Camera Guide for Beginners — Shooting with 35mm Part 1

Film photography is fun and it's supposed to be that way! But sometimes, it can be difficult to know where to start. Luckily for you, we have a list of camera suggestions that can get you get started on your analogue adventure. Welcome to the wild and wonderful world of 35mm photography — Lomography style!

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35mm cameras are often considered the “gateway” to new film experiences and better understanding of film photography — . Let us break down some of the pros of shooting with 35mm cameras for you:

Loading 35mm Film into Your Camera Is Easy as It Is Convenient

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Just pop in the film canister, attach the lead to the film intake spool and you're all set. Simple, right?

35mm Films Come in a Variety of Different Styles and Colors

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You have color negative and black and white film. Users get to enjoy different effects like intense saturation and vibrant colors with slide film. Infrared films that produce images with reversed colors and tones are also available. There’s a film just for every application you can imagine.

Transport Is Easy since 35mm Films Come in Durable Canisters

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35mm films also usually come in plastic containers so you won't have to worry about bumps and knocks that may potentially damage your film.

Enjoy Different Films Speeds for Different Shots

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Sensitivity to light is rated in terms of ASA or ISO. Low ISO films are often used when there's plenty of light while higher ISO ratings in film mean they're more sensitive to it, hence they are better suited for low-light conditions or action photography. Knowing your film's speed will greatly help you as you go on.

35mm Is Probably the Easiest Film Format to Develop

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Having your film developed is an entire process altogether — it takes practice, knowledge, and more resources. But the good news is that there are still a lot of labs out there that readily offer 35mm film processing services.

35mm Films Usually Come in 12, 24, and 36-Exposure Rolls

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This means you can be economical in your shots, or you can shoot more images. Take your pick.

Some 35mm Cameras Have a Half Frame Option

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Simply put, you get twice the amount of exposures in a single roll of film. A 36-shot roll can yield up to 72 frames. Just imagine how many images you can squeeze out of a single canister!

If you're keen on learning more about photography basics, we highly suggest you take a look at our Newcomer's Dictionary to get you started on terms and descriptions used in this guide. Every bit of info helps!


This is part one of our beginner guide. If you found this useful or interesting, be sure to check the second part of our article.

2018-04-22 #gear #culture #35mm #guide

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