{"id":87,"date":"2026-11-03T17:09:05","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T10:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woocommerce.ltheme.com\/lt-darkroom\/film-camera-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-11-03T17:09:05","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T10:09:05","slug":"film-camera-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/woocommerce.ltheme.com\/lt-darkroom\/film-camera-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The darkroom guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n

The darkroom guide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your first film camera, explained<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Formats, grades, what we test, which lens fits, which film to load and how develop and scan works. Keep it open while you choose.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Format guide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

35mm or medium format?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both use the same light and the same chemistry. The difference is the size of each frame, and how many you get on a roll.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"Diagram<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

35mm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The small, light format most film cameras use. Cheaper per shot, quick to load and easy to carry every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Frame size<\/p>\n\n\n\n

24 \u00d7 36 mm<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Shots per roll<\/p>\n\n\n\n

24 or 36<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Film<\/p>\n\n\n\n

35mm cassette<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Good for<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel, street, everyday<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
Shop 35mm cameras<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Diagram<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Medium format<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bigger frames on 120 roll film: more detail, smoother tones and a slower, more careful way of shooting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Frame size<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 \u00d7 4.5 to 6 \u00d7 9 cm<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Shots per roll<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 to 16<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Film<\/p>\n\n\n\n

120 roll<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Good for<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portraits, landscape, studio<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
Shop medium format<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Frame sizes are nominal; the exact image area differs a little from camera to camera (sample guide).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Condition grading<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three grades, described honestly<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
See all cameras<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Grades describe how a camera looks, never how it works: every grade passes the same test sheet. Each listing shows photos of the camera you will get.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

01A<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Clean<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

A<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barely used<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Grade A: near mint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n