Why Film Photography Is Making a Comeback in 2025

In a world where most images are created, edited, and shared in seconds, you might expect the art of film photography to have quietly faded into history. Yet, in 2025, the opposite is true: film is back... and stronger than it’s been in decades.

From Instagram influencers to documentary photographers, from teenagers picking up their first point-and-shoot to seasoned professionals dusting off their old SLRs, a growing community is embracing the tactile, imperfect, and wonderfully human qualities of film photography. At Maplin, we’ve seen this passion first-hand through our growing collection of film cameras, including modern reimaginings like the Kodak Ektar H35, Kodak M35, and the retro-inspired Pentax 17.

But what’s driving this resurgence? Let’s take a peek at the creative, cultural, and even philosophical reasons behind the film photography revival.

Film photography isn’t just about the end result, it’s about the entire journey. Unlike digital shooting, where you might snap dozens of images and review them instantly, film demands patience. You load the roll, frame your shots carefully, adjust your settings manually, and only discover the final image after the film has been developed. This process slows you down, making you more intentional about each exposure.

The tactile experience of winding film, the click of a shutter, and the mechanical satisfaction of a well-built camera brings a sense of craft that’s often missing in today’s instant world. And then there’s the aesthetic grain. that subtle, organic texture that gives film photographs their distinct mood. Grain isn’t a flaw; it’s part of the charm, lending each image a warmth and character that digital sensors can only imitate.

One of the most fascinating cultural shifts driving film’s comeback in 2025 is the rise of AI-generated imagery. While AI art tools can create stunningly realistic visuals in seconds, they raise questions about authorship, originality, and even truth in photography.

Film offers an antidote. Each image is physically captured by light hitting a chemical emulsion, a direct interaction between the real world and the medium. There’s no algorithm deciding what a cloud should look like, no prompt engineering to fine-tune a scene.

While digital images can be manipulated beyond recognition, film photographs carry an authenticity and trustworthiness that resonates deeply. A film negative is a physical record of a moment, a tangible piece of history that can’t be generated by code.

Part of film’s charm is the variety of formats available, each with its own creative possibilities:

• 35mm Film: The most popular and versatile format, offering a balance of image quality, portability, and affordability. Ideal for everyday photography, street scenes, and travel. Cameras like the Kodak M35 and Ektar H35 make it easy to start with this format.

• Medium Format: Larger negatives capture incredible detail and dynamic range. This format is favoured by portrait photographers and fine art shooters who want a slower, more deliberate workflow.

• Large Format: The ultimate in resolution and tonal control, but also the slowest and most cumbersome to use. Perfect for landscape and architectural photography where every frame counts.

At Maplin, our focus is on accessible 35mm cameras that let anyone enjoy the film experience without needing a professional studio or deep technical knowledge.

We stock a range of film cameras that blend vintage charm with modern reliability — perfect for newcomers and seasoned shooters alike.

The Ektar H35 is a half-frame 35mm camera, meaning each standard frame is split in two. This effectively doubles your exposures, i.e. a 36-shot roll becomes 72 frames. It’s light, compact, and available in stylish colours, making it a brilliant travel companion. The half-frame format is also great for creative diptychs — pairing two images side-by-side to tell a visual story.

If you want a no-fuss introduction to film, the M35 is perfect. This reusable point-and-shoot has a fixed-focus lens and built-in flash, making it ideal for casual snapshots, parties, and holidays. Plus, it comes in a variety of vibrant colours to suit your style.

The Pentax 17 bridges the gap between nostalgic design and modern build quality. This premium 35mm compact offers superb handling, a bright viewfinder, and high-quality optics. It’s built for photographers who appreciate the heritage of Pentax craftsmanship but want the reliability of a brand-new camera.

Film photography’s limitations are part of its magic. With only 24 or 36 exposures per roll (or 72 with the Ektar H35), you’re forced to think about composition, lighting, and timing before pressing the shutter. This discipline often leads to more meaningful photographs as each shot feels earned, not just captured.

Even mistakes can be beautiful. A light leak, a bit of motion blur, or unexpected colour shifts can add character and unpredictability, reminding us that art isn’t always about perfection.

Film photography fosters connection not just between photographer and subject, but between photographers themselves. Online and offline, communities share tips on developing film, swapping rolls, and showcasing their latest prints. There’s a sense of shared discovery, whether you’re picking up your first roll or returning to film after decades.

At Maplin, we see customers from teenagers to retirees picking up cameras like the Kodak M35 for their first analog adventure, and returning with stories (and prints) to share.

Far from being a relic, film photography is carving out a strong niche in the modern creative landscape. As technology races ahead, the slow, deliberate nature of film becomes a meditative counterbalance.

In 2025, choosing film is as much a philosophical statement as a creative one: it’s about valuing craft over convenience, authenticity over automation, and moments over megapixels.

Whether you’re drawn to the experimental fun of the Ektar H35, the simplicity of the M35, or the refined craftsmanship of the Pentax 17, Maplin has the tools to start — or restart — your film journey.

Explore our full Film Cameras collection and see why so many photographers are rediscovering the joy of shooting analog. Load up a roll, slow down, and capture the world as it truly is, one frame at a time.