The Best Film Cameras For Travel | My 8 Favorite Travel Cameras | Film Photography in Portugal

August 12, 2024

I can’t help it. I fill my camera bag to the brim every chance I get! I love to have a combination of digital, 35 mm, medium format, and polaroid cameras for every shoot or travel adventure. They each have a different purpose in my mind and have their own advantages. I typically have around 8 cameras with me at any given time and I’ve learned it’s just a part of who I am! I recently went to Portugal for 10 days and it took me forever to decide which cameras to bring along with me. At this point, my camera collection is nearing 100 and is always growing. There are so many cameras I want to try out and review for my YouTube channel!

I wanted to share the 8 cameras I took with me to Portugal and share a few of my favorite features of each one. And of course, I’ll share a few photographs I took during my trip with each camera! I also posted a YouTube video about these cameras if you’d prefer to watch rather than read!

1. CANON G7X MARK II

The Canon G7X Mark II is the only digital camera I brought with me to Portugal. It’s a tiny powershot point-and-shoot camera with a 24-100 mm zoom lens. I was dreading lugging around my giant 5D Mark IV DSLR with my massive 24-70 mm zoom lens, so I decided to take a risk and only bring along this little point-and-shoot for my digital images. While I love my 5D Mark IV, it just doesn’t make sense to carry it around all day when I’m walking 10 miles a day up and down hills in Portugal! I was pretty nervous about leaving my best camera at home, but I had seen images my mom had taken on a trip to Africa with the G7X Mark II and I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. I’d say the G7X pretty much fulfilled my needs throughout the trip and my body was extremely grateful for my decision not to carry around a DSLR. The G7X Mark II does great with landscapes and touristy snapshots. It’s not the greatest for super low-light environments but nonetheless, it surprised me with its capabilities. With an f/1.8 lens it can take some pretty remarkable photos for such a small camera. I’ve always had an affinity for Canon Powershot cameras. My very first digital camera was one of Canon’s Powershot point-and-shoot in the early 2000s. Sadly, it was stolen, but if I still had it today, I’d probably still use it! Canon never ceases to amaze me. You can read my full review of the Canon G7X Mark II here!

WHERE TO BUY THE CANON G7X MARK II:

#ad #sponsored #affiliate

Sample photos:

2. HOLGA GCFN

You all know I’m obsessed with the Holga. Particularly the Holga GCFN. It’s a toy camera made of plastic and it’s extremely limited with it’s features. But there’s something incredibly magical about the vignetted images, light leaks and multiple exposures. This is the one camera I never leave home without. I’ve racked up quite a collection of these little guys over the years and my goal is to eventually own every single color! They weigh absolutely nothing which is perfect for traveling and they’re surprisingly resilient. I dropped mine in a river in Japan once and it still worked! These cameras take some patience and experimentation, but once you get the hang of it, it’s kind of hard to hate on it. It’s my favorite camera in the world, truly. You can check out my full blog post about the Holga here, or watch my YouTube video here!

WHERE TO BUY THE HOLGA GCFN:

Amazon

eBay

KEH Camera

FILM RECOMMENDATIONS:

Lomography 400 120 film

Kodak Portra 160 120 film

Kodak Portra 400 120 film

#CommissionsEarned

3. DIANA F+

I’ve had my Diana F+ for years but I’ve only recently been using it more consistently. It falls into a similar category as the Holga and is basically a plastic toy camera. It’s super cute to look at and there are a ton of different lenses you can experiment with. While I find the Diana F+ to be a bit more difficult and fickle to use than the Holga, I’ve been learning it’s quirks and have been getting better results. I actually like the fisheye lens of the Diana F+ better than the Holga fisheye so I’ve pretty much been using the Diana F+ as my fisheye camera on my trips. Plus, it’s nice to have a backup toy camera in case something happens to my Holga! I recently posted a full review of this camera too, or you can see it in action on my YouTube channel.

WHERE TO BUY:

Diana F+ 120 camera on Amazon

Diana Mini 35 mm camera with flash on Amazon

Diana F+ Instant Square Deluxe Kit on Amazon

Diana Baby 110 on eBay

#ad #sponsored #affiliate

4. POLAROID IMPULSE 600

Polaroid 600 cameras are probably the easiest of the polaroid cameras to use. They are essentially point-and-shoot instant film cameras. I have probably 7 or 8 different polaroid 600 cameras and I’ll try out different ones from time to time, but end up getting pretty much the same results. For this trip, I decided to bring the Polaroid Impulse 600. It’s a vintage camera that actually belonged to my dad back in the day. I particularly love using the round-frame 600 film, which you can find on Polaroid.com! There’s just something so magical about instant photography and that immediate gratification of seeing a film photo form in front of your eyes! It’s like carrying a little darkroom around with you everywhere you go. Except way less messy and time-consuming and without all of the hassle of figuring out film development yourself! I have a full blog post about the Polaroid One-Step, a very similar camera, if you’re interested in reading more about 600 cameras!

WHERE TO BUY THE POLAROID IMPULSE:

POLAROID 600 FILM:

Square Frame 600 Film on Amazon.com

Square Frame 600 Film on Polaroid.com

Round Frame 600 Film on Amazon.com

Round Frame 600 Film on Polaroid.com

#ad #sponsored #affiliate

5. KODAK DUAFLEX 620 CAMERA

This was one of those “mystery cameras” I brought with me to Portugal. I’d never used it before and was taking a bit of a risk bringing it. But I tested the shutter before I left home and everything seemed to be in working condition. The Kodak Duaflex is a 620 film camera from the 1940s & 50s. While they don’t make 620 film anymore, you can buy any 120 film and roll it onto a 620 film spool yourself, or you can buy 620 film from the Film Photography Project or other company that pre-spools 620 film. I’m in love with the photos I got with it and I recently posted a YouTube video from our trip about this camera too! I just wish I’d shot more rolls! I just love super vintage/retro images, especially when they’re produced with a camera that’s so old and somehow still functions! Read more about the Kodak Duaflex here!

WHERE TO BUY THE KODAK DUAFLEX CAMERA:

FILM I USED:

Kodak TMAX 100 by the Film Photography Project

#ad #sponsored #affiliate

6. MINOLTA MAXXUM STSI

The Minolta Maxxum STsi is becoming one of those cameras I can’t leave home without. It has so many functions and features, including a super fun panorama mode. I have an AF 28-85mm 3.5-4.5 zoom lens but you can buy other lenses for it if you prefer a fixed focal length or something else. While it’s not the sharpest camera that I own, it’s sharp enough for me in most situations. But what I really love about it is the fact that it has that panorama mode, a flash, a zoom lens option, autofocus, aperture priority and a multiple exposure function. It has almost everything I’d ever want in a travel camera. It’s becoming harder and harder for me to leave it behind so it might just become as special to me as the Holga one of these days! Watch my YouTube video if you want to know more about it!

WHERE TO BUY THE MINOLTA MAXXUM STSI:

AF 28-85MM 3.5-4.5 ZOOM LENS:

eBay

#ad #sponsored #affiliate

7. NIKON FE2

The Nikon FE2 is the fanciest 35mm camera I own. I still remember the day I bought it! I visited Blue Moon Camera in Portland, Oregon with a Pentax K1000 on my mind. But after discussing my style of shooting with the store associate, they convinced me to go with the Nikon FE2 and I’m so glad I did! I LOVE this camera. The images are stunning, the lens is super sharp, and it has a multiple exposure function. It has the classic retro film camera look to it and feels super sturdy and reliable in your hand. It’s just perfect. I use a 50mm f/1.4 lens and I find it to be the perfect lens for the Nikon FE2. A zoom lens would be a bit too much to handle with this camera because it is a manual focus camera. I considered leaving this one at home, but looking at my images from Portugal, I’m thrilled with the images and need to remember that this camera never deserves to be left at home. It’s just too incredible!

WHERE TO BUY:

Purchase a Nikon FE2 on Amazon!

Purchase a Nikon FE2 on Etsy!

Purchase a Nikon FE2 on eBay!

Purchase a Nikon FE2 on KEH Camera!

LENS:

50mm f/1.4 AF Nikkor

35-70mm f/3.3 AF Nikkor (more affordable zoom lens)

#ad #sponsored #affiliate

8. MINOLTA HI-MATIC AF2

The Minolta Hi-Matic AF2 was my second “mystery camera” of the trip. And it was really a mystery because it wasn’t even working when I first pulled it out of a box in my house. The shutter was stuck, the battery compartment was corroded and it wasn’t making any sort of sounds at all! But I spent a day cleaning the battery compartment with rubbing alcohol and q-tips, and I messed with the shutter clasp and eventually, by some miracle, I got it working! The shutter was intermittent at first, but the more I warmed it up, the more reliable it became. I was so surprised that I was able to get through two rolls of film on my trip without a hiccup at all. While it’s not the sharpest camera in the land, it has a special sort of grainy, retro film vibe that is unique and fun. It’s a very simple point-and-shoot camera with an f/2.8 lens. I’m excited to try it out again sometime soon because I want to see more from it! And yes, I have a full blog post and YouTube video about this one too!

WHERE TO BUY THE MINOLTA HI-MATIC AF2:

Amazon

Etsy

KEH Camera

#ad #sponsored #affiliate

FINAL THOUGHTS

It’s hard for me to hate on any cameras really, but this combination of digital and film cameras really covered all my bases throughout my trip. Plus, none of them are crazy heavy or bulky. The only camera I missed having was my Polaroid Land Camera. But it’s quite heavy and I only have a few boxes of film left to use with it, sadly. I’m patiently waiting for Polaroid to start producing film for it again, but I’m trying not to get my hopes up in case it doesn’t happen! :( You can still buy old boxes of film for land cameras on eBay but they are so pricey now. It’s such a beautiful camera to use though and the images are irreplaceable. Ugh, maybe one day they’ll have a much-deserved resurgence!

I hope these cameras and photos inspire you in some way to try out a new camera! It’s always intimidating shooting with a new camera for the first time, but it’s also so exciting!

If you found this post helpful or if you’d like to see more of my work, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing. Find out more here!

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my Amazon storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

How to Create Double Exposures and Multiple Exposures with a Holga Toy Camera | 5 Simple Tips and Tricks with Sample Photos!

August 12, 2023

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

How Do You Create Double Exposures and Multiple Exposures with a Holga Toy Camera?

This HAS to be my most frequently asked question. If you follow my work you know I’m obsessed with the Holga and multiple exposures (specifically, the Holga GCFN). I still remember the very first double exposure I ever took and the excitement I felt when I realized what had happened. I suddenly felt like the opportunities were endless when it came to photography. I realized that photography didn’t necessarily need to mimic real life. I could create a world that didn’t exist, by merging photos taken directly from reality. That juxtaposition blew my mind and really catapulted my interest in photography.

It might seem intimidating at first when it comes to creating multiple exposures. I think there’s an innate and expected fear that they’re going to be TERRIBLE. That they won’t make sense. That no one will know what they’re looking at. But guess what, that’s FINE! In fact, it’s better than taking the same boring photo that everyone else takes. It takes some time to get used to layering images and understanding how the final product is going to turn out. But even now, with a decade of experience under my belt, I still don’t feel like I have complete control over my multiple exposures. I always have an expectation in my mind and it never quite fits with how I envision them. Either they’re not as good as I’d hoped, or they’re even better. And usually the ones that I’m just messing around with end up being the best. It’s really better NOT to plan. To just try out different textures and faces and landscapes and see how they turn out.

In case you’re having some trouble getting started though, here are a few tips for creating multiple exposures with a Holga camera. The Holga is one of the best cameras, in my opinion, to try out multiple exposures. But first, you have to understand HOW to take a multiple exposure. It’s actually SUPER simple. After taking a photograph, you just simply don’t wind the film advance dial at all. You just take another photo right over top of the first one. And you can do this as many times as you want, which is why I love the Holga so much. A lot of film cameras will automatically advance to the next frame, leaving you without the option to shoot over top of the first frame. The Holga is meant for multiple exposures. It’s very easy to accidentally take a multiple exposure with the Holga too, simply because it is a manual advance camera. So oftentimes, you might nor even mean to take a photo over top of another one, it just might happen. Actually, it WILL happen at some point if you use the Holga. It’s just part of the magic of the camera!

5 Simple Tips and Tricks for Creating Incredible Double & Multiple Exposures with the Holga Toy Camera

Tip #1 - Try out a portrait over top of a landscape!

This is probably one of my main choices for creating double exposures. It usually ends up quite interesting and beautiful. I’ll shoot the first image on the infinity/mountain setting of the Holga and then shoot the second image as a close-up portrait using the single-person setting on the Holga.

Tip #2 - Try asking your subject to move slightly / try a new pose in-between images

This is another go-to for me when it comes to double exposures. It ends up creating very ghostly, spooky images that are incredibly unique and unpredictable. These are often my favorite photos to get back after a photo shoot.

Tip #3 - Try out different close-up textures as your second image

This one is somewhat of a risk, but oftentimes pays off! If the texture is too much, it can sometimes end up being a big indecipherable mess. But other times, it can add a bit of mystery and atmosphere to your photo.

Tip #4 - Try flipping your camera upside down for a second shot of the same subject

This is really fun to try with cityscapes, buildings and landmarks, mostly because they don’t move and you have enough time to plan out your shot.

Tip #5 - Try having your model step out of the second shot, but keep the background the same

This creates a very ghostly vibe, because the model becomes somewhat hazy and somewhat see-through. This is definitely another one of my favorite multiple exposure methods when using the Holga.

I’ve included a few more samples below of my favorite double/multiple exposures I’ve taken over the years with the Holga. It’s gotten to a point where I won’t even buy a camera anymore if it doesn’t have the option for multiple exposures! It’s become a huge part of my process and I feel extremely limited now when I’m not able to create them. If you’re interested in multiple exposures, you should definitely pick up a Holga and try it out! You can also check out my full review and blog post about the Holga here. Or you can check out my YouTube video! I LOVE the Holga. My main advice though is to be patient when you’re first starting out. You can’t expect perfection when it comes to the Holga. It has a mind of its own. But if you’re willing to learn its eccentricities, it will surprise you.

CAMERA:

Purchase a Holga 120 GCFN on Amazon

Purchase a Holga 120 GCFN on eBay!

Purchase a Holga 120 GCFN on KEH Camera

FILM RECOMMENDATIONS:

Lomography 400 120 film

Kodak Portra 160 120 film

Kodak Portra 400 120 film

#ad

If you’re interested in supporting my work and seeing lots more videos in the future, be sure to check out my Patreon! As a patron, you’ll receive early access to my YouTube videos, as well as access to never-before-seen images and seasonal prints, depending on the tier you sign up for.

Feel free to leave any thoughts/comments/questions/concerns below! Thanks so much for stopping by. And don’t forget to stop by my Amazon storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :)

<3 Myles Katherine

Holga 120 GCFN Review & How-To with Sample Images | The Best Camera in the World!

June 30, 2020

(This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.)

If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with the Holga camera. It goes everywhere I go and it’s a huge reason why I became a photographer in the first place. It takes the dreamiest images AND it’s super easy to use! For being considered a “toy camera”, it truly has unlimited potential. I wanted to share a few pros and cons of the Holga, and share a ton of images so you can decide if this camera is for you! I prefer the Holga GCFN model, but all of the versions are great and can create unique, beautiful photographs.

I also have a YouTube video about the Holga, where I share all of my favorite things about the camera as well as tips and tricks for how to get the best photos possible. If you want to see the camera in action, make sure to check out my adventure video from last month too, where I took the camera to Las Vegas with me!

Okay! Let’s get into it.

PROS OF THE HOLGA GCFN

AFFORDABLE
One of the best things about the Holga is that it’s super affordable, especially if you’re just getting into film photography. They range from about $40-100 depending on which model you’re purchasing or if you’re buying it new or used. You can find my favorite model, the Holga GCFN on Amazon, or you can find used versions of the GCFN in various colors on eBay. They only make new Holga GCFNs in black at the moment, so any colorful ones you’ll find have been used or are not being sold new from the factory.
LIGHTWEIGHT & GREAT FOR TRAVEL
The Holga weighs practically nothing. They are made with a plastic body and are called “toy cameras” for a reason. They literally feel like a toy! The fact that they are so light make them great for travel. I’ve taken mine all over the world! They are also surprisingly sturdy. I dropped mine in a river in Japan and it somehow kept working!
THE IMAGES ARE UNUSUAL & UNPREDICTABLE
Part of the magic of shooting with a Holga camera is that they are entirely unpredictable. I’ll have an idea in my mind of what my images are going to look like, but every time I get my film back, I’m surprised! It’s easy to get light leaks or accidental multiple exposures, which is why I love this camera so much. I’ve been using the Holga since about 2010 so I’ve had years of experience with it at this point and have learned to love its quirks. My advice is to give it a few rolls before giving up. The first roll of film can sometimes be disheartening, but I promise you it’s worth it if you stick with it and learn from each roll of film you shoot.
IT’S BASIC AND EASY TO USE
While the Holga is intimidating in it’s own right, it is actually an incredibly basic camera. There are only three settings you need to worry about before taking each photo - distance, aperture, and flash. There is also a setting on the bottom of the camera that says “B” or “N”, which stands for “bulb” and “normal” and is in relation to shutter speed. I always leave mine taped to the N setting, because sometimes it will accidentally switch to the bulb setting on it’s own and I’ll end up with blurry images. The N (normal) setting is about 1/100th of a second and will result in much sharper images. It’s also important to make sure the distance setting you choose is accurate. I leave mine in the landscape or “mountain” setting the majority of the time. This leads to a better likelihood of getting a sharp image. You can mess with the other distance settings if your subject is a little closer to you, but just remember to switch it back later!
IT’S COLLECTIBLE & MEMORABLE
I get so many comments about my Holga cameras when I have them out and about with me. And I’ve also collected over a dozen of them at this point, in all sorts of colors and model numbers. They look cute up on a shelf and they are a conversation starter, for sure! At this point, i’ve gotten so many people hooked on the Holga and it’s actually super important to keep people shooting with the 120 version because, sadly, 120 film is slowly dying. Personally, I don’t understand why because it’s an absolutely stunning film format with huge, sharp negatives. Help keep 120 film alive and try out the Holga! If you’re really not ready for 120 film though, you can always try the Holga 135BC first, the 35mm version of the Holga camera. You can read my full blog post about it here or watch my YouTube video here!
THE IMAGES ARE SURPRISINGLY SHARP
It takes a while to get to this point, but when you finally get an image with no motion blur or accidental movement, the Holga can take some incredibly sharp photos. This is also why I almost exclusively shoot with the Holga GCFN version, because it comes with a glass lens instead of a plastic lens. If you just so happen to get all of the settings right with the right film stock, the Holga will surprise you with its capabilities. If you’re having issues getting a sharp photo, I recommend taking a roll of Kodak Portra 400 120 film to the beach on a sunny day, make sure the camera is on the “N” (normal) setting and not the “B” (bulb) setting and see what you end up with!

CONS OF THE HOLGA GCFN

TAKES PATIENCE TO LEARN
I think the most difficult part about the Holga is putting in the time and effort to understand it. Your first few rolls of film will not be great, I’m warning you now. But just keep taking it along with you on adventures and I promise, one day, you’ll end up with a roll of film that you’re obsessed with. I also would tell anyone just starting out with any sort of film photography, do not expect perfection. Film photography is meant to be rough around the edges. Expect grain and light leaks and multiple exposures and wrong settings. But take what you’ve learned and apply it to the next roll of film. It’s a learning experience and it’s something you can continue to grow with every day.
DOESN’T WORK WELL IN LOW LIGHT
As with most cheap film cameras, they function best in bright, daylight conditions. If you’re shooting indoors, make sure to use the flash and stay within 8 feet of your subject for best results. You have to find a balance between ISO and sharpness when it comes to the Holga. And by that I mean, once you start getting over 400 ISO with your film, the images will become more grainy and less sharp. I always recommend 400 ISO film to anyone just starting out with the Holga because it’s nice and sharp but also works decently well in low light. If it’s a cloudy day and you’ll potentially be shooting in the shade or indoors, I’d recommend an 800 ISO film. If you’re going to be outside on the beach, I’d recommend a 100-200 speed film like Lomography Color Negative 100, Kodak Portra 160, or Kodak Gold 200.
YOUR IMAGES WILL BE WEIRD
Honestly, it’s hard for me to think of cons for this camera! And to me, “weird photos” are not a negative trait of the camera, but I know it is to some people. I always find it strange when people complain about the fact that their camera created a multiple exposure or when they don’t like the light leaks. i’m sorry, I just can’t relate. I’m obsessed with multiple exposures and light leaks. So…. take this trait with a grain of salt and decide for yourself!

Below, I’ve included all of the images featured in the video so you can take a closer look at them. These are some of my favorite images I’ve taken over the years. A few of them have actually won awards and have been featured in gallery shows across the US!

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! You should definitely pick up a Holga (purchase your own here) if you get the chance. They are super affordable as well, ranging from $40-100 depending on which version and color you are interested in. I prefer the Holga 120 GCFN model, which features a glass lens and a built-in flash. This helps me get even sharper images than the traditional plastic lens Holga and allows me to photograph in lower light situations. The Holga, in general, requires a lot of light to perform well, so that built-in flash can really make a difference on those cloudy days or when you’re shooting indoors.

WHERE TO BUY THE HOLGA 120 GCFN:

Amazon

eBay (you can find more fun color options here)

Etsy

KEH Camera

FILM RECOMMENDATIONS:

Lomography 400 120 film

Lomography 100 120 film (for shooting in bright daylight)

Kodak Portra 160 120 film

Kodak Portra 400 120 film

Kodak Gold 200 120 film

#CommissionsEarned

Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

(click to enlarge images)

Build a custom photo website that displays your work while selling prints around the world with SmugMug. Try them free here and save 15% if you choose to purchase. #ad https://shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=507776&m=49765&u=1135228&afftrack=