anotherinnocentgirl
newbie
Reged: 27/10/2007
Posts: 8
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I have started doing AS photography at college but as there are only 5 cameras between the group I seem to be falling behind with it all, I have therefore decided to buy a film camera but to be honest have no idea what I am looking for other than a 35mm slr with manual control...I have been into a couple of shops but seemed to be faced with more hard sell than advice with what camera would suit me!
If anyone could recommend a camera or tell me what I should avoid it would be much appreciated 
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Gordon_McGeachie
Joke Historian
Reged: 19/01/2007
Posts: 4142
Loc: East Yorkshire,
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Welcome to the world of photography.
First off all we need to know what you budget can stretch too. Once we have this then we can start to make recomendations. What sort of pictures will you be wanting to take?. This would help us to give you ideas as to what lens` etc that you may require.
It is a very enjoyable hobby so we hope you have fun.There is nothing like watching your first print come to view while being developed.
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She (Avro Vulcan XH558)Took To The Sky Like A Lovesick Angel.
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anotherinnocentgirl
newbie
Reged: 27/10/2007
Posts: 8
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I would like to spend between £50-£150 and have been looking at second hand cameras. I was almost convinced into buying a Nikon F50 for £90.00 the other day but decided to see whether it was any good first, I then saw one in a classified section for 50.00 so glad I didnt buy it then!
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anotherinnocentgirl
newbie
Reged: 27/10/2007
Posts: 8
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oh yes pictures! We have to take pretty much everything in order to demonstrate our capabilities. For our first assignment we are experimenting with light and shade and our end piece must comprise 2 portrait, 2 landscape and 2 still life shots, some of what we are doing is in the studio and we have to use it outside as well.
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topoxforddoc
newbie
Reged: 27/07/2007
Posts: 33
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If you're like most students on a tight budget, then buy a film camera from the 1980s. Nowadays, with ebay etc, these are really pretty cheap. Here's my suggestion
Pentax MX - small, light, almost bulletproof semi-pro camera from the 1980s. Fully manual, will work without a battery (but need small batteries for the inbuilt meter). The Pentax K lenses are plentiful and cheap to buy secondhand (cheaper by and large than Nikon or Canon). Apart from the Olympus OM cameras, they're the smallest and lightest ones around; as it's small, you won't mind carrying it. Buy it with a 50/1.7 standard lens and you'll probably find one for about £60. The ME Super is also good, but partly electronic (in older caneras, it's often the electronics that fail)
Alternatively
Canon A-1
Nikon FM
Charlie
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nimbus
enthusiast
Reged: 29/08/2007
Posts: 316
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The classic student camera was always the Pentax K1000, not dissimilar to the MX mentioned above. These are basic slr photography, simple, easy to use and robust, an ideal learning tool. As stated above there are plenty of lenses around to fit these cameras, at reasonable prices. As far as I can remember, the only real faults these tend to suffer from are stripped winding gears on more heavily used examples.
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CircleOfConfusion
addict
Reged: 22/01/2006
Posts: 420
Loc: Bedfordshire
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the main question is probably whether you want Auto focus or manual focus?
both types of camera will be readily available for your budget, OM system would probably be best for manual focus and for a little bit more money a second hand semi pro AF body should be easy to find (eg canon EOS 5 or the Nikon equivalent)
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Steve
My Photography Blog Updated 27/01/08
My Flickr page
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anotherinnocentgirl
newbie
Reged: 27/10/2007
Posts: 8
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I havent checked out ebay yet..am a little weary of ebay! Does a Nikon F60 with tele lens for 95.00 sound like a good deal do you think? Would it be suitable, I am just seeing what the local camera stores have to offer! I am worried they will see me coming! the chap in the shop told me they get a lot of students at this time of year..I wonder if thats reflected when they price the stock, there doesnt seem to me much in the way of film cameras about really!
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CircleOfConfusion
addict
Reged: 22/01/2006
Posts: 420
Loc: Bedfordshire
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I don't know much about Nikon's but I'm not sure if the F60 would be great. when released it was aimed at the amateur end of the market and therefore might not be that easy to use in fully manual mode (I could be wrong).
You are likely to get more for your money and better experience buying a MF SLR like the Pentax/Olympus cameras mentioned earlier. then you wont have the distraction of scene modes and flash's popping up when you don't want them etc.
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Steve
My Photography Blog Updated 27/01/08
My Flickr page
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anotherinnocentgirl
newbie
Reged: 27/10/2007
Posts: 8
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Quote:
I don't know much about Nikon's but I'm not sure if the F60 would be great. when released it was aimed at the amateur end of the market and therefore might not be that easy to use in fully manual mode (I could be wrong).
You are likely to get more for your money and better experience buying a MF SLR like the Pentax/Olympus cameras mentioned earlier. then you wont have the distraction of scene modes and flash's popping up when you don't want them etc.
I am currently bidding like mad on ebay, I have just been outbid on an mz-7 which looks really good and has a few extra bits...theres also a k1000...you can tell thats from the 80's  I may well bid on that as well, its just for the course really, I am sure that when I go pro(which of course I will!) I will be able to afford a big flashy all singing all dancing digital slr  until then..
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AlexMonro
old hand
Reged: 05/06/2006
Posts: 757
Loc: Exeter, Devon (and Somerset so...
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What are the cameras already in use by the group? It might be helpful to have the same model as is already being used. I have a Nikon FM2 as a manual focus camera, which I love  . You should be able to pick one up for around 150 quid with 50mm f/1.8. The FE series is similar, but has an electronically controlled shutter, so won't work without batteries.
Another possiblity is the Olympus OM10, but make sure you get the manual adapter, otherwise you'll only have aperture priority.
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Mojo_66
Rain Kat
Reged: 25/05/2006
Posts: 3386
Loc: Lancs
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The Minolta XD7 is a nice small light SLR which can be used fully manual, though it does have shutter priority and aperture priority when used with the right lenses. You could probably get one on ebay with a standard 50mm for between £50 and £75, which would leave plenty of money for film! It gives full viewfinder information too which is essential in manual mode. You're probably best avoiding lower end SLRs as they can be a pain to use manually, and some often don't offer full manual control.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojo_black/
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Gordon_McGeachie
Joke Historian
Reged: 19/01/2007
Posts: 4142
Loc: East Yorkshire,
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A friend of mine in a local photo club had the XD7, various modes and excellent optics. I have had Minolta cameras (X700 and SG1(manual focus) 7000i, 7xi and now Dynax 7d)for the last 26 years and can reccomend them.
As previously said,shopping on ebay you will find a vast choice of 80`s manual focus gear, depending on budget you could get a body with 2 or 3 lens` quick reasonably.
Some people there are selling complete outfits.
Its all down to personal choice, you may get a used manual focus bargain in the dealers if they have any old stock lying around.
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She (Avro Vulcan XH558)Took To The Sky Like A Lovesick Angel.
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Woolliscroft
veteran
Reged: 23/08/2005
Posts: 1253
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I'd also suggest the Nikon FM2. It's a lovely camera, but only if you are right eyed. Nikons of that time switch on by pulling the film wind lever out slightly. If, like me, you are left eyed, that means that you lift the camera to your eye, bash yourself in the face with the lever and switch the camera off again. That's how I ended up with Olympus cameras, which have an on/off switch on the top plate. For the left eyed, I can recomend the Olympus OM-2n, from almost 30 years of very happy association.
Both cameras have a great range of superb lenses and other acessories, manual and aperture priority auto exposure and are robust and reliable. The OM also has a dedicated flash system which was distinctly ahead of its time.
Do you live anywhere near Manchester? If so have a look in the "Real Camera Co".
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David.
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mugoftea
newbie
Reged: 28/10/2007
Posts: 1
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I've used a few of the cameras mentioned above. Years ago, I had a Pentax MX, which is a great solid little camera. Inside though it has plastic "magic needles" on the take up spool where you feed in the film leader - not sure how these will have aged.
Then for the last 20 years I've used Nikons - FE, FE2, FM2n, F100, D70s, D200. For your purposes, I guess FE, FE2, FM2n are most appropriate - I can thoroughly recommend all of them (also FM, FM3A). All the FM, FE range are simple, reliable, very well built and will last "forever". The FM range is manual only, the FE range have aperture priority as well (the FM3A should really be called the FE3M but let's not get side-tracked). If you're unlucky to need to get your camera repaired, then any decent repair shop will be well used to Nikons.
The camera you use doesn't really matter. Get a decent reliable one that will do the job and go and take take photos.
Hope this helps.
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Mibron
member
Reged: 30/11/2006
Posts: 115
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Hi
If this is of any help to you i have the following:-
Minolta AF5000. The camera can be used in manual setting. You can set aperture and shutter speed,manual focus and also use the programme mode. I will include a 50mm 1.7 minolta lens,manual and shoulder strap. This i am quite happy to let you have F.O.C. Both camera and lens are in very good condition.
I use a Minolta XD7 and it is a fantastic camera even though it is 25 years old.
Mibron.
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Zou
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/02/2007
Posts: 2117
Loc: Edinburgh
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I can add my support to both Nikon's FM series and the Pentaxs. Both are great to use, but I'd imagine that the Pentax system would be slightly cheaper. Both fit in well with digital, should you go that way in the future.
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Zou's Flickr Page
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Zou
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/02/2007
Posts: 2117
Loc: Edinburgh
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Quote:
I'd also suggest the Nikon FM2. It's a lovely camera, but only if you are right eyed. Nikons of that time switch on by pulling the film wind lever out slightly. If, like me, you are left eyed, that means that you lift the camera to your eye, bash yourself in the face with the lever and switch the camera off again.
My FM10 does that, but it just pokes the top of my nose, so it isn't a major worry. I only pull it out when it's at eye level anyway. There is a seperate metering button on the left side of the lens mount, so I don't need to pull out the advance lever just to meter.
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Zou's Flickr Page
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Benchista
Wich Tyler
Reged: 11/08/2000
Posts: 37916
Loc: Everywhere and nowhere, baby
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Quote:
I've used a few of the cameras mentioned above. Years ago, I had a Pentax MX, which is a great solid little camera. Inside though it has plastic "magic needles" on the take up spool where you feed in the film leader - not sure how these will have aged.
Pretty well, in my experience. I love the MX.
(P.S. I've argued for ages about the name of the FM3a... )
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Nick
www.nbrphoto.com
Light and Shade II - the new blog
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anotherinnocentgirl
newbie
Reged: 27/10/2007
Posts: 8
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Thanks everybody! I have to admit I now have my heart set on a nikon fm2. The cameras currently being used are a mixture of pentax and nikon. I mentioned to the lecturer that I was after an fm2 on ebay and he was impressed and informed me I was probably bidding against the college as they are also after nikons as they have so few cameras between several groups! Thanks for all the advice, I am sure I will be asking for more over the coming months!
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