Best Cheap Point and Shoot Film Cameras

When we’re talking about 35mm film point and shoot cameras, several of them are described as best. I mean Contax T2, Yashica T4 or Olympus MJU II. But in this video we’re gonna talk about much cheaper gear. How to find a perfect compact film camera, what features are important and finally how to get good shots with a cheap camera. I’m gonna use my 50$ Canon Prima 5 as an example so you can see how much you can squeeze from an old plastic camera.
/ grainystoriesyt
00:00 Intro
02:37 Autofocus
03:30 Lens
05:39 Controls
07:20 How to get the best results
09:14 Outro
#35mm #35mmfilmphoto #analogphotography #cheapcamera #filmcamera #pointandshoot

[@agentlevanto2964]

Hey - great video, neat ideas, got the Prima 5 too, like the 38mm focal length. Back in the day I used Pentax Espio film cameras, they were cheap and everywhere and the go to camera for most everybody. And while I’d love a super cool compact now, I choose to shoot film on a Canon EOS 300. The image quality is Stella, and I love the retro late 90’s design :-)

[@grainystories]

Thank You, I'm so glad you like it :) I choose EOS 650 for my main gear, I had 50mm 1.4 lens which resolution is actually to low for Canon mirrorless cameras but it gained a second life when I returned to film. But Prima is also nice everyday carry. I rediscovered it while preparing this episode, specifically the part about scanning.

[@wintrymix]

I love this. Most videos are obsessed with the popular, multi-hundred dollar cameras. I also searched for something similar to your list of important specs and ended up with a Canon Sure Shot Owl PF. It's f/3.8 vs your camera's 3.5, and the shutter speed range is smaller, mine being 45-160 vs your 8-250. The flash detail is important, too. I don't like that mine resets when the camera is turned off. My only limitation here is battery. At this point I don't want to have to buy special batteries for my cameras because I'm new to film photography. Maybe I'll get over it one day. In the meantime, I'll have to be happy with what I already have. Besides the Owl, I have a few fixed focus Fuji cameras from '89-'91. I know they have no exposure control but I love the simplicity. Flash has a switch that doesn't reset, no motor to break, and no batteries are even required, besides for flash. And in sunlight, photos are comparable to my motorized Canon. The lens makes a difference, and Fuji made good lenses for their fixed focus cameras, nothing like disposables or the new Kodak releases.

[@grainystories]

So good to read this ;) 3.8 is still ok if you ask me, shutter speed…well 1/8 is useless without a tripod and minimum aperture is f11 so 1/160 is surely enough ;) I’m testing right now something for about 100 dollars with a 2.8 lens and AAA batteries so if everything turn out ok there’ll be a video soon ;) Speaking of focus free cameras…yeah maybe I’m to skeptical, I’ve never tried anything, let’s say, top-shelf 😅

[@wintrymix]

@@grainystories I agree, my camera's specs aren't really much worse than yours. I just wanted to compare the differences. I don't really wish for a wider aperture because my camera missed focus on a few of my shots. I'm still trying to master locking focus on the center, which is hard since you don't see what the lens sees and might miss the correct focus plane. Meanwhile the same shots I took with my fixed focus cameras (identical composition, taken for comparison purposes) came out well-focused (soft but better than having the focus fall on the background). If my Canon Owl had a flash switch that didn't reset, it would be the perfect option for me.

[@grainystories]

@@wintrymix AF is sometimes a lottery in point and shoots and the new one I’m testing, has an indicator that shows where the focus actually is. I hope it’s reliable 😅

[@pdtech4524]

All good info, all I can add for anyone new to film and point and shoot cameras is, don't be fooled into thinking you must have a contax t2 or konica big mini and spend £500 or more to get good photos! A lot of it is online hype which drives demand and artificially inflates prices! I've found olympus mju models for £10-£25. Also consider canon models, I picked up a mint canon sureshot max for £10. Don't discount a late 1990s plastic slr either, they're so cheap now even with a good lens. You can you use them like a point and shoot, just put into auto mode, fit a 40mm prime lens and boom you have a much better point and shoot than any of the 'premium' point and shoots. I paid just £20 for my canon eos 500n slr with an EF mount zoom lens. This kit will grow with your ability and experience, it's a little bulkier than a point and shoot but the results will be much better. In conclusion don't pay more than around £25 for your first film point and shoot. Don't be afraid to haggle the seller to a lower price and wait for a bargain. I've added your channel, hopefully you'll connect with another film photographer?

[@grainystories]

You’re absolutely right, I’m making a video about a camera which was ignored by the hype but it’s a real diamond. But to be clear, I truly agree, you can make terrific shots with 25€ camera. The most important part of the process is scanning. Thank you for subscribing 😻 It really means a lot to me 🫡

[@AardvarkAdventure]

That last section is so true.

[@grainystories]

I was used to the fact that what you get from the lab is the final result, when I was shooting film as a kid no one had a film scanner, let alone Photoshop or something like that 😂 But today is a game changer for sure.

[@anonanon7822]

My pal who are repairing analog cameras for living and worked on few contax t’s said that if it dies it’s most likely be irreparable and you’ll be left with 1000 eur paperweight. And unlike electronic slr’s from 90s they will fail in all possible ways and weren’t made for such long lifespans(most of them are like 30 years old by now)

[@grainystories]

That’s a good point. It’s a lottery for those who can afford, as you said, 1000€ paperweight 😅 Or more precisely: for those who are able to take a risk 🙂

[@anonanon7822]

@@grainystories Just sold my konica big mini when it started shitting itself(like buggy behaviour sometimes) cause of fear of it dying and bought nikon fm with 35mm ai-s lens. Honestly, can’t be more happy

[@grainystories]

@@anonanon7822 I was thinking about Big Mini because of exposure compensation but yeah, they’re kinda faulty. FM is a piece of a good gear 😮

[@spammusubican]

I love the feeling you got from the shots at 4:41 and 4:47, where are those locations?

[@grainystories]

Hey ;) 4:41 is Warsaw, 4:47 Gdynia (Poland)

[@spammusubican]

@@grainystorieslovely, thank you!

[@jovanpantelich]

And 08.25 please? 😊

[@grainystories]

@@jovanpantelich hey 👋 it’s in Tbilisi, Georgia, more specifically right next to Chronicles of Georgia Monument

[@jovanpantelich]

Amazing thank you!

[@fenixlolnope361]

I found an Olympus Stylus infinity Zoom at my thrift shop for 3.50!!!!

[@fenixlolnope361]

Also a shitty Kodak star for 2.50 a Minolta freedom 50 for $3 and some Ansco thingy for $3. We still out here!

[@grainystories]

Why there are no such thrift shops in Poland 🤯

[@fenixlolnope361]

@@grainystories because you guys can get smenas and other Soviet cameras without paying unbelievable shipping I guess xD

[@grainystories]

@@fenixlolnope361 my grandma had Kodak Star back in the 90s. It’s a shitty camera from today’s perspective but it captured so many magic moments 😍

[@fenixlolnope361]

@@grainystories I just developed a roll of hp5 from it.. I love the vibes hehe

[@aphexteknol]

I’m going to recommend 2 hidden gems of the point and shoot world. The Ricoh TF-500 and FF-90. TF-500 is awesome because you get a prime 35mm 2.8 and hit a button and now you’ve got a 70mm to work with. FF-90 (I especially like the Super version, which uses a lithium battery; no AA corrosion to worry about) and you’ve got a prime 35mm again, this time a 5 element version which is rare on P&S cameras. Snag one before everyone else figures out how awesome these are!

[@grainystories]

And there’s +2 exposure adjustment! Wow really good gear 🤩

[@aphexteknol]

@@grainystories tape over your dx codes on your film and itll let you set the ISO too on the FF90! Its honestly super versatile.

[@grainystories]

@@aphexteknol if I found one I would definitely buy it, at least to test it :)

[@emilecrowther7706]

Leica sofort

[@aphexteknol]

@@emilecrowther7706 Leica Sofort? You mean a Fuji Instax with added Leica tax? No thanks, I’ll just have the regular Fujis for cheaper.

[@Cokehead_Drug_Addict_Zelensky]

I have a Canon Sure Shot TELEmax that appears to be the same camera as your Prima 5 - it just has a 70mm zoom option, as well.

[@grainystories]

Yes, Prima name was used for European market ;)