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Not that I don't absolutely love my Canon EOS 50D but I really want to try playing around with film more. So I decided that I'm going to purchase a regular amateur film camera before I buy a nice $2000+ medium format or even start thinking about getting a sweet Leica M7.

So far I got 4 main options to choose from. Any recommendations?

Kodak Retina IIa


Pentax K1000


Nikon FM2 / FM2n / FM2n/T


Canon AE-1


So, which one and why? I'm mainly interested in getting one for B/W film.

Or you can donate $6,000 to me so I can get my Leica or Hasselblad

Why film...they're honestly no better than digital.
Plus processing the film is a pain in the ass sometimes.

It just seems more rewarding for me =)

Do want:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2 ... ifications

Why do they look really old? Like 1980s material.

Because they are old. They're film cameras.

Love the classic look.

I have the AE-1. It's nothing to write home about. The film advance only works when it wants to and I'm pretty sure it's racist. Either that or I suck at film photography.

I have a Nikon D60 so...

Yeah I'm leaning towards the FM2 but my cousin offered to give me his old 35mm Canon film camera. Not sure which model it is but I guess it's better than just tossing out $300 without considering all the options. Was thinking of buying more accessories for my 50D on Columbus Day anyway.

I'd actually see what you could get used before you buy new. One thing to consider, though, is that Nikon glass is expensive.

Personally I will never own anything but Nikon for DSLR purposes. I'd love something small like a EP-1/2 for carrying around since my D60 is freakin huge, but that's just me.

Edit: If you are looking to spend $300 why not buy a new FM10?
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon ... s.Overview

Was aiming for FM2n or FM2n T =(

Aside from the design, the FM2 (well, FM2n) has a legendary reputation behind it because of the strong, reliable body. I can probably get a used one for around $150 but a decent mint condition would run for around $300.

FM10 has a lot of plastic parts and has received numerous complaints from Nikon users.

There's a few cheap ones from KEH.com but I'm reluctant to buy used goods from online dealers. Despite the website's solid reputation. I might hit Adorama in Manhattan or maybe B&H first.


And yes, I hate how expensive lenses are. I need to get a better one for my Canon. My current lens gets the job done but sets pretty severe limitations. I'm using a 28-155mm f/3.5-5.6 zooming lens. f/3.5 is still a pretty narrow aperture to begin with but when I use the zooming function and it gets limited to 4.5 or 5.6, that's when it gets pretty irritating.

Probably gonna get this baby here soon:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... focus.html
USM (autofocus motor - mainly for fine tuning my own manual adjustment) + f/1.8 for $300 is a pretty sweet deal.

Yea, I understand.

Nikon offers a really cheap f1.8 at 35 mm. It's godlike at $200.
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon ... F1.8G.html
It's DX only though.

Blah. Got a Pentax K1000 for $120. Body + 50mm f/2-22 with lens strap but I had to buy the lens cap. Very mild wear/tear signs - almost unnoticeable except upon close inspection. Works perfectly but I need to replace the slightly rotten mirror foam and clean the inside (doesn't affect the picture quality so that can wait). I'll post results after I develop the images taken with an Ilford B/W 400 film on Wednesday.

=)

None of the above. Get a Ricohflex!

Yeah... not sure how the pictures would look like though. But I might. It's cheap enough to buy as a backup. I might get it together with a cheap Holga CF120 M. Format. Just to have a TLR in my collection...

But for now, I want a macro lens. lol

And in the near future:
http://www.adorama.com/HS503CW.html?utm ... term=Other

Our club VP has one. I might mess around with it for a bit just to see if it's worth the money.

inky wrote:Yeah... not sure how the pictures would look like though. But I might. It's cheap enough to buy as a backup. I might get it together with a cheap Holga CF120 M. Format. Just to have a TLR in my collection...

But for now, I want a macro lens. lol

And in the near future:
http://www.adorama.com/HS503CW.html?utm ... term=Other

Our club VP has one. I might mess around with it for a bit just to see if it's worth the money.

Haha I was mostly just messing around, Ricoh's are great for some hipstamatic prints with your friends but not much else

Probably packed with light bleeding and under/overexposure for most shots. Ricohs aren't that bad but you'll probbably have to duct tape the **** out of it - like what most people do with their holga 35mm cameras. Macro macro macro lens