Recommended film cameras for beginners from "Matsuya Camera," a long-established camera store founded in 1904.

Over the past few years, film cameras have become increasingly popular for their ability to take retro and stylish photos. However, we often hear people saying, "There are so many manufacturers and types, and I don't know which camera to choose!"

If you want to start using a film camera this year, here are some recommendations for you.

This time, Editorial Team visited Matsuya Camera, a long-established camera store founded in 1904 (Meiji 37). The store is located right after exit 11 of Imaike Station Nagoya Municipal Subway.

Since its founding, it has been supported by a wide range of people, from beginners to enthusiasts, as it teaches the joy of owning a camera.

The store has a wide range of classic cameras such as Leica, Nikon, and Canon, used cameras, and the latest digital cameras.

There is a wide range of prices, from masterpieces to items that even beginners can buy for under 10,000 yen.

They can provide a wide range of services, from taking ID photos to trading in used cameras, developing and repairing them.

Starting from the "photo studio"

Mr. Tsunehiro Matsuya, Managing Director, will teach Editorial Team about cameras this time. After retiring from the newspaper company, joined Matsuya Camera. He will give you accurate advice based on his experience as a photographer.

First, we asked about the history of the store.

Mr. Matsuya:"I heard that Matsuya Camera was founded by my great-grandfather in 1901 as 'Matsuya Photo Studio' in Sumiyoshi-cho, Sakae. Cameras back then were not as easily available as they are now. These days, when you want to take a photo, it's normal to go to a photo studio. In addition, they were special photographs taken at turning points in life, such as coming-of-age ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, and wedding photos."

In the Showa Era, people moved from having their pictures taken to taking pictures with cameras. Later, in 1934, my grandfather divided the business into two branches and opened a photographic equipment retail store 'Matsuya Photographic Equipment Store' at the current location. The trade name was changed to 'Matsuya Camera' in 1968."

Ms. Matsutani: "In the postwar period, cameras became popular among ordinary households, and by the 1970s, every family owned a camera, and color photography became the mainstream instead of black and white. In this period, manufacturers began to launch a wide variety of cameras.

With the spread of digital cameras in the 2000s, cameras became more familiar. And now, with the spread of smartphones, it has become possible to take pictures anytime, anywhere. The production of film cameras has almost ended now, and the only ones on the market are used cameras.

Matsuya Camera has changed little by little with the times, and now mainly sells used cameras. ”

What is the appeal of film cameras?

Mr. Matsuya: "We also have used digital cameras, but most of the customers who come to us are looking for film cameras. I think the appeal of film cameras is that you can enjoy the effort and use them for a long time. All operations are manual, and there is a fixed number of sheets of film. You can't release the shutter as many times as you like like with a digital camera, and if you make a mistake, you can't erase it right away.

It costs a lot of money to develop the film, and even the failed photos come to me well in hand (laughs). That's why each shutter has weight, and it makes me look closely at what I really want to capture."

Mr. Matsuya: "When I develop the film and look at the finished photos, if I don't get what I want, I think about the cause and change the film, ISO, and aperture. If you keep trying until you are satisfied with the results, you will gradually be able to take photos that you are satisfied with. Another good thing is that many of them have simpler mechanisms than digital ones, so they are easier to repair.

I think film cameras are the best way to enjoy cameras as a hobby, because you can stick with them for a long time. ”