Top 10 Best 35mm Film Cameras for Beginner Photographers | From the Nikon FE2 to the Pentax K1000 to the Holga 135bc to the Canon AE-1 Program

Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 Lens:

3. Holga 135BC 35 mm Camera

You guys know I’m obsessed with the Holga 120 GCFN. But I’ve recently gotten into the Holga 135BC, which is the 35 mm version of the camera. You can read my full blog post about the 35 mm version here and see tons of sample images or watch my YouTube video here! The Holga, in general, is in a league of it’s own. It’s sort of an acquired taste. They can be notoriously finicky, but they are also a true testament to the magic of film photography. Holga cameras are known for their quirks and light leaks, but they are also known for creating surreal, unusual images. Many of my favorite images I’ve ever taken have been with a Holga. The 35 mm version is a great place to start if you’re interested in challenging yourself or getting creative. There is nothing more exciting to me than getting back a roll of Holga film. You just never know what you’re going to get! I will say this - if your first roll of film doesn’t turn out, you have to try again. It takes a few rolls to get the hang of it, but I promise you, it’s worth it. Plus, these cameras are incredibly cute up on the shelf too, so if you get tired of it or need a break, just set it up on the shelf for decoration! I have over a dozen Holgas now because they come in lots of different colors. If you’re interested in reading more about the 120 version of the Holga, you can check out my blog post about it here. My sister actually received a 35 mm Holga from her husband for Christmas one year, and it’s become one of her go-to travel cameras. It took her a few tries to understand how the camera works, but now she loves it and brings it on every trip with her now!

WHERE TO BUY

4. Minolta Maxxum STsi

The Minolta Maxxum STsi is my secondary go-to 35 mm camera when I travel. It’s really hard for me to leave it behind because it has a special mode that is difficult to find on most 35 mm film cameras - a panorama mode. Some people could care less about the panorama mode, but for me, it’s a necessity when I’m traveling. I’m often at the top of a mountain or bell tower and find myself wanting to capture the entire scene. The panorama mode on my phone just doesn’t cut it for me. I used to use the Vivitar IC101 camera for panorama photos while I was traveling, but when I found the Minolta Maxxum STsi, it immediately replaced it because the images are much, much sharper. Not to mention, it’s extremely easy to switch to the pano mode. There is a little lever on the side of the camera that you can switch at any time in the middle of a roll of film. And you can switch it as many times as you’d like! You can check out my YouTube video and blog post about the Minolta Maxxum STsi if you want more info!

WHERE TO BUY

Minolta Maxxum STsi Camera Body:

Minolta Maxxum AF 28-85mm 3.5-4.5 Zoom lens on eBay

Lens:

5. KS Super II

This is one of the newest additions to my collection and I just recently posted a YouTube video and blog post about this camera too! The KS Super II was actually released under the department store brand, Sears, in the 1980s. I was lucky enough to get one in super good condition and I’ve only shot a few rolls with it so far. However, it’s simple to use and a great camera for traveling. It has an Aperture Priority setting as it’s main “Auto” setting, and then a flash setting. While this camera is a bit limited in terms of creativity and features, it’s great if you’re looking for a starter camera with a decently sharp lens at a good price. It has a cute, rugged metal alloy frame and has that classic 80s camera vibe. While I’d put this one a step below the Canon AE-1 Program and Nikon FE2, it still takes lovely photos and is super fun to use. I took it with me on a beach day and love how the photos turned out. I won’t be selling mine anytime soon, also because it was a hand-me-down from a family member. But the shutter sound is very satisfying and it just feels nice in your hand. I’m looking forward to trying this one out a bit more!

WHERE TO BUY

6. Pentax K1000

While I don’t own a Pentax K1000, it was the camera that I almost went with before being convinced to buy the Nikon FE2. I had a photographer friend who shot with the Pentax K1000 and I loved how her photos looked. But after chatting with a sales associate at a used camera store, I realized that the Nikon FE2 was more suited for me because of the multiple exposure setting. However, if multiple exposures aren’t your jam, the Pentax K1000 is an amazing 35 mm camera. It’s another one of those cult cameras that can be somewhat difficult to get your hands on for a good price. But it has that classic silver and black body and super sharp lenses if you go with ones like the Pentax 50 mm f/1.4 or the 28 mm f/2.8 lens. I’m still hoping to get my hands on one of these someday. If you stumble upon one, don’t leave it behind!

WHERE TO BUY

Camera Body:

Lens (uses K-mount lenses):

Pentax 28mm f/2.8 Lens

Pentax 50 mm f/1.4 Lens

7. Pentax PC35AF-M

The Pentax PC35AF-M sort of snuck up on me. I have no idea where I got it from or how it ended up in my collection. It’s a point-and-shoot 35 mm camera with a pop-up flash from the 1980s. I was pleasantly surprised by the sharpness of the lens, but it’s not surprising considering it’s a Pentax with an f/2.8 lens. The only downside is that the battery compartment tends to pop open a lot, but I just make sure to keep it taped shut! This is another camera that I’ve only used a handful of times but it’s a great camera for travel because it’s compact and simple to use. I took it with me to Boston and Salem, Massachusetts not too long ago and I love the photos I ended up with. It does not have a multiple exposure function though, so for me, it won’t be coming with me on all of my adventures. However, I might bring it out for a day trip or a wedding every once in a while. :) You can read more about it on my blog here.

WHERE TO BUY

8. Canon Rebel G

The Canon Rebel G is very special to me because it’s the camera my mom used when I was kid to capture our every day moments. And I mean, the very camera in the photo above is the one she used. It’s funny how those photos from our childhood seem to have such a specific tone and mood to them. But it also has to do with the film they used to make back in the day. Unfortunately, a lot of those film stocks don’t exist anymore, but I find that I can get pretty close with Fujifilm 400 35 mm film or Kodak Gold 200 35 mm. This camera has a ton of different features and settings, so if you’re looking to get creative, you’ll probably enjoy using this camera. It has modes like sport, portrait, macro, multiple exposure, night, etc. It also has a full auto mode so if you just want to keep it simple, you can do that too! I have a YouTube video and blog post about this one too, of course. :)

WHERE TO BUY

Camera Body:

Quantaray 28-90mm f/3.5 lens

Lens:

9. Minolta Hi-Matic AF2

The Minolta Hi-Matic AF2 is another standard point-and-shoot camera, so if you’re looking for the most basic cameras that are the easiest to use, the point-and-shoots are the way to go. It’s exactly what it sounds like - you just point, and shoot! You don’t have to adjust any settings or waste time focusing the lens. The lens is autofocus and the camera will automatically set the best aperture and shutter speed to get the correct exposure. I took the Minolta Hi-Matic with me to Portugal last year and tested it out for the first time. It was such a perfect camera for travel because of it’s simplicity. I’m definitely planning on trying this one out again soon! You can read my blog post about it here, or watch our YouTube video about this camera in Portugal here!

WHERE TO BUY

10. Canon Rebel K2

My beloved Canon Rebel K2. While some might argue that there’s nothing special about this camera, I’d beg to differ. The Canon Rebel K2 was my very first 35 mm camera and I still remember my first roll of film I ever shot with it. There is a nostalgia to the images that I just die for every time. It’s traveled with me all over the world and has been there for me on so many different occasions. I love my Canon Rebel K2 so much. When friends and family members who are at the very beginning of their photography journey ask me which camera they should get, the Canon Rebel K2 is always my first recommendation. It has a full Auto setting, but also has a ton of different settings and features for getting more creative or learning more about photography. You can graduate all the way to using this camera fully manually if you’d like to. It’s also super affordable. The Canon Rebel G that I mentioned earlier is very similar to this camera, but for some reason, I just like the photos of the Rebel K2 a bit better. I also use a zoom lens with my Canon Rebel K2, which allows it to be much more versatile when traveling. I can zoom in and get a beautiful portrait, or I can zoom out and capture a full city street. It also has autofocus, so you don’t have to waste your time trying to get the focus right. Of course I have a full blog post and YouTube video about this one too, if you’re interested in seeing sample photos or reading more about it. :)

WHERE TO BUY

Camera Body:

Canon 28-90mm f/5.6 kit lens

LENS (uses EF mount):

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope this blog post has helped you narrow down your search and decide which 35 mm camera is best for you. I’m happy to help in any way so feel free to send me a message here or leave a comment below! I can’t wait to try out more 35 mm cameras soon and make an even more extensive list for you. It’s so much fun for me to try out new cameras and see how they’re all different. No two film cameras are alike and I love that the opportunities for testing vintage cameras seems endless to me. There are so many more left out there in the world!

If you’re wondering what film stocks to try out with these cameras, check out my blog posts about Unique Film Stocks for 35 mm Cameras here or my Top 5 Favorite Color Films for 35 mm Cameras here. Or, here’s a quick list!

35 mm Film Recommendations

Kodak Gold 200 35 mm Film

Kodak Portra 160 35 mm Film

Kodak Portra 400 35 mm Film

Kodak Pro Image 100 35 mm Film

If you found this post helpful or inspiring, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.

Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my Amazon storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

Canon Rebel G 35mm Camera Review with Sample Photos | Why it's a Great Travel Camera for Beginners (and Professionals too)!

May 15, 2024

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The Canon Rebel G was the camera my mom used throughout my childhood to photograph me and my siblings. I always loved the way the photos looked, so when my mom stumbled across her old Rebel G, I begged her to give it to me. I finally took it on a trip to Wilmington, NC to test it out and it didn’t disappoint. It reminds me of my Canon Rebel K2 in a lot of ways, which makes sense because they are both 35mm Canon cameras released around the same time. The Rebel G was first released in 1996 and the K2 was released in 1999. They were both targeted towards entry-level photographers, so they are super approachable and easy to use. However, what I love about them both is that if you decide to dive deeper into all of their functions, there is SO MUCH you can do with these cameras. I also posted a YouTube video about my trip to Wilmington, NC with the Canon Rebel G, so make sure to check that out here!

MAIN FEATURES OF THE CANON REBEL G

FULL AUTO SETTING

One of the greatest features of the Canon Rebel G is that it has a full auto setting, including autofocus, which is great for photographers of any level. If you don’t feel like switching between settings or learning about aperture and shutter speed, you can just turn the main dial to the green auto setting and shoot away! This makes it a great travel film camera because you can get the fun vintage vibe of film photography without worrying about wasting money screwing up your film photos.

EF LENS MOUNT

It’s also compatible with Canon’s EF line of lenses, which really expands the options for professional photographers. Canon has a lot of incredible lenses in the EF line so you can get that beautiful sharpness of the EF lenses while shooting film. I haven’t tried this out yet with the Canon Rebel G, but it’s on my to-do list! I’ll be sure to update this blog post once I do. :)

FLASH

One of the main features I look for in a travel camera specifically is a pop-up flash. I hate carrying around external flashes. Plus, they’re big and embarrassing. I prefer to be an inconspicuous photographer so I can get those street photography shots without calling too much attention to myself. I don’t use the flash often, but if I’m traveling and I’m inside a dark restaurant or in an underground tunnel or dungeon (you never know!), then I like having the option. If you have the camera on the full auto setting, the flash will pop up whenever the camera decides the environment is a little too dark. You can also force the flash on or off, depending on your needs.

MULTIPLE EXPOSURES

This is one of my absolute favorite features of this camera. You guys know I’m always on the hunt for cameras with a multiple exposure option, and honestly, this is why I love Canon cameras so much. I run my mutiple exposure button into the ground with my cameras. In fact, I’d say I shoot more multiple exposures than single exposures. I just enjoy the challenge of creating an image that’s never been done before. They aren’t for everyone, but I’ve included a few examples below so you can get the gist. I’m obsessed, TBH. I don’t know what I’d do in life without multiple exposures!

AUTOMATIC FILM ADVANCE

This is another great feature that makes the Canon Rebel G a perfect travel camera. When I’m on the road, it’s hard to find the time to sit down and load film into my cameras. The Canon Rebel G has a motorized film advance system, so it’s incredibly easy to load the film. And once you’re finished shooting the roll, the camera will automatically wind the film back for you. So you can just pop open the back and remove the roll, pop another one in, and keep shooting!

LIGHTWEIGHT BODY

Camera weight is a huge priority for me when I’m traveling because I like to take so many cameras with me on my trips. The Rebel G is extremely light and unnoticeable. However, keep in mind that if you add on an EF lens, it will affect the weight significantly. I just have the kit lens on the camera (the Quantaray 28-90mm f/3.5 lens) so it only weighs about 1 lb 8 oz.

ENDLESS SHOOTING SETTINGS

One of the best things about cameras like the Canon Rebel G and the Canon Rebel K2 is that you have a million creative settings to choose from if you want to experiment. Some of the settings include: portrait, landscape, macro, sports mode and night mode. And then of course, aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual if you want to challenge yourself as a photographer. Personally, I’m an aperture priority kind of girl, so I tend to stick on that setting for the most part. There’s also red-eye reduction, a self-timer and film-rewind options. Honestly, it has pretty much every single function you can think of in a camera.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While the Canon Rebel G isn’t the fanciest camera in the land, you get a serious bang for your buck with this camera. It runs about $50-150 depending on the condition of the camera. The images aren’t the sharpest with the kit lens, but if you use a low ISO film, such as Kodak Gold 200 or Lomography Color 100 film (which I used for the photos in this post), you can kind of trick people into thinking you’ve got a super sharp lens. :) Or if you already have an EF mount Canon lens, definitely try that out! You won’t get the quality of images that you might find with a Canon AE-1 Program or Nikon FE2, but if you’re a beginner film photographer looking to learn the ropes before investing in a more expensive camera, this is a great option. Plus, both of those cameras don’t have autofocus, so I don’t typically recommend them for people who are just getting into film photography. I tend to recommend cameras like the Canon Rebel G, Canon Rebel K2 or Minolta Maxxum STsi for beginners.

If you’ve stumbled upon the Canon Rebel G in a thrift store or at a yard sale, consider yourself lucky! It’s a super fun camera and might even just become your favorite. It’s so versatile and straightforward that it’s kind of impossible to hate it. The fact that my mom was able to use it throughout my childhood without any photography knowledge, proves that. Some of the photos she took with this camera are our most treasured family photos! So yes, maybe I’m biased towards this camera just a little. :)

I’ve included sample photos below, so make sure to scroll down!

WHERE TO BUY THE CANON REBEL G: