Even in the Insta age, film photography captivates with a tactile nature that engages all the senses, from the click of the shutter to the smell of developer to the weight and texture of the finished prints. Plus, the physical process captures light in a way that imparts images with a distinctive character and depth, creating an ethereal quality that’s hard to replicate digitally. Here, five cameras that keep the faith.
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For the Medium-Format Fan: Hasselblad 500 C/M
Image Credit: Courtesy of Hasselblad A medium-format camera for the ages, the Hasselblad 500 C/M features modular construction that offered new levels of versatility and customization when introduced. The camera, which can now run upwards of $2,500 (depending on configuration and condition), is renowned for its Carl Zeiss lenses and famed for delivering stunning sharpness, clarity, and rich tonal range. Its waist-level viewfinder enables precise composition and immersion in the scene while its robust build quality ensures stalwart reliability. The heft, smooth operation of the controls, and satisfying click of the shutter combine to make using the camera—a true statement piece—feel like handling a workable sculpture.
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For the Perfectionist: Leica M6
Image Credit: Courtesy of Leica The newly reinvented Leica M6 is a 35 mm camera that blends tradition with modern technology to deliver exceptional image quality. With its refined and reliable rangefinder (itself composed of 100 different parts), it requires you to focus via a split image that must be aligned manually, ensuring greater engagement with the subject. The latest M6, starting at $5,295, retains the classic design and mechanical excellence that made the original an icon and presents a compact form factor and a level of craftsmanship that promises lasting durability.
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For the Road Warrior: Alpa 12 SWA
Image Credit: Courtesy of Alpa A highly coveted medium-format camera, the Alpa 12 SWA (Shift Wide Angle) is made with Swiss precision, incorporating both exceptional optics and meticulously engineered movements. Priced around $7,000, the 12 SWA offers 25 mm of rise and fall for perspective correction, making it an invaluable tool for architectural and landscape photographers whose work demands such control. As for viewfinders, even an iPhone can fit the bill when used with the Alpa’s Smart Device Holder MII and eFinder II app. Weighing just 1.41 pounds, including handles, this highly portable shooter is ideal for travel, whether you’re a professional or just a savvy enthusiast.
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For the Studio Specialist: Linhof Master Technika 4 x 5
Image Credit: Courtesy of Linhof A benchmark in the world of large-format cameras, the approximately $8,000 (sans lens) Linhof Master Technika 4 x 5 offers unparalleled control over perspective and focus thanks to extensive movements that include 30 degrees of front and rear tilt, 15 degrees of swing, a 55 mm rise, and 40 mm of shift. The bellows extension provides for a wide range of lenses, while the accurate viewfinder enables precise composition and focusing. Whether used in the studio or on location, this camera delivers consistently impeccable capture.
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For the Collector: Mamiya 7 II
Image Credit: Courtesy of Mamiya The Mamiya 7 II is a beloved medium- format camera that has been embraced by landscape and street photographers alike since it came on the scene in 1999, thanks especially to its intuitive controls, discreet shutter action, and highly regarded 65 mm, 80 mm, and 150 mm lens options (with more available). With the flick of a lever, the 6 x 7 rangefinder also allows for multiple images to be exposed on a single frame and can be fitted with an optional adapter to shoot 35 mm panoramas. As film photography experiences a resurgence in popularity, the discontinued Mamiya 7 II—which can now fetch up to $6,000 in mint condition—is garnering quite a following among collectors.
