Camera Choice For Beginner Photo Class?

[jyl]

My wife is taking a beginning photo class this fall. I'm not sure exactly what the assignments will be, but I know it requires a camera with manual focus, shutter speed and aperture, and they will be shooting 35mm slide film.

So, here are the 35mm manual-capable film cameras we have, for her to choose from:
- Canon A-1 with various lenses (16mm to 200mm)
- Canon P with 50mm and 100mm (here's the rangefinder content)
- Canon T90, with same lenses as A-1 of course
- Nikon FG with 35-105mm
- Rollei 35S

Which one would you have her use? Or would you suggest something else, that I can pick up used for <$100, or if it is "interesting" I could stretch a bit more?

 

[sfaust]

Since you have a lot of useful lenses for the A-1, thats my recommendation. I used an A1 way back when (lets say I bought it brand new), and it was a sweet camera. Perfectly suited for the class, and it won't cost extra.

 

[back alley]

i think the t90 is one of the finest cameras ever made. i had one and i loved it! also had an a1 for awhile and it was a good camera too, but not in the same league as the t90.

now about that canon p...you wouldn't be thinking of selling it eh?

joe

 

[rover]

The good news is that you don't have to buy an new one for her. I am sure the A1 or T90 will be what she ends up using. The best thing would be to let her handle the two and see which she is more comfortable with. If she can't make up her mind have her ask her teacher which will work best for her based on the assignments he will be giving.

 

[jyl]

Thanks, all. The Canon SLRs, then.

I have had the A-1 from new, actually. Was my first camera.

Joe, how many "P"s do you have by now, anyway?! No, I am not selling mine, I like it too much.

 

[back alley]

hey john,

i only have one, that's the problem!

so your holding on to yours eh?
my bad luck.

i'll get another after i have bought all the old canon lenses i need..buhahaha...

joe

 

[jyl]

Thought I'd say "hi" after a bit of an absence, and
let you guys know what we eventually did for my wife's photo class.

I've been off the forum for awhile. Our computer spent 3 weeks in the shop, I forgot my forum password, and I'm been screamingly busy at work.

Remember, my wife needed an all-manual-capable 35mm camera for her beginning photo class. We lined up all the suitable cameras we had: Canon P, Canon A-1, Canon T90, Rollei 35S, Nikon FG. She ended up using the Nikon FG. It was simple (she had never used anything but a P&S), its 35-105mm was the most versatile lens we had ( no selecting/changing lenses), the "LED dots" display was intuitive for all-manual exposure, and - real reason - I didn't want to be competing with her for our Canon lenses. Plus the Nikon was given to us, and "free" is always nice.

Her class went great, I'm proud of her for learning the technical stuff (she is utterly non-mechanical) and she has become enthusiastic about photography. She's taking a portraiture class next (portraits and candids are her real interest) and will be coming with me to the darkroom for a B&W printing primer soon.

Unfortunately, she's realized that her existing Nikkor 35-105mm f3.5-4.5 lens isn't fast enough for many indoor candids. So guess what she's getting for Christmas? (Shhh, don't tell!) A set of Nikon F3HP + MD4, Nikkor MF 50mm f1.4, and Nikkor MF 85mm f1.4.

I'm still looking for the 85mm - anyone got one to sell? They're so expensive. What do you think about this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3855742321&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT Should I gamble on it being cheaply repairable?

As for my Canon P, it has been getting some use. I've finally printed some snaps, and will post them here whenever I get a scanner - sigh. I do think I've got a focusing problem - whether mine or the camera's, I don't know - as many of the shots are not that sharp. I put the "P" on the tripod and did some test shots yesterday, will develop them today. If I don't like the results, I'll be asking how to clean and adjust the rangefinder . . . oh, and when budget permits (alas, after buying the Christmas gift, that'll be a while) I'm going to sell the Canon LTM 100mm f3.5 and buy a Canon LTM 100mm f2.0. f3.5 is not as fast as I'd like.

[That was the rangefinder content]

I did some serious thinking about staying with film vs going to digital (budget precludes doing both) and I've decided to stay with film. I like traditional printing, I already spend too much time in front of the computer, I feel no need for AF (except maybe in my "P"), and the shift to digital has left so many great Canon FD lenses accessibly priced on eBay - for the price of a Canon 20D and a couple consumer-grade EF zoom lenses, I could fill out my kit with fast FD "L" primes and a spare T90 body.

Finally, I've pulled the medium format stuff out of the closet and discovered that I sort of remember how to use it. Cleaned off all the duct tape (err, yes, some of it is in rather "well-used" condition). I'm not planning to use it yet - enjoying the 35mm stuff - but I know it's there when I'm ready.

I'm having fun rediscovering photography!

Thanks for letting me ramble.

 

[Pherdinand]

Great! It's always nice if your partner is also interested in photography - not only on a "Nice picture!" level but doing it him/herself.

And it makes present-giving so much easier for us guys 😀 (at least for a while)

A year ago i had the same issue, - ok, i was cheap and bought her a minolta x-500 (wonderful camera by the way) with some great but much cheaper lenses than what you plan, but she's still very happy with the setup. Lately she shoots more than I do 😀

 

[back alley]

good news and good to hear from you again john.


joe

 

[Nikon Bob]

I just have a suggestion for an alternate to the Nikkor 85mm F1.4. Check out the Nikkor 85mm F2 or the 105mm F2.5. They are less weighty to lug around and less costly. OTH there is abosolutely nothing wrong with the 85 F1.4. It is always nice to have a partner that enjoys the same hobby as you do.

Bob

 

[jyl]

Yes, but then I would spend the money on the Canon 85mm f1.2L for myself and feel guilty . . .

 

[Nikon Bob]

John

Sounds like a fair compromise to me !

Bob

 

[jyl]

Well, I've gotten the F3HP/MD4 and the 50mm, via eBay and the local camera swap meet. Now to find the 85mm.

Boy, this camera is a heavy sucker (with the MD4). I'm not sure she's going to like that . . . but I guess she doesn't have to use the drive.

 

[oftheherd]

Well, I've gotten the F3HP/MD4 and the 50mm, via eBay and the local camera swap meet. Now to find the 85mm.

Boy, this camera is a heavy sucker (with the MD4). I'm not sure she's going to like that . . . but I guess she doesn't have to use the drive.

Frankly, most people who have the option don't use drives/winders. I certainly don't. I got a winder for my Contax 139Q because I got it at a bargain. Hardly ever used it. It looked cool and sometimes I used it only to impress people or at least to feel I was doing so. But really, I hardly ever used it for the reason you mentioned. It added a lot of weight to a camera that was otherwise fairly light, and my thumb still works quite well.

My guess is your wife will quickly make that decision herself and not look back. Nice choice of a gift for her. I envy you that your wife wishes to share your hobby with you. Would that my wife did also. She often loves to bragg about photos I have when she sees others enjoying them, but hates the process of getting them. 😕 (Come on, let's go. Why did you take more than one photo of that? I don't want to stop and wait for that, We're in a hurry! Etc. :bang: )

 

[peter_n]

Boy, this camera is a heavy sucker (with the MD4).

Indeed it is. But the other side of the coin is that if you have one of the heavier Nikkor lenses on the front, the camera is beautifully balanced. A wonderful camera!

 

[jyl]

Ok, after more swap meets and lots of browsing KEH and eBay, I've gotten the 85mm for her too. There's going to be a happy gal by the SF Bay this Christmas - or not, depending on whether she figures out how much all this cost . . .

 

[back alley]

i send you my address just in case she's not happy with it all.

😉

joe

 

[jyl]

Oh, you mean for when she kicks me out?

🙂

Right, I forgot to mention the Domke F-6 bag to hold it all.

I think I've caught the disease. Must - stop - buying - cameras.

 

[back alley]

Oh, you mean for when she kicks me out?

yeah, that's it, yeah sure...😉

joe