It’s that time of year again: time to start shopping for your loved ones. Wondering what makes for the best gifts for film photographers who already have it all? Read on to find out!
Photographers aren’t always the easiest people to shop for. We tend to want expensive things, save up for a while, and buy them ourselves. Not only that, but they’re usually specific items that non-photographers don’t often know much about. If you’ve got a film photographer in your life, here are some items and pointers to help you make their holidays special.
Disclaimer: Links in this article may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of these links, I may earn a small commission.
Not keen on shopping through Amazon? I can definitely understand that. However, if you’d like to contribute to the website another way, please consider one of the following: buy a print, buy me a coffee, or donate through PayPal below! Hosting is expensive, and ads don’t come close to covering the cost. Your reading and any contributions are much appreciated!
#1 Best gift for film photographers: Film!
Of course, the option that seems easiest to get would be film. However, for film to be the best gift for film photographers, you’ll need to make sure that you know what type of film their cameras need! The most accessible film and cameras are 35mm. These are the small cassettes of film anyone over 20 years old most likely grew up taking pictures with. Smaller, more portable, and extremely versatile. Check out 35mm film!
The other most common option would be 120 film. This film is nearly twice as wide, provides more resolution and quality, and generally is used in larger camera systems. This was the go to film for professional portrait and wedding photography for ages. People still love it for these qualities, and because the cameras can still be portable and easily used in the field. Check out 120 film!
Now that you’ve sorted out that part, you may still be overwhelmed with options. Of course, you know your loved one better than I do, but here are some ideas. Do they gravitate towards black and white or color? Do they tend to enjoy more experimental photos or more polished work? Myself? I enjoy more polished films but quite enjoy trying new ones.
#2 Best gift for film photographers: Film cases
Now that you’ve given the best gifts for film photographers in the form of film, why not something to put it in? I purchased the above film case from Lomography. That said, there are a ton of other options out there. Kodak has some super cool, retro looking film cases. There are soft film cases, waterproof film cases, and large film cases. Consider where your film photographer goes and how they like to carry their gear.
#3 Best gift for a film photographer: Scanner
Of all the best gifts for film photographers, scanners will be the most expensive gift I recommend. Scanning ones own film is a great way to reduce the costs of being a film photographer. Not only that, but it also gives the photographer much better control over how the scans look. A high quality 35mm scanner like the Plustek Opticfilm 8200i pictured above can compete with lab scans for detail.
If your film photographer is into 120/medium format film or larger, things get a little more complicated. Plustek makes the Opticfilm 120, which I have and adore. It’s amazing for both 35mm and 120 film, but is extremely pricey. Pacific Image makes the PrimeFilm 120 Pro Plus, but I have no experience with it and reviews are questionable in terms of reliability.
On the more budget side, the Epson V600 is a very popular option. It can handle all types of 35mm and 120 film. With custom film holders, it can even do more custom scans, like sprocket holes for the experimental film photographers. The downside is that they can’t capture the detail of the Plustek. They do pretty darn well with 120 film, but can’t quite keep up for 35mm. Another plus though, is that they are capable of scanning prints, instant film, and documents. That makes having one around quite handy!
#4 Best gift for film photographers: Instant Cameras
If the film enthusiast in your life doesn’t already have one, they’ll love this gift idea. Instant film cameras are still a special kind of analog magic. Taking a photo and watching it develop in front of your eyes is a wonder to behold. It’s a strange kind of modern alchemy that we all know and love. As a gift idea, though, I have a few suggestions to keep in mind.
There are really only four brands of instant film camera that I would recommend. Mint, Polaroid, Fujifilm Instax, and Lomography all build reliable and capable cameras. If your film photographer would prefer more professional controls, nix the Fujifilm brand cameras. They’re great fun, but severely lacking in manual control.
Mint makes by far the most manual (and expensive) instant film cameras. Polaroid has a little bit of something for everyone, but their film cost is high. Lomography sits in the middle somewhere. Their instant film cameras provide a bit of control, some have higher quality lenses, and they all use Fuji Instax film (which is more affordable and can be found at stores like Wal-Mart and Target quite easily).
#5 Best gift for film photographers: Flash
Learning to use a flash is a sure-fire way to increase photo quality in tough situations. Indoor family moments, portraiture, product photography, and many other situations greatly benefit from it. Now, this is an article about the best gifts for film photographers, so let’s make sure the flash fits the bill.
Godox makes a super cool line of flashes called “Lux”. The Godox Lux flashes are designed to look retro and work with all kinds of cameras. Not only that, but they have different sizes for all tastes and situations. Generally speaking, the larger ones will offer more power and versatility at the expense of more bulk. No matter which one you choose, though, they’re crazy cool and capable tools!
Bonus idea: Tripod
As a last minute addition to my suggestions, a tripod is an extremely handy tool for any photographer to have. It at least deserves an honorable mention on my list of best gifts for a film photographer. It’s almost necessary to have a tripod for serious landscape work. They’re also super handy for family photographs. Lastly, if your photographer likes to do up close and personal macro work, a tripod is a necessity.
I’ve been personally lusting over this Benro Cyanbird travel tripod ever since the store I work in started carrying them. It’s crazy lightweight, compact, and portable, yet super stable in use. The included FS30 ball-head is probably the coolest ball-head I’ve used yet. Once you lock it in, there is a small knob you can loosen that allows for the plate to smoothly pan. If your film photographer also uses digital or does video work, it’s an incredibly handy feature to have.
These are my top 5 ideas for the best gifts for film photographers!
If you’ve made it this far into my guide, thank you! I hope that these ideas have given you some help in your hunt for the perfect gift. Hopefully, the film photographer in your life will love one or several of these gifts. I’ve tried to include things that would work for most photographers and a few things that my friends and I personally think are super cool. I hope that you and yours have an incredible holiday season!
If you’ve found this guide or other posts on my website helpful, please continue to check out my other film photography related blog posts here! Also, consider returning to the top of this post and checking out my blurb on ways you can help support the blog. Thanks again for stopping by!