If you’re as old as I am, you might remember your mum giving you a Kodak disposable camera to take to school camp. I remember holding on to my camera like a precious jewel. Even then, I knew that there was something very special about capturing moments on film – even if I can’t remember now what moment I was trying to capture in the series of photos with my thumb covering the lens. If it’s been a while since you picked up a film camera (or, like me, you never graduated beyond a disposable), these tips, made with expert help from photographer Sarah Pannell, will gently guide you through the process. No pretentious film bros allowed.WHY SHOOT FILM? In a world where almost everyone has an ultra-HD camera integrated right into their phone, many are looking to film photography for something a bit different. The slow, deliberate ritual of framing a shot, pressing the shutter, then waiting to see the results is a deeply rewarding one. “Aesthetically speaking I prefer the tone and texture you can achieve through shooting film,” Sarah explains. “Particularly with colour film, the higher-quality film stocks can be incredibly forgiving and versatile. I’ve always been drawn to the surprise that comes with the process, although this might not always be practical. I also like the finite nature of film photography; what might seem like a limitation to some, I find value in.”

WHERE DO I BUY A FILM CAMERA? While disposable cameras have a fond place in our memories and are a budget-friendly option in the short term, it’s probably better to invest in a cheap, small film camera according to Sarah. “Disposable cameras are accessible but are rather wasteful. If you’re planning to shoot more than a few rolls, you’re better off spending your money on a cheap point-and-shoot which you can reload with film.”

Facebook Marketplace and eBay will be your best friends on your search. There are plenty of cameras to choose from, and many listings will also attach images taken on the camera so you can get a feel for the snaps it will produce. You can also look up the camera’s make and model online before purchasing, to check what kind of film it takes or if there are any common issues with the product.

Try to purchase from reputable sellers with high ratings – getting a film camera repaired can be tricky and could end up costing more than the camera is worth. Remember, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on your first camera. You also don’t want to waste expensive film on a broken camera. Sarah reckons you should always test your new purchase with a cheap roll of film first, in case there are any issues.WHAT KIND OF CAMERA SHOULD I GET? In general, there are three different types of film cameras: SLRs (single-lens reflex), rangefinders and compacts. Compacts are your typical point-and-shoot cameras that we mentioned earlier, and while their automated settings make them super-easy to use (they’re great for quickly snapping fun, candid moments on holiday), they usually offer less control over how you shoot.

SLRs are bigger, heavier and have interchangeable lenses (depending on what effect you’re after, a different lens will help you get there). They also have more options for manual shooting so you’ll definitely want to cover the basics before you get your hands on one of these – they’re a fair bit more expensive than compacts, too. SLRs give you full control over things like focus, depth of field, shutter speed and more.

Rangefinders sit somewhere between compacts and SLRs, and can have a bit of a steep learning curve to them as they don’t really have a digital ‘equivalent’ like the DSLR. They’re smaller than SLRs but have more manual controls than a compact. You might also want to keep in mind the kind of film your camera will take. The most accessible film size is 35mm – more on this later.WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT A MANUAL CAMERA? So you’re keen to dive into the deep end and go with an SLR or rangefinder film camera. Awesome! There are a few terms you’ll want to brush up on first. Focus is the sharpest area of the image – you definitely want the main subject of your photo to be in focus. Aperture is a hole in your camera’s lens that can change shape depending on how much light you want to let in. The f-stop is how we measure the camera’s aperture, which, when changed, will change your photo’s depth of field. Shutter speed is exactly what it sounds like: how quickly the camera shutter will close to take the image. A super-fast shutter speed is handy for, say, getting a crisp image of someone running, while a slower speed might create an artistic ‘motion blur’ effect (but be careful, you could overexpose your film). Your shutter speed determines how much light comes into the camera – too slow and you’ll end up with a washed-out, overexposed image; too fast and you’ll end up with a darker picture. Knowing the sweet spot for the conditions you’re shooting in will take time (this also depends on your film speed).

Sarah says learning on a digital SLR camera can be helpful when practising shooting on manual. “If you have access to one, it can’t hurt to practise shooting using manual settings to get your head around aperture and shutter speed.”Snaps by Sarah Pannell

To read the rest of this guide, which covers everything you need to know about film, as well as some inspiration and handy resources, nab a copy of issue 111 by swinging past the frankie shop, or visiting one of our lovely stockists.