Posted on 08/07/2005 4:03:11 PM PDT by 6ppc
My son has signed up for a photography class and I need to buy a 35mm SLR camera capable of manual operation.
My limited experience with 35mm photograph was a Pentax Spotmatic F I owned in the 70's and 80's. It was an excellent camera, but is no longer alive.
I want to buy him a good quality camera and have been shopping on Ebay, but really do not know enough about 35mm SLR cameras to know which ones are the best buys. I was hoping some freepers could clue me in on which of the following cameras are good/better/best etc.
Requirements include through the lens metering and ability to operate in manual mode. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Here are some examples of the brands and models I'm considering:
Canon AE-1
Canon A-1
Canon EOS 650
Canon EOS A2E
Canon T-70
Canon EOS Rebel
Nikon N-70
Nikon Nikomat
Nikon N-80
Nikon FM
Pentax K1000
Pentax SF1
Olympus OM-1
Olympus OMG
Olympus OM-2N MD
Minolta Maxxum 7000
Minolta Maxxum 450si
Minolta XG-se
Minolta SRT MC-11
Minolta XG-A
Minolta Maxxum 4
Minolta Maxxum 5
Minolta X-700
(Jealous) :(
I sure am. I have an FA and an FM2n but wouldn't cry if someone gave me an FE2.
I've got an FM (circa 1980) and an N70. I have a few lenses and I love the FM, the N70 is basically like a point and shoot with some enhancements.
Canon EOS Rebel is great for beginners through serious photography. Has multiple settings. Can shoot auto or manual. Makes great pictures and is light weight.
Nikon is probably the most versatile 35mm, around, and will accept every accessory imaginable from motor drives to viewfinders to numerous lenses. Nikon was smart enough to not obsolete their previous cameras when they brought out a newer model, so there is a long time span - say 15 or more years - where many accessories, and all lenses will work.
Newer Nikons are even better, but probably pricy. If its just a "get acquainted" course that he may or may not continue with, just about any 35mm slr would probably do fine. Shoot, I've seen some pretty good photography with a Russian $29.95 slr!
I particlarly like the fact that they have only one large cross type sensor instead of the multi sensors which are so popular now.
The Cannon A-1 is an excellent manual as well as fully auto I have 2 n both have been working well for 20 years. I also know several pros that use them due to reliability and a large number of ad ons available. Can be found in pawn shops
http://www.dpreview.com/
You may already be aware of this site, but if not, it has reviews for many different cameras.
Film is dead ... it's a waste of time.
I'm certain there are examples both pro and con, as many as there are people using them. I also know many great pictures come from other brands. Nor am I a professional photographer, although I do use and buy some pictures.
Still, the majority of professional photographers I've met use and prefer Nikon. There are a number of ways to go. I would still suggest lowest price unless there are other reasons to buy high. If the person is just now taking photography, by the time he or she is out using it digital will have even more choices and alternatives. You wouldn't believe how many camera stores are history in Denver now. The only remaining ones seem to be the larger retailers and the better used stores, who have a following and good service departments. The large stores have added free classes for buyers to help them learn photography, and helps build customer loyalty.
I just did! Freepers are incredibly generous!
Even if gorush's FE needs a CLA (clean lubricate and adjust) it is well well worth it. In fact unless he has had this done within the last couple years I would recommend it.
Yikes those guys are still around?
There are a lot of good second-hand 35 mm cameras available at most camera stores and I would check these out first before plunking down cash on something brand new that maybe will not see much use in the future when he tires of his new hobby. In addition, with the switch to digital, there are more second-hand 35 mm SLRs appearing for sale.
That said, the future is in Digital, not film. However, the cheap digital comeras are exactly THAT: Cheap, and they take lousy piks, IMHO. It will still be awhile before digital approaches the quality of the 'Larger Format' cameras (Hasselblad and Mamiya) but right now digital is as good as film in the 35 mm range. Nonetheless, to get something comparable in visual quality to Film you need to spend ~$1,000 for a Canon or Nikon digital. Right now I'm contemplating buying a Canon 8-Megapixel but the cost is too restrictive..........Maybe in a few more years.
Hope this helps.
Maybe for the long run, but learning to properly compose photos will be good for my son...give him a chance to learn something outside of the usual 3 Rs.
Not true. Photography should be studied with film before moving to digital. Personally I don't enjoy digital all that much. Just use my canon 10d for casual shooting. For my landscape work I use a compact monorail 4 x 5 and transparency film. Although for printing I do use the digital Chromira printer at the lab.
Sorry, the site I copied to you was for digital cameras. Here is another site with reviews
http://www.camerareview.com/index.htm
Right now film cameras will equal or better all but the very best digitals at a tiny fraction of the cost. You do save on film and processing but for an amateur that would take a long time to recoup.
I'm with you on the Olys, mine are usually covered with frog spit and bird poop, but they just keep on shooting.
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