Before you toss that dusty camera from the back of the closet, hold on. The young people you might expect to scroll past it are, according to a recent essay, among the ones picking film cameras back up.

The essay was written by Rotem Rozental of the University of Southern California and republished by Fortune on July 14, 2026. It reports that 35% of the 42 million active film camera users worldwide in 2025 were between the ages of 18 and 30.

The essay adds that searches for analog photography rose 41% in 2024, and that nearly 60% of Gen Z are purchasing records.

Why Film Is Having A Moment

The numbers point to a broader return to analog things. Records and film cameras have something in common. Both ask you to slow down. With film you cannot take 300 pictures and pick the best one. You get a limited number of frames, you choose carefully, and then you wait to see what came out. For people who grew up with an endless stream of instant images, that patience can feel like a fresh experience.

For those of us who remember dropping off a roll at the drugstore and waiting for the envelope of prints, it is a funny reversal. What was once simply how photos were made is now what a younger crowd finds exciting.

Shooting film also means a step that digital skips: the roll has to be developed before you can see a single picture. Photo labs and mail-in services still develop and scan film, so a roll shot today can come back as prints or digital files.

Check The Camera In Your Closet

If you have an old film camera tucked away, the news is a good reason to pull it out. There is a real chance a younger photographer would love to use what you have.

Here is how to take a sensible first look.

• Find the make and model, which is usually printed on the front or the top of the body. Write it down so you can look it up.
• Check for the lens. A camera body with its original lens is generally more appealing than a body alone.
• Look over the outside for dents, rust or heavy wear, and look at the battery compartment for corrosion. Old batteries can leak.
• Gently work the shutter button, the film advance lever and the dials, and see if they move freely. Do not force anything that sticks.
• Look for the original strap, case and manual. Extras help a camera feel complete.

Keep in mind that a camera that looks perfect can still have problems inside, such as worn seals or a sluggish shutter. A shop that repairs or sells used cameras can test the shutter and the light seals.

Many film cameras from the second half of the twentieth century are 35mm models, which take standard film cartridges that are still sold today. Others use larger 120 roll film, and the model name will tell you which format your camera takes. Many fully mechanical models work without a battery, though a battery may power a built-in light meter. Before loading film, make sure the back opens and closes snugly, since a worn light seal can let light leak onto the roll.

Keep It, Use It Or Pass It On

You have more than one good option. You could load a fresh roll and shoot with it yourself. Film is still sold, and there is something satisfying about holding prints you took with your own hands. You could hand the camera to a grandchild who has been asking about it. Or you could sell it to someone who will put it to use.

If you do decide to sell, check what similar cameras have actually sold for rather than what sellers are asking. Be honest about the condition, and say if you have not tested it. Buyers appreciate straight talk, and it saves everyone a headache later.

Whatever you decide, treat the camera kindly while you think about it. Store it in a dry place away from heat, and take the batteries out so they cannot leak.

What The Numbers Show

The 35% is a share of film camera users, not of everyone who takes photos, and the 42 million figure is the number of active film camera users worldwide in 2025.

Searches for analog photography rose 41% in 2024, and nearly 60% of Gen Z are purchasing records, which shows the appetite for analog things is not limited to cameras. The picture is of young people reaching for things they can hold.

That is a pleasant bit of news for anyone who held onto their gear. The habits that seemed destined to fade have a new audience, and that audience is willing to learn the old ways.

Old Gear, New Fans

There is something nice about the idea that an object from your own younger days is getting a second life with the next generation. The figures in the essay suggest that film photography is no longer just a memory for older folks. It is an active hobby with plenty of young people in it.

So go ahead and open that closet door. The camera you forgot about may be exactly what someone, maybe even you, has been looking for.

More Stories You May Like

• Ten More Weird Defunct Candy Bars That Nobody Remembers Prove Your Childhood Snacks Are Gone for Good
• Estate Sale Shopper Hits the Mother Lode of Cozy Granny Sweatshirts at $5 Each and Walks Out With 17 of Them, and the Closet Now Needs Some Space
• Thrifter Calls It the Most Insane Haul of Her Entire Life After Pulling a Designer Emilio Pucci Coat Off the Thrift Store Rack That Fits Her Like a Glove