash and make sure it’s been tested before you shoot.
35mm Point & Shoot Film Cameras for sale
More modern and super easy to use. You can usually find them with lenses for a great price!
Canon EOS IX 33mm Film Camera With Kailmar 50mm Lens
A popular SLR camera right now that’s beginner-friendly and easy to use. Make sure it comes with a lens and has been tested so you can start shooting right away.
Canon AE-1 Film Cameras for sale
Selecting Beginner-Friendly Film Stocks
There are so many different types of film! To start, I recommend Kodak Gold 200 for color or Ilford HP5 400 for black & white. Just grab an ISO 200 or 400 film to learn on—they’re forgiving and easy to shoot with.
A classic color film that’s perfect for beginners. It’s forgiving, easy to shoot with, and produces warm, vibrant photos—great for everyday shooting.
Kodak GOLD 200 Color Negative Film (35mm Roll Film, 36 Exposures, 3-Pack)
A versatile black-and-white film that’s perfect for beginners. It’s forgiving, easy to shoot with, and produces classic, high-contrast photos that look timeless.
Ilford 35mm Film | B&H Photo Video
A versatile color film perfect for beginners. ISO 400 makes it forgiving in different lighting, producing vibrant, natural-looking photos for everyday shooting.
FUJIFILM 400
A high-ISO color film that’s great for low-light or indoor shooting. It’s forgiving for beginners and produces warm, natural tones with beautiful skin colors—perfect for portraits and everyday use.
Kodak Porta 800
A fun, experimental color film that adds a turquoise-green tint to your photos. Great for beginners who want to play with creative colors and give their shots a unique, dreamy vibe.
2021 LomoChrome Turquoise 35 mm ISO 100–400
Guides on how to shoot film
From loading film to avoiding rookie mistakes, these guides break down the basics in a way that’s easy to follow—exactly what I wish I had when I was just starting out.
A thorough, easy-to-follow guide that breaks down film photography from start to finish—perfect for beginners learning the ropes.
Beginner's 101 Guide to Film Photography | Film, Cameras, Labs, & ...
Join this Reddit community for tips, advice, and support from seasoned film photographers—perfect for beginners learning the ropes.
Any tips you wish you knew when starting to shoot film?
A simple guide to help you test your new camera and make sure it’s ready to shoot—perfect for beginners.
Ultimate guide on testing a potential new film camera?
Developing Your Film: Labs & DIY Options
Getting film developed can be confusing at first (trust me, I’ve been there). This section covers labs, tips, and what to expect when you see your scans for the first time.
Perfect for beginners who want to try developing their own film at home. Comes with everything you need to get started!
Developing & Processing for the Darkroom | B&H Photo Video
A trusted lab for developing and scanning your film. They make it easy for beginners to get high-quality prints and digital scans without the stress.
The Darkroom
A reliable lab I use often—always does my photos justice. Perfect for beginners who want careful processing and great results.
Brooktree Film Lab
A great guide for developing film at home. It’s more cost-effective in the long run and a fun challenge if you’re ready to try it yourself.
Developing Film at Home Guide - Only the Essentials!