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The 35mm SLR camera was, for many years, considered the standard in photography. Beloved by professionals and amateurs alike, there’s truly something special that happens when you hold an SLR film camera up to your eye. 

Even as photographic technology advanced and digital cameras started to become common, new photographers were still instructed to begin their practice on a simple, manual 35mm SLR camera. 

We firmly believe that the best film camera for beginners is whichever one you have access to, but we can definitely agree that a simple SLR is a great place to start. 

Compared to other types, SLRs are also some of the cheapest film cameras you can find these days. 

Not to mention, most models came standard with a 50mm f/1.8 lens, so you can often find a lens and film camera for under $100. Not always, but many times, other lenses are relatively affordable because there were so many produced. 

If you’re coming to film photography from a DSLR, there’s even a chance that you can find a film camera that is compatible with your lenses.

And while a lot of the conversation around 35mm SLRs focuses on beginners, we think that more experienced users may enjoy a return to simplicity, as well. 

• Year – The year the camera was first released.

• Weight – The weight of the camera, body only, in grams. 454g = 1 pound.

• Film Speeds – The range of film speeds accepted by the camera.

• Size – The physical dimensions of the camera body in millimeters. 25mm = 1 inch.

• Lens – The lens-mount of the camera.

• Focus – Is the camera manual focus only, or does it offer autofocus?

• Battery – The type and quantity of batteries required to operate the camera. Many models are fully mechanical and can operate without batteries.

• Shutter Speeds – The range of available shutter speeds. B = Bulb. 

• Price Estimate – An estimate of the price for the camera body only in 2023. Prices are always changing, but these are our best estimates after studying the price trends from several sources.

Jump to: Canon | Konica | Leica | Minolta | Nikon | Olympus | Pentax | Yashica

Even though it may be the more capable of the two cameras, the Canon A-1 lives in the shadows of its predecessor (featured below). 

Two years after the release of the hugely popular AE-1, Canon made some minor changes and switched to an all black exterior, promoting the A-1 as the top of the line model from the series. 

The most noteworthy upgrades for the Canon A-1 were more shutter speeds (max 30 seconds versus 2 seconds) and additional film speeds. 

Nowadays, both models go for about the same amount of money, and either version is a solid choice. This is one of the few instances where the black camera doesn’t cost significantly more.

For many, many years, it’s been considered common knowledge among photographers that the Canon AE-1 is the best film camera for beginners. 

Photography teachers have long argued that anyone who wants to take photos should start with the AE-1 or the Pentax K-1000 – both cheap, durable, and simple cameras that require a solid understanding of photographic fundamentals to operate.

Almost 50 years after its original release, the Canon AE-1 is still one of the best cheap SLR film cameras you can buy, not to mention one of the easiest to track down. 

The 50mm f/1.8 lens that came standard with this camera is also a great option and even cheaper and easier to find than the camera itself.

Many beginners in film photography think of the formats heydays – the 1970’s and ‘80’s – and don’t even know that film cameras were still manufactured through the early 2000’s.

Visually, it would be easy to assume that the EOS 3 was one of the many digital SLR’s that Canon produced after the new millennium. Released in 1998, it’s one of the last 35mm cameras the company would ever release. 

The Canon EOS 3 was a high end model aimed at professionals and advanced hobbyists. 

Canon released one more series of high-end, 35mm SLR cameras – the EOS 1 series – which was even more advanced than the EOS 3. 

The EOS 1V, in particular, is often considered one of the most capable 35mm SLRs ever produced and was a common choice for photojournalists. 

Ironically, many people aren’t interested in these later SLR’s because they find the cameras too good. 

The experience is, in some ways, quite similar to shooting a digital camera – you may forget you’re shooting film until you try to look at one of the photos you just took.

As we’ve covered a couple of popular “EOS” cameras above, it only felt right to include the original model, the Canon EOS 650, released in 1987.

The 650’s release signified two major changes for Canon – every camera going forward would feature autofocus (which was still new at the time) and the introduction of the Canon EF-mount, which would go on to become the most popular and common lens-mount of all time.

Canon EOS models can be a great beginner film camera because many people already have EF-mount lenses from their digital setups. 

Especially if you have a handful of lenses in your collection, a camera like the EOS 650 will produce gorgeous images for dirt cheap. 

There was a more advanced version, the Canon EOS 620, but the differences seem pretty meaningless to most people (such as the ability to take a multiple exposure of 9 different images…)

The oldest offering on this list from Canon, the F-1 was the model that brought them up to speed in the SLR game. This fully mechanical camera also marked the debut of the Canon FD-mount.

A true brick of a machine, Canon claimed that each F-1 was able to endure 100,000 shots in extreme weather conditions and vowed to produce the camera for ten years without any changes. 

While it may be a little difficult to fact check the first claim, Canon did follow through on their promise to sell the F-1, unchanged, for a decade. 

If you’re looking at purchasing an F-1, be aware that there is another version, referred to as the “F-1 New” and released in 1981. 

The new version allows you to use an AE finder, which gives the camera aperture priority auto exposure.

In the second half of the 1970’s, camera manufacturers started to shift towards producing smaller, cheaper cameras – especially 35mm SLRs. 

The decade prior brought mainstream popularity to SLR film cameras, which increased demand for entry level options – not everyone needed the heavy, fully metal, mechanical models beloved by pros. 

The Konica Autoreflex is one of the first SLR camera lines to utilize a significant amount of plastic parts to keep costs and weight down – the frame was still made of metal. 

The Autoreflex TC was marketed as an entry level model with fewer features, but a much lower price point. The compact form was also a draw to amateurs – this is the smallest, lightest SLR camera that Konica ever made.

For most photographers, it will still be a perfectly capable camera, but it’s worth noting the slowest shutter speed of 1 / 8 of a second and the max film speed of 1600.

You could certainly make the case that the Konica Autoreflex TC was the poor man’s Olympus OM-1. 

While their M-series rangefinders were a hit, Leica ended the 1970’s without as much success in the red-hot SLR market. They clearly knew how to make great cameras – just not how to make them cheap enough for the average consumer.

After discontinuing the Leicaflex series in 1976 due to high production costs, Leica revived their partnership with Minolta to create a series of SLR film cameras that were smaller, lighter, and more affordable. 

Beginning with the R3, the R-series of SLR cameras would continue to grow for the next 25 years, with seven different versions produced. 

The first two models (the R3 and R4) didn’t have the smoothest rollout – both were plagued with issues that demonstrated Leica’s inexperience manufacturing electronic cameras. 

Ten years after the original R3 hit the market, production issues were sorted out and the Leica R5 was released – these days, it’s one of the most popular models of the R-series. 

The R5 added aperture-priority and program auto exposure, as well as increasing the available shutter speeds. Leica even produced a more affordable version called the RE, with less features – notably removing aperture-priority and program auto exposure modes. 

As with any of the Leica cameras, there are far too many models and details to cover in this short description. If you’re interested in the full rundown of the R-series, this article covers the differences in much more detail. 

Before the Leitz camera company changed their name to Leica, they entered the 35mm SLR market with a series of cameras called Leicaflex.

Between the three versions released, the Leicaflex SL had the most success, staying in production from 1968 – 1974 with around 70,000 units sold. 

The biggest change from the original model (the Leicaflex Standard) was the upgraded metering system – the Leicaflex SL was innovative for its selective TTL metering. “SL” stands for “selective light”.

There were several minor upgrades and cosmetic changes to the final version – the Leicaflex SL2 – although some of these changes were implemented to cut costs. If we had to choose one model to purchase, we’d be just as happy with either of the “SL” versions.

While all of the Leicaflex SLR film cameras are solid, high-quality machines, they were somewhat of a money pit for Leitz – it was rumored that the company actually lost money on each model sold.

By the mid-1980’s, 35mm SLR cameras were just as popular with the average consumer as they were with pro photographers. 

Technology was also advancing rapidly and ease-of-use became a high priority on new camera models. 

In 1985, the Minolta Maxxum 7000 made history as the first camera with “integrated” autofocus and film advancing. Simply put, this was the first camera that featured autofocus inside of the camera, instead of in the lens, like prior autofocus models. 

This was a true game-changer that would influence the way that the majority of cameras were manufactured going forward. 

While Minolta has featured a wider variety of lens-mounts than other camera manufacturers, the A-mount would eventually become part of the Sony ecosystem. 

This means that the Minolta 7000 is compatible with Sony Alpha-mount lenses, which were available starting in 2006 and only discontinued in the last few years. 

Well before Minolta was releasing cameras with cutting-edge technology, their 35mm SLRs were in line with other manufacturers of the era – solid, fully mechanical cameras that were simple and reliable. 

The Minolta SR-T 101 found the perfect balance between features and price – this model was a huge success, produced for a decade with only minor changes. 

Following the success of the original version, Minolta released the SR-T 102, considered to be the high-end model of the series. Notable improvements include the addition of a hot-shoe and a rangefinder focussing spot. 

Another hugely popular SLR film camera, the Minolta X-700 was available to purchase for a whopping 18 years.

It makes sense that the X-700 spent many years as Minolta’s top-tier offering – it would only be knocked from this position when autofocus cameras started to gain popularity.

Featuring “MPS” (Minolta Program System), the X-700 was able to automatically adjust for perfect exposures, something that seems perfectly normal nowadays, but was quite the revelation at the time. 

Because of the X-700’s success, Minolta also released less expensive models with less features – the X-300 and X-500. 

These simplified versions are perfectly fine, but the preference is almost always in favor of the Minolta X-700, especially for how inexpensive you can find them these days.

The Minolta XD-11 is a great example of how the 35mm film camera market was changing between the 1970’s and 80’s. 

For starters, the XD-11 was Minolta’s last SLR camera with a body made entirely of metal – future models would introduce more and more plastic parts, same as every other camera manufacturer. 

Automatic exposure modes were also gaining popularity and the XD-11 was the Minolta’s first model to offer both aperture and shutter priority modes. 

While these features were on the more advanced side, Minolta still paid homage to previous models by including a single mechanical shutter speed (1/100) so that the camera can still operate without a battery, if needed. 

The exact same camera was also released in a black finish, marketed as the Minolta XD-7. You may also see Japanese copies called just the Minolta XD, or the less expensive, entry-level version, the Minolta XD-5.

There are plenty of interesting 35mm SLR cameras on this list, but the Nikon F, released in 1959, is a clear choice for the most iconic model. 

Before its release, professionals wouldn’t be caught dead shooting anything other than a rangefinder – the Nikon F was the first SLR camera to gain popularity among pros. 

A true mechanical, metal wonder, the Nikon F became known as “the hockey puck” because of its durability. 

Part of this camera’s notoriety comes from its popularity among photographers covering the Vietnam War – it was also famously used by NASA astronauts in the 1960’s.

Something that may be of interest to new film photographers is the modular ability of the Nikon F system – this sort of customization became less and less common as time went on. 

Things like focusing screens, viewfinders, and film backs are all interchangeable with a number of different options for each part.

After making waves with the original F-series SLR camera, Nikon released the followup in 1971. Just like the original version, over 800,000 units of the Nikon F2 were produced over time. 

The body received some ergonomic changes and the light meter was upgraded, although the F2 is still a fully mechanical camera that can operate without batteries. 

Aside from a faster max shutter speed (1/2000 vs 1/1000), there aren’t too many other noticeable changes for the average user. The F2 is quite a bit heavier than the original. 

Compared to the other F-series cameras, the Nikon F2 is relatively similar to its predecessor. Some people prefer the F2 simply because they feel more confident in a slightly newer camera.

The Nikon F3 is where things really started to change for the F-series. This version was redesigned in just about every way. 

While Nikon had pioneered the large, brick-like SLRs that ruled the previous two decades, the market was changing by the time the 1980’s rolled around. 

Photographers loved the functionality of 35mm SLR cameras, but they wanted a smaller, more compact form factor. 

One of the most significant changes to the Nikon F3 was the switch to an electronic shutter, maintaining a single mechanical shutter speed of 1/80. 

While some photographers prefer the durability of fully mechanical film cameras, the modern amenities on the F3 proved to be a hit – Nikon sold this model for 20 years, still producing the manual focus film camera up to the year 2000. 

Weighing over 1.5 times as much as the original F, 1988’s Nikon F4 ushered in the next era for this iconic line. 

Two years before the F4 was released, Nikon already had an autofocus, 35mm SLR for sale – the Nikon F-501. But the F-series was the professional line and professionals didn’t want anything to do with autofocus when it was first gaining popularity. 

As Nikon’s first professional model to feature autofocus, the F4 had some big shoes to fill, especially if it was going to convince skeptical pros to adapt the newest technology. 

Another significant change from the prior model(s) was the increased range of shutter speeds, which had never been possible in years prior.

Typical of the time period, Nikon opted for a battery grip attachment so that users could utilize common, AAA batteries. 

While this is certainly more convenient than tracking down specialty camera batteries (especially for older models that used mercury cells), the tradeoff is the increased size and weight. 

We had to include at least one model from Nikons line of compact versions of the popular F-series SLR cameras. 

While all four models have maintained fans over the years, the Nikon FM2 is one of the most popular options and was also produced longer than any other “F_” cameras – 19 years. 

The FM2 is still a fully mechanical model, even at its max shutter speed of 1/4000, which was quite fast for the time. 

If you were ever curious about Nikon F cameras but turned off by their size and weight (the F4 weighs over twice as much as the FM2), this series may be just what you’re looking for. 

The other models of the series were the Nikon FM (1977), the FE (1978), and the FA (1983). 

It’s hard to think of a model that better represents the move towards smaller, lighter, compact SLRs than the Olympus OM-1. 

There’s a rumor that the idea for the OM-1 was to create a 35mm SLR camera that was half the size of the Nikon F. That goal may have been a little bit far-fetched, but the result was a capable camera in a much smaller package. 

The original OM-1 was a hit that would evolve into an incredibly successful full line of cameras. 

The OM2 – OM4 were the top of the line models aimed at professionals and the OM10 – OM-40 were the consumer options with less features. 

It’s hard to go wrong with any of the Olympus OM film cameras, although the original model has a particularly soft spot in many photographers’ hearts. 

If you’re looking into Olympus OM cameras, be aware that they also produce digital models with similar names. You’ll want to specify that you’re looking for the film version.

The Pentax K1000 is tied with the Canon AE-1 for the most recommended film camera for beginners. 

The king of simplicity, Pentax produced the K1000 for 20 years, selling over 3 million copies overall. They were rugged cameras and you still see plenty of them available to buy nowadays.

While there were other versions available, all with more features, none would ever reach anywhere near the popularity of the original K1000. More advanced models included the Pentax K2, KM, and KX. 

The K1000 SE is almost identical to the original model with the main difference being an upgraded focussing screen. 

If you’re looking for a cheap 35mm camera, it may be worth checking out the Pentax Spotmatic line. The original Spotmatic SP is one of the few film cameras under $50 in 2023. 

As it’s one of the oldest options on this list, the SP is a fully mechanical model which many photographers love for their reliability. 

You might not be able to find them for quite as cheap, but the other Spotmatic SLR film cameras are also worth considering. 

The SPII added a hot shoe, a higher max film speed, and additional lens availability. 

The Pentax Electro-Spotmatic was the world’s first aperture-priority 35mm SLR, although it was initially only sold in Japan. It later became available to the rest of the world, sometimes known as the Pentax Spotmatic ES.  

On the flip side, the Pentax Spotmatic SL was the same as the original SP, but without any sort of built in light meter. 

Yashica is probably best known for their high-end point and shoot film cameras.

It may not be as well known, but the FX-3 was a very popular line of 35mm SLR models, first released in 1979. 

The original FX-3 is the same camera as the FX-7, the only difference is that the FX-7 is all black. 

While most of the specs for the Yashica FX-3 are pretty standard for a camera of that era, a unique feature is the C/Y-mount, which accepts lenses from Contax and Yashica. 

This gives you access to a whole world of Carl Zeiss T* lenses, renowned for their top of the line image quality. 

Yashica released the FX-3 Super in 1984, which included a vertical grip and a redesigned meter. 

The most popular version is the Yashica FX-3 Super 2000. It features a max shutter speed of 1/2000 and an increased range of film speeds accepted. This version stayed in production until 2002. 

Do you have a favorite 35mm SLR camera? Did we miss any of the most important models? Let us know in the comments!