You know the photos that look like they were taken in 2003 with a shaky hand and bad flash? People are chasing that exact vibe – and loving it. So much so that film cameras have found a solid foothold among those new to the hobby, and lo-fi photography is no longer limited to those who are already in the know.
And a turning point for lo-fi photography, in my opinion, is the introduction of the Fujifilm X Half, which happened just a few days ago. The Fujifilm X Half is a P45,000 half-frame camera dedicated to recreating the film camera look and experience. I have big questions about the camera itself. Why is it so expensive? Are people basically buying a nerfed mirrorless camera? And why do I want one for myself so badly?
I haven’t tried the camera myself, but its release signals a shift: that camera makers are now modernizing the lo-fi experience.
That launch made me think – why is lo-fi photography gaining momentum right now? Well, let’s break it down.
Passing the vibe check
The resurgence of lo-fi photography comes at a peculiar time. Since the invention of digital cameras, camera smartphones, and social media, the game has always been about getting a clearer and clearer definition. Whoever had the sharpest image won. For smartphone brands, it’s usually about slapping a camera lens with a high megapixel count.
But now, more people are flipping the script. They’re now buying secondhand digicams, film cameras, or even old cellphones. To stand out on social media, you want grain, you want the flash on, and you don’t want to be so posed. Candid shots are great because they show authenticity, while being posed feels like you have too many filters on.
People enjoy lo-fi photos differently. Some are in it for the nostalgia, while others enjoy not having to fuss over getting the perfect shot. For me, it’s a mix of those two things, plus digital fatigue.
In a world of AI-generated perfection and hyper-curated content, lo-fi photography gives people something real, flaws and all.
I also see it as a way to challenge myself and be more creative, given how limited lo-fi photography is meant to be.
Instagram inspos
I first got interested in this kind of photography thanks to a video posted by DigitalRev TV more than ten years ago. It was a challenge where professional photographers used cheap cameras (some even toy cameras) and still produced beautiful visuals.
Now, I look to creators like Bonsees and Anjroo for inspiration when it comes to taking film photos or photos with a retro vibe.
What I enjoy about this whole casual yet creative approach to photography is how you can do so much with so little. When I first got into photography, I’d lug around a Nikon DSLR and at least two lenses. Then I switched to a Lumix micro-four-thirds mirrorless camera, but still had extra gear with me.
Now, I bring with me a small camera and my phone because it’s a lot easier, and let’s be honest, safer in the streets of Manila.
Little to no gear
Quick note: I’m just a casual hobbyist who enjoys walking around and snapping photos. That being said, though, I’ve tried my fair share of cameras.
If you want a good film camera, the Kodak Ektar H35 and H35N are fun to use. These are half-frame cameras (they squeeze two photos into the space of one 35mm frame, doubling your shots per roll). My go-to film roll for this is the Colorplus 200.
🛒Get the Kodak Ektar H35
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🛒Get the Kodak Ektar H35N
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🛒Get a Kodak Colorplus 200 Film Stock
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There are digital cameras that recreate that film experience for you and have low-profile form factors, too. I have a friend who has tried Snappd Cam, which is a screen-free digital camera. There’s also Camp Snap, but I have yet to try this one. One that I have tried and enjoyed is a Papershoot camera. It’s a super thin camera that is just slightly wider than a credit card. Its exterior is made of paper, and yes, it doesn’t have a screen either. I like it because it’s a fun conversation starter.🛒 Get the Camp Snap Digital Camera
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🛒 Get the Papershoot V3
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I like instant cameras. My Fujifilm Instax, which I’ve had since 2013, is still fun to use. There are newer versions of the Instax and Polaroid instant cameras now that you can try.
🛒 Get the Instax Mini 41
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If you do have money to burn, then there’s the aforementioned Fujifilm X Half, which supposedly offers features like locking you in a film stock simulation until you “finish a roll” and is very petite. It seems like a fun and unserious way to enjoy photography, but the price tag is no joke. At around the same price range, you can get good mirrorless cameras like the Fujifilm X-T20 or X-T30, which also have film simulations, albeit with a much larger build.
🛒 Get the Fujifilm X-T30
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The ultimate hack if you don’t want to spend, though? Your phone. They say that the best camera is the camera you always have with you, and chances are that would be your smartphone. There are lots of free apps for this, but if you have about P500 to spare, I won’t gatekeep the app that I use, which is called NoFusion.
But no matter what you use and at whatever price point you buy, the most important thing is to just have fun with it. Use it as a creative form of expression or use it to vibe, it’s totally up to you. In the end, lo-fi photography isn’t about getting it right. It’s about capturing the moment before it slips away. – Rappler.com