First Roll Review: Leica AF-C1 Film Camera

This review is about putting my first roll of film through the Leica AF-C1.

I didn’t actually plan to buy this camera. What I really wanted was the leather case that came with it — a proper Leica case that fits my Minilux perfectly. The AF-C1 was just bundled in, and since the whole set was cheap, I thought I’d give it a go.

To test it out, I loaded a roll of Kodak Gold 200 and shot through it just to make sure everything worked. The photos from that roll are included below.

Design & Ergonomics

The Leica AF-C1 is made of plastic and is definitely larger than most compact film cameras. It’s even bigger than the Leica Minilux — which itself isn’t exactly pocketable. That said, the AF-C1 is lightweight, has a comfortable grip, and is ergonomically very good to use.

You won’t fit it into your jeans pocket, but worn around the neck it feels light, and it actually looks quite nice. Instead of hiding it away, it works as a stylish accessory.

Switching between the 40 mm and 80 mm framelines is quick and works smoothly. Since 40 mm is one of my favorite focal lengths, this suits me perfectly, while the 80 mm option comes in handy when you need to get closer. I could see it being useful for concerts for example.

One quirk: when you switch to 80 mm, the flash automatically pops up. At first I worried it meant every 80 mm shot would be forced with flash, but that isn’t the case — it just prepares a stronger flash if needed.

The biggest surprise for me was the viewfinder. It’s large, bright, and even zooms in when you switch to 80 mm. Framing is clear and easy, and compared to the Minilux, Ricoh GR1s, or Nikon AF600, it feels huge. Definitely one of the camera’s best features.

Not everything is positive, though. The autofocus deserves its own section.

Autofocus & Shooting Experience

This is the weakest part of the AF-C1. The autofocus hunts quite a bit, and when it fails to lock focus, the shutter won’t fire. I ended up missing quite a few shots this way.

That said, when the autofocus does find its target, the metering is very accurate. All of the frames from my test roll came out well exposed, and the image quality was surprisingly nice.

Film loading is straightforward, with automatic advance and rewind, so it’s beginner-friendly. 

Overall, the camera feels pleasant to carry and easy to shoot with, provided you’re patient with the autofocus.

Value & Who It’s For

I think the Leica AF-C1 is a great option for someone who wants a film camera as a stylish accessory without spending too much. You can usually find them around €200–300, though I was lucky to score mine for about a third of that.

Still, if you only care about results, plenty of smaller and cheaper point-and-shoots will deliver similar photos. The AF-C1 doesn’t have the cult status of the Minilux or the GR1, but it has its own charm.

Conclusion

The Leica AF-C1 is not a perfect camera. The autofocus is slow and sometimes frustrating, and its bulky size makes it less practical than other point-and-shoots. But it’s light, comfortable to use, has a fantastic viewfinder, and produces sharp, well-exposed photos.

For me, it started as a “bonus camera” attached to a leather case purchase, but it ended up being a pleasant surprise. If you come across one at a good price, it’s worth picking up — if only to experience this quirky part of Leica’s compact history.

Want to See More?

📸 Follow me on Instagram for more sample shots from this camera and others:
👉 www.instagram.com/paomees

🛒 Thinking about picking one up? I buy most of my gear used and from MPB:
👉 www.mpb.com

Thanks for reading—and let me know if you’ve had a different experience with this camera. I’d love to hear how it’s working for you!

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