just starting out...
 

I want to start getting into photography (automotive, landscape, whatever's there) but I want to start using film as opposed to digital. I've been reading up on some good amateur cameras to get started but wanted to know what you guys think would make a good first camera to get into it all with, and what lens/accessories should be first on my list. The novice cameras I keep reading about everywhere are the Pentax K1000 (japan), Nikon FM/FM2. I don't really want to go all out and spend a lot of money on one at this point in the game, only up to $200 for something used (ie ebay) Any help or comments you could give me would be great.

Thanks

Phil

Kerrisdale Cameras has a very extensive selection of used equipment. The Pentax K1000 is a very bare bones camera, but is excellent to learn the theory of photography. Some of the later AE cameras might be better, like the Nikon FE or Minolta X series.

http://www.kerrisdalecameras.com/sto...E&dept_id=2000

I've got a Nikon FE2 and I like it :). Solid camera. The other film body is a Nikon N2000 which has auto film advancing versus the cocking method on the FE2.

The Nikon FE2 is AE isn't it? I've used it once before, and it's a great little piece of kit. The camera is a mechanical camera...the battery is only used for the light meter. It may be the best choice here, as you can buy excellent used lenses for good prices.

AE = auto exposure? Yea it has aperture priority, I believe shutter priority, and full manual. I havn't picked it up since gr. 12. It's in a drawer at home right now but I have a 50mm lens for it and some push/pull zoom. I mainly used the 50mm zoom.

How about the Canon Elan 7n? It has eye control that focuses wherever you look. I never tried it but it sounds cool.

You should go with a modern film camera. All film cameras are cheap, but if you get a modern one you can use it with lens you purchase in the future. For example, if you buy an EOS body, if you go digital and get a bunch of lens, you can still use that EOS body with your EF lens.

That can be said about Nikon, Pentax & Leica SLR's too.

I suggest,

Canon a2e if you want something a little bit simpler to use than a nikon f6. Too be the nikon f6 (the one senna has) is just unergonomic to me and hurts my brain.

Plus eye focus is cool.

Then for a lens a 50mm f/1.8.

I wish I had an F6! I have the F4s, a heavy, built like a tank SOB. The F6 is Nikon's top of the line 35mm SLR, not for the person just starting out.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../photos/f4.jpg

Neva: Watch out if you buy the canon 50 f1.8...it is a bit flimsy.

hey thanks for the input I was checking out the Canon a2e and it seems like a good one to start with. Just wondering what others are in the same class as this one?

I remember reading about the F4 when it came out and drooling over the articles... mmmmmm.

I used to have a Minolta X-700. Awesome little AE/MF camera, I would highly recommend one as a starter film camera. I got a Tamron 70-210 f/4 lens with it, really nice lightweight one-touch zoom.

Someone a while back was selling an X-700 with a shitload of lenses and accessories for next to nothing on eBay, might check there. Kerrisdale Cameras is good for used gear too, especially the main store on W.41st.

any good recommendations for non-interchangeable lens bodies? types of film? I want to play with one inexpensively first, then if interests develop get a film-SLR. seems to be quite daunting compared to my digital hobby

Get a Canon, Minolta or Olympus P&S if you want to start off with basics...they're super cheap now. Why is film daunting? You don't have to spend hours in front of your computer post processing...the lab does it for you. ;)

Do you want to use colour or B&W film?

Holy Old Thread revival, Batman!

haha i was search for discussions on film and they were largely between avid users in this section of the forum, so i figure i'd hijack this thread and ask ...

did u mean a P&S film camera? i was interested in playing with a used film camera. i know the basics of (digital) photography and currently reading lighting 102 and experimenting

it was just daunting because i looked at 'the lab' 's website and had no idea which kind of developing i needed! let alone the threads on film type discussions.

i was interested in both types of film. mostly colour I suppose. I hope that doesn't dictate which kind of body I need. ($$)

kerrisdale comes up a lot when shopping for used film stuff, but i wanted to research and learn about it more before i walk in the store.

TIA

Well, there are now 3 types of developing: B&W, C41 (colour negative) & E6 (transparencies), and are dependent on which film you shoot. Let the labs figure out that one. It won't matter what body you need, just the higher end ones will offer you more control over the final image. Kerrisdale has a huge used camera selection, as do Leo's.

Yep, and the focusing is crap!

Focusing issues as in it's loud? Or something else? Because my 50 focuses fine, just loud. Maybe you have a bad copy?

And yeah the build quality is junk, but for that price it's hard to pass up if you want a 50mm.
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It's been 3 years. Where you at now? LOL @ thread bump

QFT

Mine snapped in half for no reason.

~ended up with an AE-1