5 Tips for Choosing the Right Lens for Your Film Camera

Film photography has made a comeback in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Some photographers prefer the challenge of working with film to capture their images, while others appreciate the retro aesthetic and nostalgia that comes along with shooting on film. Whatever your reason for wanting to learn how to shoot film, you’ll need to consider which type of camera and lens are right for you.

1) Know your purpose

The lens you choose will depend on your purposes as a photographer. The more you know about yourself, your preferences, and what you plan to shoot with your camera, the easier it will be to choose. For example, if you have aspirations of shooting vintage prints or films, your best bet is probably a prime lens (one that doesn’t zoom) with a wide aperture and large f-stop.

2) Get lens recommendations from others

Decide if you really need a prime lens. If you’re a beginner, there’s a good chance you don’t know how to use different lens features and may even struggle with your depth of field. It’s better to start out by purchasing a zoom lens or by buying a kit that already has one included. This will allow you to experiment with different lenses before making a big investment in additional glass.

3) Decide if you really need a prime lens

If you’re interested in vintage film photography, you should ask others what lenses they use. Someone who has been using film cameras longer than you likely has some great suggestions on what lens to get started with. They’ll also be able to tell you how lenses interact with specific film formats, too. It will be especially helpful if they’ve used a variety of film cameras or have professional experience with these products.

4) For prime lenses, don’t go too wide or too long

For many of us, a prime lens’ biggest advantage is also its biggest weakness: it has only one focal length. Because of that, it may be tempting to go extremely wide or extremely long (such as with 15mm and 200mm). However, these lenses often aren’t terribly versatile because they don’t offer you the ability to zoom in and out. If you want to get creative with your photographs, consider getting a standard-length lens (50mm) instead.

5) Check out used options

If you’re looking to invest in a new lens, but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on an expensive piece of equipment, consider buying used. There are plenty of sites online where users sell their lenses, which saves you money and helps keep your gear in circulation. Check out companies like Nikon Film or eBay to find some really good deals. However, before purchasing a used piece of equipment, make sure you inspect it closely and know what you’re getting into.