So, you've got your hands on a 35mm film camera—maybe it's a thrift store find, a hand-me-down from your uncle, or a recent eBay score. You're holding it, excited but unsure. You’ve heard film photography is back, but... where do you even start?

If you're about to shoot your first roll of 35mm film, welcome to the wonderfully unpredictable, nostalgic world of analog photography. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to load, shoot, and finish your first roll with confidence—plus what to do once it’s ready to develop.

📦 Step 1: Gather Your Gear

Before you shoot, make sure you have the essentials:

A 35mm film camera (manual or automatic)
A fresh roll of 35mm film (we recommend Kodak Gold 200 or Fujifilm Superia for beginners)
A working battery if your camera uses one
A camera strap or case for protection
Optional: light meter app on your phone if your camera doesn’t have one

Choosing Film

Not all film stocks are created equal. Some are better for daylight, others for low light. Some have fine grain; others are moodier. Here are a few beginner-friendly options:

Kodak Gold 200 – Affordable, warm tones, great in daylight
Ilford HP5 Plus 400 – A classic black-and-white film with lots of flexibility
Kodak Ultramax 400 – Good all-rounder, decent for indoor or outdoor shots

🔄 Step 2: Load the Film (Don’t Panic)

Loading 35mm film can be intimidating, but once you’ve done it a few times, it’s second nature.

Open the back of your camera. There should be a switch or lever.
Insert the film canister on the left side and pull the film leader across to the right.
Insert the leader into the take-up spool. Advance the film using the lever or button.
Make sure the sprockets catch. The little holes on the film should line up with the gear teeth.
Close the back. Advance the film and click the shutter a couple of times until the frame counter shows “1.”

💡 Pro Tip: Some cameras auto-load, while others require manual winding. If you're unsure, look up your camera model’s manual online.

🌞 Step 3: Understand Light and ISO

Every roll of film has an ISO (also called ASA) rating—usually 100, 200, 400, or 800. This determines how sensitive the film is to light.

ISO 100–200: Great for sunny days and outdoor shooting
ISO 400: Good for versatile lighting situations
ISO 800+: Better for indoor, low light, or evening shots

Set your camera’s ISO dial to match your film. Most cameras have a ring or switch to adjust this setting.

📷 Step 4: Compose and Shoot

You're ready to take pictures—now what?

Focus. If your camera is manual focus, turn the lens ring until your subject is sharp.
Meter the light. If your camera has a built-in light meter, follow its guidance. If not, use a smartphone app like “Light Meter” or “Lux.”
Adjust your settings. Shutter speed and aperture matter! A good starting point on a sunny day is the “Sunny 16 Rule”: set aperture to f/16 and shutter speed to the inverse of your ISO (e.g., 1/400 for ISO 400).
Frame your shot. Think about composition—rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry.
Click the shutter. Congrats, that’s one frame down!

Repeat for 24 or 36 exposures, depending on your roll.

⚠️ Step 5: Don’t Open the Back (Seriously)

Until you finish your roll and rewind the film, do not open the camera’s back door. Doing so will expose your film to light and ruin your shots. If you're curious what's going on in there—resist the urge. Trust us.

🔄 Step 6: Rewind Your Film

Once you’ve shot all your frames, it’s time to rewind the film into its canister.

On manual cameras, press the rewind release button (usually on the bottom) and turn the rewind crank clockwise.
You'll feel tension at first, then it will loosen—this means the film is safely back in the canister.
Open the back of the camera and remove your roll. You did it!

📮 Step 7: Develop Your Film

Now comes the exciting part: seeing what you captured.

You have two main options:

🧪 Option 1: Develop at Home

Advanced, requires equipment and chemicals. Not recommended for first-timers.

📦 Option 2: Send It to a Lab

That’s where we come in.

At Shutter Junkies Photo Lab, we make it easy to develop your 35mm film—whether you’re in Greenville, TX or across the country. Just mail it in or drop it off, and we’ll develop, scan, and even print your photos for you.

👉 Click here to order film developing

💬 Final Thoughts: Embrace the Process

Shooting your first roll of 35mm film is a rite of passage. It’s slower than digital, sure—but that’s the magic. You’ll learn to be present, to compose with intention, and to appreciate the surprise that comes with every roll.

Don’t worry about perfection. Embrace the light leaks, the blur, the occasional over- or underexposure. That’s what makes film beautiful.

Welcome to the analog club!

How to Shoot Your First Roll of 35mm Film: A Beginner’s Guide to Analog Photography