Last Updated on 03/19/2025 by Chris Gampat
Browse Reddit, and you’ll see a simple formula for some of the best images. Lots of them use a secret sauce that makes them look like film. They combine nostalgia, coolness, vibes, and all those other really cool words that you see in neon on YouTube. And for a while, you really had to use post-production or smaller-sensor cameras to get that look. But LUMIX has exactly what you need to combine full-frame with less post-production and film vibes. So here’s a look at the best lenses and our favorite camera for the retro-film look.
This article is presented in partnership with LUMIX.
We’re going to say this right off the bat: this article is presented in partnership with LUMIX. But at the same time, we also are transparently stating that we don’t write anything we don’t truly believe in. Trust us, it has caused lots of friction in advertising campaigns. And if we don’t have the facts to back up what we’re saying, we won’t say it. These truly are the best full-frame cameras with a film look for good reasons.
LUMIX luckily has a selection of very affordable lenses that have a film-look and that also have autofocus. In fact, they’ve got more than any other brand that also makes full-frame cameras. You’ll really enjoy the character these lenses can deliver if you’re also using the Real Time LUT feature on their cameras.
Here’s what you want.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Trust Us
The Phoblographer has been doing real-world photography gear tests longer than any other photography publication currently run. We also have the largest database of real-world lens reviews, amongst other things like straps, camera bags, lights, accessories, and more. Here’s why that matters:
- AI Can’t Do This Job: These days, other publications do roundups, sometimes using generative AI. That’s the same as a person researching products and then making a decision without actually trying it. All of our reviews and guides are written not just by humans but by working photographers — not AI. Computers don’t use cameras, so why would you trust AI to recommend cameras for you?
- Research and Practical Experience: Here at the Phoblographer, humans consult on what roundups to do with guidance from an editor. Then, a human goes through our database of reviews and selects the best products based on our own internal research. The human creating the roundup has practical experience with photography gear and will apply their knowledge of what’s best to the already human-based experience provided in our reviews.
- We Block AI Bots: The Phoblographer blocks indexing bots from reading our site, so what’s here can only be read here.
How We Chose the Best Camera Kit for the Retro Film Look
- The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed in these roundups.
- If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- When we test lenses, we’ve got various things in mind. First off, we consider who might want to buy the lens and what they might do with it. With that in mind, we try to tackle at least three genres of photography with that lens in a variety of situations. If the lens has weather resistance, then we’ll test it accordingly with a weather-resistant camera. We also test the autofocus of the lens in continuous mode, single mode, with exposure preview effects, without those effects, and then with all the major image quality parameters. These days, no one really makes a bad lens — but some are far better than others. The same applies to working with cameras.
- In this specific roundup, we’re basing our findings on the reviews that we’ve done. We’re choosing a favorite, but we’re also giving photographers a bunch of others that they might like, depending on how they shoot.
Our Favorite Camera of the Retro Film Kit: LUMIX S5II
It came out a little over years ago, and it’s still really incredible. On a near daily basis, I reach for the LUMIX S5 II for several reasons. First off, it’s received so many autofocus updates. Second, they’ve also stuffed lots of excellent features like Real Time LUT, Live View Composite, AF Zone-Scope, weather resistance, and improved scene detection. Every time you get a new firmware update, it almost feels like you’re getting a new camera. I remember a time we used to say that about another camera brand; but we haven’t in a while.
In our LUMIX S5 II review, we state:
Further, it also maintained the animal priority when I went to go take a photo of the dog and his human. This all sounds like standard fair these days, but being able to have the s5 II track the dog’s eyes too is so much nicer when you combine it with all the other cool things the camera can do. I combined this feature with the Real-Time LUT option and used my Kodak film LUTs. I can’t do that with Nikon or Sony as easily.
LUMIX 85mm f1.8
The LUMIX 85mm f1.8 S boasts sharp image quality, fast autofocus performance, weather resistance, a small size, nice bokeh, a lightweight body you won’t mind carrying around all day, and the autofocus system of LUMIX along with their Real Time LUTs to help you make portraits you won’t need to edit.
In our review, we state:
The LUMIX 85mm f1.8 has nine aperture blades and a beautiful, creamy bokeh. For what it’s worth, I really like it. I think most photographers will really like it for the price point. Is there better bokeh? Yes, but not for this price point.
LUMIX 26mm f8 S
The LUMIX 26mm f8 lens is a manual focus lens that lets you really get more connected to the act of photography because you have yet another thing to manage. It will make you intentional and when you harness that, you’ll come away with images you’ll be very proud of.
In our review, we state:
Turn your lemons into the finest lemonade the summer has given you.
Do I sound nuts? Maybe. But I’m so sick of overly sharp lenses, and an autofocus game that leads photographers to all make the same photographs. Do it yourself.
LUMIX 50mm f1.8
We’ve called this lens the best nifty 50 for reasons. They involve the small size, fast autofocus, and weather resistance for a very good price point.
In our review, we state:
The LUMIX 50mm f1.8 S has 9 aperture blades. And of course, that’s more than enough to give it creamy bokeh. Is it the creamiest 50mm? No. I’ve seen creamier for sure. But I think that for a 50mm f1.8, it’s more than usable.
LUMIX S 35mm f1.8
By far, this is our most used lens simply because it mimics the human eye and is so insanely versatile for every day photography. Shoot portraits, products, street photography, and document anything you want with it. The reliability for the money makes it one of the best deals around. It’s an obvious choice for the Retro Film look.
In our review, we state:
The LUMIX S 35mm f1.8 is pleasantly sharp. Shooting wide open, the center is sharp, but not overly sharp. The corners at f1.8 are a bit soft, but the sharpness is retained through most of the image. The lens could handle a subject on the edge at f4, with everything except for the last bit of the corners sharp.
What to Ask Yourself When Picking the Right Retro Film Kit
- What’s your budget?
- How will you use the product?
- What lighting situations are you in, and how will that affect what you’re doing? Our reviews hyperlinked in this article can help with that.
- Are you traveling a lot with it?
- Will you be using it in a situation that’s a bit rougher?
- Who else uses this product? How are they using it?
- What’s so appealing about this product that I can’t get from what I have already or something else?
- When will I really have time to use this product?
- Where will I bring this product?
- How will this product help bring me joy and joy in my photography?