Why film cameras are making a comeback?

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Film cameras at the moment covers only a niche corner in photography market. However, in recent years, their popularity has gone up for the first time after the mass consumption of digital photography.

The major disadvantages of film photography are:

1. Not being able to view the photo immediately after shooting. So no corrective action is possible while being on the spot.
2. Film speed (ISO) is fixed for the whole of shooting. In digital cameras, it is possible to change ISO for every photo depending on lighting condition.
3. Limited photos that can be shot from each roll of film.

However, there are advantages of film photography:

1. Due to limited photos available in each film, you will be forced to think about composition as not to waste film. This can, subjective though, can turn into a better photographer.
2. 35-mm film cameras are cheaper than full frame digital cameras.
3. 35-mm film cameras are often smaller than full frame (or even APS-C) digital cameras. This is because image processing happens outside film camera (during negative development) whereas in a digital camera, manufacturers need to put an image processing mechanism inside the camera. This makes digital cameras larger than film cameras.
4. Flim photos last longer. Printed album is less susceptible to file corruption than digital forms.
5. People are more likely to browse their printed photos compared to digital photos.
6. Some people find hands-on film development more rewarding as hobby.
7. Film cameras have nostalgic values to some people and they feel proud of that. Some shooters also feel film cameras can differentiate them from the digital camera mass crowd.
8. Mechanical film cameras can operate without batteries.
9. Longevity – digital cameras have typical life of 10 years whereas mechanical film camera can lasts over 50 years.

Happy shooting.

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