Why Are Film Cameras So Popular Now?

People who used to use film cameras may have never stopped and may use them alongside digital cameras as they like or need to. It's a common trend among professionals and artists. But GenZ and millennials have discovered the charm of film cameras, and this has caught the attention of many.

Older technology, like film cameras, requires a learning curve and some thought and decisions that can't be easily reversed. This is a unique experience for people who have always had computers, smartphones, and video games. It's also the reason why so many people now own guitars. You have to do the thing and understand it, not just fiddle with a touch screen until your shot is like the one you saw on Instagram.

The Tangibility of Film Photography

With the flood of AI imagery on social media, having a tangible medium like the photographic negative is more important now. There's a sense of reality about chemical photographs that is lost with digital images. It has become impossible to tell if a digital image is imaginary or real, or partly real and partly AI, thanks to Adobe! With a negative in your hands, you can make some assumptions that the photoshoot actually happened.

Below are some real photos I took with a Canon T-90, including light leaks and shutter failures. Compare them with one of the many fake images used in advertising. Do the utensils make any sense? No, and neither does the paperwork. In a few months, AI won't be making these mistakes. Where does that leave us?

Expand the portrait below to see the manual focus Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 lens used in the photo.

Cost-Effective and Disciplined Photography

Film cameras offer a more cost-effective solution to photography. You can get good film cameras for a third or a quarter the cost of a good equivalent digital camera. Film also forces more discipline than digital photography. Every shot is a trade-off as you can only take a limited number of photos with each roll of film.

A Resurgence in Film Photography

Film is having a resurgence. Many photographers like the physicality of film and darkroom processing. They embrace the imperfections of old cameras, toy cameras, imperfect lenses, and film grain. They also enjoy the suspense of having to wait to see how their pictures turned out. In a world where literally everyone has a digital camera, there is some snob appeal to embracing a difficult and craftsmanlike process.

Conclusion: The rising popularity of film cameras can be attributed to the unique photographic experience they offer. From the tangible medium of the negative to the discipline required and the unique imperfections that enhance the artistry of the photo, film cameras continue to captivate photographers and photography enthusiasts alike.

Key Point: The tangibility of film photography enhances the feeling of reality and authenticity. Key Point: Film cameras are more cost-effective and force greater discipline in photography. Key Point: The imperfections and the wait for results add to the artistic value of film photography.

[1] Real photos taken with a Canon T-90, including light leaks and shutter failures.

[2] Manual focus Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 lens.

[3] Expand the portrait here.

[4] See the manual focus Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 lens in more detail here.