Ditch The Disposable - Travel Film Cameras for Happy Snaps
Three great film cameras at different price points.
“The best souvenir isn’t something you buy—it’s the roll of film you bring home.”
Thomas here. I've always joked that I'm the blogging sherpa, in my camera bag: two pro cameras, laptop, all the necessary lighting and cleaning accessories, the most up to date iPhone… and yet there’s always room for one little film camera. Why? Because the film frames feel like the memories I replay in my head—messy, honest, occasionally out‑of‑focus, and never over‑edited. When the scans hit my inbox it’s Christmas morning: thirty‑six frozen moments, none of them curated, each of them special in their own way.
Earlier this year in Mexico, our five‑year‑old Clementine borrowed the Contax and snapped this portrait of Julia and me. The frame is charmingly tilted and a touch soft—proof that it came from curious little hands. I could correct it but it's easily one of our favorite shots we've ever taken together. That’s the spirit of happy snaps: little postcards from real life.
What Exactly Are Happy Snaps?
Picture the opposite of a campaign shoot: no art director, no strobe kit, no twelve versions of the same pose. Happy snaps are the quickfire frames you burn through at breakfast, on the ferry, in the taxi queue—simple proof that we were here and it was fun.
Plenty of travelers still toss a drugstore disposable into their carry‑on—and sure, that fuzzy flash nostalgia has its charm. But if you crave just a bit more quality without lugging a pro rig, there’s a sweet spot in between. So I did the homework: I stacked my long‑time Contax against a brand‑new Pentax and a gently worn Nikon that’s a great budget option. Three tiers, three price tags, and zero excuses to stick with disposables.
My Three‑Camera Travel Arsenal
1. Contax T3 — The Pocket Diva
I bought it years ago for $3,000 which seems crazy for a film camera. It slips into the pocket of my jeans and fires off tack‑sharp Zeiss magic without breaking a sweat. Every now and then it throws a tantrum (mine cost $500+ to service), but when the scans come back I forgive everything.
Best for: people who treat cameras like heirloom jewelry and who want the best and smallest size.
Quirk to love: the camera always digitally displays how many images on the roll you’ve shot, making you think you’ve accidentally left it turned on.
See below for images from the Contax T3.
2. Pentax 17 — The Frugal Overachiever
Half‑frame means 72 shots per roll, which feels like hitting the photo buffet with two plates. Because you have double the frames, each click feels less precious—so you end up firing more freely and capturing the in‑between moments you’d normally hesitate on. (I’ve kicked myself more than once for letting the cost per shot talk me out of pressing the shutter.) There’s no autofocus, just zone focus and faith, but the auto‑exposure is Jedi‑level accurate. Side‑by‑side diptychs of consecutive frames play like tiny movie storyboards. Pro tip: always pay for super‑scans so you can print bigger than a postcard.
Best for: stretching your film budget without sacrificing vibes. People that have some familiarity with manual focusing.
Quirk to love: the shutter sounds like a gentle click and there's a film advancing lever.
See below for images from the Pentax 17.
3. Nikon L35AF (“Pikaichi”) — The People’s Champ
I found mine on Cute Camera Co. for around $350. It’s all automatic, all the time, with a 35 mm f/2.8 lens that punches way above its weight. The first roll convinced me this is a great alternative at less than a tenth of the cost of the Contax T3.
Best for: anyone upgrading from disposables who still wants point‑and‑shoot ease.
Quirk to love: the camera strap slings over your shoulder instead of your neck or wrist.
See below for images from the Nikon L35AF.
Film Stocks: Portra 400 vs. UltraMax 400
I live on Portra 400 because it handles sunlight like a champ and flatters every skin tone. But at $15+ a roll, the math adds up fast. Enter Kodak UltraMax 400—a little warmer, a bit punchier, $9 per roll. I shot side‑by‑side rolls over the past weeks, and unless you’re overly critical, UltraMax gives a similar vibe at a fraction of the cost.
Wallet verdict: Save the Portra for special trips; run wild on UltraMax the rest of the year.
Where I Develop & Why
I have had my film developed at Indie Film Lab for years. As a professional, they are worth the investment. There are other quality mail in services available that came up consistently in my research. Those include: Cove Film Lab, Dwayne’s Photo and Process One. BTW Indie Film Lab does offer an uncorrected scan only option at competitive prices.
Looking to save a few dollars or shave off a shipping week? Check if your city has a local camera store or photo lab that still runs C‑41. Dropping rolls off in person often means lower costs and next‑day turnaround. I just started using Charleston Film Lab.
Dev Tip
Ask for TIFFs if you like editing later. JPEGs are fine for Instagram, but TIFFs give you elbow room when you decide the shot deserves a 16×20 print.
Five Tiny Habits for Better Happy Snaps
Shoot through the moments you think are “nothing.” B‑roll becomes A‑roll with time. I love having a shot of a plate of food, a scenic shot or even a street sign that transport me back in the moment.
Flash at dusk. Ignore the stares; you’ll thank yourself later.
Step closer. Film loves faces; get in there.
Finish the roll before you fly home. Unfinished rolls gather dust—trust me. I just discovered ANOTHER roll that must be at least a year old. In fact I thought my camera was broken because a fully shot roll of film was already in it.
Print often. Create a space in your house to display printed images.
Ready to Ditch the Disposable?
If you’re still tossing Walgreens disposables into your carry‑on, consider grabbing a Nikon L35AF instead. For under $350 you’ll enter a world where every click feels intentional, and the imperfections are features, not bugs. Or go with the Pentax 17 and snap away, getting double the frames per roll.
Shoot film, stay happy.
We were here and it was fun. What a sentence. Loved this, Thomas!
Very much appreciating all the photography posts!!!