Starter Film Cameras for Beginners

Find your first starter film camera, from easy point-and-shoots to classic 35mm SLRs. Beginner-friendly, tested, and ready for your first roll.

Canon AE-1 Program 35mm SLR film camera with 50mm lens
Front view of Canon AE-1 Program 35mm film camera
112
Canon AE-1 Program | 35mm Film Camera
From $442
Pentax K1000 35mm SLR film camera with Pentax lens
Front view of Pentax K1000 35mm film camera
128
Pentax K1000 | 35mm Film Camera
From $400
Canon Sure Shot Telemax | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera - Cute Camera Co.
Canon Sure Shot Telemax 35mm point-and-shoot front view
23
Canon Sure Shot Telemax | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera
From $357
Pentax IQZoom EZY-R 35mm point-and-shoot film camera
Pentax IQZoom EZY-R front view
15
Pentax IQZoom EZY-R | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera
From $271
A vintage Nikon FG SLR film camera with a silver body and black textured grip, shown from the front with a 50mm lens. The camera is centered on a bright yellow background with abstract light blue circular shapes.
Hand holding a Nikon FG SLR film camera with a blue sky background
24
Nikon FG | 35mm Film Camera
From $371
Kodak Ektar H35N | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera
Kodak Ektar H35N | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera
9
Kodak Ektar H35N | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera
$93
Canon T50 | 35mm Film Camera - Cute Camera Co.
Canon T50 35mm Film Camera front view
11
Canon T50 | 35mm Film Camera
From $214
Lomography Apparat Wide-angle | Point and Shoot 35mm Film Camera
Lomography Apparat Wide-angle | Point and Shoot 35mm Film Camera
15
Lomography Apparat Wide-angle | Point and Shoot 35mm Film Camera
$129
Olympus OM-10 | 35mm Film Camera - Cute Camera Co.
Olympus OM-10 35mm Film Camera front view
19
Olympus OM-10 | 35mm Film Camera
From $400
Kodak Snapic A1 | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera
Kodak Snapic A1 | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera
Kodak Snapic A1 | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera
$143
Minolta X-700 | 35mm Film Camera - Cute Camera Co.
Minolta X-700 camera held in a hand with a blue sky background
33
Minolta X-700 | 35mm Film Camera
From $442
Pentax ME Super | 35mm Film Camera - Cute Camera Co.
Pentax ME Super 35mm Film Camera front view
38
Pentax ME Super | 35mm Film Camera
From $378
Canon EOS Rebel 2000 film camera on a colorful abstract background
Canon EOS Rebel 2000 film camera held by a hand with a beach and sky background
15
Canon EOS Rebel 2000 | 35mm Film Camera
From $328
Olympus Trip 35 | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera - Cute Camera Co.
Olympus Trip 35 Point and Shoot Film Camera front view
31
Olympus Trip 35 | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera
From $385
Lomography Lomourette Classic | Point and Shoot 35mm Film Camera
Lomography Lomourette Classic | Point and Shoot 35mm Film Camera
6
Lomography Lomourette Classic | Point and Shoot 35mm Film Camera
$100
Pentax 17 Film Camera
A woman with long light brown hair holds a Pentax 17mm camera in front of her face, smiling in an outdoor setting with blurred greenery and buildings in the background.
34
Pentax 17 | 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera
$713
Minolta SRT-201 | 35mm Film Camera - Cute Camera Co.
Minolta SRT-201 35mm Film Camera Front view
18
Minolta SRT-201 | 35mm Film Camera
From $371
Lomography LC-Wide | Point and Shoot 35mm Film Camera
Lomography LC-Wide | Point and Shoot 35mm Film Camera
26
Lomography LC-Wide | Point and Shoot 35mm Film Camera
$428

Beginner Film Camera FAQs

What is a 35mm film camera?

A 35mm film camera captures photographs on 35mm film instead of a digital sensor. This includes automatic point-and-shoots, manual SLRs and rangefinder cameras.

What film does a 35mm camera use?

They use 35mm film (also called 135 film). Most rolls contain 24 or 36 exposures and are available in both color and black-and-white. We recommend Kodak Ultramax 400 for your first roll.

Do your vintage film cameras still work?

Absolutely. Every vintage camera we sell is carefully tested and restored, then shipped with a battery and lifetime support if you ever need help.

Are 35mm cameras good for beginners?

Yes! Film is widely available, and beginners can choose an automatic camera for effortless photos or a SLR to learn photography fundamentals. Check out our beginner cameras here.