Discover Types of Film CamerasFilm cameras come in a wide array of styles and sizes. The camera you choose will depend on your picture-taking needs and desires. Find flexibility in
35mm SLR cameras Point-and-shoot 35mm cameras are ideal when you want to take pictures quickly and easily, without a lot of fuss. These cameras are fully automatic, so you don’t have to worry about F-stops and shutter speeds. Many point-and-shoot cameras are small enough to fit in a purse or tote bag, so it’s easy to bring them along on vacation or to parties and special events. Nikon, Minolta, Fuji, and Canon make popular models. Get creative control with 35mm SLR cameras If you’re a pro photographer or a serious enthusiast, you’ll relish the control that a 35 mm SLR camera can give you. Single-lens reflex cameras (SLR) enable you to see the same image through the viewfinder that the camera sees through the lens. Instead of automatic settings, SLR cameras allow you to decide on details such as the aperture opening and the shutter speed. You can also swap out lenses and experiment with different timers and flashes to create different effects. Let your inner artiste come out and play. Choose from Canon, Minolta, Olympus, and Samsung. 35mm rangefinder cameras offer a range of options A 35mm rangefinder camera allows you to take pictures by judging the focusing distance. Essentially, you see two images that come together when they are in focus. Newer rangefinder cameras allow you to adjust the focus in the rangefinder and on the lens using just one control. Older cameras may require you to adjust the focus separately. Rangefinder cameras are more advanced than point-and-shoot cameras, but they are smaller and quieter than SLRs. A rangefinder camera may be just right if you want to take nature shots or if you want to capture spontaneous action. Leica, Rollei, and Lindhof are the big names in this category. Explore new dimensions with medium-format film cameras Medium-format film cameras require film larger than 35mm. The larger film size means that your pictures will be easier to enlarge, with less graininess and more vibrant color. You can shoot pictures that will come out as square 6x6cm prints, or as rectangular 6x4.5cm prints. You may also be able to shoot in other aspect ratios, including panoramic 6x17cm. Some medium-format cameras allow you to change film backs or frame inserts, so you can shoot a variety of aspect ratios with just one camera. Interchangeable film backs also allow you to reload quickly, so you won’t miss a moment of action. Medium-format cameras may also allow you to use different lenses and viewfinders. Medium-format film can’t be developed just anywhere, though. You may need to take it to a specialty camera store to have prints made. Well-known brands include Hasselblad, Bronica, and Mamiya.
Explore medium-format film cameras
Ideal for outdoor photography and portraits, medium-format film cameras produce much larger images than 35mm cameras, allowing for clearer enlargements with better color. These cameras accept 120 film or 220 film, producing attractive, high-resolution images with virtually no graininess. Interchangeable film backs within medium format film cameras enable photographers to change film quickly in the middle of live events, such as weddings, sports games, or fashion shows. Good-quality medium format film cameras include Hasselblad cameras, Bronica cameras, and Mamiya cameras. Take it all in with large-format film cameras Large-format film cameras take big film—4x5 or larger. That means you can enlarge your photos with minimal loss of clarity and color. Here’s an example: If you wanted to make an 8x10 print from 35mm film, you’d have to enlarge the image eight times. With a large format camera, you’d only have to enlarge the print once. And some large-format cameras even allow you to shoot with 8x10 film. Commercial photographers generally work with large-format film cameras to create the sharpest, most precise photos. But in addition to taking bigger film, large-format cameras are bigger all over, which can make them heavy and unwieldy. Often, these cameras are best for photo-studio shoots. Look for Horseman, Linhof, or Arca-Swiss cameras. Push the boundaries with specialty cameras If you are interested in creating moody, atmospheric shots, or in using a camera that prints multiple images in one photo, check out eBay’s array of other cameras. Here you can also find vintage cameras and cameras that make use of special lenses and filters. These cameras are often inexpensive, allowing you to experiment with new perspectives. Holga is one popular brand.
Get instant gratification with instant cameras Polaroid cameras are perhaps the best-known type of instant cameras. You simply press a button, and the camera spits out an image that develops within seconds. Use these autofocus cameras indoors or outdoors. They’re a fun novelty item to have at parties. | 
