Film cameras are making an unexpected comeback, experiencing a revival in popularity among teenagers and young adults. Vintage cameras like the Nikon F3, Canon AE-1, and Pentax K1000 that were collecting dust in basements are now selling like hot cakes on auction sites and at vintage shops. But this analog resurgence faces challenges around film scarcity and cost.

Retailers specializing in used camera equipment have seen film camera sales jump 50 in the last year, driven by interest from a new wave of enthusiasts in their late teens and 20s. Entire subcultures have emerged on Instagram and TikTok devoted to shooting with film and sharing photos. Grainy, retro-looking shots typed with the #filmisnotdead hashtag have over 25 million posts. Young creators are leveraging apps to edit scans of their developed prints with faded, vintage effects.

But just as film demand is hitting fever pitch, supply constraints threaten to derail the comeback. Manufacturers scaled back film production over the last decade as digital dominated. Fujifilm, one of the last major film producers, has been unable to fulfill orders amid global raw material shortages.

Five years ago, a roll of Fujifilm Superia X-Tra consumer film cost around $5 Today, the same roll goes for $15-$20, if you can find it in stock. For teen photographers on budgets, these exponentially higher costs present major barriers.

Camera shops in Japan hope to see eventual market equilibrium as manufacturers invest in ramping up film output again, but they aren’t convinced the revival will last forever. In the meantime, demand seems likely to be dampened if supplies stay low and pricing remains stratospheric.

Yet, even at lower volumes, film retains devotees drawn to its visual appeal and hands-on experience. The film camera resurgence may fade when the novelty wears off for less dedicated enthusiasts. But for now, the format is enjoying a resurgence.