Cheap Canon Film Camera, BIG RESULTS!

Introduction: Film Photography Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

So the words "cheap" and "film photography" don't necessarily always go hand-in-hand, especially as of the last few years. Oh how I missed 2015... such a simpler time when both film and cheap Canon film cameras were decently priced and basically sold at a steal.

I mean, if I were to pick up a Leica M6 back then, I probably could've spent $1000 on it instead of three grand. It's just too bad I can't hop into a DeLorean and visit my past.

But here in 2024, I think I've found a potential cheat code to help stretch your 35mm film photography budget without sacrificing an ounce of image quality. While everyone's talking about Leicas, Mamiyas, and Hasselblads, I'm going to look you straight in the eye and say... You don't need that shit!

What if I told you that you could spend less than $100 on a fantastic film SLR setup? Would you believe me? Well, I guess there's only one way to find out.

The Canon EOS 650: Your Gateway to Affordable Film Photography

The Birth of Canon's EOS Revolution

Let's travel back to 1987 and talk about the very first Canon camera to introduce autofocus into their 35mm film lineup. The Canon EOS 650 and 620 were introduced to the market, rocking that new EOS lens mount – a mount that lasted on Canon cameras for the next 31 years. That's a hell of a long time, older than my brother... but not by much.

This cheap Canon film camera is quite easy to understand and operate, making it perfect for anyone looking to get into film photography without the steep learning curve of more complex systems.

Why This Film SLR Makes Sense

If you've seen my channel throughout the years, you know I own a Canon EOS 1N that was released in 1994. You can think of this EOS 650 as a light version of the EOS 1N, and honestly, at the end of the day, you probably don't need as much camera as the 1N offers.

From 1987 to 2004, when the last 35mm film camera from Canon rolled out of the factories, around 32 different EOS cameras were made, all stemming from this one cheap Canon film camera.

Canon EOS 650 Features: What You Get for Your Money

Camera Controls and Interface

On top of this film SLR, you have your camera's mode button, exposure compensation, and obviously the on/off selector. The green box is actually a fully automatic "don't think for yourself, fall in line you sheep" mode – bring it up to your eye and snap away.

On the right-hand side, you have the LCD showing all your camera settings alongside the shutter release button and the jog wheel for selecting your camera settings. On the back, you have exposure lock, and under this little flappy flap, you have your drive mode, focus modes, and ISO override if you think you know better than the DX code (which you might).

Shooting Modes: From Automatic to Advanced

This Canon film SLR offers five shooting modes that you're probably aware of if you've ever used a camera: Manual, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Depth Mode.

The Futuristic Depth Mode

The depth mode is definitely one of the most futuristic features I've encountered in 35mm film photography. In this mode, you focus at two separate points in your scene – an A mark and a B mark. Say a subject and another subject further behind it. When you take a photo, the camera chooses the correct shutter and aperture to get those two points in focus.

Like I said, futuristic! But then again, I'm also a Luddite. Overall, do I think this mode is useful? In practice, it's super slow, though I could see it being helpful in group shots where you want every person in focus.

The Manual Mode Challenge (And Simple Solution)

Why Manual Mode Feels Bizarre

Now to manual mode, which at first glance you might think would be the mode you'd use most, coming from a fully manual camera. But the way Canon decided to implement choosing your shutter and aperture is quite bizarre – as bizarre as Marty McFly's mom wanting to make out with him.

See, my EOS 1N is easy. In manual mode, the jog wheel on top selects shutter, and the jog wheel on the back adjusts aperture. However, on this cheap Canon film camera, you only have one jog wheel to select both, defaulting to your shutter selection. It's not until you press the M button over by the lens mount that the dial becomes your aperture control.

The Exposure Reading Dance

The only way to know if your exposure is correct is by pressing that button down. Now your shutter speed info changes to a two-digit Da Vinci code-style lettering system:

• OP (open aperture) means you're underexposed

• CL (close aperture) means you're overexposed

• OO means you're good to go

No blinking, no exposure needle, nothing to tell you your exposure unless you push that button. That means you have to do a little dance between the shutter and aperture wheel.

But here's the good news: there's one simple fix – just don't shoot it in manual mode. At the end of the day, this film SLRis rock solid in most other aspects, and you probably don't really need manual mode. Most of the time when I use this camera, I just use aperture priority mode, and it does the trick perfectly for 35mm film photography.

The Real Magic: Canon EF Lenses

Access to Decades of Glass

The great thing about these Canon EOS cameras from the late '80s is that they can be used with the newest EF glass out there, complete with modern lens coatings. In my images, I mostly used the nifty fifty 1.8, but I also frequently use the 28mm f/2.8, which I've had for 15 years.

Both are inexpensive lenses, and the quality is top-notch. Honestly, I could put these images against my Voigtländer lenses, and you wouldn't know the difference. This is what makes investing in a cheap Canon film camera so smart – you get access to one of the healthiest lens lineups on the planet.

Budget-Friendly Lens Options

I guarantee you can find a perfect used EOS lens for almost no money at all. Canon EF lenses are so good that some Hollywood movies have even used them in their productions.

The Elephant in the Room: Looks vs. Performance

Why Aesthetics Matter (But Shouldn't)

A big part of why film addicts like 35mm film cameras is because we're shallow and vapid creatures who really just care about how cameras look. That's why the AE-1 costs what it does, or the Nikon F3, and especially the M6.

These electronic EOS cameras look like modern slices of plastic – not really inspiring our ego to pick them up. They're kind of like Neville Longbottom in the first Harry Potter: adorkable. But really, then you get to the last Harry Potter, and these Canon EOS bodies get hot, and you realize... it was them all along.

Performance Over Looks

Like I said earlier, Canon released 32 electronic 35mm film cameras rocking the EOS mount. If this 650 is where they started, there's no doubt they improved model after model. And the EOS lens lineup has one of the healthiest selections on the planet.

Real-World Budget Breakdown: Under $100 Film Photography Setup

Current Market Prices

Right now, you can get a Canon A2 (which came out in 1992) for $39, paired with the same 50mm f/1.8 I used for $56, coming to a grand total of $95. That's an incredible cheap Canon film camera setup that delivers professional results.

If you want to go even cheaper, grab a lens like the Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 for a total of $68. Both options are under $100 and will produce killer images with 35mm film.

The Film Inception Bonus

Here's a pro tip: get yourself a used Canon DSLR and 100mm macro lens to scan your 35mm film. Then you can shoot that 100mm macro on your film SLR and digitize those shots with the macro lens on your DSLR. It's the greatest film inception ever – and not the Christopher Nolan kind!

Why You Don't Need a $3000 Leica

Quality vs. Price Reality

All I'm saying is you don't need to get yourself a $3000 Leica just because I or any other fool on the internet uses them. But if you want one, there's nothing wrong with it.

As this review shows, pick up any one of these 32 Canon film SLR cameras, and you'll get amazing images – providing you're actually good at photography. You kinda need that part too.

Conclusion: The Best Cheap Canon Film Camera Choice

At the end of the day, this cheap Canon film camera is so great because of its price point and what it offers. Coupled with the sheer fact that millions of Canon lenses exist, it's at a price point that's undeniable for anyone serious about 35mm film photography.

The Canon EOS 650 proves that you don't need to spend thousands to get into quality film photography. With the right film SLR and lens combination, you can create images that rival any expensive system on the market.

Whether you're just starting your 35mm film journey or looking to add an affordable backup to your kit, this Canon film SLR deserves serious consideration. In a world where film camera prices continue to climb, finding a cheap Canon film camera that delivers professional results is like striking gold.

Watch the full video review of the Canon EOS 650 on my Bad Flashes YouTube channel to see this incredible cheap Canon film camera in action!