Skip to main content Digital Camera World Digital Camera World THE HOME OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Search Digital Camera World View Profile Accessories Buying Guides The Photography & Video Show Digital Camera Australian Camera Australian ProPhoto Photography Magazines Why subscribe? Issues filled with product reviews, latest updates, expert advice and more Delivered to your Android or IOS device Every issue is packed with photo tips, kit reviews and inspiration From$12View Camera news Camera rumors Photography & Video Show Photo mag deals Cheatsheets Recommended reading The cameras that started it all: Our firsts, from 35mm film to DSLRs to compact cameras DSLR Cameras My old DSLR and film cameras have mojo. And that’s a fact! Photography The magic of film, the ease of digital – and why I need both in my Photography Digital cameras that look like film cameras are trendy, but the secret to that retro look may actually be the lens Mirrorless Cameras The Nikon Z8 is two years old, but I reckon it could remain in my kit bag for a decade AT LEAST Retro cameras are trendy. But the old school feature I really want to see make a comeback? The waist-level finder Film Cameras The Pentax 17 wasn’t the camera that I wanted, but it was the camera that I needed Film Cameras I rediscovered my first-ever film SLR in the attic. It's going back in the attic. Adam Waring 17 June 2025 The Canon AE-1 was a brilliant camera in its day. But its day was 35-plus years ago… When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Future) I was rummaging around in the attic the other day, and behind the Christmas decorations, suitcases, and various unwanted gifts, I came across a box of old electrical bits and pieces that hadn't seen the light of day for decades. And tucked in among the old VCRs, Walkmans, and toasted sandwich makers was my first-ever serious camera, a Canon AE-1 film SLR. It has seen better days, for sure, but there's no denying that it's a thing of beauty, with a proper solid metal body, the cool ’70s-era logo etched into the casing, and chunky dials and levers to operate the thing. I had bought it second-hand when backpacking around Australia in the early ’90s, and it served me well, as evidenced by the boxes of photos from my travels that were also in the attic. Yes, it's oh-so-cool, but all that faffing around with film and waiting an age to see the pictures isn't for me. (Image credit: Future) My colleague Mike, Digital Camera World's How To Editor, is a lover of all things retro and bought a pristine Nikon FM from an auction website recently. His Nikon and my Canon are from around the same era. Perhaps I could try my rediscovered classic out with a roll of film, I pondered… You may like The cameras that started it all: Our firsts, from 35mm film to DSLRs to compact cameras My old DSLR and film cameras have mojo. And that’s a fact! The magic of film, the ease of digital – and why I need both in my Photography That was until I checked the prices for 36 exposures these days, and further factored in the developing costs. Then I remembered back to the day of using my camera, when for every decent photo I had taken, there were a bunch of duds, and which, of course, I didn't discover until I received the wallet of developed prints back from the mini-lab. The rear screen doesn't appear to be working… (Image credit: Future) You see, while I love the look of this classic camera, technology has marched on over the intervening years, and the reality of not being able to instantly check to see whether I'd nailed the exposure and composition, nor having the option to retake a shot if I didn't get it right, doesn't sit right with me. Where the rear LCD should be, the back of the Canon AE-1 is given over to a slot for sliding in a bit of the film packaging as a reminder of what you're shooting on, if I recall correctly. Nope, give me a nice screen so I can instantly see my shots, thank you very much. So, back in the attic it's going. Because I can have the best of both worlds with modern, retro-look cameras like the Nikon Zf that have all the delightful mechanical dials to twiddle with and cool classic-camera styling, but with the latest cutting-edge tech on the inside. There are clunky dials aplenty, but if you like that sort of thing you can get a retro-styled mirrorless (Image credit: Future) Film may not be for me, but if you're a fan of all things analog, don't miss our guides to the best film cameras and the best 35mm films to put in them. Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Forget film, get yourself a retro-styled mirrorless! $1,796.95View See all prices Deal ends Mon, Jun 23, 2025 Fujifilm X100VI $1,599View See all prices OM System OM-3 $1,999.99View See all prices Fujifilm X-E5 $1,699View See all prices Fujifilm X Half See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Adam Waring Social Links Navigation Guides Editor Prior to joining digitalcameraworld.com as Guides Editor, Adam was the editor of N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine for seven years, and as such is one of Digital Camera World's leading experts when it comes to all things Nikon-related. Whether it’s reviews and hands-on tests of the latest Nikon cameras and lenses, sharing his skills using filters, tripods, lighting, L brackets and other photography equipment, or trading tips and techniques on shooting landscapes, wildlife and almost any genre of photography, Adam is always on hand to provide his insights. Prior to his tenure on N-Photo, Adam was also a veteran of publications such as PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, so his wealth of photographic knowledge isn’t solely limited to the Big N. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. The cameras that started it all: Our firsts, from 35mm film to DSLRs to compact cameras My old DSLR and film cameras have mojo. And that’s a fact! The magic of film, the ease of digital – and why I need both in my Photography Digital cameras that look like film cameras are trendy, but the secret to that retro look may actually be the lens The Nikon Z8 is two years old, but I reckon it could remain in my kit bag for a decade AT LEAST Retro cameras are trendy. But the old school feature I really want to see make a comeback? The waist-level finder Latest in Film Cameras This ostrich-skin 'Luxus II' is one of the rare Leica cameras up for auction in China Why film grain is the new gold in the streaming age Is the Canon EOS 300 the most enduring budget camera that Canon ever made? Reto Pano is a devilishly cheap analog compact camera that shoots faux panoramas and standard 35mm photos The SLR revolution you forgot: How Auto Exposure changed film photography forever Feeling blue? This new Polaroid x MoMA camera is a work of art Latest in Features Zooming is limiting you – if you want to learn photography, start with a prime lens (or lock your focal length) The Fujifilm X-E5 seems like a more versatile X100VI — and that’s why I’m tempted The most valuable skill I’ve learned as a photographer? Learning to read a photograph This Sony compact camera is worth more than when I bought it six years ago – and it is easy to see why Photography education is a scam - I never studied it, but still got to the Olympics as a professional photographer I don't own a "proper" camera - my phone is even better LATEST ARTICLES Fujifilm X-E5 hands-on review: a return to form Blink Outdoor 4 camera review – the ultimate in fire and forget security? The Harlowe Mark Mann Signature lighting kit is a ring light on steroids! Adobe puts AI in the palm of your hand with new Firefly smartphone app This pro photographer prefers a 70-200mm zoom lens for action shots – and here's why Digital Camera World is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. Terms and conditions Contact Future's experts Privacy policy Cookies policy Advertise with us Accessibility Statement Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Please login or signup to comment Please wait...