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9 Places To Buy Affordable Vintage Digital Cameras & Reusable Film Cameras Below $100

Where to buy digital cameras & film cameras in Singapore


While many of us appreciate the art of film photography, we have to admit the prices we pay to maintain this hobby are getting more expensive. From the high costs of scanning our negatives to restocking our monthly film rolls, it only makes sense to find ways to save money on film photography.

Instead of spending an exorbitant amount on a vintage film camera, consider using digital and reusable film cameras instead. They are ideal for a budget, and produce equally satisfying photos. Here is a list of places you can buy affordable digital cameras and reusable cameras.


What’s the difference between digital cameras and film cameras?


Before deciding on which camera fits you best, you first need to know the difference between digital and reusable film cameras. Digital cameras don’t require the use of film, and the photos can instantly be transferred to a memory card. The quality of the photos will still give you that vintage look, but they are less grainy and lack the warm tones film photos have.

Regarding film cameras, the pictures you take will be manually captured on a film roll, in which you have to develop it to produce the pictures. The process is more tedious than digital cameras, but some of us would find the process and quality of the photos more rewarding.

The more affordable option for film cameras would be reusable cameras. While these cameras are made of plastic, they last longer than disposable ones which come preloaded with film, but can only be used once. The quality of the photos is comparable to those really expensive cameras too.


How to choose the right digital camera or reusable film camera


If you are a beginner with no experience, we recommend you get digital cameras like the Casio Exilim EX-Z77 or the Nikon Coolpix L25, as they are compact and easy to use. Most of these vintage digital cameras have less than 10 megapixels, giving that nostalgic Y2K look.

If you are someone who enjoys the process of producing film photos or simply prefer your photos to be grainy, we suggest you start off with the Kodak Ektar H35 or the Ilford Sprite 35-II. These cameras will give you traditional 35mm-framed photos, and are simple point-and-shoots. You can read more about how to get your first film camera.


How to avoid getting scammed


As a word of advice, we recommend going down physically to a shop as you can test the camera before buying it. Remember to do quality checks such as ensuring the shutter is working, film can be loaded, and viewfinders are not cracked.

For online purchases, check that the website you’re browsing is trustworthy and read reviews from buyers on apps like Carousell as those will give you a good gauge of the cameras sold.


Things to know before visiting these camera shops


Camera Shop Good For Opening hours
Digicam Depository Digicams under $50 2-9pm Mon-Fri,

12-9pm Sat-Sun

8storeytree Kodak H35 film cameras at $62 11am-4pm Mon-Fri,

Closed on Sat-Sun

Whampoa Colour Centre Cheap film rolls & disposable cameras under $20 11am-7.30pm Mon-Sat,

Closed on Sun

Triple D Minilab Centre Unique film rolls such as Cinestill available 10.30am-7pm Mon-Sat,

Closed on Sun

Hands On Film Custom disposable camera made from upcycled single-use cameras 11am-7pm, Daily
Retronalogue Olympus & Pentax cameras from $75 *Appointment-based visits
Shutter Up Film Waterproof cased film cameras at $28 *Website-based
Filmthrills Minolta film cameras under $100 *Instagram-based
Katong Camera Rare vintage digicams at affordable prices *Carousell-based

– Physical camera shops –


1. Digicam Depository


Digicams under $50


Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Digicam Depository Cameras
Image credit: @digicam.depository via Instagram

Digicam Depository has been making a name for themselves recently, offering over 200 compact-sized digital cameras in their inventory. Located amidst the hipster thrift stores at Haji Lane, this cosy store is a start-up by a Singaporean couple where they do quality checks and fix malfunctioning cameras.

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Most cameras here are pre-loved, with prices starting from $50. Your options won’t be limited as you can browse through brands such as OIympus, Sony, Nikon, and Vivicam.

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Digicam Depository Interior
Image credit: The Digicam Depository via Google Maps

Every purchase of a camera comes with a 14-day warranty, memory card, and charger. Just in case your camera isn’t working, you can simply bring it back to them within that 2-week window.

The Digicam Depository
Google Reviews
5
(200)
Address
43 Haji Ln, Singapore 189236
Opening Hours:
Wednesday 02:00 PM - 09:00 PM Show More Timings

2. 8storeytree


Kodak H35 film cameras at $62


Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - 8storeytree
Image credit: @8storeytree via Instagram

8storeytree has been around since 2007, and they have everything you need from affordable 35mm film cameras to aesthetic accessories. Located at Balestier Road, you can find cameras from brands like Kodak, Yashica, and Ilford.

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Kodak H35 Half Frame Cameras
Image credit: 8storeytree

A reusable camera would cost between $40 and $70, with the popular Kodak Ektar H35 35mm cameras ($62) being stocked here. You will discover film rolls and even vintage vinyls as you roam around in this vibey space.

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - 8storeytree Accessories
Image credit: 8storeytree

If you don’t have the time to visit their store, you can browse through the catalogue on their website. Every product listed has ample photos and information given, where accessories relevant to your purchase will even be suggested to you before checkout.

8storeytree (Self-Collections Only)
Google Reviews
4.5
(57)
Address
205 Balestier Rd, #02-03, Singapore 329682
Opening Hours:
Wednesday 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM Show More Timings

3. Whampoa Colour Centre


Cheap film rolls & disposable cameras under $20


Whampoa Colour Centre is a film processing shop that has served Singaporean film enthusiasts for generations since the 80s. Situated within a walking distance from Shaw Plaza, this shop is also a popular photo-taking spot as it looks like it came out of a Wong Kar Wai film.

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Disposable Cameras
Image credit: Whampoa Colour Centre via Google Maps

Although they specialise in film developing, you can find reusable and disposable cameras here for less than $20. The price for film rolls here are cheaper than most other places, with Kodak Colorplus 200 being available at $13/roll and Kodak Gold at $14/roll.

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Whampoa Colour Centre Film Rolls
Image credit: @sick3six via Instagram

In terms of experience, you won’t have to worry if you’re a beginner as the friendly uncle here will guide you in buying and using film cameras.

Whampoa Colour Centre
Google Reviews
4.7
(279)
Address
272 Balestier Rd, Singapore 329723
Opening Hours:
Wednesday Closed Show More Timings
Contact Information

4. Triple D Minilab Centre


Unique film rolls such as Cinestill available


Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Triple D Minilab Centre
Image credit: remi k via Google Maps

While Bugis is known for its famous Bugis Street filled with food stalls and souvenir shops, there are also hidden gems such as Triple D MiniLab Centre, nestled at Burlington Square. Apart from film developing services, the photo lab also sells reusable and disposable film cameras.

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Triple D Minilab Disposable Cameras
Image credit: Triple D Minilab Centre via Google Maps

You will mostly find single-use cameras here such as the Kodak Funsaver which has a manual film advance and comes with a 27 exposure film roll built-in. The shop also sells reusable Kodak M35 cameras, but they are slightly more expensive.

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Triple D Minilab Film Shelf
Image credit: Triple D Minilab Centre via Google Maps

Their shelves are stocked with traditional film rolls from Kodak and Fujifilm, as well as lesser known brands like Cinestill and Candido if you want something different. There’s even a machine here for you to edit photos and print them out. Just don’t forget to bring your thumbdrive.

You can find out more about their products and services on their website.

Triple D Minilab Centre
Google Reviews
4.2
(246)
Address
175 Bencoolen St, #01-07 Burlington Square, Singapore 189649
Opening Hours:
Wednesday 10:30 AM - 07:00 PM Show More Timings
Contact Information

5. Hands On Film


Custom disposable camera made from upcycled cameras


Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Hands On Film
Image credit: Torn Marom via Google Maps

For the camera collectors out there, you won’t want to miss out on Hands On Film. As you step into the store, you will see rows of vintage cameras stacked on top of each other amidst chic neon lights, and old camera advertorial posters.

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Pokemon & Mickey Mouse Cameras
Image credit: Daryl via Google Maps

The store sells beginner-friendly disposable cameras from Kodak and FujiFilm, and also rare collaboration models such as Pokemon and Mickey mouse-themed cameras. These rare cameras are hard to find these days as they are mostly dead stock.

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Hands On Film Custom Camera
Image credit: @handsonfilm via Instagram

You’ll want to get your hands on the shop’s very own custom-designed disposable camera made from upcycled single-use cameras. The camera comes preloaded with their Summer 400 film, a pouch and stickers, so it’s very much a collector’s item.

Hands On Film
Google Reviews
4.5
(50)
Address
21 Bali Ln, #02-01, Singapore 189857
Opening Hours:
Wednesday 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM Show More Timings

6. Retronalogue


Olympus & Pentax cameras from $75


Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Retronalogue Film Cameras
Image credit: @retronalogue via Instagram

Located at People’s Park Centre in the heart of Chinatown, Retronalogue is another hidden gem that not many of us know about. They sell pre-loved cameras from brands such as Pentax and Olympus, at a price range of $75-$100. Most of these cameras aren’t like your typical reusable plastic cameras as they are made from much better materials.

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Retronalogue Repair Services
Image credit: Retronalogue

You don’t have to worry about the quality of their cameras, as each one is personally tested and cleaned by them. They also offer camera repair services and film scanning services, starting from $8 for a developed roll.

However, do note that this store is appointment-based, so check out their website and Carousell page before making a trip down.

Address: 101 Upper Cross Street, People’s Park Centre, #04-50, Singapore 058357
Opening hours: By appointments only

– Online camera stores –


7. Shutter Up Film


Waterproof cased film cameras at $28


Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Shutter Up Film

Image credit: @shutterup.film via Instagram

Shutter Up Film started out as a business on IG, and is now a website-based store selling disposable film cameras from Kodak and Fujifilm. You can get a Kodak M35 reusable camera for $31.90 here.

Their best-selling camera is their own Shutter Up 35mm Film Camera ($28), a manual camera enclosed in a water-proofed case that can also be bought in bundled sets with film rolls included. If you like custom things, their Decoden DIY Kit ($49) comes with 10-15 charms you can decorate your camera with. There are 2 charm colours to choose from, and for the cameras a total of 14 colours and patterns available.

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Decoden DIY Kit
Image credit: @shutterup.film via Instagram

Other than cameras, the shop also sells cute enamel pins, sticker sets, and bead straps that are film camera-themed. These accessories are all custom made by Shutter Up Film.


8. Film Thrills


Minolta film cameras under $100


Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Ninja Rantaro Focus Film
Image credit: @filmthrills_ via Instagram

Filmthrills is an Instagram-based store that lists film cameras for sale under different sets. Each set has 9-10 cameras you can choose from, with the price going from $80-$190. The cameras sold here are pre-loved, ranging from Minoltas to Fuji Zoom cameras.

For each purchase, you will get a 3-month warranty where you can do a 1-to-1 exchange for another camera of equal value if the one you ordered is faulty.

Their IG page is a place to get valuable information about vintage cameras as well, with guides on the types of film rolls, batteries, cameras, and places to get film developed listed in their story highlights.


9. Katong Camera


Rare vintage digicams at affordable prices


Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Katong Camera Olympus
Image credit: @katongcamera via Instagram

Last but not least, Katong Camera is another Carousell-based seller who has sold over 800 film and digital cameras. You will find digicams with a price range of $70-$100, such as the Ricoh Myport Zoom 90P ($80) and the Olympus Stylus 770SW ($100).

Places to buy affordable vintage cameras - Katong Camera Model
Image credit: @katongcamera via Instagram

More information on curated camera listings can be found on their Instagram page.


Check out these affordable places to buy vintage cameras

It’s often hard to find information on places to buy vintage cameras in Singapore and decide if they are trustworthy in terms of quality. Instead of depending on Reddit or sifting through Google reviews, we have done the work for you in compiling the places on this list. So, head down to one of these shops, there’s no better time to kickstart a new hobby than now.

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Cover image adapted from: @manbawang, @handsonfilm, @katongcamera via Instagram