35mm Film Cameras

[inky]

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

Spoiler!

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/pho/1977575454.html

Pentax K1000

Spoiler!

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/ele/1973701121.html

Nikon FM2 / FM2n / FM2n/T

Spoiler!

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/pho/1978820395.html

Canon AE-1

Spoiler!

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/pho/1978545150.html

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

[Shomari]

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

[inky]

It just seems more rewarding for me =)

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

[Skyve]

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

[inky]

Because they are old. They're film cameras.

Love the classic look.

[Deadsolid]

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...

[inky]

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.

[Deadsolid]

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

[inky]

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.

Spoiler!

wanted this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4 ... 8L_II.html but with that price, not anytime soon

[Deadsolid]

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.

[inky]

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.

=)

[Rizla]

None of the above. Get a Ricohflex!

[inky]

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.

[Rizla]

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

[inky]

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