Film Photography 2026 | Loving Inconvenience

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Key Points

Key Takeaways

Read in 30 seconds

1
The Constraint of 36 Frames
2
Limit: Can take only 36 pictures with one roll of film (72 if half). That's why take each one with care. Break away from digital thinking of 'Take 10 continuous shots for now and choose'
3
Pentax 17: Miracle new film camera appeared in Reiwa. Since it is half size, running cost can be suppressed to half even in current film soaring era
4
Delay: Cannot see immediately after taking. During several days until returning from development, that memory is matured in your brain
5
Texture: Graininess (Grain) is not noise. It is breath of photo. Even if trying to reproduce digitally, cannot beat real organic texture

Introduction: Slow Internet

We are poisoned by “Immediacy”. Read receipt of LINE, next day delivery of Amazon, story of Instagram.

Film camera is resistance movement against that sense of speed. Even if shutter is released, nothing can be confirmed. Only response of “Taken” and vibration of machine remain.

1. The New Classic: Pentax 17

While used cameras (Contax T2 etc.) are soaring and cannot be repaired, Pentax made courageous decision. They made “Film camera that can be bought new”.

Pentax 17

ASIN: B0D6VGXLFC

Dare to use 'Manual Focus (Zone Focus)'. Gesture to choose distance with ring around lens makes rhythm of shooting. Vertically long composition (Half size) is easy to get used to for smartphone generation.

Amazon

Half Frame Economy

Film is $20 per roll, development fee is $15. If 36 shots, about $1 per shot. It is height that makes me tremble. However, Pentax 17 can take double 72 shots. $0.5 per shot. If this, can take picture of casual everyday freely.

2. The Film: Kodak Portra 400

If asked “What film should I buy?”, this is it without hesitation.

Kodak Portra 400 (5 Pack)

ASIN: B004FNRTGG

Professional film most loved in the world. Reproducibility of skin color is abnormally high. Sunset sky, lighting of cafe, smile of friend. Magic film that makes everything 'Emo'.

Amazon

3. Comparison: Digital vs Analog

項目	iPhone 17 Pro	Pentax 17
Number Limit	Infinite (Tens of thousands)	36 / 72
Image Quality	Ultra High Res/Clear	Ambiguous/Tasteful
Failure	Can delete and retake	Failure becomes work
Time Axis	Present (Live)	Past (Memory)

4. The Ritual: Winding Lever

Click. Jiii, Click.

Act of “Winding lever with thumb” is main body of film camera. Perform “Preparation to welcome next moment” with fingertip. This ritual creates respect for subject.