Filbert Shoots on Film: A Beginner’s Dive into the World of Analog Photography

Filbert has always loved photography. But lately, he’s taken that love to the next level—by going backward. That’s right, he’s trading pixels for prints and diving into the nostalgic world of 35mm film photography.

It all started with a few old cameras: a Konica C35 rangefinder from the 1970s, a Canon AF35M, and a special piece passed down from his father—a 1970 Pentax ME with a 50mm f/1.4 lens. While Filbert still relies on his trusty Fujifilm X100 digital for day-to-day use, film photography offered something different: a slower, more intentional process.

He shared his growing collection and even showed off his physical photo album—an increasingly rare thing in today’s cloud storage era. “There’s something magical about holding a photo in your hand,” he says. “It makes the memory feel real.”

But film photography isn’t all warm tones and perfect compositions. Filbert learned the hard way: buying cheap cameras online without testing can be risky. One flea market find didn’t focus properly, and another had a faulty lens. His tip? Buy from local stores or film specialists where you can inspect, return, or repair the gear.

Once you find a working camera, his number one rule is simple: get your first roll developed immediately. That’s how you’ll know if your camera has issues before you burn through more rolls.

Along the way, he’s learned some key differences from digital photography—like how ISO on film is fixed based on the film roll, not your settings. He also practices the “Sunny 16 Rule” for outdoor shots and appreciates how film forces him to slow down, plan each frame, and really learn how light interacts with the lens.

Yes, the hobby can get expensive: rolls of film cost around $18, with another $15–18 for processing. But many labs include high-quality digital scans too, giving him the best of both worlds.

In the age of filters and instant previews, Filbert’s journey is a reminder that photography isn’t just about the result—it’s about the experience. The clicks are fewer, the risks are higher, but the reward is a deeper connection to the craft.

So if you’ve ever been curious about film, Filbert’s advice is: Do it. Start with one camera. Embrace the mistakes. And enjoy the beauty of taking your time.