9 Fun, Cheap 35mm Film Cameras for Beginners

1. Long Weekend Reusable 35mm Film Camera

The Creator-Made Camera With a Gorgeous Design

This creator-made camera is the hottest new item to launch since the Ilford Spirte or Ektar H35 film camera. Photographer and personal friend, Willem Verbeeck, created this magical $50 film camera for those who want to document our memories easily and pressure-free. It sports a beautiful design in line with Long Weekend's design philosophy and is stripped down to the essentials without the fluffy features or specs.

Get real and tangible with the its focus-free 31mm, F9 optical grade acrylic lens, a manual wind and rewind feature, and a built-in flash that lights up with its quick 10-15 second recycle time. Easily keep track of your shots with the film viewing window, and gawk at the large 70% field view through the sharp viewfinder. Powered by a single AAA alkaline battery, pop in it, and you're ready to roll.

Brand: Long Weekend

Product Type: Reusable 35mm film camera.

Unique Feature: Cute as hell.

Best For: Flashy outdoor shots with those who like good-looking cameras.

2. 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 easily meet the needs of those experimenting with 35mm film and looking for a camera that’s ‘no frills’. 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 – great for capturing well-focused daily outings, 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... anything. It has higher image quality than most on this list and is a huge best-seller.

3. Kodak EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera

The Best For Vibrnat Images (Plus MORE Images!)

The super fun H35 Half Frame Camera is great for photographers looking to reduce film waste, capture on the go, and be sustainable. And because it's a half-frame, 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, baby.

It features a built-in flash and a small-and-light body designed to be extra handy when needed. 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 or Trader Joes run.

Brand: Kodak

Product Type: Reusable Film Camera

Unique Features: Half-frame, meaning 72 shots.

Best For: Adventure, travel, and a night out with friends. A lighter option for those wanting bright, colorful images. Plus... MORE PICTURES.

4. Holga 135BC 35mm Bent Corners Film Camera

The Best Toy Camera For Experimental Nostalgia

Forget the apps on your phone that make those fake effects — this plastic sweetheart from Holga is the toy camera for people who prefer light leaks, minor soft focus, and retro vignetting. Due to its simple and cheap shell, this camera has become one of the most iconic toy cameras on the market. Its flaws are what make it purchase-worthy. And 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 outlandish.

5. Diana Mini & Flash

The Stylish Starter For Flash Lovers

The Diana Family's little plastic winner is bundled with a Diana F+ Flash to keep your 35mm half-frame shots perfectly exposed. With the flick of a little switch, you can move from the retro square format to the half-frame format, allowing you to take 72 shots on one 35mm film roll (just like the EKTAR H35!).

There are Multiple and Long Exposure features, a tripod mount, and a cable release attachment to dig deeper. Plus, it looks super cute for those who care about product aesthetics.

Brand: Lomography

Product Type: Reusable film camera w/ flash

Unique Features: Has long exposure and double exposure modes, way more creative features than the others on the list!

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

6. Simple Use Color Negative AQUA 35mm

The Take-Anywhere Waterproof Camera w/ Flash

Preloaded with Color Negative 400, this handy dandy 35mm will follow its you to the depth on the earth — literally. Dress it up for underwater adventures because it's 100% waterproof, a geat buy if you're headed to Hawaii or Belize. Reload color film any time, have fun with a fixed 31MM lens focal length, and snap happily with the built-in flash. It's not the highest quality, but who cares, you're taking film underwater!

Brand: Lomography

Product Type: Reusable Camera

Unique Feature: Waterproof!

Best For: A simple camera ready to go out of the box for those who like to get wet.

7. B&W Simple Use Camera

Best For Monochrome Lovers

Another banger from Lomography, this black-and-white snapper is preloaded with Lomography Lady Grey ISO 400 film (I love that name). It's perfect for beginners wanting a monochrome solution to capturing portraits or everyday shots. The flash helps you take photos in darker situations, and you can 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: Preloaded with black and white film.

Best For: Monochrome lovers who value black and white grain, contrast, and emotion.

8. QuickSnap Flash 400

The Ole Reliable

This is the go-to disposable camera for party-goers and memory-keepsakes. Its classic outer green design is recognized everywhere in convenience stores, but better to stock up with Moment and save your worries (wink, lol). The median ISO 400 is great for everyday use in most lighting situations, meaning you never have 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: Those looking for a vibrant disposable camera with flash and automatic settings.

9. Professional Tri-X 400 Single-Use Camera

The Easy and Disposable, For Monochrome Lovers

Another easy disposable solution for a 35mm film camera, but in black and white. Its classic monochrome film gives you maximum push-ability when wanted while its wide exposure latitude leverages even the most challenging lighting situations (oddly pretty manual for something so cheap).

Brand: Kodak

Product Type: Disposable Camera

Unique Features: Disposable and monochrome.

Best For: An easy single-use option to test the black-and-white waters.