Intentionality, says London-based photographer Kid Circus, is the reason analog photography has been making a 21st-century comeback.
“I think that we've all gotten so used to amassing tons and tons of digital images on our devices, many of which we may never return to look at”, he explains. “Whereas film photography and analog photography have made us go back to that time when we had to wait for things. I think it's that waiting and anticipation that people love about picking up a point-and-shoot off eBay or buying a Polaroid camera, it's that tangible thing of having something physical in your hand.”
Photographers of all ages have been flocking to eBay in recent years in the hopes of purchasing a high-quality vintage camera with which to capture the essence of nostalgia in a modern-day setting. This inherent juxtaposition in recent photography trends has imbued images by the likes of Kid Circus with an undeniable, enthralling charm.
We chatted with the fashion and portrait photographer for some further insight into the world of retro cameras, vintage photography and retro-inspired digital cameras.
What are the key differences between modern digital photography and vintage photography?
“The colours that you get when using analog equipment are very hard to replicate,” says Kid Circus. “More than anything, it's the limitation. I use cameras where I only get 10 shots on a roll of film. It makes me more careful about when I press the shutter button. I don't have the option of a 64-gig memory card that can stuffed full of images. So if you are a consumer, you brought a point-and-shoot camera on holiday with one roll of film, you only have 24 to 36 shots. And it makes you appreciate every single picture you take.”
What should you consider before purchasing a vintage camera?
“Consider the platform,” says the photographer. “I have bought my cameras from all sorts of places. I bought some from eBay, Facebook marketplace and actual bona fide camera shops. And for me, it's the platform and checking the reputation of the person you're dealing with.”
For the analog enthusiast, red flags include when there’s not enough detail about the equipment on an individual listing, or if there aren’t enough pictures of the item.
Fixing and maintaining old cameras can also be quite difficult and expensive. Do you have any tips for new enthusiasts?
Leave it to the experts is the long and short of it for Kid Circus: “There are people out there that actually can help you fix things or get parts if your camera has gone wrong in some specific fashion.” Don’t try it at home, kids.
What’s your opinion on modern digital cameras with mock-retro exteriors?
“I actually quite like them,” says Kid Circus. “If it gives somebody a flavour of what it could be like, then I don't think that's a bad thing.”
Is there a way to edit digital photos to resemble that vintage aesthetic?
While there are some apps out there which help to change the grain and saturation of digital photos, Kid Circus feels “There's just something about the colour, the depth and the grain of analog which can’t be fully replicated.”
What are your favourite retro and vintage cameras?
“I use a medium format camera called a Mamiya RZ67, which I think they last started making in the 90s”, he reveals. “It's one of those where you only get 10 shots on a roll of film, but it produces beautiful pictures and I can use them in a studio with modern lights. Another favourite of mine is from the same company, the Mamiya C330. It's one of those old cameras that you see where there's a double lens on the front and you have to look down into the viewfinder. It takes lovely pictures and it’s as old as the hills.” Lastly, it’s The Contax T2 point-and-shoot - “it’s a really good party camera”, he says. But, “We have to blame Kendall Jenner for its rising cost”.
Shop the best retro cameras for vintage photography below
Retro cameras with digital features
Fujifilm X10
At first glance, it’s almost impossible to tell that the Fuji X10 is actually a digital camera. Allowing full manual control and brilliant 12-megapixel image quality, the camera is also equipped with 1080p video function. Just like a compact point-and-shoot without any of the additional costs of film development, the Fujifilm X10 is perfect for snapping high-quality images on the go so that you never miss a moment. Used by many as a low-maintenance travel camera, it’s a sure-fire middle-of-the-range retro camera which is worth the investment.
Buy now £419.00, MPB
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Mirrorless Camera in Silver with 14-42mm F/3.5-5.6 Lens
The most compact model of mirrorless cameras by Olympus, the vintage-style leather design provides excellent grip as well as a stylish exterior. The E-M10 Mark IV is equipped with in-body 5-axis image stabilisation with up to 4.5 shutter speed steps. It also has the newer 20-megapixel Live MOS sensor and M.Zuiko lenses. Capable of shooting in 4K video, images can also be extracted in 4K quality. An underrated feature of this camera which adds to its portability is the fact that can be charged via USB without removing the battery. Plus, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built into the camera body.
Buy now £749.00, Jessops
Leica M8
Yet another retro-style camera which looks remarkably analogue yet boasts an array of digital features, the Leica M8 was the first of the brand’s digital rangefinders. It has mixed opinions within the Shutterbug community, with some praising its film-like quality, and others fixating on a singular fault which accompanied the camera’s release back in 2006. This problem was the camera’s hypersensitivity to infrared, which can affect the overall image quality in certain conditions.
Nevertheless, the general consensus of the Leica M8 is that it’s a trusty, reliable steed which digitally produces images with a wonderfully nostalgic charm. Brilliant features include highly customisable shutter speeds (and the ability to set it to the lowest possible option), a 10-megapixel resolution and a sharp LCD screen.
Buy now £1409.00, MPB
Nikon Df
The Nikon Df is equipped with a full-frame sensor and a max shooting rate of 5.5 fps. It’s Nikon’s lightest full-frame digital camera which is nevertheless made entirely from metal – right down to the dials. If you’re in the market for a digital camera which feels like a DSLR in hand but has the aesthetic charm of a vintage camera, the Nikon Df is the answer to all your prayers.
The shutter release is smooth, while the LCD screen is as easy to navigate as traditional digital options from Nikon. It’s a great option for training the eye and practising composition before moving on to a traditional analogue film camera.
Buy now £809.00, MPB
Fujifilm X100V Digital Camera
As one of the higher-priced cameras on our list, you would expect this option from Fujifilm to do a lot, and it does. The X100V is the fifth camera in the X100 series and has been redesigned to be far more ergonomic and weather-resistant whilst still maintaining its classic retro look.
The new features of this camera include a Colour Chrome lens which helps increase contrast in pictures automatically and an auto-focus which helps capture fast-moving objects without the blur.
Buy now £1319.00, MPB
LomoApparat Neubau Edition 21mm wide-angle camera
A contemporary analogue point-and-shoot with oodles of vintage-inspired charm, the LomoApparat Neubau by Lomography is a wonderfully playful camera which has been designed with creatives in mind. Dressed in exclusive Italian leather, this 35mm camera is equipped with a 21mm wide-angle lens and is powered by AA batteries.
Equipped with fixed aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings, the LomoApparat is the definition of an easy-use, high-quality point-and-shoot film camera. Nevertheless, shot customisation is still possible with our favourite feature: the unique coloured gel filter slider. This brilliant gadget comes with five colourful gel lenses to give your photos a dazzling splash of pigment.
For just £100, the LomoApparat set also comes with an included close-up magnifying lens, a splitzer lens and a kaleidoscope lens. The creative possibilities are endless, yet you won’t ever have to fiddle with complicated camera settings. It’s a win-win situation. We also love the fact that you can double-expose shots with this fantastic camera.
Buy now £99.00, London Graphic Centre
Retro cameras for true vintage photography
Mamiya RZ67 Pro Camera with 50mm Sekor Z F4.5 W Wide Angle Lens
As recommended by Kid Circus, the Mamiya RX67 Pro is a brilliant choice for professional film photographers looking to experiment with medium-format cameras. The single-lens, reflex system camera was designed with studio use in mind but can be used on the go for capturing thoughtful, intentional photographs.
Capable of producing fantastically sharp images with that signature vintage-style grain and colour saturation, the modular design allows for experimentation with the vast range of high-quality accessories that Mamiya has on offer. The rotating backs allow for landscape and portrait photography, focus is achieved with the help of a set of old-fashioned bellows and special-purpose backs can be employed for different types of film – including Polaroid, 120, 220 and Quadra 72.
Buy now £2424.82, eBay
Olympus Stylus Epic / Olympus Mju II
Originally issued in 1997, the Olympus Stylus Epic – which is also known as the Olympus Mju II – is a brilliant 35mm compact camera. Equipped with an array of brilliant features including a splash-proof body, razer-sharp autofocus, super speedy prime lens and integrated auto-flash which recharges in approximately 3.5 seconds, you simply can’t go wrong.
One of the most popular point-and-shoot film cameras on the market even today, the Olympus Stylus Epic is beloved for its ease of use and high-quality output. Suitable for absolute beginners and veterans alike, you can expect perfectly sharp yet bloomy photos with soft, nostalgic edges.
Buy now £149.99, eBay
Canon AF35M
Beloved by millennials and Gen Z-ers alike, the Canon AF35M point-and-shoot is a brilliant compact film camera which is equipped with a fantastic 38mm f.28 lens. The first 35mm autofocus compact camera that Canon ever produced, this beautiful, hard-wearing, and tactile piece of kit is also considered a collector’s item by photophiles across the globe.
You can tell that the Canon AF35M is relatively old-school as it’s powered by AA batteries. The battery life isn’t top-notch on these older models either, so be prepared to replace the batteries regularly.
Equipped with an active autofocus system, the Canon AF35M has a shooting distance range of 0.9m (3ft) and a filter thread diameter of 48mm. Prefocus is available using the self-timer lever, while the self-timer itself offers a delay of approximately 10 seconds and is activated by pressing the shutter button and self-timer lever at the same time.
The flash is a built-in pop-up, and the recycling time (which is the interval between the firing of the flash and the relighting of the pilot lamp) is about eight seconds. The number of flashes is measured at approximately two rolls of 36-exposure film.
We’re big fans of this dinky yet powerful vintage dream, but it’s relatively hard to source – so snap up yours from the AnalogueCameraClub via Etsy before they’re all gone.
Buy now £74.99, eBay
Olympus Trip 35 Vintage 35mm Film Camera | Tested & Fully Refurbished
Step back in time to the 1960s with this beautiful vintage 35mm film camera from Olympus. This point-and-shoot is wonderfully retro in terms of both style and function and is equipped with a sharp 40mm f/2.8 lens. Its brilliant automatic settings are amplified by the accurate solar-powered metering system, so you can capture beautiful photos without ever worrying about over-exposure.
A value-for-money option which will never require batteries unlike the vast majority of point-and-shoots from later decades, regular customers of RetroCameraFix on Etsy consistently rate the seller five stars, declaring how they simply can’t believe that their restored camera is vintage at all – for it functions like a brand new one.
Easy-to-use focus settings and automatic exposure settings make the Olympus Trip 35 a veritable point-and-shoot, but absolute beginners will be delighted by the fact that RetroCameraFix includes a dedicated how-to guide with every purchase.
Buy now £155.00, Etsy
