Katie K

If you want a camera that will actually teach you how to shoot, survive an accidental drop down a flight of concrete stairs, and deliver those gorgeous, grainy textures that make your creative soul scream, you only need one machine – The Pentax K1000. It’s the ultimate starter camera for beginners, and the ride-or-die backup for seasoned pros who refuse to let their gear dictate their vibe.

The entire original spirit of junk journaling is right there in the name. It’s supposed to be raw, chaotic, tactile, and made from the physical scraps of your actual life. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting until you buy the "right" aesthetic supplies, consider this your permission slip to stop spending money and start tearing up what’s already on your desk.

Consider this your complete, zero-gatekeeping manual to picking your first film body, matching the right film stock to your aesthetic, and shooting without burning through your entire bank account.