Here are the “best value” recommendations for film cameras & stocks, split by format.
Click the links to see the detailed roundup page:
🟩 35mm
Great for: beginners, documentary, street, travel, photojournalism, casual, scanning
Main types: compact, SLR, rangefinders, folder
Big players: Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus
🟥 120 (Medium Format)
Great for: pros, serious hobbyists, portraits, studio work, maximum image quality
Main types: TLR, SLR, rangefinder, folder
Big players: Pentax, Mamiya, Fujifilm, Hasselblad
🧠 Which is right for you?
| If… | Then choose a… |
|---|---|
| You’re new to film photography | 35mm camera (Manual SLR for learning, or autofocus compact for ease) |
| You want to easily scan/digitize film | 35mm camera (easier to scan at home) |
| You want a pocketable camera | 35mm camera (compact for travel, or rangefinder for street photography) |
| You want maximum image quality | 120 camera (SLR or TLR) |
| You want that “medium format” portrait look | 120 camera (SLR, ideally 6×7 format) |
| You want maximum hipster cred | 35mm (Leica) or 120 (Rolleiflex TLR) |