I hope I can get some advice here on ideas for cheap(ish) second hand film cameras. I have a Canon 40D and various lenses but would really like to have a film camera also - thinking maybe going for something 'kooky' like a holga? They seem cheap and I really like the whole 'arty' look to the shots. Was looking at this guys website Jose Villa and he has some really nice Holga shots. Also thinking about a rangefinder or even just a 'normal' EOS something-or-other. Maybe a 3? Anyway - I know it's a very, very open question/query but does anyone have any recommendations for what to look at/for? Would keep the digital obviously but want a bit of a side project.... Thanks for any advice Graham
For a 'proper' film camera the EOS3 is hard to beat otherwise look out for the 30/33 types (very similar handling to the D40) or maybe a good 50. Don't forget though that if you have any EF-S lenses they can't be used (won't even fit) and that any lens specifically 'designed for digital' such as the Sigma DC and Tamron Di-II types generally will not produce a frame filling image on 35mm... PS Be wary of early EOS models like the 600 series and those whose number begins with a 1 (except the professional 1/1N I suspect) as they can have an issue called sticky shutter which is related to the breakdown of a rubber buffer in the shutter unit. Tell tale signs are 'wet-look' black patches or streaks on the shutter blades toward the top left corner (the camera has or is developing the problem) or glossy, 'polished', patches in the same place (suggesting that the camera has had the problem and it's been 'fixed'). Unless you want to spend time with the camera, some cotton buds, bits of card and lighter fuel then bodies with these symptoms may be better avoided... I've had to clean, so far, one EOS600 a 10 and my EF-m bodies and so far they have continued to work. Sadly I suspect my other 600, 10 and an EOS1000 may also be going the same way - more patience required at some point I fear.........
I have a Jack Holga (one of the White Stripes ones) and they are fab and fun to use. You can get some really raw and gritty images, they seem to make everything look artistic. I'd go for one of those! and you can still buy lenses, filters, flash etc. Makes you feel like you are really taking photographs hehe rather than shooting 100's and picking one good one from digital
The EOS 30/33 and their later V models are rather nice little cameras. Quiet shutters and fairly recently discontinued, can be bought for around the £100 mark. The EOS 3 as already stated is good, but rather noisy in the shutter department, expect to pay around £200 for a good one.
Thanks for the replies - currently 'watching' a couple (3 and 30) on ebay so we'll see what happens. How much is film these days by the way??? Graham
Film is far cheaper if you buy online at the likes of 7dayshop. You also have a much bigger choice. It's not the buying of the film that's the problem, it's finding somewhere decent to develop it for you that's difficult.........
There are loads of FREE film cameras going:I was given a Mamiya C220 tlr from a fellow Club member(see my results in the Exhibition Lounge Section)and another gave me a Russian Fed 4 and I was telephoned by a man who had seen my name advertising our Club and he had about 15 Prakticas with Carl Zeiss lenses to get rid of ---- my wife forbade me to get any more free cameras as I already have 4 free Prakticas! If you are a Camera Club member you will get 'in the Know'for all goodies like this!
I saw a mint + 30v for sale on e bay two days ago, and it was mint too because the pics were very clear. It went for £64
Thanks for your replies - still keeping an eye out for something. That's a good price for the 30v! Graham
Hi, if your looking for something like a Holga but without the light leaks try a ensign ful-vue or similar. I bought mine for £5 from a charity shop. If your lucky enough to find one a Gilbert box camera produces the most beautiful pictures and because they have a shutter interlock most are sold as not working, but they are very rare. I have always had good service from sepiamemories.com for cheap old cameras. good luck ian.
Hey,I was in Morcambe today, Wish I had seen this post last night,I,ll have a look at that shop next week.
If you want a "different" approach, then a small rangefinder could be a viable option, as it enables you to take a camera that is "pocketable" into situations that a DSLR couldn't go for reasons of bulk or expense. Also no battery means that your camera is always at the ready for those unexpected shots! e.g. a glove box camera, a pocket camera, a beach camera. Some suggestions all in the £10 - £30 range - no battery reliance - better 4 element lens rather than the more common triplet of the period: Werra 111 (rangefinder - no meter), Baldamatic 1 (there are lots of permutations of these but the 1959 original is far the best, smaller, no automation) Retina range (not the Automatics 1-111 - unreliable) Contessamatics (Continas had no rangefinder) Vitomatics If you want interchangeable lenses, then the Retina 111S (rather large) Paxettes (Paxette Automatic 111 had a bayonet mount) or the Werra V / Werramatic are ones you can readily find lenses for (a lot of 50s Japanese & German cameras took interchangeable lenses, but the lenses are very scarce on the ground) If you don't mind a battery dependent camera the choice widens a lot to Japanese of the 60s & 70s. The best compact of the period (spec wise) is the Konica S3/Minolta Himatic 7 series 11, but they tend to go for over £50. However the good news is that the identical Vivitar & Revue clones go for half that price! Most small Olympus rangefinders fit that bill, so does the humble Konica C35. Canon also made some crackers. As a rough rule of thumb, 50/60s camera have "batteryless" selenium meters and more control but are quite likely to have dodgy meters & inoperative slow speeds - ask questions of sellers before you buy! Many Japanese small rangefinders take batteries that are no longer current and a "dead" advertised camera could be a bargain find - once you sort the battery out. Retinas don't wind on unless the counter is reset, so a lot of dead ones are very viable! If you want advice about any particular make/model please PM me. Its a little lost world that I specialise in and have several shelves full of them, so can give you a "run down" on most make's foibles! (To date I think I have over 20 different makes) Paul
