Best viable 35 mm film camera?
Dec 23, 2013 09:24:05 #
I'm wondering what the best viable 35 mm film camera is for excellent photos?
Vermont garage
Dec 23, 2013 09:39:59 #
jelecroy
Loc: Huntsville, AL
There are so many good film cameras, mostly available quite inexpensively used. You need to say more about what you want. interchangeable lens? Autofocus? Compact? All-mechanical? I liked my Canon T-90 as about the best non-autofocus camera. Any Nikon body will accept a host of excellent Nikor glass. Leica rangefinders have great optics, with a few lens choices, and are small and pocketable. Think about how you plan to use the camera. That should drive your choice.
Dec 23, 2013 10:02:01 #
wallybeagle wrote:
I'm wondering what the best viable 35 mm film camera is for excellent photos?
Depends on what you want to use the camera for, and how manual you are willing to go. For ultimate image sharpness, a rangefinder film camera with a good lens is the way to go, I think. But rangefinder cameras are not suited for all shooting situations, such as close-up and macro photography, or long telephoto.
Also, "photo excellence" primarily depends upon your technique, imagination, ingenuity and experience. Camera model is secondary.
Dec 23, 2013 11:26:17 #
wallybeagle wrote:
I'm wondering what the best viable 35 mm film camera is for excellent photos?
I had a Pentax K-1000 several years ago that soared out of my backpack and had irreparable damage. I take primarily landscape photos, some photos at very close range of an object. I have a few auto-focus cameras, but I enjoyed the manual capability of the Pentax.
Dec 23, 2013 11:32:20 #
wallybeagle wrote:
I'm wondering what the best viable 35 mm film camera is for excellent photos?
Does the front door reflect your arrival or your departure?
Dec 23, 2013 11:36:06 #
Dec 23, 2013 11:37:40 #
I like my Nikon FA - nice and light (unlike the F2A I had), and excellent metering. Service is easily available if needed.
Good ones are available for $100 and up. Even seen some New Old Stock on EBay recently.
Probably depends more on the lenses you currently have than the camera, but I bought into the Nikon system too many years ago to leave now. And great manual lenses are available for a song, these days.
Good ones are available for $100 and up. Even seen some New Old Stock on EBay recently.
Probably depends more on the lenses you currently have than the camera, but I bought into the Nikon system too many years ago to leave now. And great manual lenses are available for a song, these days.
Dec 23, 2013 12:23:12 #
After some research, it appears that the Canon AE-1 program, Nikon F3hp, Nikon FM2n, Olympus om2 are worthy, affordable, and somewhat reliable. Any thoughts on these or others?
Dec 23, 2013 13:57:10 #
wallybeagle wrote:
After some research, it appears that the Canon AE-1 program, Nikon F3hp, Nikon FM2n, Olympus om2 are worthy, affordable, and somewhat reliable. Any thoughts on these or others?
I can only speak for the Nikons. The F3hp is a big, professional (read heavy) camera. The FM2n is quite manual, but excellent.
Check out this link:
http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/newdesign/itemlist_newstructure.aspx?&cat1=Used&cat2=Nikon%20Manual%20Focus&cat3=Cameras&sel=ItemCondition_UsedItems
Or this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/35mm-Cameras/ci/3017/pn/2/N/4294247087+4291315846/
Dec 23, 2013 14:00:40 #
wallybeagle wrote:
After some research, it appears that the Canon AE-1 program, Nikon F3hp, Nikon FM2n, Olympus om2 are worthy, affordable, and somewhat reliable. Any thoughts on these or others?
I have an OM2, but it takes weird batteries.
My OM4t takes more mainstream ones, and automatically turns itself off. Great small frame SLR. Lot's of wonderful glass available, too.
Dec 23, 2013 14:15:40 #
wallybeagle wrote:
I'm wondering what the best viable 35 mm film camera is for excellent photos?
As above,,, It depends on what you are looking for. There are any number of pro level purely mechanical cameras on E-Bay, at vary low prices. They are as good today as they were in the dark ages before digital. All the brands are repressented.
Dec 23, 2013 14:36:57 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
dtparker wrote:
I can only speak for the Nikons. The F3hp is a big, professional (read heavy) camera. The FM2n is quite manual, but excellent.
Check out this link:
http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/newdesign/itemlist_newstructure.aspx?&cat1=Used&cat2=Nikon%20Manual%20Focus&cat3=Cameras&sel=ItemCondition_UsedItems
Or this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/35mm-Cameras/ci/3017/pn/2/N/4294247087+4291315846/
Check out this link:
http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/newdesign/itemlist_newstructure.aspx?&cat1=Used&cat2=Nikon%20Manual%20Focus&cat3=Cameras&sel=ItemCondition_UsedItems
Or this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/35mm-Cameras/ci/3017/pn/2/N/4294247087+4291315846/
With the Nikon F100, you can have your cake and eat it too, since it can do auto-everything, or go completely manual.
http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-35mm/system-Nikon-Autofocus/category-Camera-Bodies?s=1&bcode=NA&ccode=2&cc=2891&r=WG&f
Dec 23, 2013 20:14:21 #
wallybeagle wrote:
After some research, it appears that the Canon AE-1 program, Nikon F3hp, Nikon FM2n, Olympus om2 are worthy, affordable, and somewhat reliable. Any thoughts on these or others?
I have a Canon AE-1 Program, and it is my #1 favorite from all my cameras. it feels comfortable, it is easy to operate, I can quickly switch from manual to program mode if the situation calls for it, the metering system is reliable, and many of the FD-mount lenses for it are not only good but very affordable. And film is so easy to load and unload, a 5-year old could do it.
Dec 23, 2013 21:57:40 #
If price is a concern a Nikon F5 can be had rather cheaply. Yes it's big, but before the F6 it was their latest and greatest. I have a F5 and F2as. I prefer the metering options with the F5.
Dec 24, 2013 06:07:29 #
davemar
Loc: SW France
I have a Nikon F4,built like a tank and will go on forever,and as mentioned plentifull supply of top quality lenses.
But do look at the Minolta XD7 a fantastic little camera it was built with Lieca input and is a joy to use,notice this is one film camera that is increasing in value
But do look at the Minolta XD7 a fantastic little camera it was built with Lieca input and is a joy to use,notice this is one film camera that is increasing in value
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