Since we shoot with both film and digital cameras, we're considered hybrid shooters, the best of both mediums. Our camera bags are pretty heavy but we love what we can create using different types of cameras. I thought it might be fun to share what equipment we use to create the images we make. We use both film and digital cameras on most of our shoots, we love and understand them inside and out. The film cameras we shoot with are for the most part the Contax 645, Rolleiflex, Widelux F7 and Holga. We also love and embrace digital as an important tool and photographic advancement. Our digital coverage is shot with the mirrorless FujiFilm GFX and the Canon R6 camera's.

Please take a look at the different cameras we use below to learn more about the gear we use and the images we create. After all, it isn’t the camera, it’s the photographer, but having really great equipment helps! The film cameras listed here are no longer produced, and are therefore even more special. Film and film cameras can still be purchased at camera stores. Give them a try! If you have any questions about film cameras, feel free to ask, I may know the answer! You can also follow us on IG at @karenhillweddings.

FILM CAMERAS

Medium Format Film Cameras:

Contax 645, with an 80mm f2 and a 45mm f2.8 Carl Zeiss Lenses

This camera is one of my favorites and in my opinion, is the best camera ever made. This auto focus camera shoots a rectangle, an actual 6x4.5 negative size. There are 16 images per roll on 120 film. We use Kodak Portra 400 ISO film.

Rolleiflex, with an 80mm 2.8 Carl Zeiss Optics Twin Lens

This twin lens camera is a vintage gem from the 1960's. The first Rolleiflex was produced in 1929. It shoots a square, 6x6 negative, with 12 images per roll of 120 film. Its super Carl Ziess lens produces images that are a little bit dreamy. I use Kodak Portra 400 ISO film. I love this camera.

Holga

The Holga has a plastic lens and one exposure, f8 at a 60th of a second. This camera loves light as much as I do. It shoots a square 6x6 negative, with 12 images per roll of 120 film. Since the lens is plastic, two things happen when you shoot with it, first, the plastic lens makes the image a bit blurry and secondly, when light hits the lens, it causes refraction. Refraction essentially means that when light hits the lens, the light wave is changed and causes light to record in the most curious ways. I find this "accidental light" rendering to be lovely, quirky, dreamy and poignant. The images look like they were shot 100 years ago! I use Kodak Portra 400 ISO film.

35mm Film Camera:

Widelux F7

This panoramic camera shoots 180 degrees with a barrel, rotating lens, which I love because as it makes the exposure, it distorts and bends the image. This camera takes in the whole scene! It has three shutter speeds and is a completely manual camera. No battery means no light meter. There are 20 images on each roll of 35mm film. One of my favorites for it's specific fun style. I use Kodak Portra 400 ISO film.

DIGITAL CAMERAS

High Resolution Digital Mirrorless Cameras:

Canon R6's, with the 24-70mm f2.8 ll, a 50mm f2.0, a 14-35mm f4.5 lens and a 16mm f2.0 lenses

FujiFilm GFX 50S ll, with a GF 63mm f2.8 Lens

The digital cameras are super flexible in all types of light, sharp and fast with tons of exposure latitude. We shoot in RAW. Black and White is achieved in post processing. These cameras and lenses are great additions to our camera bags!

CAMERA BAGS

We use the Think Tank Airport Roller Derby bags with 4 spinning wheels and we love them!