9 Fun, Super Affordable 35mm Film Cameras for Beginners

Want to shoot film but not break the bank? We hear you. Here’s our top 9 cheap and easy 35mm film cameras for every beginner film photographer.

Kodak EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera Lifestyle 02

Film photography has modern artists in a chokehold.

It’s a medium of patience and labor while being the subject of a hot, debated issue of potential price gauging. In this day and age, it has become increasingly difficult to purchase various film stocks, whether that be 35mm or 120 films. Smaller, compact cameras that were once budgetary are now 3x as expensive. We at Moment like to make art more accessible for those who want to get their feet wet, so we tested and used a variety of super affordable cameras for beginners. Below is a list of highly cheap cameras to use if you want something less serious. Take a gander and see what you like between our top 9.

⚡️Bonus! Use code SECRETFILM to save 5% on orders with $250+ of film or film gear.

ILFORD SPRITE 35-II Camera

The Best Selling

This bad boy is one of the more popular (and super cheap) options for those wanting to jump into analog. The Sprite 35-II will meet the needs of those experimenting with 35mm film and looking for a camera that’s ‘no frills’ simple. It’s a step up from disposable cameras and being reusable; it won’t create extra waste. The camera has a fixed shutter speed (1/120s) with a 31mm, single element f9 fixed-focus wide-angle lens, perfect for capturing most well-focused daylight scenes, and also features a built-in flash with a 15-second recycle time for nighttime shooting.

Brand: Ilford

Product Type: Reusable 35mm film camera.

Unique Feature: Fixed-Focus Wide-Angle Lens Optical Viewfinder.

Best For: The perfect camera for really... anything. Higher image quality than most on this list and is a huge best-seller.

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Ilford

Sprite 35-II Reusable 35mm Film Camera

Dip your toes into film photography with the Ilford Sprite 35-II! A really fun and affordable way to start experimenting with 35mm film

Buy for $36.99

Kodak EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera

The Best For Vibrant, Poppy Images

The super fun KODAK EKTAR H35 Half Frame Camera is ideal for photographers looking to reduce film usage, capture your memories at a moment's notice, and remain sustainable.  Best Part? You can have twice as many images per roll; for example, a film roll with 36 exposures can yield around 72 half-frame photos - doubled! It features a built-in flash and a small-and-light body designed to be extra handy when you need it most. Sporting Kodak's famous name, this is the perfect option for those wanting a fun camera to fit in the fanny pack at your next music festival.

Brand: Kodak

Product Type: Reusable Film Camera

Unique Features: Insanely easy to use and ports bright colors for super poppy images.

Best For: Adventure, travel, street. A lighter option for those wanting bright, vibrant images.

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Kodak

EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera

Wanna maximize your film roll? The EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera doubles your images per roll using half of each frame per shot. Reduce cost, shoot more!

Buy for $49.99

Holga 135BC 35mm Bent Corners Film Camera

The Best Toy Camera For Experimental Nostalgia

This plastic sweetheart from Holga is the nostalgic toy camera for craters who prefer light leaks, minor soft focus, and retro vignetting to create distinctive photographs. Due to its simple and affordable design, this camera has become one of the most iconic toy cameras on the market. The unique traits that define Holga's reusable camera line would be considered flaws in any other camera. But that's why everyone loves it! 

Brand: Holga

Product Type: Reusable 35mm Film Camera

Unique Features: Funky features for light leaks and vignettes; quite the experimental approach.

Best For: A fun option to bring to a party, or for those wanting something different or outlandsih.

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Holga

Holga 135BC 35mm Bent Corners Film Camera

Looking for that retro film vibe? The Holga 135BC will create absolutely distinctive photographs with retro vignetting, minor soft focus, in a fun package.

Buy for $59.99

Holga 120 N Camera with Hotshoe

The Most Affordable 120 Film Camera... Ever?

The Holga 120N is one of the most iconic toy cameras, distinguished by its exceptional image quality, simple design, and basic controls. This particular capturing tool is most recognized for its standard-length 60mm f/8 plastic lens, which produces a soft, dream-like look, further highlighted by the inherent vignetting and light leaks created by the plastic body and simplistic construction. Simple to use but produces insane results. Plus, this might be the cheapest 120 cameras on the current market.

Brand: Holga

Product Type: Reusable Film Camera

Unique Features: The fixed 60mm lens for bokeh-licious portraits and style.

Best For: Those wanting a more elevated 120 film camera at a super affordable price.

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Holga

Holga 120N Medium Format Film Camera with Hotshoe

Looking for that retro film vibe? The Holga 120 N produces a soft, dream-like look, which is further highlighted by the inherent vignetting and light leaks.

Buy for $39.99

Diana Mini & Flash

The Stylish Starter For Flash Lovers

Get flashy and spunky with the popular Diana Mini camera from Lomography. The Diana Family's little plastic winner is bundled with a Diana F+ Flash to keep your dreamy 35mm squares and half-frame shots in all lighting conditions. With the flick of a little switch, you can move from the retro square format to the fantastic half-frame format, giving you the ability to take 72 shots on one 35mm film roll. There are Multiple and Long Exposure features, a tripod mount, and a cable release attachment to further enhance creative possibilities. Plus, it looks super cute for those who care about product aesthetics.

Brand: Lomography

Product Type: Reusable film camera w/ flash

Best For: Experimental shots and fun vibes for flash lovers.

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Lomography

Diana Mini & Flash 35mm Reusable Film Camera

You know you wanna get flashy! Do it with the Diana Mini! The Diana Family's little plastic sweetheart is now bundled up with a Diana F+ Flash

Buy for $99.00

Simple Use Color Negative AQUA 35mm

The Take-Anywhere Waterproof Camera w/ Flash

Preloaded with Color Negative 400, this intrepid image maker will follow its owner to the ends of the earth and capture their analog adventures in dazzling color — dress it up for underwater exploration and down for on-land occasions too. Reload color film any time, have fun with a fixed 31MM lens focal length, and snap happily with the built-in flash.

Brand: Lomography

Product Type: Reusable Camera

Unique Feature: Rugged, waterproof, and pre-loaded with Color Negative 400 film.

Best For: Simple camera ready to go out of the box for those who like to get down and dirty.

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Lomography

Simple Use Color Negative 35mm Reusable Film Camera

Dip your toes into film photography with the Lomography Simple Use Film Camera! Reloadable, preloaded with funky 35mm film, has Color Gel flash filters. Fun!

Buy for $29.99

B&W Simple Use Camera

Another banger from Lomography _ this black & white Simple Use Camera is preloaded with Lomography Lady Grey ISO 400 film. It is perfect for beginners wanting a monochrome solution to capturing memories. Capture in low-light situations with the help of its flash, and reload with any film you want to get the best bang for your buck. 

Brand: Lomography

Product Type: Reusable B&W Film Camera

Unique Feature: A black-and-white capturing solution for those wanting a moody memory bank.

Best For: Monochrome lovers.

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Lomography

Simple Use B&W 35mm Reusable Film Camera

Analog madness at your disposal! The Lomography Black & White Simple Use Camera is preloaded with Lomography Lady Grey ISO 400 film

Buy for $19.99

QuickSnap Flash 400

The Ole Reliable

A convenient disposable camera for indoor and outdoor shooting, the QuickSnap Flash 400 from Fujifilm is loaded with a 27-exposure roll of Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 color negative film for bright, vivid results in a variety of lighting conditions. This is the go-to camera for party-goers and memory-keepers. Its classic outer green design is recognized everywhere in convenience stores, but why not stock up from our online inventory? The median ISO 400 is ideal for everyday use in most lighting situations, meaning you never happy to worry about getting a dull shot. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy.

Brand: Fujifilm

Product Type: Disposable Camera

Unique Features: The 400 ISO in tandem with a built-in flash means a good shot anytime, anywhere.

Best For: Everyone looking for a vibrant disposable camera that offers flash and automatic settings.

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Fujifilm

QuickSnap Flash 400 Single Use Film Camera

Looking for a convenient disposable camera for use in indoor and outdoor shooting situations? The QuickSnap Flash 400 from Fujifilm is loaded with 27-exposures

Buy for $16.99

Professional Tri-X 400 Single-Use Camera

The Easy and Disposable, For Monochrome Lovers

An easy disposable solution to 35mm film camera, but in black-and-white. This classic monochrome film perpetuates maximum push-ability when wanted, while its wide exposure latitude leverages even the most challenging lighting situations. And the distinctive grain structure adds a level of realism as dramatic and profound as you envision.

Brand: Kodak

Product Type: Disposable Camera

Unique Features: For monochrome lovers and for those wanting a single-use option to test the black-and-white waters.

Best For: Photographers wanting a detailed yet textured film camera to boast moody imagery for any fine art project.

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Kodak

Professional Tri-X 400 Single Use Camera

Dip your toes into Black & White film photography! Try the Tri-X 400 Single Use Camera without commitments featuring the best selling B&W film on the market

Buy for $14.99

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