The 8 Best Manual Focus Film cameras (2023 reviews)

With just a few buttons and a single film roll, the Kodak M35 is easy to operate and produces beautiful, vibrant images again and again. It works just like it has a range of disposable cameras, the Kodak M35 has fixed focus lens, manual film winding and rewinding and a switch to turn flash on / off. It will crank out the same grainy, infinite depth of field, flat colored, probably underexposed photos again and again.

The real star of the show is the simplicity of this camera. It’s so cute and easy to set up. The fixed aperture and shutter speed with no light sensor makes this in essence a disposable camera with capability. It is easy to use film camera and it is light weight but a good quality camera for the money.

Why We Like This:

Really great for a basic camera
Compatible with 35mm color negative or black&white film
Easily to load film into, and easy to use
Affordable way to get into film photography

Best For professional: Kodak Manual Focus Film Camera

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The new classic, kodak ektar h35 half frame camera is ideal for photographers looking to reduce film usage and related costs. It’s really easy to just pass the camera to a friend who is inexperienced with this camera, as it's pretty much wind, point, and shoot. It is safe to say that this thing performs really well outdoors on a sunny day.

This camera is a basic camera, like used to be common in the old film era. It has a single shutter speed of 1/100 of a second. The flash itself needs a AAA battery and works great. The camera itself is manual, just use the film advance wheel to cock shutter and then take a picture with the shutter button. It is not a professional camera, but it's a great alternative to disposables.

Why We Like This:

You can have twice as many images per roll
2 -element optical grade acrylic lens
Calming and just a pleasure to look at

Best For young adult: Kodak M35 Reusable Film Camera

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This is a traditional 35mm film camera that requires film to be processed by a professional lab. This camera, you have to use a tiny crank at the bottom to manually wind the entire film back into the canister. It’s a bit hard to load film but isn’t a problem once you get the hang of it.

This specific camera is much more for show than quality of pictures. The standard load sizes are 24 or 36 exposers per roll. The wiring is crooked so it doesn’t always set off the flash. It is very easy to use if you follow the instructions. This camera is good value for the money considering the cost of disposable cameras.

Why We Like This:

Super cute and you will love how the photos look
Outdoor pics are fantastic if you have lots of light
Good investment for long term

Best For either colors: RETO Manual Focus Film Camera

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Not everyone likes to purchase camera for their regular usage, but the reto manual focus film camera would be an anomoly. It is perfect for street snapshots to record your bright, everyday life. It comes with a 22mm ultra wide lens, so you can create much more wide and spectacular landscape. It is suitable for 35mm negatives and slides, either colors or b&w. The shutter mechanism is mechanical operated by a spring. It is easy to use and control for every film use, even beginners. It is ideal for portrait shooting, and ultra wide and slim allows you to take photos with all your friends all inside the images.

Why We Like This:

Focus free lens makes your shooting experiences more simple
Pocket-size camera which weights only 68.8g
Enjoy the fun and high-quality shooting moment with reto ultra wide and slim
2 -element optical grade acrylic lenses

Best For slides: RETO Manual Focus Film Camera

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate camera. The reto manual focus film camera is exactly that - it's a simple camera that hits all the right notes. If you’re a beginner who’s okay with shooting outdoors during the day mainly, this camera is perfect for you. It comes with a 22mm ultra wide lens, so you can create much more wide and spectacular landscape. It is suitable for 35mm negatives and slides, either colors or b&w.

This camera is mainly for outdoors with bright sunlight. It is for portrait shooting, and ultra wide and slim allows you to take photos with all your friends all inside the images. The viewfinder only captures 70% of the final image, so watch your fingers. It is easy to use and control for every film use, even beginners.

Why We Like This:

Capture wide views and put everything in the picture
Enjoy the fun and high-quality shooting moment with reto ultra wide and slim
Pocket-size camera which weights only 68.8g
Focus free lens makes your shooting experiences more simple

Best With timer: Ilford Manual Focus Film Camera

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The ilford manual focus film camera is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your regular usage. This camera shoots all the photos you may need for memories. It uses film that needs to be developed by a professional film lab. It has a fixed shutter speed (1/120s) with a 31mm, single element f/9 fixed-focus wide-angle lens, perfect for capturing most well-focused daylight scenes. It has a manual film advance winding lever to move through each exposure and rewind the roll when the film is finished.

It’s made of plastic and is very simple to use. It’s a $50 reusable entry-level point and shoot.

Why We Like This:

Beautiful vintage shots for people who want to have images that last
Flash works, very lightweight, film loads and unloads nicely
Good brand reputation

Best With reel: Kodak Film Camera

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It's basically a disposable camera that is reloadable. It’s super easy to use, lightweight, and small enough to take with you wherever you’d like. You can load any 35mm film that you want into this camera, however, it does have a fixed shutter speed and fixed aperture, so lower ISO films are best for middle of the day shooting. It also has smudges on the back which don’t clean off.

It’s compact, durable and easy to use. This camera does not transfer photos directly from the camera because it is not a digital camera. It’s basically a disposable camera that is reloadable.

Why We Like This:

Super cute and film loading was easy
Very good when there is a lot of light in the day time
Just fun for some film/nostalgia factor

Best With Film roll: Corex Manual Focus Film Camera

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The corex manual focus film camera's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. Just like it’s range of disposable cameras, the M35 has a fixed focus lens, manual film winding and rewinding and switch to turn flash On/Off.

Why We Like This: