In an era where digital cameras can shoot at lightning speed and AI can retouch images before you even see them there’s something grounding about holding a mechanical 35mm film camera. The click of the mechanical shutter, the winding of film, the anticipation of waiting for your shots to be developed. It's not just photography, it's more about the process and moments.

For photographers, journalists, musicians, and creators alike, 35mm film cameras aren't just any cameras. They’re storytellers in storytelling. Whether you are shooting album covers for artists, capturing cities, travelling, taking portraits. Here are some of the most iconic 35mm film cameras worth experiencing. These are not in order of any rank.

Nikon F3 – The Journalists
● Price range: 800-1000 usd (approx)
● Why it’s loved: First seen in the 1980s, the Nikon F3 was the camera of choice for photojournalists. Built like a tank, with full manual control and a beautiful viewfinder, it holds its value till today in 2025.
● Human touch: The F3 isn’t just a camera; it’s a passport. War photographers carried it through conflict zones, travel writers through ancient cities. Its reliability is super legendary.

These cameras are not officially available in countries like India today, and sourcing one can be expensive. Many photographers here are turning to film camera rental platforms like Rentkar in India to experience them.

Nikon FM2 – The timeless
● Price range: 500-800 usd (approx)
● Why it’s loved: Fully mechanical, no batteries required -except for the light meter, and capable of shutter speeds up to 1/4000 ahead of its time.
● Human touch: The FM2 is the kind of camera you can take into the mountains or to a dusty music festival and still count on to deliver. It’s not flashy, its real.

Canon AE-1 Program – The Easygoers
● Price range: 300-400 usd (approx)
● Why it’s loved: One of the first cameras to bring automation to the masses. Beginners love its Program mode,pros love it as a dependable backup. The AE-1 feels like a Sunday morning,easy, reliable, and full of quiet charm.

Leica M6 – The Legendary
● Price: 3000-5000 usd (rare)
● Why it’s loved: Impeccable build and colours, every frame looks like its painted
● Human touch: The M6 is subtle agent, quiet but powerful. If you want the best, this is the one.

Olympus OM-1 – Beginnings
● Price range: 200 usd (used market)
● Why it’s loved: Compact and excellent Zuiko lenses. The OM-1 is a favourite among traveling creatives.
● Human touch: It’s the one you’d slip into your bag before a train journey, just in case the light is perfect at 5:30pm.

Special Mentions for cameras that are digitally filmed.
While these classics are not replaceable, photographers, story tellers, journalists, and musicians are finding ways to blend film with digital flexibility with Fujifilm and Camera LUTs which are famous today.

Fujifilm X100VI – Digital Soul, Film Heart
● Price range: 1499 usd (new)
● The X100VI isn’t a film camera, but it channels film’s essence through Fujifilm’s amazing film like simulations Velvia, Provia, Acros. It’s compact, quiet, and perfect for documentary-style shooting. If you are not looking to spend heavily for a camera that you may not use often you can also check out rent dslr camera around you. Rental services also give you access to Sony m4 cameras which are one of the best modern hybrid cameras.

At the end of the day, these cameras, whether mechanical Film cameras like the Nikon F3 or digital storytellers like the Fujifilm X100VI, remind us that photography isn’t just about sharpness or specs. It’s about the way a moment feels when you capture it and the way you lean into a scene.For some, owning these classics are a lifelong dream, a piece of history to cherish and pass down to the coming future, super intact. For others, it’s enough to borrow them for a journey, projects and timeless moments