Cheap but good film cameras?

[thedcmule2]

I'm getting a 5D3 summer so I dont want to drop too much on a film camera, but would like one to mess around with. Preferably something in the classic 35mm format, I dont know much about them though. Maybe something that'll let me focus (how do Fuji disposables focus so well?).

Any recommendations are appreciated.

[CameraMan]

Since you're buying a 5D Mark III How about buying a Canon SLR so that it will work with your lenses. Those are fairly cheap.

[theatrus]

Any classic EOS SLR would be my pick - you get to use your old lenses.

I'd pick up an EOS 300 / Rebel 2000. It weighs absolutely nothing and can be had for nothing.

[rick_reno]

i liked Nikon film cameras, used them for over 20 years. They're cheap.

[dudemanppl]

How cheap is cheap?

[alex.hondsmerk]

I got a working 500N for all of 5 pounds. Weighs virtually nothing!

[kf095]

I have 300 film Rebel. It will take same glass as 5D.
Two things I don't like in this camera. Terribly expensive batteries, and it seems to have no diopter adjustments for OVF.
I used as exposure meter for my 1963 FED2 film camera. :rolleyes:

I would reccomend EOS ELAN 7E, it has AF which even 5DMKIII doesn't have. It will focus as you want.

[theatrus]

The CR2 batteries were never cheap, but they last "basically" forever. I haven't put a roll of film in my EOS 300 in 10 years and the batteries still work (though Lithium shelf life is only 7 years).

Trolling eBay, I can see body-only 300s going for about $30.

The Elan 7E is a great camera - I wish I owned one back in the day, but there wasn't any image quality justification for that. The 300 shot Velvia just as well :)

[kf095]

The CR2 batteries were never cheap, but they last "basically" forever. I haven't put a roll of film in my EOS 300 in 10 years and the batteries still work (though Lithium shelf life is only 7 years).

Trolling eBay, I can see body-only 300s going for about $30.

The Elan 7E is a great camera - I wish I owned one back in the day, but there wasn't any image quality justification for that. The 300 shot Velvia just as well :)

Yes, but EOS 300 doesn't have eye folowing AF, which OP was sort of interested in.
Sure, batteries will work after ten years of camera collecting dust. But my family and I actually using it and build-in flash eats them fast. Or if you forget to put it in standby mode. I'm not sure if it has time out settings.

[NYC2BGI]

What is a film camera? That is what my son asked me once. The kids today would not even know what that means.

[taemo]

what about some old RF cameras?
since your digital camera is a DSLR, IMO it's nice to get something different than.
I have a Canonet QL17 and a Yashica 35 GSN rangefinders and they are a totally different shooting experience than my 5D.
these can be have from $30-100 each depending on condition.
I'm actually debating on getting a Leica M6 now as I don't want to rely on batteries

but like you, I want to experience shooting film SLR and just waiting for the right moment to get an EOS-3 or EOS-5