Film Camera

Ive been thinkin of getting into the film scene, and I finally have some money to buy a film body. So my question is what to buy. I want sometime which will work with my current canon ef lenses, so that narrows it to canon body but thats about all i know. Im just looking for some ideas on whats good whats bad, ive been browsing the local classifieds but im totally confused. And I dont want to spend more than a $1000.

Thanks
James

crayfish13 wrote in post #5697759
Ive been thinkin of getting into the film scene, and I finally have some money to buy a film body. So my question is what to buy. I want sometime which will work with my current canon ef lenses, so that narrows it to canon body but thats about all i know. Im just looking for some ideas on whats good whats bad, ive been browsing the local classifieds but im totally confused. And I dont want to spend more than a $1000.

Thanks
James

Just get a used Elan 2e on Ebay and save the rest of that $1000 for film and developing.

i dont mind spending the extra money if i get a better quality camera which will last me longer. but ya i still need to decide whether to go the cheap route and maybe upgrade down the road. at the moment im using my parent old canon a-1 with some older lenses.

You need to understand that 35mm film cameras were/ are at the peak of their technology curve. You get the same picture quality from the cheapest Eos entry-level film camera or a 1V - it really is all about the technique.

What you get by spending more money on an expensive film body is:

1. Build quality, higher fps, better AF
2. Enjoyment from handling state-of-the-art gear, and knowing that it's yours

But the pictures - are the same regardless.

A film body is much different than digital body and there is little quality difference between them. The quality is in the film and the glass. The camera body is just a holder for the film and the few goodies that go along with the AF system and such. You can get a new EOS T2 for about $250.

steved110 wrote in post #5697879
You need to understand that 35mm film cameras were/ are at the peak of their technology curve. You get the same picture quality from the cheapest Eos entry-level film camera or a 1V - it really is all about the technique.

What you get by spending more money on an expensive film body is:

1. Build quality, higher fps, better AF
2. Enjoyment from handling state-of-the-art gear, and knowing that it's yours

But the pictures - are the same regardless.

i guess ill save some money and buy a cheaper body and some flashes.

I tried to sell a mint elan IIe a while back and no bite!

If you want I can make it lower than what I've listed here on the forum.

https://photography-on-the.net …p?t=475770&high​light=elan

Regards.
Vic

Hasselblad 500C. I have an old school EOS 620, has everything, but only 3 fps. It has a multi exposure mode for up to 9 shots on one frame of film. Under $100 here. I am loving mine, it was the top of the line when it came out, so it is a very good camera. Just beware of grease on the shutter curtains of any camera as that is a new shutter being needed.

If you have A-1, then shoot with it. It's an awesome camera.

I picked up a 135/2.5 for 40 bucks.
200 f/4 for 30 bucks
And a 28mm f/2.8 for 50 or 60

That's all you need to shoot, really. I would never shoot canon AF with film, I don't like EOS system for film.

Just browse craigslist. There's some awesome deals - Just last week I picked up a pentax spotmatic in immaculate condition with 2 lenses for 30 bucks.

You might find old cameras make you shoot differently. You may like it, or you might not. But I always try to encourage the "all digital" photographers to try and shoot with the cheap old junk just for a change.

It all depends on what features you want in the body, but film bodies are generally quite a lot cheaper than digital bodies on a per-feature basis.

I got an EOS 3 from KEH (http://www.keh.com) for about $300, and that's what they seem to be going for right now. And I must say, it is an awesome camera, basically a 1-series camera (with the 45-point autofocus system) without the weather sealing.

If you plan on keeping the camera basically forever (like I do), you'll probably be happier going with a better body than with the cheapest thing you can find.

Just my 2 cents...

I decided when making the switch to digital that I would sell all my film cameras. I sole my 35mm SLR system and all MF cameras. I have kept my Contax G2 system and every time I ran a roll of film through I had to ask myself, "why?". I have not shot film since sometime last year and would probability sell the G2 if I thought I could get enough to make the sale worth while. I doubt I will ever shoot film again. May I ask? What is it with film that you find attractive?

crayfish13 wrote in post #5697759
Ive been thinkin of getting into the film scene, and I finally have some money to buy a film body. So my question is what to buy. I want sometime which will work with my current canon ef lenses, so that narrows it to canon body but thats about all i know. Im just looking for some ideas on whats good whats bad, ive been browsing the local classifieds but im totally confused. And I dont want to spend more than a $1000.

Thanks
James

Canon F-1. Maybe the finest camera Canon ever made.
http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

The latest 1 series film camera has to be your best bet. And don't forget the Eos-3. I imagine both of these might work well with your existing kit, so reducing the extra expenses. An Eos 3 was for sale locally for £250, and was in the shop window a long time, which means it probably sold for less than advertised.

Film is not as expensive as some digital users claim, provided you slow down and think about each shot. Making each frame count. The "I shoot 2000 frames a day" thinking will make the cost unbearable.

I shoot a lot of landscapes, and use digital until I've sorted out composition and technical issues, then pick up my Eos-3 and get a film version. Film (or to be more precise - slide film) "in itself" still stores more information, the problem is, a lot is lost in the scanning or enlarging and printing. Film also has a character of it's own.

Richard

The EOS 3s are dirt cheap all things considered compared to what they were new (well, so are most used film cameras at this point). I would definitely recommend one of those for the ~$300 (in the US) price point they're selling for.

Great for someone who wants a solid, full featured, rugged film SLR. Not so great if you're someone like me and you've owned an EOS 3 with PB-E2 power booster for 9ish years and might be able to sell it for 1/4 of what it was new

I have been thinking the same thing, but why use the same lenses? Get a Canon F-1 or AE-1! Or maybe something even more old school.

EDIT - missed a few posts.