Canon EOS 650 35mm Film SLR

The Canon EOS 650 is a lovely little piece of photography history, and a surprisingly approachable way to get into shooting film.

Released in 1987, it was the very first camera in Canon's EOS system, introducing the EF lens mount that would go on to become one of the most recognisable systems in photography.

But you don't need to be interested in camera history to appreciate it.

The EOS 650 combines the familiar experience of shooting 35mm film with conveniences that make everyday photography feel a little easier.

Autofocus helps you capture moments without spending too much time adjusting the lens, while automatic film advance means you can concentrate on what's happening in front of you rather than winding on after every photograph.

There's plenty of room to experiment, too.

You can let the camera take care of exposure when you want to keep things simple, or switch to more hands-on settings as your confidence grows.

The optical viewfinder gives you that classic SLR shooting experience, and the Canon EF mount opens up a wide range of compatible lenses.

It's a particularly nice option for someone who wants to explore film photography without immediately jumping into an entirely manual camera.

Load a roll of 35mm film, attach a compatible lens and enjoy the process.

Best for

Everyday photography, portraits, travel, street photography, family moments, beginners exploring 35mm film and Canon photographers interested in the early EOS system.

What to expect

The Canon EOS 650 offers a more automated shooting experience than many earlier film SLR cameras.

Autofocus, automatic film advance and built-in metering help make shooting straightforward, while manual exposure options are there when you want more creative control.

It uses Canon EF-mount lenses, so you'll need a compatible lens before you can start shooting.

This listing is for the camera body only. No lens is shown in the supplied photographs.

The EOS 650 requires a 2CR5 battery to operate, including for its electronically controlled shutter and film transport.

It uses standard 35mm film and produces full-frame 24 × 36mm negatives.

Developing

The Canon EOS 650 uses standard 35mm photographic film.

For colour negative film, choose C-41 processing. Traditional black and white film requires black and white development, while compatible slide film uses E-6 processing.

Once developed, your negatives can be scanned for digital images or printed.