Five Film Cameras I Can't Live Without

This list of five film cameras I can't live without spans 35 years of photographic history—from the height of half-frame popularity in 1966 to the dawn of digital in 2001.

I summarize what makes each camera special, why I love it, and I'll show you one of my favorite photos taken with it. Make sure you check out the video, where I show my five favorite photos from each camera.

1. Olympus Pen FT (1966)

The Olympus Pen FT is a half-frame 35mm SLR launched at the height of half-frame popularity in the mid-1960s. The ability to shoot twice as many photos on each roll of film made this format appealing and much more affordable for many photographers. Sound familiar? In the 2020s, we've circled back to shooting half-frame cameras such as the Kodak Ektar and Pentax 17 in the face of rising film costs.

The FT was the middle child in this lineup; its older sibling was the F, and its younger sibling was the FV. All were designed by legendary Olympus designer Yoshihisa Maitani, who also designed other film camera classics, including the OM-1 and the XA.

One of the selling points of this camera was its compact size, which made it a super popular choice for travel in the 1960s. Another interesting fact is that the Pen FT features a unique rotary shutter, which was quieter than focal-plane shutters. The thing I like best, though, is its vertical viewfinder, which forces me to think about my compositions in a different way. As you can see below, you also have the ability to create diptychs with your photos, which is a different take on storytelling with film.

2. Polaroid SLR 680 (1982)

In 1982, Polaroid launched the apex of its folding SLR line—the Polaroid SLR 680. At the time, it represented the pinnacle of instant photography innovation. Many have called this the best instant camera of all time.

The SLR 680 is known for its precise framing, thanks to its single-lens reflex (SLR) design. This is in stark contrast to modern Fujifilm Instax cameras, where the framing is only a guide. This is one of just three 600 series cameras that has a sharp 116mm f/8 glass lens.

The camera has an advanced sonar autofocus system—it uses sound waves to measure the distance to the subject and automatically adjusts focus. It also features manual focus override and exposure compensation via the lighten/darken wheel. Unlike many 600 box cameras, the flash can be turned on or off.

I particularly love getting this camera out during birthdays and other celebrations as a way of capturing fun times with family and friends.

3. Contax G1 (1994)

The Contax G1, released in 1994, was a groundbreaking camera for its time. It was the first 35mm autofocus rangefinder that had interchangeable lenses. In 1995, it won the Camera Grand Prix award from Japan’s Camera Journal Press Club.

Manufactured by Kyocera under the luxury Contax brand, the G1 is known for its excellent Carl Zeiss lenses. The 45mm f/2 Planar lens is widely celebrated for its excellent image quality, as well as having a reputation for being one of the sharpest lenses for any 35mm camera ever made.

Although the G1's autofocus system does attract some criticism for its performance, the camera's build quality is outstanding. The titanium body feels durable and premium, although this does make it a little hefty.

Autofocus issues aside, the G1 is a fantastic choice for travel photography. With a hotshoe on top, it's also a great choice for flash photography, check out the photos I took with the G1 in my Godox Lux Junior review.  

4. Minolta TC-1 (1996)

The Minolta TC-1 is a highly rated point-and-shoot camera known for its exceptional lens and build quality. One of the smallest full frame cameras ever made, it's a marvel of engineering. The TC-1 won the Camera Grand Prix award from Japan’s Camera Journal Press Club in 1996.

The 28mm f/3.5 lens is renowned for its sharpness. Some images exhibit a characteristic vignette, often referred to as the "TC-1 look." The camera uses circular Waterhouse stops instead of traditional iris diaphragms, which contributes to this distinct image character.

One unique aspect of the TC-1 is that it only operates in aperture priority mode—unlike many point-and-shoots, it has no program mode. This doesn't mean it lacks features, though. Via the unique dial on the top of the camera, you can change film speed, add exposure compensation, change flash modes, and even manually focus.

This camera has been a reliable companion for travel photography, delivering excellent results overseas. Many of the images in my "35mm Japan zine" (including the cover) were taken with the TC-1.

5. Contax T3 (2001)

The Contax T3 is widely thought to be the GOAT of point-and-shoot film cameras—and its price tag reflects this. Released in 2001, the camera features the renowned Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2.8 lens, celebrated for its sharpness, color rendition, and microcontrast.

The third camera in the T series, there are three interesting changes from its predecessor, the T2. First of all, you can shoot wide open at f/2.8 in aperture priority mode. Secondly, the camera is significantly smaller—along with the TC-1, this is one of the most compact 35mm cameras ever made. Finally, Kyocera changed the focal length for this last camera in the line, from 38mm to 35mm.

Compared to its rivals, the TC-1 and the Fujifilm Klasse S, the T3 is a little more minimalist. Yes, it has a luxury-feel titanium body, but it has fewer bells and whistles. The only feature it lacks that would improve it is the ability to set your film speed.

Images from the Carl Zeiss lens have a certain "je ne sais quoi," making the most ordinary of scenes extraordinary.

My Inspiration For This List

I've written many similar lists over the years, with old favorites bowing out and new entries being added as I discover new cameras and my shooting style evolves. 

In 2023, I wrote an article called 10 Cameras I Can't Live Without on my Substack newsletter with much of the same list here. However, the inspiration for cutting it down to five cameras comes from a group of film photography bloggers who recently published their lists: 

• Peggy Marsh
• Alex Luyckx
• Theo Panagopoulos
• Eric Jason
• Alan Duncan
• Mike Eckman
• Stephen Dowling
• Jim Grey - Down The Road

What About Digital Cameras?

If I was including digital cameras in this list too, I would just make one change. One of the cameras would need to make way for the Ricoh GRIII - my favorite camera for street and travel photography. 

Which Cameras Can't You Live Without?

This is a super fun exercise all gearheads can do. Give yourself 30 seconds, grab a pen and paper, and write down five cameras you can't live without. After 30 seconds, you might want to make some adjustments to your list, but whatever you wrote down first is probably your favorite. Let me know what made your list in the comments.