35mm Canon A1 with 50mm f/1.8 and Power Winder
Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
Modes: Decent
Best Use: Intentional Photography
Our cameras have been tested with film, come with the battery and access to a manual!Our Two Cents
Launched in 1978, the A-1 isn't just retro eye candy; it's genuinely one of the most versatile and approachable 35mm film cameras ever made. Want to fully geek out with manual controls? Go for it. Prefer to let the camera do some of the thinking? Aperture-priority, shutter-priority, or even full auto have got you covered.
Its bright viewfinder makes composing easy, the electronic shutter sounds satisfyingly vintage—not as subtle as some, but let's be honest, that mechanical 'click' is half the reason we're here. The A-1 is also famously reliable; keep it loved, change its battery occasionally (it takes an easy-to-find 6V battery), and it'll probably outlive whatever digital gadget you're currently refreshing every two years.
Definitely not the first camera you should use if you’re just starting with film. There’s a lot of buttons that are not intuitive or normal, some of which are necessary to be able to get a good exposure. If you’re familiar with cameras for any reason, it’s an easier time to start using, but we would still say take a look at the manual (yes, for real) before you get out there and use it.
Take a class on how to use manual cameras (digital or film!)
Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
Modes: Decent
Best Use: Intentional Photography
Our cameras have been tested with film, come with the battery and access to a manual!Our Two Cents
Launched in 1978, the A-1 isn't just retro eye candy; it's genuinely one of the most versatile and approachable 35mm film cameras ever made. Want to fully geek out with manual controls? Go for it. Prefer to let the camera do some of the thinking? Aperture-priority, shutter-priority, or even full auto have got you covered.
Its bright viewfinder makes composing easy, the electronic shutter sounds satisfyingly vintage—not as subtle as some, but let's be honest, that mechanical 'click' is half the reason we're here. The A-1 is also famously reliable; keep it loved, change its battery occasionally (it takes an easy-to-find 6V battery), and it'll probably outlive whatever digital gadget you're currently refreshing every two years.
Definitely not the first camera you should use if you’re just starting with film. There’s a lot of buttons that are not intuitive or normal, some of which are necessary to be able to get a good exposure. If you’re familiar with cameras for any reason, it’s an easier time to start using, but we would still say take a look at the manual (yes, for real) before you get out there and use it.
Take a class on how to use manual cameras (digital or film!)
Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
Modes: Decent
Best Use: Intentional Photography
Our cameras have been tested with film, come with the battery and access to a manual!Our Two Cents
Launched in 1978, the A-1 isn't just retro eye candy; it's genuinely one of the most versatile and approachable 35mm film cameras ever made. Want to fully geek out with manual controls? Go for it. Prefer to let the camera do some of the thinking? Aperture-priority, shutter-priority, or even full auto have got you covered.
Its bright viewfinder makes composing easy, the electronic shutter sounds satisfyingly vintage—not as subtle as some, but let's be honest, that mechanical 'click' is half the reason we're here. The A-1 is also famously reliable; keep it loved, change its battery occasionally (it takes an easy-to-find 6V battery), and it'll probably outlive whatever digital gadget you're currently refreshing every two years.
Definitely not the first camera you should use if you’re just starting with film. There’s a lot of buttons that are not intuitive or normal, some of which are necessary to be able to get a good exposure. If you’re familiar with cameras for any reason, it’s an easier time to start using, but we would still say take a look at the manual (yes, for real) before you get out there and use it.