The Film Camera That Made Me Love Photographing My Family Again

I am a full time professional photographer that stopped

enjoying photographing my own family.

I stopped doing personal work. I stopped taking photos of my family. So I needed to make a change.

I made a personal rule that my “personal work” will primarily be shot on film. I noticed that when I was documenting my own family, I started treating it more like a paid gig - checking composition after taking the shot, repositioning, trying again and again…

It was taking me away from the present moment, from connecting with my family, it was a distraction.

When I’m shooting film, that doesn’t exist. I can’t see the immediate result. I snap the picture and then I am immediately back in the present moment. Now I can truly go full analog mode when we take family trips. I throw my phone in a drawer for the day, use my film camera to document, and call it good.

This new personal rule meant that I needed a new “personal” camera…

I wanted a film camera that could easily fit in my bag without taking up too much space, wasn’t heavier than my child, had easy usability, autofocus, was reliable, and wasn’t going to cost more than my mortgage. I did tons of research via reading blogs like this, watching youtube videos, looking up camera manuals and specs, as well as asking any and all professional photographers what their preference was.

I didn’t want the trendiest camera, but rather I wanted the best camera for me.

WHY THIS UGLY BRICK OF A CAMERA?

Nikon L35AD2

If I am being honest, the price point was extremely enticing. I purchased a Nikon L35AD from eBay for $198. [[[[NEAR MINT]]]] (iykyk) from Japan. Aside from the fact that the price doesn’t break the bank, I loved that I could control the ISO, a feature most point and shoots do not have. This allowed me to push or pull in development if needed. I used this camera for 4 months and then experienced it’s common failure: A broken battery door.

My boys throwing rocks into some lake in Colorado (Nikon L35AD2)

Begrudgingly, I found myself yet again scouring the pages of eBay and decided that a solid battery door was more important than being able to control ISO and purchased the NikonL35AD 2! This design fixed the flimsy battery door issue, but did remove the ISO control. The lens is also a bit more simple, but these were sacrifices I was willing to make. I wanted to be able to throw this camera into a bag and not worry about it getting tossed around a bit, so having a solid build became a higher priority for me.

Miami skyline view from our cruise (NikonL35AD)

NIKON L35AF VS NIKON L35AD VS NIKON L35AF 2 VS NIKON L35 AD 2

What the??!? What’s the difference?!

Well, not much.

The AD has a built in data-back. AKA it can imprint the date into your photo. Now, this sounds cool, until you realize that the year only goes up to 2009… But if you’re in it for the aesthetic and not accurately time stamping your photos, it can be fun to play with!

The AD runs a bit cheaper than the AF as it is in less demand due to this data-back feature. I should also note that the data back adds a tiny bit of bulk to the camera, some complain about this, but I found no issue with it what-so-ever. My goal was to find something that can fit in my purse, and I succeeded (even with the “bulky” data back!).

Sunrise light coming into the dining room on our cruise (Nikon L35AD)

The AF 2 and AD 2 have the new design with the reinforced battery door, as well as a simplified lens.

I was concerned about the simplified lens as that is the most important part of a camera, but thankfully I have still been blown away with the quality of the L35AD2.

I am sure a film whiz could point out quality differences, but so far I am just as happy. The colors and highlights I get from this camera are simply unmatched.

Somewhere near Grand Lake, CO (Nikon L35AD2)

This camera has become my everything when it comes to documenting my personal life. It is so user friendly, the lens is incredible, and it fits in my purse.

At its current price, it can’t be beat. So take advantage of the fact that nobody on TikTok has decided this ugly little 80’s looking brick is cool yet and buy one for yourself before they do. I truly believe it is only a matter of time.

OH! And don’t lose sleep over the AF vs. AD vs. AF2 vs. AD2. Buy the cleanest working copy you can find, throw some film in it, and take it everywhere.

Just be gentle with that battery door. ;)