Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/10/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Nathan, If your friend's son is perhaps going to advance in photography then two choices open up. The first is cheap and disposable as you don't know which way he is going to go and the first camera just has to work. Camera's that fit that category would be a Spotmatic with a SMC 50 F1.4 which can be had for less than $100 with some bargaining. Canon FTb, Minolta SRT 101-102, Minolta X-700, Olympus OM where you need to avoid the OM-2 as some models are not repairable, Nikon all models depending on what is cheap while avoiding the EM. In the cheap category, don't forget models such as Topcon, Mamiya, Fuji, and house brands. Orphans can be surprisingly cheap and really quite good. An example is a Topcon RE Super with a 58 F1.4 for $125: interchangeable prisms, screens, motor capable, and very well built. If there is a shop that you have dealt with and has an honest staff then ask them for a suggestion based on current stock. I would avoid the K1000 as the price is usually bid up as it is the "student camera". Many of the K1000's have been abused by students for many years as they get purchased then sold every year. On the other hand, if photography may be a passion I would go a different route. Look for a user professional model; Canon F-1's are available for less than $200. Nikon F's with busted meters can be pretty cheap. If your friend is relatively flush, then an SL might be suggested. Don't ignore the Japanese Contax SLR's; the 167 and RTS models can be found pretty cheaply now that the manual focus has been pretty much abandoned. My reason for suggesting the higher end models is that you get more features such as full frame viewing, interchangeable screens, possible motors, DOF preview, meters with a longer range, higher top shutter speeds. You know the drill. For someone who might be creative, the camera should not prevent the learning curve after the basics are mastered. In the end, without knowledge of the young man, all suggestions must be pretty vague. Don dorysrus@mindspring.com -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+dorysrus=mindspring.com@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+dorysrus=mindspring.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Nathan Wajsman Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 11:12 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: [Leica] OT: I need a cheap FILM camera I figure this will warm the hearts of the film dinosaurs on the list :-) But it is a legitimate request. A friend of mine needs a manual focus, manual everything SLR camera with standard lens for her teenage son's photography class, and has asked my help in choosing one. I guess the default recommendation is a Pentax K1000 or possibly ME Super; but what are similar offerings from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Minolta? It has to be 2nd hand, since all their new cameras are autofocus which is out for this purpose. TIA Nathan -- Nathan Wajsman Almere, The Netherlands General photography: http://www.nathanfoto.com Seville photography: http://www.fotosevilla.com _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information