selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

The used film camera market is a buyer's market. You should be able to track something down in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen.

Be sure to run a roll of film through it to make sure it's working properly before you buy it. Repairing an old camera can cost more than the price tag.

calliach

Oh thank you for that xx

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Well, http://www.mpb.com/ is in Brighton, UK, and New York here in the States. They are a very reputable used gear dealer. Of course, eBay is a source, as is Ugly HedgeHog.

If you don't have any old lenses, you're free to choose your system. I'd probably look for a Nikon F3, and some AI Nikkor lenses, because that's what I used in the 1980s. But there are dozens of good choices. Classically old school would be a Pentax Spotmatic or K1000 with Takumar lenses. That was the camera used by many photography instructors 35-50 years ago.

Before you dive in, check film prices and developing/printing prices (or the cost of setting up a darkroom using used tanks, reels, enlarger, lens, etc.). Film photography has those constraints.

calliach

Yep...I am assembling my Xmas list as I type! Thank you for that xx

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

I am from Devon UK, and have successfully dealt with FFordes,
The Kirk, Wester Balblair, By Beauly, Inverness-shire, IV4 7BQ.
They usually have a good selection of film cameras. Have a look

https://www.ffordes.com/

A very good manual only camera is the Pentax K1000, but do make sure that the camera and the lens are marked with 'Asahi corp Japan' (on back of camera and front of lens) The later ones where made outside of Japan and no where near as good quality.

David C.

Film is not dead. It is one of the best ways to teach new and younger photographers the fun of photography. Putting any brand SLR in the hands of your grand kids and teaching them how to set up a photo-shoot, then the click followed by the anticipation of seeing the actual photo is fun. No instant gratification which is a good thing to learn.
It also adds to more time with the kids and descussion about the photos taken. Like any worthwhile hobby kids need to be introduced to it. Then watch where it goes. David C.

dick ranez

Finding a good used 35mm film camera at a "reasonable" price is easy today as several of the above posters have pointed out. My only additional advice would have you examine your "photography toys" and search for a body that you can use with your existing lenses. Nikon, Canon and Pentax all have film bodies that will use current lenses (excepting "new" mirrorless oriented mounts). Older long discontinued film cameras, like Exacta, Minolta, Contax, Konica, Yashica and others, also have reasonable numbers of decent lenses available for dimes, if not pennies, on original prices should you want a "new" system. Often you will find complete kits as the faint hearted discard film equipment. Good hunting!

Imagemine Loc: St. Louis USA

This advice might help on Ebay you can find some film cameras in mint condition or haven't been used much although I shoot digital , ifilm bought a Nikon Fm3a about a year ago & still works fine I was told to try and get it from Japan at the time it was between a Nikon & Lica settled for Nikon because felt it had less clicks on the shutter

ButchS Loc: Spokane, WA

Probably the best places to look for used film cameras is eBay or KEH.com.

I would recommend KEH over eBay. With KEH you know the camera is in working condition. KEH’s grading system is very accurate and their customer service is excellent. I would recommend sticking to grade E or better. (E, E+, LN-, LN, E- is probably ok too) E+ is usually the best compromise between price and condition.

One VERY important thing to remember, if you are buying older film cameras be sure to research the camera before buying. The most important thing you should be looking for is the type of battery it uses. Many of the older cameras used mercury batteries which are now illegal in the United States. Some companies tried to produce mercury replacements, but none really works very well. Mercury batteries were banned in 1996. So, cameras do not have to be very old to still be using mercury batteries.

Older Nikon models are a good choice. Starting in about 1971, all Nikon models that I am aware of, used silver oxide batteries, which are still legal. And there are updated versions of the silver oxide batteries that are now lithium.

And don’t forget that auto focus came out in film cameras first. There are some very nice auto focus cameras that use film. Two of my favorites were the Nikon N8008s and the N90s. These cameras use the same autofocus lenses that the current Nikon digital cameras use. So, you don’t have to shoot with a dinosaur to be shooting film. (Don’t get any of the Nikon autofocus lenses that are DX or G lenses for use with autofocus film cameras. Just plain “D” is fine.) I still use an F4s, but wouldn’t recommend it for a beginner. It is a pro camera and is very heavy.

The boring part if you are interested: The reason why cameras frequently used mercury batteries was because the power curve of a mercury battery does not require a voltage regulator circuit. Mercury batteries hold their voltage level at nominal value all the way to the point where the battery dies. All other types of batteries, the voltage begins to drop off as the battery gets used. So a voltage regulator circuit is required to keep the voltage at the correct level to run the light meter. Unfortunately, mercury is toxic to the environment and eventually got banned.

Bill P

Hearing aid batteries make a good mercury battery replacement, but usually require some sort of adapter to make them fit, many used o rings.

But, the hearing aid batteries don't last much more than a week or two. but then again, they are cheap.

ButchS Loc: Spokane, WA

One other note in favor of getting an autofocus film camera. Most all of them use good ol’ AA batteries. No weird sizes or obscure rechargeable batteries, unless you want to use AA NiMH rechargeables.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

First off, this has been beaten so bad that it is unrecognizable. But I don't care because I'm throwing in my two cents. I'm from America.

If you are interested in a decent film camera, I will recommend one if you private message me. The camera I am aware of is very recent. It has been twenty years since it came out. It is very light, almost like a feather. It is very workable and extremely reliable. The average price for one is under 150 American dollars. Im not mentioning the name of the camera here. I'm sure there is going to be a war over this but it is just my suggestion. I have used it and still do from time to time just for some unique shots. For film, I pick up some fresh rolls in New York City. There are plenty of retailers but I won't tell you here. I can be privately messaged.

I don't know the currency exchange rate or how it will be shipped but you are welcome to private message me.

rochephoto

Good cameras to consider are Pentax Spotmatic, Canon TL or FTB or Nikon Nikkormats. All of them are analog/Nonelectronic shutters and are built like tanks. Nikkormats often come with the excellent Micro Nikkor macro lens. Craigslist or eBay are the places to go.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Why PM? Go ahead and make it public, you can't make yourself look any more ridiculous!

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I'm not really big on name dropping because I'm not a paid endorser. But if a gear war starts I'm blaming you and you'll be fighting with all the Hoggers here.

I have a Canon EOS Rebel 2000. It is still in great shape after 20 years.

I buy my film from B&H and ADORAMA in NYC.