Need Advice on Getting a Film Body

I want a film body. Yeah I know I know, don't start!

I don't have a clue about film, how to shoot it, or anthing else for that matter. However, I want to learn, so I need a body. I understand black and white film has no substitute in the digital realm. I want to find out for myself. Any suggestions?

I know there is a 1d series digital equivalent, a 1V or something like that. You old school film guys help me out. Any advice on body prices is appreciated as well. TIA

I have no clue about the 1V or whatever that model is, but my AE-1 is my favorite camera. When I was shopping for it, I took my time and watched eBay. Eventually, I picked up one in awesome condition for $38 shipped. I would check used bodies at B&H and the other big guys and watch eBay.

B&W film is why I started with film. Plus I inherited all the equipment for a darkroom. It just seemed like a good idea.

You can generally find pretty cheap prices for all types of used film equipment. The main ones to look at are the EOS 1V and EOS 3. Or if you want to buy one new, with an actual warranty and such, the Elan 7NE is reasonably priced.

I'll second the vote for an Elan 7. I bought a used body from www.keh.com and it's condition was next to like new.

dfindr wrote in post #4881510
I want a film body. Yeah I know I know, don't start!

... I understand black and white film has no substitute in the digital realm. I want to find out for myself.... film guys help me out.

In order to find out how conventional imaging with silver halide is different, it is necessary to go all the way to silver-based emulsion prints, too. Beware that many places may print 'black and white' onto color paper, and that is NOT using silver halide but color dyes to make that image. Be sure to use a commercial lab that you have confirmed uses conventional black and white production line, to create a print for comparison to a digital print.

Silver halide prints have some 'dimension' that digital cannot replicate, even with high quality printers. In part, that is due to the pigments sitting uniformly on the top of printer photo paper, whereas the silver grains permeate the entire emulsion layer. Furthermore, digital is limited today to 4096 intensity levels, and an analog process like silver halide photography has many more levels...remember that anything digital is always an approximation of anything originally analog!

Hmm, wonder if he'd be interested in a high milage Durst enlarger and all the amenities that go along with it. Most of the miles were on B&W with occasional attempts at color prints.

misskitty5077 wrote in post #4881671
I have no clue about the 1V or whatever that model is, but my AE-1 is my favorite camera. When I was shopping for it, I took my time and watched eBay. Eventually, I picked up one in awesome condition for $38 shipped. I would check used bodies at B&H and the other big guys and watch eBay.

B&W film is why I started with film. Plus I inherited all the equipment for a darkroom. It just seemed like a good idea.

Although the AE-1 is a fine camera from the early 80s, it uses the defunct FD mount and none of the OPs current lenses will work on it. It would make much more sense to get an EOS film model.

dfindr wrote in post #4881510
I want a film body. Yeah I know I know, don't start!

I don't have a clue about film, how to shoot it, or anthing else for that matter. However, I want to learn, so I need a body. I understand black and white film has no substitute in the digital realm. I want to find out for myself. Any suggestions?

I know there is a 1d series digital equivalent, a 1V or something like that. You old school film guys help me out. Any advice on body prices is appreciated as well. TIA

David, I see you are in Tucson. I've shot a lot of B+W over the years, and have examples of same. I've also done my own enlarging and printing in B+W, so would be happy to be of help.

I'm a little farther southeast, in Sierra Vista. I've got a Rebel G body ( good basic EOS full frame35mm film camera body to sell. I've also got my ElanIIe, which I too am using for B+W shooting. PM me if you are interested.

Go on Ebay and get one. I picked up a basic Rebel for £12.00($24.00) It was in OK shape and just needed cleaning up. I wouldn't spend a lot on it unless you plan on using it alot.Just my 2 cents.