In the market for a point-and-shoot film camera? You may have already decided your price range and store of choice but a quick browse through the available options may still be headache-inducing—you might not understand the different features each camera offers and everything may look same same, but different!
This list brings you through the 9 most common point-and-shoot camera features, and will help you decide whether each feature is a must-have or something you can skip. Use this list to come up with a checklist of features you are looking for when you buy your next camera!
1. The Standard Features
Automatic loading means your film will automatically advance to the first frame once you place the film in and close the camera back, and automatic advancing means after every time you snap a picture, the camera will automatically advance the film to the next frame. Finally, automatic rewinding means your camera will sense when you’ve taken the last picture and rewind it for removal! With these features, after loading your film, you can basically snap till the end and let your camera handle the rest.
Most cameras also come with auto focus, though the speed and competency of it varies depending on how good your camera is. If a camera doesn’t have auto focus, it probably comes with a fixed focus lens where everything from a certain distance onwards (maybe from 1 metre to infinity) will be in focus. Fixed focus lenses are more characteristic of super basic and rudimentary point-and-shoots, for example disposable cameras.
These features are in basically every point-and-shoot camera, so don’t be led to believe they’re something special and pay a premium price for them!
2. Zoom
Another common feature is a zoom function—this is also in almost every point-and-shoot camera, though there are a few without.
3. Flash Functions
Almost all cameras come with flash, and for good reason—if a shot isn’t well-lit, chances are your film photo won’t get captured properly. Without flash, any night photos are out of the question and even indoor photos might be a stretch. Of course, good cameras are able to recalibrate themselves to perform well without flash even in low light conditions, but I really recommend purchasing a camera with a flash function. It’s an invaluable addition that will broaden the situations you can shoot in and types of pictures you can take!
Flash modes
There are a few common flash modes. Auto has the camera detecting whether flash is required, then activating or not activating the flash accordingly. This is a great setting if you’re looking to quickly snap a pic and not fuss over the settings.
Force flash will cause the flash to activate even if the camera deems the lighting to be adequate. There are various reasons why people activate this setting, for example to “be safe” and ensure proper exposure in moderate lighting conditions, or to give their picture the trademark “flash film photography” look.
No flash will cause the flash to stay off even in low lighting conditions. This can cause various effects—for example, decently advanced cameras will reduce their shutter speed to allow for proper exposure, allowing for a “long exposure” style shot if there’s movement in the photo.
It also causes colours to be captured differently from if harsh flash lighting was used, which might be a desired effect. Be aware that some cameras which support different flash modes don’t offer this mode, so if it’s something important to you, keep an eye out for it!
4. Shooting Modes
Some film cameras even have different modes for you to take pictures in. One that I personally find the most useful is landscape mode (You can spot it as the symbol with two mountain peaks!). It sets your camera’s focus to infinity and ensures sharp focus on landscapes and distant objects. However, its best use comes into play when you’re photographing through glass (for example, a window). When you take pictures through glass, the camera focuses on the glass, leaving the actual subject through the glass out of focus! With landscape mode the focus is set properly into the distance, allowing for a sharp through-the-window shot.
5. Self Timer
This feature is a personal must-have for me. A self timer function allows you to prop your camera up somewhere, press the shutter button, and have 10 seconds to run into frame and take a group shot with all your friends! It’s also useful if you want to take a photo of yourself when you’re out alone and have nobody to help you.
6. Continuous Shooting
The continuous-shooting mode allows your film camera to take multiple shots in a row. It’s usually represented by a symbol with a diagonal stack of squares. I personally never shoot in this mode—with only 36 photos in a film roll, the last thing I want is to take multiple near-identical photos of the same thing!
7. Camera Size
Point-and-shoot cameras come in all sorts of sizes. There are small and slim models that are very light and convenient to carry around, and larger cameras that are slightly heavier and take up more space in a bag.
Having shot with both small point-and-shoots and more chunky cameras, I’ve definitely formed a preference for smaller cameras for a variety of reasons. Firstly, they’re much more portable and able to fit into smaller bags or squeeze into a pretty full backpack. Secondly, they’re much less obtrusive. This is something I’ve come to appreciate after a few forays into street photography—a smaller camera attracts less attention!
8. Sound and Volume
On the subject of attracting attention, the volume of a camera is definitely a feature I think needs to be talked about more. One of my first few point-and-shoot cameras was an old, noisy piece which whirred loudly every time I snapped a pic and the camera advanced the film to the next frame. And let’s not talk about the sound my camera makes for a full 30 seconds when it rewinds!
This might not seem like a big issue, but every time I took a photo of my friends in a quiet restaurant or snapped a candid shot of passersby on the street, the inevitable loud whirring often turned heads. If you’re less easily embarrassed than me this probably won’t be a problem, but I’ve definitely tried to purchase only quiet cameras after that experience.
9. Defects?
Last but not least, defects are undoubtedly an important thing to take note of when purchasing a new camera. As most film cameras are old and often second-hand, it’s very common for them to have ill-functioning parts or wear and tear. Here are a few common problems most film cameras face, which can drastically alter your experience if your camera suffers from them.
Broken Parts
Some sellers sell cameras that have a broken flash, zoom, light meter, etc. While the camera might technically still work even with these broken parts, I don’t recommend getting them no matter how discounted it is. Firstly, a camera’s performance can be severely limited due to its broken component. Secondly, a broken part is a sign of a camera’s poor condition—how long more before it breaks completely? With such old and unpredictable items like film cameras, you really want to find pieces that are in the best condition possible to ensure they last for more than a roll or two.
Lens Fungus
Fungus can grow in a camera’s lens if fungus spores and moisture gets in. This problem is more common in humid and tropical climates, making cameras in Singapore especially susceptible. Additionally, because film cameras have often been kept for a long time before being retrieved, cameras that were improperly stored can have fungus in their lens.
Lens fungus can cause your photos to be hazy and even obstructed by blobs, basically ruining the photos. Make sure a camera has been checked for lens fungus before purchasing!
Dust in Lens
Although a few specks probably won’t affect your photos, a camera with a significant amount of dust trapped inside can affect your pictures and even show up in them. As most film cameras were produced decades ago and have sat for a long time, this is a problem that might affect the camera you’re going to buy! As usual, check with the seller that the camera you’re getting is free from this problem.
What Should I Do Next?
Now that you know what features in a point-and-shoot film camera to look out for, you can set out and search for a camera that suits your needs. When you find a model that looks appropriate, I recommend searching for reviews online. There are often lots of details that might affect your purchase decision that aren’t in the listing (The camera’s volume, weight when holding it for a full day, grip and more!)
After you’ve deemed that the model is good for you, try and see if the seller has sample pictures from the camera that you’re going to buy itself. Each individual camera has been stored differently and there may be variances during manufacturing, so the only way you can be really assured of a camera’s quality is to see sample pictures taken by the camera itself.
Have fun searching for your new camera and shooting on film!
–
