What's a good film camera for college classes? Please help...

[.Joel]

Hi everyone,

I'm a Graphic Design major in college and starting in the fall, I'll be taking a few film-photography courses. I've been shooting digital for years but never tried film. I have a Rebel XSi so I was thinking about getting a film SLR from Canon as well.

I just don't know what to get or what to look for... I want something that's fairly simple to use, takes good pictures (considering this will be for a grade), and hopefully affordable (not too much over $100, if possible).

I was looking at the Canon AE-1. What do you guys think? I could really use your help/suggestions.

Thanks a lot!! I appreciate it!!

[NeverFollow]

from my experience.... Nikon seems to be the best for 35mm film cameras I also really like my Minolta SRT 202. The AE-1 isnt bad, I think since this is your first film class you will be spending much more time developing and enlarging than actually taking photos. So the camera isnt going to be as important as you think...... (you will understand what I mean when you start enlarging) .

KEH.com is a great store that sells used film equipment

also check out craigslist.

** The most important thing to look for when purchasing a used camera is that the light meter works. To verify that one works I would take your digital with you and meter the same object to see if the meter is in correct working order.**

[.Joel]

Thanks!! I'll definitely take a look into them. Any particular Nikon model you're fond of?

Any more recommendations/tips? =]

[matonanjin]

Hi everyone,

I'm a Graphic Design major in college and starting in the fall, I'll be taking a few film-photography courses. I've been shooting digital for years but never tried film. I have a Rebel XSi so I was thinking about getting a film SLR from Canon as well.

I just don't know what to get or what to look for... I want something that's fairly simple to use, takes good pictures (considering this will be for a grade), and hopefully affordable (not too much over $100, if possible).

I was looking at the Canon AE-1. What do you guys think? I could really use your help/suggestions.

Thanks a lot!! I appreciate it!!

I just sold my AE-1 on fleabay and have regretted it from the second I listed it. It's a great camera. If you can come across an F-1 that is sort of comparable to the 1DMk series. Pro level durability and high frame rate. I put thousands of rolls of film through both of these.

Another thought is an old medium format camera. Mamiya or Bronica or Hasselblad. But you may not be able to find one of these for <$100.

[sandpiper]

I have a Rebel XSi so I was thinking about getting a film SLR from Canon as well.

hopefully affordable (not too much over $100, if possible).

I was looking at the Canon AE-1.


The AE-1 is a great camera, I have one and also it's bigger brother the A-1. Both should be available for under $100. Do bear in mind though, that these are old cameras (over 25 years I would think) and may well need seals replacing (particularly the foam around the mirror assembly, which can start to crumble) also shutter speeds may be a bit off due to lubrication being needed. So check out any potential purchase very carefully and allow for the possible need for some servicing.

An alternative may be an EOS film body as that may take the lens(es) that you have with the Rebel, so that could save you some money, plus any lenses you may buy in the future could be compatible with both. The key is whether they are EF (any EOS body) or EF-S (certain crop digital bodies only). If you get an old (pre- EOS) body such as the AE-1, A-1, F-1 etc., then it will need FD mount lenses.

If you don't have any EF lenses though, the AE-1 will be a nice camera to use (if it has been properly maintained) and lenses won't be expensive on the used market, as most people want digital compatible gear, but again will be fairly ancient so test them carefully.

[dontcallmeash]

used nikon fm2.

[brian00321]

Check out KEH, browse the different brands and lenses, and see what you like. Either brand you pick, you can't go wrong.

http://www.keh.com/camera?s=1

[kfreels]

In case you haven't done this yet....Get a Canon Eos Elan IIe from ebay for about $50-$75. Great camera, pro-sumer with the thumb-dialon the back just like the more expensive cameras. They made them into the late 90s so they aren't "that" old and any lenses you buy for it will work on your Rebel as well (with a 1.6 crop factor)

[MARTIN2011]

CANON EOS A2E would be my choice-check it out.

[tohara]

Nikon Fm2

[MARTIN2011]

CANON AE1,CANONA2,PENTAX K1000

[airfrogusmc]

Canon F-1...Its a tank and its all manual. Maybe the best camera Canon ever made. ;)

[bbgeekchic]

I have a Pentax and Canon EOS, both 35mm of course. Same thing...needed em since I am attending for my bachelor in digital photography.... actually only needed one but friends were willing to donate for edjumication lol

[elevenbangbang]

Oh man this thread makes me miss my AE-1 so much.

[TheBrick3]

If you can't use your Canon lenses on the Nikon, I wouldn't get one of those.

[TheBrick3]

I actually need a film camera for a similar purpose, could someone list the best three film cameras which take EF lenses?

[TooManyShots]

I actually need a film camera for a similar purpose, could someone list the best three film cameras which take EF lenses?

EOS 3, Elan 7, Elan 7N, or their "E" version. I just actually have a Elan 7 in a very mint condition. I don't use it anymore since it has been replaced with an EOS 3...:) It works. I shot through 4 rolls with it before upgrading to an EOS 3. Shoot me a PM if you are interested in the Elan 7. Is so new that the hot shoe mount hasn't been scratched yet...:)

[TheBrick3]

PMed! With lots of questions.

[mcluckie]

For film. get twin lens 2-1/4 camera. 35mm film just sucks unless it's transparency for repro seps. Get a big neg! I started a photo major at my college and ordered Seagul cameras. Try to find a old Rollei.

[TooManyShots]

For film. get twin lens 2-1/4 camera. 35mm film just sucks unless it's transparency for repro seps. Get a big neg! I started a photo major at my college and ordered Seagul cameras. Try to find a old Rollei.


I believe they are called medium format.....:) Usually more expensive ($400+), except you shoot Holga. The body does not have metering system. You would need a light meter or get a separate AE prism view finder. The body is generally bigger and heavier.

[mcluckie]

I believe they are called medium format....
duh. :)

If you ever owned some, you'd know that calling them 2-1/4 is fairly standard terminology, based on the width of the film (120, 220), 6cm or 2-1/4" film by whatever other dimension the camera does (6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x9) -- if you needed me to cover all the bases before making trite comments. If you go to buy a negative carrier, it won't be called medium format. If you're wondering if your enlarger will cover it, it won't be called medium format there either.

Learning how to compose on a waist level finder is priceless. So is learning how to meter with a handheld

The body is generally bigger and heavier.
duh, again. Generally? Probably always. The film is bigger, the camera is bigger. You can buy a Holga or Diana at Urban Outfitters. My 13 year old daughter wanted one of the trendy remarketed ones, but I bought her a better used Seagul in Beijing. Not that Seagul are that good, but they are dirt cheap and have glass optics. Even the cheapest model will last a good year before something breaks.

[shoturtle]

do you have to shoot full manual. Or can you use a more modern slr. A old canon eos 630 would be a good camera for film class, and it will let you shoot in Av, Tv, and Manual model. And you get the benefit of AF. And if you have and EF lenses they will work on the 630.

[mcluckie]

do you have to shoot full manual. Or can you use a more modern slr.
I could have sworn that my 5D2 has full manual mode. Is it not modern? Does more modern mean more auto functions? Why take a class at all if you're going to use AUTO?

[shoturtle]

Av is not full auto and Tv are not full auto. It is just simpler to uses. And with the way micro 4/3 have cause the price of FD lenses to be jacked up. It is cheaper to pick up a eos slr and use old eos lenses. Have you seen the going prices of canon AE-1 programs vs a eos 630. With a 28 or 50mm lens, they can sell for over 100 dollars.

A eos 630 body is about 60 dollars. And if the OP has ef lenses, he is pretty much set.

[TooManyShots]

duh. :)

If you ever owned some, you'd know that calling them 2-1/4 is fairly standard terminology, based on the width of the film (120, 220), 6cm or 2-1/4" film by whatever other dimension the camera does (6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x9) -- if you needed me to cover all the bases before making trite comments. If you go to buy a negative carrier, it won't be called medium format. If you're wondering if your enlarger will cover it, it won't be called medium format there either.

Learning how to compose on a waist level finder is priceless. So is learning how to meter with a handheld


duh, again. Generally? Probably always. The film is bigger, the camera is bigger. You can buy a Holga or Diana at Urban Outfitters. My 13 year old daughter wanted one of the trendy remarketed ones, but I bought her a better used Seagul in Beijing. Not that Seagul are that good, but they are dirt cheap and have glass optics. Even the cheapest model will last a good year before something breaks.

I think you should work on your compositions more than worrying about what medium format body you should have.....:)

[TooManyShots]

Av is not full auto and Tv are not full auto. It is just simpler to uses. And with the way micro 4/3 have cause the price of FD lenses to be jacked up. It is cheaper to pick up a eos slr and use old eos lenses. Have you seen the going prices of canon AE-1 programs vs a eos 630. With a 28 or 50mm lens, they can sell for over 100 dollars.

A eos 630 body is about 60 dollars. And if the OP has ef lenses, he is pretty much set.


That's correct. It is pointless for someone starting out in film and they should immediately get a medium format system. They don't even know what is a 120 film yet. A 35mm film format is cheap and they could use their existing EF lenses. Unless your parents are paying for the medium format system, there is little point in getting one. Mind you, you would have no supports from the manufacturers of the medium format system because they don't make them anymore. If your EOS film ending up not working, you can get another one for cheap.

There are couple of drawbacks with a medium format system. No zoom lenses available. No metering. Max shutter speed is 1/500 (leaf shutter). Although they are cheap relative to when they first came out, they cost no less than $400 to $500. Check Keh.com and Adorama. They have plenty of them. You think a 1dmarkIII with 24-70L is big and heavy? Think again.

[Tony-S]

There are couple of drawbacks with a medium format system. No zoom lenses available. No metering. Max shutter speed is 1/500 (leaf shutter).

There are a few MF cameras with zooms, built-in meters and shutter speeds of 1/1000".

[AtSea]

Another vote for AE1

[shoturtle]

You can shoot the eos in full manual, turn off the AF, and shoot in M, full aperture and shutter control.

[lbarnwell]

Pawn Shops are a great place to look.
Be sure all the lens work or yours crossover. I used a Canan ElanII and a Konica Autoreflex TC. Be sure that if you have to be able to do all manual settings you can. My professor would give assignments that would have you change different settings (make notes) and then compare.
Good Luck!
Lauri

[RPCrowe]

Why in the world does the college teach film photography... Why not use wet-plates like Mathew Brady did during the Civil War?

I have a hunch why they are teaching film - because the instructor's knowledge is based in film.

[Tony-S]

At our U, photo majors learn it all - wet plates, 35mm, medium format and large format film, B&W and color processing, lighting, digital, etc.

[Simonthephotoman]

Get a TLR Medium format Mamiya C330? 100$-200$ interchangable lenses