Despite the rise of digital photography in the 21st century, classic-style film cameras are still highly popular with photo fanatics, from amateur photographers to famous filmmakers. It’s rare for technology to struggle to match the quality of older analog methods — but the result is a bustling film camera industry with a wide range of special products and limited edition models.
In this article, we look at some of the most sought-after cool film cameras from the 20th and 21st centuries, exploring the reasons for their popularity and their contributions to the advancement of photography.
8 COOL FILM CAMERAS
Take a look at these ultra-rare and undeniably cool film cameras that have been released over the years.
1. LOMOGRAPHY DIANA F+ “MR. PINK”
The Diana camera was originally a cheap box camera sold in the 1960s. Its low-quality plastic lens is, however, remembered fondly for the soft-focus photographs it took, creating a dream-like blur that photographers loved.
Fast forward to now and Lomography is keeping the Diana alive with its modern twist, the Diana F+. The camera comes in a range of colors and special editions, but the coolest by far is the Mr. Pink. Its shocking pink body and stylish black lens create a stand-out look that definitely draws attention. With its retro flash, colored gel filters, and multi-pinhole operator, you can create classic shots that any original Diana user would be proud of.
2. HASSELBLAD 503CW GOLD SUPREME
Hasselblad is a camera company with a long history — it even made the first camera to be used in space. The iconic photos taken with Hasselblad cameras are endless and include the shot of the Beatles walking across Abbey Road (See, we told you Hasselblad made cool film cameras!). To celebrate the storied history of its first consumer camera released in 1948, Hasselblad created a special jubilee model in 1998, the Hasselblad Gold Supreme.
It’s a 503CW model with metal details plated in 24-carat gold and trimmed in burgundy leather. The company only made 500 units of this special model so it’s almost impossible to find one now, more than 25 years later. In fact, getting your hands on a normal 503CW model is a challenge too.
3. NIKON FM2/T
Nikon released a popular SLR camera in the 1980s called the FM2, and then released a special titanium version of the model in 1993. The FM2/T had top and bottom plates made of titanium, rather than the copper, silicon, and aluminum alloy used in the original FM2. This made it even stronger and lighter than its predecessor.
That’s really the only difference between the FM2 and the FM2/T, but collectors love the special titanium finish and the beautiful photos it takes, of course. Nikon’s range of FM, FM2, FM3a, and FM2/T cameras are considered almost perfect SLRs by many. However, if you want to avoid a long search and a high price tag, it might be much more practical to buy a normal FM2.
4. HOLGA STEREO CAMERA
Another Lomography camera, the Holga 120 3D looks like two separate cameras have been merged together to make a double-lensed monster. The reason for this weird look, however, is also the reason why it’s one of the most cool film cameras ever made. By taking two side-by-side photos on 120mm medium-format film, the Holga 120 3D can create 3D images.
The two lenses, positioned slightly apart just like human eyes, take images from ever-so-slightly different perspectives which, when layered and viewed through a specialized viewer, add depth to the photos and make them appear 3D. Similar to the Diana F+, the Holga also creates soft-focus or “low-fi,” photography that looks dreamy and artistic.
5. ROLLEIFLEX 2.8F “WHITE FACE”
The first ever Rolleiflex camera was released in 1929 and, like the models that came after it, it was a twin-lens reflex camera (TLR). Unlike the Holga, though, only one lens of the Rolleiflex is used to take a photo. The other is used as the viewfinder system. The Rolleiflex 2.8F model was first released in 1949 and the “white face” versions are the last 2.8F the company made in the 1970s before transitioning to the 2.8FX.
The name “white face” comes from the silver color of the lenses, which creates a unique look and singles out the model from other versions. They can only be bought second-hand now and are very difficult to find, but they’re extremely popular with collectors.
6. FUJIFILM KLASSE S
Released in 2007, the Fujifilm Klasse S was a new and improved version of the earlier Fujifilm Klasse. As a premium compact point-and-shoot camera, it had a fairly high price tag of around $800. However, the model was released at an awkward time when the transition to digital was in full swing and sales for Fujifilm color film were in freefall. Because of this, the Klasse S was discontinued just five years after it launched.
There are differences between the Klasse and Klasse S, such as a slightly different lens and slightly different shutter speeds. However, one main reason the Klasse S is considered a cool film camera and appeals to collectors now is the premium look and feel of the build.
7. POLAROID SX-70 SONAR ONYX
Polaroid cameras, with their innovative instant film, first came onto the market in 1949 and continue to be popular with all kinds of audiences — even in the current age of digital film and smartphone cameras.
The SX-70 Sonar model is special because of its sonar auto-focusing technology, which helped the camera appeal to more amateur photographers who didn’t want to focus manually. The model also has a cool fold-up feature that flattens out not in use.
8. CANON AE-1 LIMITED EDITION
The Canon AE-1 was a special camera for a number of reasons, which is why the limited edition model is so popular with collectors now. This cool film camera’s unique color scheme stands out from other AE-1s, making it a perfect way for collectors to signal their passion for the model to other enthusiasts.
Released in the 1970s, the AE-1 was most famous for its use of automatic exposure. It was one of the first cameras to use this technology and it made a big step in improving accessibility for less technical-minded photographers. With the automatic exposure, users could set their desired aperture while the camera chose the right shutter speed automatically, allowing them to achieve perfect exposure with no knowledge required.
WHICH COOL FILM CAMERA WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Most of these fancy special editions of well-loved camera models are extremely hard to get your hands on now, so if you happen to have one lying around, you’re in luck! Whether you want to use these special cameras yourself or sell them to someone who will, don’t forget to digitize any existing film you have first. At Everpresent, we can help you turn old film photos into digital files with ease, making sure the images don’t get lost or decay. Just get in touch with us for a quote.
