The allure of film photography is undeniable, and it’s a journey many skateboarders embark on at some point. Whether it’s through a simple disposable camera, a hand-me-down, or a formal class, the charm of 35mm film is hard to resist. But once you’re hooked, choosing the right camera can feel overwhelming. With countless options on platforms like eBay and a sea of technical video reviews, the question arises: Which camera is the perfect fit for you?
To help ease this confusion, we’ve reached out to some of skateboarding’s most respected photographers. They’ve generously shared their personal film camera setups and offered insights into why they love their chosen gear. While there’s no guarantee that mimicking their setups will lead to instant magazine cover fame, it’s certainly a great starting point to find the best film camera for your needs.
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Matt Price
What’s your current film camera setup?
My go-to camera is the Widelux, a swing-lens panoramic camera.
Why is this your camera of choice right now?
It allows me to focus less on perfection and more on capturing the moment, letting me simply push the button and create.
What features make it special?
The Widelux exposes images using a swing motion, allowing for unique movement and warping effects when you slow down the shutter. It’s reminiscent of fisheye shots, but without any strobes. Plus, its fixed focal length means you don’t have to worry about focusing, making shooting fast and easy.
What subject matter do you like to use this camera for?
The Widelux excels at capturing scenes with multiple people, letting you twist some subjects while keeping others sharp, creating surreal images. It’s also fantastic for individual portraits where you can capture the same person twice in one exposure—an idea I borrowed from Jeff Bridges, who also inspired my love for this camera. He has two amazing photo books shot with the Widelux.
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Mike Heikkila
What’s your current film camera setup?
I own around 13 film cameras, rotating through them to give each some love. But currently, my Fuji GA645zi is always in my bag.
Why is this your camera of choice right now?
It’s user-friendly, and when it hits, it really hits. Its champagne color often draws attention, and people get excited to have their picture taken with it.
What features make it special?
It’s like a 35mm point-and-shoot but designed for medium format film, making it unique. It shoots 6×4.5 frames vertically, including the viewfinder. The LCD screens are prone to breaking, leaving you guessing how many frames are left, which adds a fun element of surprise.
What subject matter do you like to use this camera for?
I mostly capture everyday life, friends when they’re not skating, portraits, and relaxed moments. I’ve tried it for skateboarding, but it’s not ideal. A cool fact is that setting it to f11 or higher increases the maximum shutter speed from 1/400 to 1/700. I’m a bit of a camera nerd, so I know all these quirks. It’s fun to shoot on auto and not worry too much. I just try not to think about how every click costs me about $2.
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Andrew James Peters
What’s your current film camera setup?
I’m constantly rotating through a bunch of film cameras. My 35mm SLR of choice is the Nikon F6 with a set of old manual lenses (24mm, 50mm, 80mm, 105mm – my favorite – and a 16mm fisheye). For 120 film, I use a Hasselblad 500C and 500C/M, usually with a 30mm fisheye on one and a 100mm on the other. I also have a Toyo large format camera, a Fujica GW690, and a rotation of point-and-shoots like my current Olympus Infinity Stylus.
Why is this your camera of choice right now?
The Nikon F6 is fast and reliable and works with all my lenses, even newer zoom lenses. The Hasselblads are slow and bulky, but they’re incredibly durable and produce the most stunning images despite being over 50 years old.
What features make it special?
I appreciate that the F6 automatically leaves the film leader out, letting me switch film stocks and come back to a roll later. The Hasselblads stand out for their high-speed flash syncs, with a leaf shutter that syncs at 1/500. This is great for flash photography in daylight because you get an extra stop to underexpose the ambient light—a feature you don’t get with 35mm film cameras.
What subject matter do you like to use this camera for?
The F6 is perfect for fast-paced shooting situations with 36 exposures per roll, meaning I don’t need to change film too often. It’s ideal for natural light skate photos with a fast shutter speed. It also works well for portraits and is just the best 35mm camera on the market. The Hasselblad excels at capturing skateboarding with flashes, but I rarely shoot skate photos with film nowadays. It’s too slow for natural light skating, but its unique qualities for portrait photography are unmatched.
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Norma Ibarra
What’s your current film camera setup?
I love shooting 35mm film and typically use two cameras: a Canon Sure Shot point-and-shoot and a Canon EOS 600.
Why is this your camera of choice right now?
The EOS 600 is a great option because it lets me use the same lenses as my digital setup, which gives me a lot of versatility. I can even use my fisheye with it!
What features make it special?
I like that it has autofocus and an aperture priority feature.
What subject matter do you like to use this camera for?
When I’m not working, I love using my film camera for portraits, lifestyle shots, travel, street photography, and lately, old cars. I’m even thinking of creating a zine with my 35mm old car photos.
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Grant Brittain
What’s your current film camera setup?
My current film cameras are a Leica M6 for 35mm and a Hasselblad 503CW for medium format. I choose these cameras for their quality and sheer coolness.
Why is this your camera of choice right now?
I’ve been shooting both for over 20 years, mainly for the superior quality of Leitz lenses on the Leica and the Zeiss lenses on the Hasselblad.
What features make it special?
It’s mainly the optics.
What subject matter do you like to use this camera for?
I use these cameras for portraits, landscapes, abstracts, street photography, and architectural shots.
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Kevin Horn
What’s your current film camera setup?
My bag usually has 3-4 film cameras ready to go. I have a Nikon F4S, Mamiya 6, Stereo Realist, and my grandmother’s old Minolta Freedom Dual Point & Shoot.
Why is this your camera of choice right now?
My all-time favorite camera is my Nikon F4S.
What features make it special?
It’s built like a tank, has a built-in motor drive for 6fps, accepts all my vintage Nikon lenses, and has the best-sounding shutter of any camera I’ve ever used.
What subject matter do you like to use this camera for?
I use my Nikon F4S for everything—skateboarding, portraits, daily walks, and even behind-the-scenes shots of films I’m working on. Because it’s compatible with all the lenses I use with my Nikon D800, I can shoot in pretty much any situation.
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Mike Blabac
What’s your current film camera setup?
My current film camera is a Leica M6, usually with a 50mm f1.4 Summilux lens. I mostly shoot Tri-X film and develop it at home. Tri-X has been my favorite since I was a kid.
Why is this your camera of choice right now?
I’ve always loved its simplicity. Over the years, I mainly used SLRs and DSLRs with complex features and autofocus because they were the tools I needed for the job, especially with skate stuff. Now, I appreciate slowing down and using a camera with only the essentials.
What features make it special?
The quality of the glass and build is unmatched. As for features, it has none, making it perfect for me these days!
What subject matter do you like to use this camera for?
I enjoy taking portraits and scenic shots. I feel like a kid again, always excited to develop the film I shoot with it.
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Interviews by: Ben Komins
The journey of choosing the right film camera is a personal one. Hopefully, the experiences shared by these talented photographers can help guide you in making the best choice for your own creative path. Whether you prefer the unique effects of a Widelux, the versatility of a Nikon, or the simplicity of a Leica, the right film camera is waiting for you to capture your own stories.
