{"id":112167,"date":"2025-07-21T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=112167"},"modified":"2025-07-01T14:36:32","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T18:36:32","slug":"why-film-photography-is-perfect-for-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/why-film-photography-is-perfect-for-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Film Photography is Perfect for Travel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I find film photography is the perfect companion for my travels. The sun was sinking slowly over Jan Thiel Beach in Cura\u00e7ao, steady and unhurried. I stood by the water with my Nikon FM2, a 24mm f\/2.8 lens mounted, and a roll of Kodak Ektar 100 loaded, watching, waiting. The sky was shifting by the minute\u2014soft blues giving way to violets and tangerine, then deep amber streaked with shadows. I didn\u2019t rush. I waited for the right moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three frames were captured\u2014each one as the sun inched lower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first, the water was still dotted with swimmers and glowing under a soft pastel sky, the horizon stretching in warm pinks and lavender as golden hour began to settle in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Film<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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For the second, the sun hovered just above the island\u2019s silhouette, casting a sharp beam of light across the sea, the sky deepening into rich purples and orange as shadows grew longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Film<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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In the third, the sun had vanished completely, leaving behind a quiet, moody gradient\u2014deep indigo melting into burnt violet, with only a faint glow lingering above the horizon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Film<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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That\u2019s the beauty of film. It encourages you to move with intention and really observe. You don\u2019t fire off dozens of shots and choose later. Wait. Feel. Commit. With only 36 frames, every click becomes a decision, and that decision makes the image more meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever I travel, whether for a project or a personal trip, I always bring a film camera along with my mirrorless camera. My mirrorless camera is great for fast-moving moments or content I need to turn around quickly. But my film camera is what I reach for when I want to capture something that feels more personal. I love not knowing whether the shot worked and the anticipation that builds while waiting for the scans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this piece, I\u2019ll share some of those travel stories, offer practical tips for shooting film on the road, and highlight some of my favorite film cameras, lenses, and stocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Film Photography. Moments That Stay With You<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Film<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Driving into Torres del Paine National Park for the first time, I caught a perfect glimpse of the famous towers just as the clouds began to lift. I had my Contax T2 loaded with Kodak Portra 400, and I knew I had one shot. Patagonia\u2019s weather is famously unpredictable, but that day, everything aligned. I paused, composed, and took the frame. That moment taught me something: sometimes, the best travel photos come when you stop chasing them and simply wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Film<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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When I went to Berlin last year, I knew I wanted to capture it in black and white. There\u2019s a certain grit and elegance to the city\u2014its architecture, its street corners, its quiet tension between past and present\u2014that feels more powerful without the distraction of color. I loaded my Nikon FM2 with Ilford HP5 and wandered with a 50mm lens, drawn to texture and stillness. This shot of a man sitting on a graffiti-covered bridge over a canal is a perfect example. In black and white, the image becomes less about the scene and more about the mood\u2014timeless, raw, and distinctly Berlin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Trying a New Film Stock, a Joy of Film Photography<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Kyoto last November, during peak autumn, I made a conscious decision to try Kodak Ektachrome E100 for the first time. I wanted to capture the colors of the season. Slide film is unforgiving, but it rewards precision and patience. As I framed a shot of Kiyomizu-dera overlooking the city, I slowed down, metered carefully, and took time to compose my shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Capturing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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In Genova, I caught a candid moment of my friend\u2019s daughter running ahead of us through a narrow alleyway, her movement full of joy and color. I had my Leica M6 loaded with Cinestill 800T and a 35mm f\/1.4 Summilux-M lens\u2014a fast, responsive setup ideal for fleeting moments like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great Film Photography Cameras and Lenses for Travel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re getting into film photography for travel, here are some trusted and accessible cameras to consider\u2014many of which you can find here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olympus Trip 35<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A compact zone-focus camera with a sharp 40mm f\/2.8 lens and no need for batteries; perfect for travel with a vintage feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pentax K1000 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This was my first film camera, and it taught me everything\u2014how to shoot in Manual, how to read light, and how to think before pressing the shutter. It’s a fully mechanical SLR that’s built like a tank, with no frills and nothing automatic\u2014which is exactly why it’s such a great teacher. If you’re just starting out, this is the perfect camera to build your foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canon AE-1 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A semi-automatic SLR that balances control and ease of use; excellent for portraits and urban scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contax T2<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My go-to travel camera. Compact, fast, and sharp. I’ve used it everywhere\u2014from hiking in Patagonia to late nights in Tokyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nikon FM2 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A rugged, mechanical SLR with intuitive controls; great for both street photography and landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leica M6<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A premium rangefinder with tactile precision and stunning optics, ideal for deliberate, immersive shooting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When building your film kit, lenses matter just as much as the camera. For travel, I recommend lightweight, versatile primes like 50mm for everyday shooting and low-light portraits, 35mm for street scenes and tighter spaces, 28mm for landscapes and wide compositions, or 24mm for dramatic, immersive frames. You can find a great selection of used lenses at Adorama\u2019s Used Lens Department<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Film Stocks to Try\u2014and When to Use Them<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each film stock brings its own look and personality. These are my go-to’s for different moods and lighting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kodak Portra 400<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Versatile and perfect for everything from portraits to landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kodak Gold 200<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Warm and nostalgic, with a vintage feel that shines in daylight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kodak Ektar 100<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bold color and fine grain make this a favorite for bright, sunlit scenes like beach towns and mountain ranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cinestill 800T<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ideal for night shooting, with a cinematic glow that handles artificial lighting beautifully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lomography Color Negative 400<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A fun, affordable film with punchy colors and high saturation; great for casual snapshots and creative experiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical Travel Tips for Film Photography<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A few habits that help make traveling with film easier and more rewarding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n