{"id":127844,"date":"2019-09-19T17:15:03","date_gmt":"2019-09-19T16:15:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amateurphotographer.co.uk\/?p=127844"},"modified":"2022-08-23T20:43:02","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T19:43:02","slug":"second-hand-film-camera-bargains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/film\/second-hand-film-camera-bargains\/","title":{"rendered":"Film camera bargains"},"content":{"rendered":"<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127913 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Film-cameras.jpg\" alt=\"Film cameras\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Film-cameras.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Film-cameras.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Film-cameras.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Film-cameras.jpg?resize=562,374 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<p>While the overwhelming majority of photographers now use digital, there can still be great delight in shooting film. With each exposure costing money, it imposes a slower, more contemplative approach. Film cameras are also often wonderfully tactile to shoot with, particularly fully manual and mechanical models.<\/p>\n<p>Many old cameras are still eminently usable, just as long as they use 35mm or 120 roll film. Some don\u2019t even need batteries, except to power their exposure meters. Even formerly high-end models can be surprisingly cheap, especially when bought through online marketplaces such as eBay. However if you\u2019re planning on using one seriously, it\u2019s best to spend more money with a proper dealer, who would have checked the camera thoroughly and will likely offer some kind of guarantee.<\/p>\n<p>Prices of film cameras vary widely, depending on their condition and from where you buy them. I\u2019ve included indicative values, but expect to pay more for an example in excellent nick, or less for a battered one. Bear in mind that any camera can have problems that only become apparent after shooting a roll of film, so caveat emptor.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127916 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Halina-35X.jpg\" alt=\"Halina 35X\" width=\"800\" height=\"610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Halina-35X.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Halina-35X.jpg?resize=300,229 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Halina-35X.jpg?resize=525,400 525w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Halina-35X.jpg?resize=562,429 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<h2>Halina 35X<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>35mm fully manual compact<\/li>\n<li>No battery needed<\/li>\n<li>\u00a310<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Introduced in 1959, this is a particularly cheap and cheerful introduction to film photography. The Halina 35X is a very basic camera that manages to look much more sophisticated and expensive than it really is. It employs a simple, uncoated 45mm f\/3.5 Halina Anastigmat lens which stops down to f\/16, scale focusing to 3ft, and four timed shutter speeds from 1\/200 to 1\/25sec, along with a Bulb setting. There\u2019s a tiny direct-vision viewfinder, but no meter or focusing aid. The film is advanced using a large knob on the top plate.<\/p>\n<p>When shooting, it\u2019s crucial to remember to reset the shutter using a lever on its side, as otherwise it won\u2019t fire when you press the button. However the double-exposure prevention mechanism will still activate, meaning you\u2019ll get a blank frame.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127917 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Minox-35EL.jpg\" alt=\"Minox 35EL\" width=\"800\" height=\"631\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Minox-35EL.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Minox-35EL.jpg?resize=300,237 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Minox-35EL.jpg?resize=507,400 507w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Minox-35EL.jpg?resize=562,443 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<h2>Minox 35EL<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>35mm aperture-priority compact<\/li>\n<li>PX27 battery<\/li>\n<li>\u00a350<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you want a 35mm compact that can be used in aperture-priority auto mode, then a Minox might be the answer. The firm is best known for its iconic spy cameras, but it also produced tiny 35mm cameras. The 35EL is the original, with later models adding extra features.<\/p>\n<p>The Minox 35EL has a plastic body shell, with a removable back for loading film. The focus distance and aperture are set using small rings around the lens, while the ISO dial is on the baseplate. During shooting, the shutter speed selected by the camera is shown on a large scale at the right side of the viewfinder. Oddly there\u2019s no way of attaching a strap; you either have to screw one into the tripod socket, or use the ever-ready case. The camera won\u2019t work without a battery, but silver-oxide PX27 replacements are readily available.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127911 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Canonet-QL19.jpg\" alt=\"Canonet QL19\" width=\"800\" height=\"598\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Canonet-QL19.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Canonet-QL19.jpg?resize=135,100 135w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Canonet-QL19.jpg?resize=300,224 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Canonet-QL19.jpg?resize=535,400 535w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Canonet-QL19.jpg?resize=562,420 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<h2>Canonet QL19<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>35mm compact rangefinder<\/li>\n<li>PX625 battery<\/li>\n<li>\u00a370<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The 1960s and \u201970s saw a proliferation of high-quality 35mm compact rangefinders, with perhaps the finest being made by Canon and Olympus. The Canonet range progressed through multiple generations, each with three different lens speeds (f\/2.8, f\/1.9 and f\/1.7). The third-generation QL17 GIII is a classic that\u2019s beloved by street photographers, but has a three-figure price tag to match. This second-generation version has most of the same features but a slightly slower lens for a lower price; however it\u2019s not so easy to find.<\/p>\n<p>This is a small, well-made camera based on a 45mm f\/1.9 lens and a large viewfinder with a bright, clear rangefinder spot in the centre. All of the main controls are grouped around the lens, with the focusing lever placed closest to the body. The aperture ring has no click-stops, which makes it easy to use intermediate settings, and an A position for use in shutter-priority auto mode, which is the only time you\u2019ll need a battery. The Canonet is a joy to use and capable of great results.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127921 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Rollei-35-T.jpg\" alt=\"Rollei 35 T\" width=\"800\" height=\"572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Rollei-35-T.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Rollei-35-T.jpg?resize=300,215 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Rollei-35-T.jpg?resize=559,400 559w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Rollei-35-T.jpg?resize=562,402 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<h2>Rollei 35 T<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>35mm fully manual compact<\/li>\n<li>PX625 battery<\/li>\n<li>\u00a3100<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Few cameras polarise photographers\u2019 opinions quite as much as the Rollei 35. Some consider it a timeless classic, while others decry its eccentric, impractical design. Personally I love it.<\/p>\n<p>Rollei 35s came in several designs. The cheaper B 35, C 35 and 35 LED used three-element Triotar lenses, while the premium 35 S had a five-element f\/2.8 Sonnar. The classic original version, however, is based around a scale-focusing four-element 40mm f\/3.5 Tessar lens.<\/p>\n<p>This camera was originally sold simply as the Rollei 35, but later rebadged as the 35 T for consistency with its sister models. The shutter speed and aperture are set using front-plate dials, while looking down at the match-needle meter on the top-plate. Additional inset dials on the front set the film speed and provide a reminder of the film type loaded. The camera gives best results using zone or hyperfocal focusing methods, via the clearly marked distance and depth-of-field scales on the lens.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127919 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Olympus-mju1.jpg\" alt=\"Olympus mju1\" width=\"800\" height=\"490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Olympus-mju1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Olympus-mju1.jpg?resize=300,184 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Olympus-mju1.jpg?resize=630,386 630w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Olympus-mju1.jpg?resize=562,344 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<h2>Olympus \u03bc[mju:]-1<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>35mm autofocus compact<\/li>\n<li>CR123A battery<\/li>\n<li>\u00a350<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>On the whole, 35mm autofocus compacts lack the attraction of older manual-focus cameras, with their plastic bodies and reliance on battery-driven automation. A few certainly stand above the crowd though, including Olympus\u2019s weather-proofed mju line. The best of these, the tiny f\/2.8-lensed mju-II, will set you back around \u00a3200, which is considerably more than it cost when new. Thankfully its predecessor, the mju-1, is much more affordable.<\/p>\n<p>The camera features a capsule design, with a cover that slides to one side to reveal the 35mm f\/3.5 lens. Operation is almost entirely automatic, with just two buttons on the top to set the flash mode or activate the self-timer. Like most of its contemporaries, the mju-1 focuses in the centre of the frame, and while this is clearly marked in the viewfinder, it can still result in focus errors if you\u2019re not careful. Aside from that, it\u2019s a competent and versatile point-and-shoot.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127920 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Olympus-OM1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Olympus OM1-1\" width=\"800\" height=\"572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Olympus-OM1-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Olympus-OM1-1.jpg?resize=300,215 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Olympus-OM1-1.jpg?resize=559,400 559w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Olympus-OM1-1.jpg?resize=562,402 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<h2>Olympus OM-1<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>35mm fully manual SLR<\/li>\n<li>PX625 battery<\/li>\n<li>\u00a3100 with 50mm f\/1.8<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For anyone who wants to learn the basics of photography, there\u2019s a real attraction to fully manual 35mm SLRs. Many such cameras are big and clunky, but in the early 1970s Olympus changed all that with its OM system. The OM-1 was unusually compact compared to its contemporaries and backed up by an extensive line of small, high- quality Zuiko lenses. Even now, it\u2019s a lovely camera to use.<\/p>\n<p>The camera offers shutter speeds from 1sec to 1\/1,000sec, along with a Bulb setting for long exposures. Unusually, the shutter speed dial is placed around the lens mount for control with your left hand, with the aperture ring positioned at the front of most lenses to avoid confusion between the two. A top-plate dial sets film speed. Metering is via a simple centre-weighted match-needle system, and is the only thing that requires a battery. But possibly the OM-1\u2019s standout feature is its huge viewfinder, which at 0.92x magnification is significantly larger than that on any DSLR.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127912 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Ensign-Selfix-16-20.jpg\" alt=\"Ensign Selfix 16-20\" width=\"800\" height=\"728\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Ensign-Selfix-16-20.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Ensign-Selfix-16-20.jpg?resize=300,273 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Ensign-Selfix-16-20.jpg?resize=440,400 440w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Ensign-Selfix-16-20.jpg?resize=562,511 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<h2>Ensign Selfix 16-20<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Medium-format folding camera<\/li>\n<li>No battery needed<\/li>\n<li>\u00a350<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>English manufacturer Ross-Ensign made a number of folding cameras during the 1950s, all using 120 medium-format roll film. The most desirable is the rare rangefinder-focusing Ensign AutoRange 820, which shoots 6x9cm frames and commands a four-figure price tag. At the other end of the scale we find the altogether more affordable and easier to find Selfix 16-20, which takes 16 6&#215;4.5cm frames on a 120 roll. It came in two main versions, with either a fixed or folding viewfinder, each of which could be fitted with a range of lenses. The nicest variant has the folding viewfinder and a 75mm f\/3.5 Ross Xpres lens. To focus, you simply use a distance scale on the lens.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed this is a lovely little camera, and a great way to experiment with medium-format film. Perhaps its main attraction is its coat-pocketable size, at just 12.1&#215;9.4&#215;4.2cm when folded. Its oddest feature is the left-handed shutter button, with an inset spike that painfully pokes you in the finger if you forget to cock the shutter!<\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127910 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Canon-EOS3.jpg\" alt=\"Canon EOS 3\" width=\"800\" height=\"646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Canon-EOS3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Canon-EOS3.jpg?resize=300,242 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Canon-EOS3.jpg?resize=495,400 495w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Canon-EOS3.jpg?resize=562,454 562w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Canon-EOS3.jpg?resize=435,350 435w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Canon-EOS3.jpg?resize=180,145 180w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<h2>Canon EOS 3<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>35mm autofocus SLR<\/li>\n<li>2CR5 battery<\/li>\n<li>\u00a3200 (body only)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Canon\u2019s late-1990s powerhouse was one of the most technically sophisticated film cameras ever made. With a design based on the flagship EOS-1 line, but a less rugged polycarbonate shell, its impressive specification includes a top shutter speed of 1\/8,000sec, continuous shooting at 4 frames per second (or 7fps with the optional booster grip) and a sophisticated 45-point autofocus system. The latter employs Canon\u2019s unique eye-controlled focus technology, with the camera selecting the AF point based upon where in the frame the user is looking. This is a fantastic feature for those who can get it working properly, although many photographers find it too unreliable.<\/p>\n<p>Those interested in shooting slide film will benefit from the 21-zone evaluative metering, along with the handy multi-spot metering system that allows the user to assess the brightness range of the scene and expose accordingly. Best of all, the EOS 3 works perfectly with the latest lenses. But at 161x119x71mm and 780g, it\u2019s a big beast.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127918 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Nikon-F90.jpg\" alt=\"Nikon F90\" width=\"800\" height=\"541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Nikon-F90.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Nikon-F90.jpg?resize=300,203 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Nikon-F90.jpg?resize=591,400 591w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Nikon-F90.jpg?resize=562,380 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<h2>Nikon F90<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>35mm autofocus SLR<\/li>\n<li>4 x AA batteries<\/li>\n<li>\u00a370 (body only)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This chunky SLR dates from the early 1990s, and was considered Nikon\u2019s first camera to really challenge Canon for autofocus speed. Its solid build and impressive specification meant that it was widely adopted by enthusiasts, and it\u2019s still a very capable camera today. Its main limitation is that it has only one AF point in the centre of the frame, although with a choice of wide and spot modes.<\/p>\n<p>Aside from that, pretty much everything you might want is on board. This includes shutter speeds up to 1\/8,000sec, 3.6 frames per second shooting, and eight-segment 3D Matrix metering that takes subject distance into account. The viewfinder is large and bright, at 0.78x magnification, with interchangeable focusing screens.<\/p>\n<p>This being Nikon, however, there are limitations if you wanted to use the F90 with modern lenses. The aperture is set using a ring on the lens, so G-type lenses can only be used in program or shutter priority modes. The latest E-type lenses won\u2019t work at all.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127914 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Fuji-GSW690-III.jpg\" alt=\"Fuji GSW690 III\" width=\"800\" height=\"593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Fuji-GSW690-III.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Fuji-GSW690-III.jpg?resize=135,100 135w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Fuji-GSW690-III.jpg?resize=300,222 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Fuji-GSW690-III.jpg?resize=540,400 540w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Fuji-GSW690-III.jpg?resize=562,417 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<h2>Fuji GSW690 III<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Medium-format rangefinder<\/li>\n<li>No battery needed<\/li>\n<li>\u00a3600<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Fuji was a serious player in medium-format film photography, making both SLRs and rangefinders. The GSW690 III is of the latter type, and sports a fixed 65mm f\/5.6 lens, equivalent to a 28mm wideangle.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t be fooled by appearances, though. The GSW690 III shoots huge 6x9cm frames on 120 film, and everything has to be scaled-up to match. So while in photos this might look like any other rangefinder, in reality it\u2019s massive. Indeed at about 20cm wide, 12cm high, and 13cm deep including the lens, it\u2019s nicknamed the \u2018Texas Leica\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Operation is extremely simple. Focusing employs a ring around the lens, with a small rangefinder spot in the middle of the viewfinder. The shutter speed and aperture are set using dials at the front of the lens which are only operable by sliding the lens hood forward (this makes the camera near-impossible to use with square filter systems). There\u2019s also no built-in meter. Don\u2019t let this put you off, though, because the 6x9cm transparencies it can produce are objects of rare beauty.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127915 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Fujifilm-Instax-100.jpg\" alt=\"Fujifilm Instax 100\" width=\"800\" height=\"598\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Fujifilm-Instax-100.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Fujifilm-Instax-100.jpg?resize=135,100 135w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Fujifilm-Instax-100.jpg?resize=300,224 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Fujifilm-Instax-100.jpg?resize=535,400 535w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Fujifilm-Instax-100.jpg?resize=562,420 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<h2>Fujifilm Instax 100<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Point-and-shoot instant camera<\/li>\n<li>4 x AA batteries<\/li>\n<li>\u00a330<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Instant photography has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, fuelled by both Fujifilm\u2019s Instax range and the sterling efforts of Polaroid Originals (formerly Impossible Project) to keep the iconic square format alive. But if you want reliably attractive prints, it has to be Instax, with the biggest and boldest being Instax Wide.<\/p>\n<p>A new Instax 300 Wide camera will set you back \u00a3100, but you can buy the first-ever Instax model, the 100, for a fraction of that price. In terms of features, there\u2019s practically no difference between them, although the 300 gains a tripod mount.<\/p>\n<p>Again the large format results in a bulky camera, and at 17.2x12x9.2cm the Instax 100 is about as far from pocketable as you\u2019ll get. It includes the usual sparse feature set, namely a lighten\/ darken control, flash on\/off, and the ability to select between close and distant focus settings. Film is expensive, at \u00a317 for 20 shots, but there\u2019s a real attraction to the fact that every single print is unique.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-127934 alignright\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Wein-cell-1.jpg\" alt=\"Wein cell\" width=\"135\" height=\"200\" \/>PX625 battery replacement<\/h2>\n<p>Many cameras from the 1970s were designed to use the now-banned PX625 mercury cell.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid 1.5V alkaline replacements, as they will usually give inaccurate meter readings, and instead use 1.35V zinc-air Wein cells, which cost around \u00a37 each. Just be aware that the battery will slowly discharge from the moment it\u2019s activated by peeling off the cover.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Three essential accessories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Lightmeter<\/strong> For cameras with no meter (or a broken one), the easiest option is probably to use a smartphone app. But for a more authentic experience, you could use a vintage lightmeter, or a modern option such as the Gossen Digisix.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rangefinder<\/strong> This gadget can be used to measure the focus distance for scale-focusing cameras that don\u2019t have their own focus aid. Simply rotate the dial to bring together the two images, read the distance and transfer it to the lens. Most can be mounted on the camera\u2019s accessory shoe.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cable release<\/strong> When you need to shoot with a slow shutter speed, most vintage cameras use universal screw-in cable releases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-127936 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Film-essential-accessories.jpg\" alt=\"Film essential accessories\" width=\"800\" height=\"213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Film-essential-accessories.jpg 800w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Film-essential-accessories.jpg?resize=300,80 300w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Film-essential-accessories.jpg?resize=630,168 630w, https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/05\/Film-essential-accessories.jpg?resize=562,150 562w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n<hr \/>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite the convenience of digital, shooting with film cameras can still be rewarding. Andy Westlake takes you through some of his favourites<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":127922,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[270,1617,311,39,42,1554],"tags":[1555],"product-category":[],"class_list":["post-127844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-camera_round_ups","category-film","category-articles","category-photo-news","category-round-ups","category-second-hand","tag-second-hand"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.8 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Film camera bargains - Amateur Photographer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/film\/second-hand-film-camera-bargains\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Film camera bargains\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Despite the convenience of digital, shooting with film cameras can still be rewarding. 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