Now I need a film body??

[Illegally_Alive]

Hi! Here's the deal, I'm taking a documentary photo class and the teacher really wants us to shoot film. I don't really want to shoot film any more- I have an old Minolta x370 and two lenses-...so I'm looking for a good but cheap used canon film body that accepts EF lenses, that's not too hard right? I know there's the Ebay (or whatever the kids are calling it now) but I don't know which bodies to look out for- any help is appreciated!

-B

p.s. Sorry if this has been asked recently, i did a quick search and didn't find anything. Also, if this is posted in the wrong area, I'll say digital a few times- digital digital digital (sshhhhh... i'm really looking for film :cool: )

[Alexia]

It could be worse. The only class my campus offers is black and white film. http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif
Check eBay!

[Jon]

The cheapest Rebel (GII) at B&H is $115, new. How much cheaper than that do you want to go?

[steven]

Find out what the requirements are for the camera are in class.
I seem to remember another topic long ago where someone was told they could not use a camera because is lacked some basic ability or another. In other words the camera did too much.

[tpinchback]

I have an elan 7 in good condition with a few minor scratches on the hotshoe and I am will to sell that, and 3 or 4 rolls of 400tx, some 8x10 rc sheets of paper and developing tank for $215 shipped.

pm if intersted

Stephen

[Jim Larson]

Elan 7 is what you want.

[NGrinerPhoto]

i have an elan II e

make me an offer

-nick

[MrChad]

The Elan 7 series is very close to your 20D in function and feel. I love my Elan 7N.

Why don't you just shoot the Minolta?

If you are going to spend $100 used you might as well by a new Rebel K2 or Ti for like ~$150? Much-much better then a G series.

[kb244]

I'd stick with an Elan Body, like an Elan II or something, I Would stay away from the Film Rebel Bodies.

[Tom W]

Elan II has E-TTL. The original Elan does not.

Check KEH.com as well for used equipment.

[Illegally_Alive]

Thanks for the suggestions!
I've found some Elan 7's on ebay for $150 and some Elan ii's for around $100.

tpinchback- Thanks for the offer, but I have plenty of film, and a tank already.

MrChad- I don't feel like shooting w/ the minolta because the lenses I have are a 28mm prime and 35-70. I've got better coverage w/ the canon, and instead of throwing more money at the minolta (by getting a longer lens), I'd rather put it towards canon. Also I think it'd be good to have a backup body. Finally since I just got all my canon stuff in sept/oct. I really want to play with it!

-B

[Bob_A]

I love my new 20D, but I have to admit that I still like film even more ... especially black and white. Only wish I had more time to mix up a batch of chemicals and spend a couple of days in my darkroom.

I have an Elan II and have always felt that it was pretty good value for an SLR (lots of features, decent build quality, reasonable price).

Bob

[ron chappel]

Allmost ANY canon EOS film camera will do but the most recommended one's i've heard of are:

eos 600/eos 630-an early semi pro model.Has no flash or night focusing ability but it shoots at five frames per sec! Make sure you get one without a gummed up shutter-it's the only thing that goes wrong with them
eos elan II -Only 2.5 frames per sec but does everything very well.Has lots of levers and knobs instead of irritating buttons and menus!
eos 7 - the following model. 3.5 frames/sec but does a couple of things slightly anoyingly compared to the elan II.Seems abit of an overkill for a photo class
eos 500,500n,3000,3000n,300,300v,etc,etc -any of the base models from the mid nineties onwards.All about 1 frame/sec but do allmost everything.Can be used fully manually like all modern EOS.small and light.Can be had for an amazingly cheap us$70.

[mdr]

Why don't you trade the Minolta gear in for a Canon Elan with a second hand dealer? Or sell them on eBay?

[DionM]

The EOS300 (Rebel 2k) will do everything you want for that class.

PS: That 12-24 will look awesome on a film body :)

[MrChad]

I think we also left some good ones off the list.
I'm a huge fan of the A2E's!

Search for some A2's or A2E's they are very well built too.

[mdr]

Doesn't the A2E take FD lenses? So no difference from the Minolta x370, requiring it's own lenses.

[Patrick 10D]

This thread made me sort of laugh (at myself, of course) because I have been seriously considering the idea of buying a used EOS 1V with the battery pack. I have even found one in excellent condition ... :D

.

[Persian-Rice]

I love film, If you learn how to shoot film, it will make you a much better photographer.
If you just want a film camera for the class, then buy something cheap. There is no need for a $300-$400 camera as some people here seem to think. People seem to go overkill in every situation when it's not their money.

An EOS Rebel GII or K2 are good enough if you ask me. You can get a new one for about $110-$140. They pretty much have all the features an intro dSLR like the 20D has.

[Jon]

Doesn't the A2E take FD lenses? So no difference from the Minolta x370, requiring it's own lenses.

You're thinking of the AE-1, a (late) '70s vintage body. Any EOS body takes EF lenses.

[mdr]

I was thinking of the AE1, as I had never heard of the A2E. But just learned from a search on the web that A2E is the American spelling of EOS 5. I can highly recommend this one. But it's successor the EOS 3 is even better. It's a gem.