Shooting with antique/classic/old film cameras

[gorgon2k]

Ok guys, I'm looking for a cheaper avenue to spend some shooting time considering I just spent a ton on my new 5DmkII and 17-40L. I have my hands full playing with the new toy, but I'd like to fool around with some classic stuff like 60-70's film camera's. I'm up for anything cheap and that uses film I can still purchase and get developed. My friend just got an Argus C3 i think. I'm interested in that, but is there anything else you guys are still using? any suggestions? :D

[Nate P.]

Rolleiflex!

[CafeRacer808]

Rolleiflex!

+1 on the Rolleiflex! My grandfather gave me his old Rolleiflex a couple of years ago and I must say it's a ton of fun to shoot with. For regular 35mm, I'll break out my dad's old Spotmatic from time to time (the Super Takumar f/1.4 that came with the body is a great lens), sometimes a vintage Lomo LC-A, but I mostly reach for my old EOS 1.

I also have an old Brownie, but it's in storage begging to be used. Me thinks I'll have to dig that out soon... ;)

[KCMO Al]

There should be old-style camera stores in the Philly area you can go to to handle various examples. There should be a ton of the types of cameras you are looking for there. The Canon EOS film cameras, however, would enable you to use any of the current lenses you might own. If you decide on Rollei twin-lens, be careful. There were many iterations, some more costly than others, and with all vintage cameras, check the shutter. Old mechanical shutters gum up with disuse and aren't cheap to repair.

[randerson07]

I suggest you go to Thrift stores and have a look around.
I have a growing pile of old gear(most I regularly use) you can see here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/randerson07/sets/72157607450248813/
Most of them I paid under $5 for or was given for nothing because someone "upgraded" to a digi point and shoot.

[JWright]

E-Bay is a good place to look as well. I just picked up these from there. I haven't had a chance to shoot with them yet...

The first is a Miranda GT I put together in three separate purchases. I bought the body, lens and meter prism separately. This duplicates the first SLR I ever owned and sold to finance the purchase of a newer camera in 1968.

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/Photography/Older-and-Collectible-Cameras/IMG292-9291-G5/750202249_UvjiL-L-1.jpg

The other is a Rapid Omega 100 6X7 medium format camera. I've wanted one of these ever since I saw the first one in the 1960's.

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/Photography/Older-and-Collectible-Cameras/IMG293-9313-G5/763456918_sYpbJ-L.jpg

This is a Contax IIa I was given last summer.

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/Photography/Older-and-Collectible-Cameras/IMG100-3752-40D/616047136_gRToM-L.jpg

[Lani Kai]

I would avoid jumping straight to a Roleiflex. There are many incarnations to choose from, some of which are marvelous and others which are duds. The cheap ones are cheap for a reason, and ones in good nick will cost a moderate amount of money.
If you want a 35mm SLR, I'd look at things like the Canon F-1, Nikon F2, etc. Want something more obscure? Look into offerings from companies like Topcon or Miranda.
Rangefinders are a bit more tricky. The Leica M3 is an excellent camera but somewhat expensive. Screwmount Leicas will be cheaper but less practical. Contax rangefinders may be a viable choice, but I would go for something like a Canon P.
If you go into medium format, there are tons of options that produce excellent images. Look into Mamiyas, Pentaxes, and Bronicas for mainstream choices. Later model Rolleicords offer functionality similar to Rolleiflexes but for a lower price.
Check out KEH.com to get an idea on price and for a large selection. They rate their equipment very conservatively; a "BGN" rating on KEH is about the equivalent of a typical eBay seller's idea of "mint"

[Woz!]

I would avoid jumping straight to a Roleiflex.


Don't agree - if it's for a fun diversion from modern photography then a TLR of some sort is great.
When I use my Rolleicord I frequently get people chatting to me about it too, which is always nice.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2643900046_71d4c53438.jpg

You can get loads of other brands of TLR though - I've also got a Yahika-Mat:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3245092801_04137bc43e.jpg

...a Rolleiflex and a Lomo. The Lomo 166 is horrible though and I'd avoid it.
I inherited the Rolleicord and bought the rest in junk shops. normally about 10 quid each, so dirt cheap.

They look good in a display cabinet too! Even non-photographers like looking at them.

[Lani Kai]

Don't agree - if it's for a fun diversion from modern photography then a TLR of some sort is great.
When I use my Rolleicord I frequently get people chatting to me about it too, which is always nice.



You can get loads of other brands of TLR though - I've also got a Yahika-Mat:


...a Rolleiflex and a Lomo. The Lomo 166 is horrible though and I'd avoid it.
I inherited the Rolleicord and bought the rest in junk shops. normally about 10 quid each, so dirt cheap.

They look good in a display cabinet too! Even non-photographers like looking at them.
I'm not opposed to the idea of using a TLR. My first medium format camera was a Yashica Mat 124G. If you want the best TLR and have the money to do so, then getting a clean Rolleiflex may be the best way to go. Even then, when you compare an older Automat model with a newer model like a 3.5F, there is quite a bit of difference in both quality and cost. In fact it may be advisable to go for a later model Rolleicord rather than an early Rolleiflex, for a similar price. You seem to have a Rolleicord Va, which I think is a better choice than any Rolleiflex earlier than the Automat MX-EVS.
Hence, my recommendation against a Rolleiflex as the first choice, particularly for anyone that doesn't know if the TLR shooting style will be to his/her taste. If it turns out that it is, then by all means grab one; they are among the smoothest and most finely made cameras out there.