Canon Film Camera

Yes, I know that this is a forum for Canon digital. That's why it didn't go in to EOS Camera section. I was able to pick up an entire set of darkroom equipment, including 3 enlargers, from a local retirement community. It's been in there a while, but everything works. WOO HOO!!! Ok, I want to pick up a good Canon film camera. I already have a Pentax A3 film, but want to pick up a nice Canon. What would the film shooters (you know who you are) recommend. I will be buying used and don't want to spend a small mint on one. Thanks for your recommendations.

Elan 7 or 7n. Smack your 24-70 on it, and you will weep tears of joy.

I agree. Elan 7, 7n, 7ne are awesome cameras.

Do you really want to shoot film with an EOS system?

There are so many dirt cheap film cameras out there which are very reliable and have good primes attached to them.

For film, I would choose nikon any day. Their F2 and F3 are just... drool.
There are also rangefinders
And old manual SLRs, with huge bright viewfinders... all of them very cheap.
There's olympus stylus epic... and vivitar ultra wide.

IMO the whole point of shooting film is to shoot slower, pick your shots, enjoy the experience. If you're going that way, you might as well get a camera that actually allows you to focus manually and see what it is you're doing.

If you really want to stick with an EOS camera, I'd pick the cheapest one for 50 bucks or so. Elan II cameras seem to be around that pricemark.

I'm an old-school film user so my choice would be an A-1/A-1E Program with the 50mm f/1.4 FD lens or...

Shooting film in medium format.

Personally, I would shoot film only for B&W since today's digital processors cannot replicate the tonality and range of B&W film. However, for color, digital is the way to go.

Enjoy!

I'd vote for an EOS 30V (Elan 7x), once you use eye control you'll never put it down.


....or a Leica M3

HankScorpio wrote in post #5720225
....or a Leica M3

The OP doesn't want to "spend a mint" or sell his arm and leg.

yeah i got a $20 rebel off ebay.

Be a real man and get a 1VHS from KEH.

I have an Elan 7NE, Bessa R2M rangefinder, and, as of this month, a Nikon FM2 (F2 form factor too big), and they all serve their purposes very well. I only shoot black and white, and even on the Elan, I only use manual focus lenses.

The Elan handles my Zeiss lenses that I bought when I used a 350D, and the EOS system is a great platform for a variety of older, inexpensive yet exceptional manual focus lenses. For me, an SLR is best for close up shots. I also like to push the Tri-X up to 1600, even for daylight shots, so a shutter speed of at least 1/2,000 is beneficial. I also enjoy the partial metering on the Elan (it does not have spot).

sjones wrote in post #5720513
I have an Elan 7NE, Bessa R2M rangefinder, and, as of this month, a Nikon FM2 (F2 form factor too big), and they all serve their purposes very well. I only shoot black and white, and even on the Elan, I only use manual focus lenses.

The Elan handles my Zeiss lenses that I bought when I used a 350D, and the EOS system is a great platform for a variety of older, inexpensive yet exceptional manual focus lenses. For me, an SLR is best for close up shots. I also like to push the Tri-X up to 1600, even for daylight shots, so a shutter speed of at least 1/2,000 is beneficial. I also enjoy the partial metering on the Elan (it does not have spot).

If you're pushing stuff a lot, why not just shoot it on the bessa with an ND filter?

How do you find manual focusing with elan?

JAcosta wrote in post #5720496
Be a real man and get a 1VHS from KEH.

I see the canon commercials are doing their job.

You need to decide if you want a manual focus or an EOS auto-focus film camera.

Auto-focus film cameras are relatively inexpensive and the lenses are compatible with EOS Digital cameras.

Manual focus cameras are virtually free and the lenses are NOT compatible with EOS cameras either film or digital. There are adapters sold, but most will not allow the MF lenses to focus to infinity on an AF cmera.

Go Nikon!! I've been using Nikon film cameras since the mid '70s,,Fs, F2s, F4s..But my favourite Nikon is the FE2..Attach an MD12 motordrive to it and you have a great combination..

IMHO there is nothing like to sound of a motordriven Nikon going off at full tilt!!

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #5720563
If you're pushing stuff a lot, why not just shoot it on the bessa with an ND filter?

How do you find manual focusing with elan?

Firstly, I am still a novice in this whole photography thing, and for film, it is a particularly new venture having stepped into it only last March, so I am in the experimentation stage.

That said, it is the Bessa that I use for shots pushed one or two stops to bolster grain and contrast; and so far, I have not found an ND filter necessary. The poorly placed "push" comment was actually a general remark on the benefits of a fast shutter speed, irrespective of camera, especially since I frequently move between bright and shadowed areas---easier to change shutter speed/aperture than mess with a filter I would assume. In any event, the Bessa has a shutter speed of 1/2000, while the Elan and FM2 top out at 1/4000.

For the Elan, I use Tri-X at its normal setting, or I'll use the camera for higher resolution films, such as Fujifilm's Neopan Acros 100, which I've only used once…good illumination on highlights, I thought, but also a little cold. I will be giving Ilford FP4 Plus a shot (like I said, still very new to all of this).

I use chipped adaptors for the Zeiss (M42 mounts), so I can use the focus confirm beeps, lights, and all, should I not trust my eyes. However, I have found that out of all three cameras, the easiest to focus is the Nikon FM2; the split screen and microprism combo is great…actually, I have yet to complete my first roll in the Nikon, so I have yet to confirm my focusing skills.

Ultimately, should any of my decisions be questionable, it is simply because I am still figuring my way around all of this. I do enjoy having different systems; while there is a lot of crossover, each camera will occasionally inspire me in different ways. I look forward next year to jumping into medium format.