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Recommend a film camera to use my Nikon Lens
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May 12, 2017 15:15:34   #
alolewis
 
I currently use a Nikon D3300 and wife has a Nikon D5500 and we have several lens for the cameras. I am taking a class that requires shooting B&W film as it includes darkroom time. Can someone recommend an inexpensive used Nikon film camera (DSLR) that will take these lens, does not have to auto focus. I researched at KEH and Nikon websites and just got confused as I don't remember the film model numbers. Would prefer to spend less than $100 for the camera.

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May 12, 2017 15:21:01   #
WayneT Loc: Paris, TN
 
Go to KEH and look under film cameras. They have lots under $100.

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May 12, 2017 15:24:44   #
whitewolfowner
 
alolewis wrote:
I currently use a Nikon D3300 and wife has a Nikon D5500 and we have several lens for the cameras. I am taking a class that requires shooting B&W film as it includes darkroom time. Can someone recommend an inexpensive used Nikon film camera (DSLR) that will take these lens, does not have to auto focus. I researched at KEH and Nikon websites and just got confused as I don't remember the film model numbers. Would prefer to spend less than $100 for the camera.


You have not listed your lenses. If they are DX lenses, none will work; they will vignette. If they are FX lenses, they may only work in manual mode unless some are the regular AF lenses; not sure if AF-S lenses will work. A film camera is an SLR, the D in DSLR stands for digital. An excellent film camera in Nikon is the 8008s and sells for quite cheap. Shop B & H, Adorama, KEH or Cameta for dependable shopping and getting as advertised. Each also has warranties on their used gear.

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May 12, 2017 15:25:52   #
BebuLamar
 
Depending what kind of lenses you have. If you have FX lenses then they would work on some film cameras. If you have DX lenses then they are not recommended to use on any film cameras although you might be able to use them if you zoom them to the long end of the focal length. The short end would certainly cause serious vignetting.
If your lenses are of the G type (all DX lenses are) then you will have to find a newer camera to use them. The Nikon N80 would work and can be had for less than $100. N55,N60,N75 would also work and should cost less than the N80. The F100, F5, F6 would be more than $100. The G lenses won't work on older cameras like N90.
For school it's best to use some old manual focus cameras like the FM but it won't work with G lenses. It only work with AI manual focus lenses or AF lenses with the aperture ring.
Unless you can list your lenses we won't know which to recommend. Very likely you have all DX lenses as you have the D3300 and D5500.

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May 12, 2017 15:48:37   #
brent46 Loc: Grand Island, NY
 
If your lenses are DX you should look for a film camera including a 50mm 1.8 AF D lens on Ebay. You will be able to do your BW project and end up with a great lens that will work on your DX cameras. It will be 75mm equivalent on the DX cameras. Great for portraits or street photos.

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May 12, 2017 15:50:40   #
frankie c Loc: Lake Havasu CIty, AZ
 
Take a different class. A one time experience shooting film Is not going to teach you much. Having knowledge of how silver halide works for capture and the process might add something your understanding of image creation but really not much. The rules for camera capture have not changed much only the media. Also, past experience in with reputable photo/lab courses, generally the school provides the camera/film etc. so that all students are on the same page. Chances are pretty good that most people are not gonna go back to film. Although nice to know (you can read a book). Understanding the film process is more complex than processing and printing one roll of film. Put your time and MONEY learning in the place your going to be with your photography. You would be better off learning how a sensor works. Learn about RGB you can read about CMYK. Sorry to be so NETATIVE :( just sayin :)

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May 12, 2017 15:51:50   #
IBM
 
alolewis wrote:
I currently use a Nikon D3300 and wife has a Nikon D5500 and we have several lens for the cameras. I am taking a class that requires shooting B&W film as it includes darkroom time. Can someone recommend an inexpensive used Nikon film camera (DSLR) that will take these lens, does not have to auto focus. I researched at KEH and Nikon websites and just got confused as I don't remember the film model numbers. Would prefer to spend less than $100 for the camera.


What is the purpose of taking this class , to learn developing black and white film , or learn about camera operation

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May 12, 2017 16:02:08   #
alolewis
 
IBM wrote:
What is the purpose of taking this class , to learn developing black and white film , or learn about camera operation


To learn more about film processing and darkroom work. I did some back in the late 60s but not since. The course is at the local community college. They also have a more advanced darkroom class but this class is a prerequisite to the advanced class which I plan to take next semester.

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May 12, 2017 16:03:32   #
alolewis
 
BebuLamar wrote:
Depending what kind of lenses you have. If you have FX lenses then they would work on some film cameras. If you have DX lenses then they are not recommended to use on any film cameras although you might be able to use them if you zoom them to the long end of the focal length. The short end would certainly cause serious vignetting.
If your lenses are of the G type (all DX lenses are) then you will have to find a newer camera to use them. The Nikon N80 would work and can be had for less than $100. N55,N60,N75 would also work and should cost less than the N80. The F100, F5, F6 would be more than $100. The G lenses won't work on older cameras like N90.
For school it's best to use some old manual focus cameras like the FM but it won't work with G lenses. It only work with AI manual focus lenses or AF lenses with the aperture ring.
Unless you can list your lenses we won't know which to recommend. Very likely you have all DX lenses as you have the D3300 and D5500.
Depending what kind of lenses you have. If you hav... (show quote)


Unfortunately all our lens are DX so I guess I better look at camera and lens. Thanks for the input.

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May 12, 2017 16:37:39   #
Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL
 
Check with your friends and neighbors. Someone probably has a film camera you could borrow. Also check some thrift stores. I always see film cameras and lenses there for dirt cheap. No sense buying a film camera unless you plan on going dark again. And if you are, get a decent setup. Good luck with the class. ;-) My wife has strict orders...if I say I want to go back to film, she has my permission to shoot me. :-)

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May 12, 2017 17:16:47   #
blackest Loc: Ireland
 
alolewis wrote:
Unfortunately all our lens are DX so I guess I better look at camera and lens. Thanks for the input.


You might get best value from a "dead" brand. If the lenses are usable on a DSLR or m43 system then they tend to cost more. E.g I have a yashica fairly similar to the Pentax k1000 but cost me €20 with 2 pretty good lenses. A Pentax ME Super is a nice camera manual focus but very easy to operate and usually cheap enough to buy. Nikon film camera's are still quite desirable especially anything pro or semi pro and lenses are still useful but you will pay more for them than most slr's It may be the way to go for you and compliment your Nikon DSLR's and maybe your next Nikon DSLR.

Worth doing a little research before buying. Some older cameras have expensive or unrepairable weak points, especially newer AF models.

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May 12, 2017 20:38:32   #
Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY
 
You can buy a film camera for peanuts with lens on it--should be fine for making negatives to develop.

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May 12, 2017 20:44:25   #
BlackRipleyDog
 
Film bodies are dirt cheap so any additional purchase of FF lens is justifiably easy since your upfront cost for the body is low to begin with. I recently bought an unused new-in-the-box Nikon N90s from the late '90s with a battery grip from an estate sale for $65. The sticker on the box said $1099.99. Since I already shoot FF Nikons, lens are not a problem.
It works with all my AF-D and AF-S lenses. My DX lenses stay with the D7100.
The problem with the older plastic-bodied AF film cameras is that they are past their prime and too many of them are just available for their parts. My used N80 just crapped out so I got the N90s which is all metal and built like a tank. Galen Rowel use one for his work under extreme conditions like mountaineering and polar trips.
Stay with Nikon. Don't splinter your resources trying to dive into another brand. Any FF AF-S lenses you buy you can use on your DX bodies (with AF-D lenses; it's manual focus) and you will be positioned to move into a full frame digital body if you desire.

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May 12, 2017 20:47:05   #
BlackRipleyDog
 
a

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May 12, 2017 22:04:39   #
IBM
 
blackest wrote:
You might get best value from a "dead" brand. If the lenses are usable on a DSLR or m43 system then they tend to cost more. E.g I have a yashica fairly similar to the Pentax k1000 but cost me €20 with 2 pretty good lenses. A Pentax ME Super is a nice camera manual focus but very easy to operate and usually cheap enough to buy. Nikon film camera's are still quite desirable especially anything pro or semi pro and lenses are still useful but you will pay more for them than most slr's It may be the way to go for you and compliment your Nikon DSLR's and maybe your next Nikon DSLR.

Worth doing a little research before buying. Some older cameras have expensive or unrepairable weak points, especially newer AF models.
You might get best value from a "dead" b... (show quote)


Do you have any clue to what a pentax 645 sells for and a 40, 75, 150 mm lens an old one 1975 around the time they first came out

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