I've primarily been a digital photographer, but my love for photography started with a simple point-and-shoot camera when I was a kid. I adored that little camera. Now, when I look back on my childhood, I see it through the warm haziness of a flash and the golden hues of Kodak film.

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My motivation to pick up my first film camera was to take a class. I have never developed my own film or printed in a dark room. This class offered the opportunity to do both. It was black and white only.

I spent a lot of time researching beginner-friendly film cameras. The class required manual exposure controls, which ruled out many popular options. I quickly became obsessed with the idea of owning a fully mechanical camera.

I'm not sure why, but I felt that if I was going to shoot film, I should fully embrace the experience—something as far from digital as possible.

The OM-1 met all my criteria, and I found it beautiful. Its silver body, compact size, and distinctive lenses drew me in—so I got one.

I got my OM-1 with a 28mm f/2.8 lens, and it delivered many excellent photographs. It was plenty sharp, and I loved its rendering. It handled everything I needed for my work, and focusing with a split prism was even easier with a wider lens.

What struck me immediately was the viewfinder. Though dusty, it offered an incredible view. Manually focusing with a split prism was a completely new experience, and I loved seeing the world through it. It captured the essence of photography for me—shaping light to create a personal vision of the world's beauty.

We've definitely lost something in the shift to electronic viewfinders in mirrorless cameras. DSLRs don’t offer the same experience—at least not for me. Maybe I just haven't used a high-end model, but my Nikon didn’t come close, even with its optical viewfinder.

My digital cameras, even secondhand, still feel lifeless—maybe it’s all the plastic. Older metal-bodied cameras develop a patina, carrying the marks of use in a way that feels more organic and alive.

This one must have had a life of its own—and in a way, it has. It’s much older than me, built in the early 1970s. Who else held it as I do? What has it seen? I’ll never know.

This isn’t an experience you can have with newer cameras. They change every few years, are difficult to repair, and don’t seem to be cherished in the same way. Who will treasure a Sony, Nikon, or Canon digital camera in 50 years?

If you're considering your first film camera—or adding another to your kit—I highly recommend the OM-1. Just be sure to use your phone or a light meter to get a feel for proper exposure. Even for experienced photographers, it remains a valuable and inspiring creative tool.