Last Updated: 12 February 2026

I have always dreamt of visiting Paris, and when my girlfriend of 10 years, Georgina, and I finally did, it was nothing short of spectacular.

I initially booked the trip as a surprise for her 30th birthday. Neither of us had been to Paris before, and I thought it would be the perfect way to introduce her to her thirties. Due to Georgina’s health, we kept having to push back our Eurostar booking. When I arranged to move it for the final time, I didn’t realize the new dates coincided perfectly with our anniversary. It felt like fate, and we decided to make it a dual celebration of her milestone birthday and our 10-year anniversary.

To make this trip even more special, I decided to take along a film camera to document our Parisian adventure. I’ve always been drawn to analogue photography. Back in college, I learned how to shoot on film, develop negatives in a darkroom, and even make my own pinhole camera. There’s something about film that feels nostalgic, almost magical, like the way vinyl captures the soul of music.

For my first venture back into analogue photography, I wanted something straightforward and reliable, a camera I could easily carry around and use spontaneously. That’s when I stumbled upon the Chinon Auto 3501 at Vintage Camera Hut for just under £49.00. It’s a classic, ugly, but charmingly so. It has this 90s nostalgia about it, almost like a time capsule. I remember standing on the back of the Big Bus Tour, aiming down the Champs-Élysées, and as I zoomed in, the camera made this mechanical whirring sound, like winding up an old car. It was love at first click.

Chinon Auto 3501 Specs

Film: 35 mm
Lens: 35–70 mm zoom (likely f/3.5 at wide end)
Focus: Autofocus
Exposure: Auto with DX-coded ISO 100–400+
Shutter: Programmed electronic
Flash: Built-in, auto-triggered
Film Transport: Auto load/advance/rewind
Battery: 2CR5 (6V)
Viewfinder: Optical with zoom
Extras: Self-timer, possible date-back
Weight: ~300–350g

Choosing the Film

To experiment with different aesthetics, I packed three rolls of film: Fujifilm 200, Ilford HP5 Plus, and Kodak Gold 200. Each of them brought its own unique character to the shots, but one quickly became my favourite.

Despite my plans to test all three, I found myself reaching for Fujifilm 200 the most. It captured the soft, golden hues of Paris in winter beautifully, giving each image a vintage, almost cinematic feel. The subtle grain added a layer of nostalgia, echoing the timeless elegance of old Parisian postcards. I never expected to fall in love with a film stock so quickly, but Fujifilm 200 just seemed to capture the essence of Paris perfectly.

To preserve and share these moments, I decided to get my film processed and scanned by Analogue Wonderland.

The Journey Begins

Our adventure started early, 6:00 am at Sheffield Station. There’s something enchanting about train stations at dawn. The world is still waking up, and you feel like you’re on the brink of an adventure. I remember the quiet anticipation, the clattering of wheels on the platform, and the golden glow of the station lights. The Chinon was slung over my shoulder, ready to capture every moment.

What followed was a journey of exploration, nostalgia, and countless memories. Below, you’ll find my favourite shots from our Paris trip, each one a captured moment of a city that feels like it belongs to another time.

 

Our Paris adventure began at 6am at Sheffield Station. The stillness of the early morning was broken by the hum of fluorescent lights and the shuffle of early travellers.

With Fujifilm 200 loaded in my Chinon Auto 3501, I snapped this moment, capturing the anticipation and quiet excitement of setting off on our long-awaited journey. Sheffield Station at 6am, ilent and serene, a stark contrast to the usual bustle. Standing on Platform 6b, the anticipation of our journey to Paris began to sink in.

The quietness was almost eerie, illuminated by the greenish glow of the station lights. Shooting this on Fujifilm 200 added a nostalgic mood, perfectly reflecting the calm before the adventure. Before boarding the Eurostar, I took a moment to soak in the beauty of St. Pancras International. The vintage clock and the neon sign, ‘I want my time with you,’ felt poetic, perfectly echoing my excitement for the adventure ahead.

Captured on Fujifilm 200, the soft grain and warm tones added to the romantic atmosphere. Paris was just a train ride away. Arriving at Gare du Nord felt like stepping into a different era. The grand architecture, combined with the everyday rush of Parisians and travellers, made for a perfect scene. Fujifilm 200 captured the warm tones of the historic facade, giving it a nostalgic, cinematic feel that digital just couldn’t replicate. Our first glimpse of Paris felt like stepping into a postcard.

The red awning of the café against the iconic Haussmann architecture perfectly captured the city’s charm. I love how the Fujifilm 200 brought out the warm tones of the cobblestone streets, adding to the timeless feel. This was just the start of our Parisian adventure. First glimpses of Paris from the backseat of a taxi. The elegant Haussmann architecture and wrought-iron balconies set the scene for our adventure. Capturing this through the car window added a candid, cinematic feel, an unfiltered welcome to the City of Lights.

The blend of modern and historic Paris is everywhere, even in reflections. I loved how the bus mirror framed the iconic Haussmann architecture, highlighting the city’s harmonious balance of old-world charm and contemporary bustle.

Captured on Fujifilm 200, this shot feels both timeless and spontaneous. Exploring the charming side streets of Paris, where every corner feels like a film set. The tightly parked cars and the elegant Haussmann facades create a perfect contrast of old and new. I love how the Fujifilm 200 preserved the warm, golden hues of the architecture, timelessly Parisian.

The lively rhythm of Paris captured at a bustling intersection. From the elegant Haussmann buildings to the energetic street life, this scene perfectly illustrates the city’s charm. The vibrant yet nostalgic tones of Fujifilm 200 added warmth, making the moment feel beautifully timeless. Navigating the bustling streets of Paris near Havre-Caumartin Metro. The line of traffic, the iconic red ‘Sauf’ sign, and the tangle of metro lines on the map perfectly encapsulate the city’s vibrant energy. Shot on Fujifilm 200, the grain and warm tones add a nostalgic touch to this everyday scene.

Classic Paris, where elegant architecture meets the hum of city life. The ‘Taxi Parisian’ signs and the vibrant Spectacles kiosk capture the vibrant energy of the city. This bustling street scene perfectly reflects the timeless charm and movement that makes Paris so captivating.

 

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Alfie’s Verdict