Cape Town is arguably the analogue photography capital of South Africa. Every month more and more creative individuals take the plunge into the medium.
While the cost of buying rolls of film and paying for development tallies up over time, the barriers to entry are significantly lower when compared to the cost of buying a new digital camera — functional film cameras can be purchased for less than R2000, if you know where to look.
Cape Town ETC presents a helpful guide meant to help anyone who has an interest in joining the burgeoning local film community but has no idea where to start.
Where to buy cameras:
Film cameras are peddled on online marketplaces — BidorBuy and Gumtree, are two sites that have a wide selection of cameras, obviously, there are risks involved as not every seller lists all the pertinent information. There is also no guarantee the camera will work, which can be quite a daunting task for the uninitiated. However, if you find a seller who seems reputable — check their other listings and customer feedback — it is worth taking the gamble.
If you would be more comfortable buying your camera from an establishment that could guarantee it is in good working order and maybe even offer some expert advice, there are several online and brick-and-mortar outlets that specialise in analogue photography equipment in the Mother City.
Where: Boland Bank Building, 18 Lower Burg St, Cape Town City Centre
Operating hours: Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm; Saturday 8am – 1pm; Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Specialises in: Secondhand and collectable photographic equipment, and has a variety of film.
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Vintage Camera Man
Where: Instagram (@vintage_cameraman)
Specialises in: “Bespoke analogue equipment” and camera repairs and services.
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thatgoodhour
Where: Online (https://thatgoodhour.com/)
Specialises in: Secondhand cameras, camera services, camera modifications, 3-D printed camera accessories
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BlackWaterCameraCo
Where: Instagram (@blackwatercameraco)
Specialises in: Analogue Photographic Gear and camera repairs and restoration
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friends with film
Where: Instagram (@friendswithfilm_)
Specialises in: Secondhand film camera sales
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Where to buy and process film:
Cape Film Supply
Where: 89 Church Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town & Online (https://capefilmsupply.co.za/)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm; Saturday 10am – 3pm; Closed on Sundays
Specialises in: Film sales and processing
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Orms
Where: Shop 5 Roeland Square, Cnr Roeland and, Upper Canterbury St, Cape Town & Online (https://www.ormsprintroom.co.za/)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm; Saturday 9am – 1pm; Closed on Sundays
Specialises in: Everything photography-related
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Cameraworld
Where: Shop 11, Lower Ground Level, Nobel Park Centre, 4 Old Paarl Rd, Bellville, Cape Town & Online (https://cameraworld.co.za/)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm; Saturday 9am – 1pm; Closed on Sundays
Specialises in: Photographic equipment, film and new and secondhand camera sales
Cape Town film photographers worth following:
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Useful Instagram hashtags to follow for some extra inspiration:
#capetownonfilm
#skietfilmbra
#analoguecapetown
Picture: @veescamera
