most bang for the buck, best camera value

[FrankS]

I would like to nominate the Nikon 8008(s)/801(s). With a 50f1.8 AF lens for matrix metering. Can mount MF AI lenses also. Very capable and versatile. About $30 for a body in EX condition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F-801

http://www.thecamerasite.net/01_SLR_Cameras/Pages/nikon f-801s.htm

 

[FrankS]

Yeah, yeah. But I wasn't thinking of an amortization period. I mean just right now, and for the next 5 years.

 

[NickTrop]

Broad category...

- Nikon D5000 body refurbed. Nikon had to recall and fix a slew of these due to problems with an early production run. Fixed by Nikon, returned but can't be sold as "new". My body was $470 with full US warranty from B&H. Their DX 50 1.8 is a bargain at $200.

- Fuji Finepix F20. The bargain of the infamous Finepix line. Same lens, engine, sensor as the F30, 31 but a fraction of the price used because it lacks the largely useless manual controls.

- Yashica GSN

- Konica Auto S3

- Olympus XA

- Vivitar badged (Cosina-made) 3800N SLR w/ 50mm f1.8 (Still produced, all manual for $170-ish).

 

[FrankS]

Broad category...

- Nikon D5000 body refurbed. Nikon had to recall and fix a slew of these due to problems with an early production run. Fixed by Nikon, returned but can't be sold as "new". My body was $470 with full US warranty from B&H. Their DX 50 1.8 is a bargain at $200.

- Fuji Finepix F20. The bargain of the infamous Finepix line. Same lens, engine, sensor as the F30, 31 but a fraction of the price used because it lacks the largely useless manual controls.

- Yashica GSN

- Konica Auto S3

- Olympus XA

- Vivitar badged (Cosina-made) 3800N SLR w/ 50mm f1.8 (Still produced, all manual for $170-ish).

All more expensive than my nominee, thank you! And the last 4 with a much smaller feature set and capabilities.

 

[gb hill]

Being a Canon shooter I'm going to nominate the Canon FD system. A good portion of the lenses are a steal & as long as you steer away from the T90 or a F1n you can pick up a nice system cheap.

 

[t.s.k.]

Early EOS bodies are actually cheaper than FD bodies.
Some were leading edge in their time and are great shooters.

And then there's the RB67. Dirt cheap..no, cheaper than dirt...with excellent glass.

 

[LKeithR]

Hard to beat some of the 80s vintage Pentax SLRs. Light, compact with reasonable features and a wealth of lenses to use on them...

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I'll second the idea of a fixed lens 35mm rangefinder... any of them. You get BIG bang for the buck by being forced to live with one lens. No temptation to buy lens after lens looking for the holy grail. And these little cameras force one's thinking away from the gear and onto the subject matter.... an EXTREMELY valuable commodity IMO.

 

[Keith]

As much as the camera annoys me ergonomically I'll nominate the Yashica Electro 35.

After seeing an old thread of Avotius' the other day with some pretty nice Electro images in it I decided to drag my $50.00 GT out of the cupboard and run a roll of LP 400 through it. I've just hung the film to dry and all I can say is 'how does that meter do it' ... there doesn't appear to be a bad exposure on the roll and I used it from -1 EV to around 14 EV in various light situations that would have had me really thinking if I'd been metering for a manual camera.

Add the amazing f1.7 45mm Yashinon lens which probably has no peer on a fixed lens rangefinder and the decision's simple! I'd also forgotten how good the viewfinder is with plenty of space around the framelines ... not far behind an M3 IMO.

 

[sper]

A Nikon.

Whether it be FM, FE, F3, F100, F5, or D700.

Tons of lenses that hold their own against the best in the world, tons of accessories that tackle any project, from extreme macro to fashion to architecture. Manual and auto focus. Digital and film.

If I was going to rebuild my commercial and artistic camera system, I would do it with a Nikon and the F mount.

I foolishly traded my D700 for a 5D2. I regret it.

 

[Ezzie]

If you consider bigger is better, then there is an amazing array of medium format camera systems to be had for ridiculous money. Fully functioning one lens setups for less than $250, easy. Not counting shoddy FSU stuff. Bronica if you prefer SLR's, but how about Mamiya C22/33/220/330 TLR's for good value?

 

[Peter R]

Semi-pro Nikon body for $30 in EX condition? I can't think of anything to beat it. Is that a real price or a weird fleabay anomaly?

 

[Keith]

A Nikon.

Whether it be FM, FE, F3, F100, F5, or D700.

Tons of lenses that hold their own against the best in the world, tons of accessories that tackle any project, from extreme macro to fashion to architecture. Manual and auto focus. Digital and film.

If I was going to rebuild my commercial and artistic camera system, I would do it with a Nikon and the F mount.

I foolishly traded my D700 for a 5D2. I regret it.

I've read several posts in the last few days by people who regret getting the 5D mkll ... it intrigues me because I don't think I've ever seen a similar comment about the original 5D!

 

[Brian Legge]

Film SLRs, particularly those which lenses which can't be used on any current digital cameras, seem like the biggest system wins. There are plenty of options there.

Fixed lens rangefinders are awesome as an introduction to a type of camera may don't know existed. As someone who prefers compact cameras and good deals, the Canonet 17 GIII and Olympus 35RC are hard to beat. If you prefer larger cameras, the GSN and Auto S2 are even better as they are typically cheaper. There are a dozen excellent cameras in this class to be had for under $100.

Medium format, well, damn near everything is a great deal if you can find it in good condition. Rolleicords for $50. Autocords in need of a slight amount of service for $40. A good 645 folding camera for $60. Bronica SQAs for $180. And most of the 645 kits for even less.

I don't think there is a single best deal right now. As a class though, film SLRs are definitely the best 35mm deal. I know people treating OM1s as film backs for their lenses now they are so cheap to pick up.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The best 'bang for the buck' I can imagine is my Contaflex leaf-shutter SLR, with interchangeable backs and 50/2.8 Tessar. I was given it. Regardless of how little bang I get out of it, divide that bang by zero and the answer is infinite bang for the buck. Same as one of my Lubitels, come to think of it.

Cheers,

R.

 

[reubelim]

Yeah, same question

Yeah, same question

I've read several posts in the last few days by people who regret getting the 5D mkll ... it intrigues me because I don't think I've ever seen a similar comment about the original 5D!

I almost sold my d700 and got a 5dII, why have I seen quite a few expressing regret over getting a 5dII?

BTW, what swung me to stay with Nikon DSLRs was I had already fully invested into the system, and I can use my old Nikkor ais lenses without a hitch. I still have my Canon film gear (QL17, Canon P, A1s and EOS5) and they have been great performers.

 

[Ronald_H]

Electronic film SLRs go for buttons these days... Perfectly good Canons, Nikons, Minoltas etc. for next to nothing. I recently bought an EOS for 1 (one) Euro. No lens no battery, but still film in it 😉

But the problem with electronics is... they eventually will die and then your SOL.

So my nominee is the Nikon FM. Indestructible, fully manual, a lot cheaper than the FM2, yet exteremly capable, part of the Nikon system and can use every F lens Nikon (and otheres) ever made, as long as it has an aperture ring.

Bought one for 60 Euros and I honestly believe it will outlast me.