:( Could use a little guidance with equipment! Any recommendations?

[matthewm]

I wouldn't go buying anything from KEH that's already broken. You could get a perfectly working OM-1n + 50/1.8 for just a little more than that.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Olympus-OM1n-35mm-SLR-Camera-Mint-Condition-/130537831565?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item1e64a93c8d#ht_500wt_1156

http://cgi.ebay.com/Olympus-OM-1n-35mm-SLR-Film-Camera-Collection-/250843566128?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item3a67711030#ht_755wt_1141

Or put out a want-ad on the Classifieds section. I recently picked up an OM-4, OM-10 with Manual Adapter, 28/3.5, 35/2.8, 50/1.4, 50/1.8 for just under $300. That's more equipment than I'll ever need, but it's nice stuff and the bodies are SMALL.

I had an R2A with 35/2.5 and I believe the OM-4 is similar in size although I can't compare them side-by-side.

Look into the OM's for real. Its' a good option for a small, light film package.

Also you could look into an N80 or an F100 and use your current lenses. They won't be as small as the OM stuff though. I LOVE my OM kit.

 

[magicianhisoka]

personally, i sold all my DSLR stuff and moved onto RFs. not for everyone. so you need to make sure you don't look back. i took the leap of faith and i'm happy

 

[rxmd]

I've been doing a little research on the OM-1, and it sounds rather enticing. A small SLR body with a big bright viewfinder! I did a little search on KEH and it seems like an OM1N with a broken meter and a 50/1.8 with a busted filter ring could be had for around $110 with shipping! I don't mind the damage on the equipment (I don't use the meter much anyway, and I rarely attach filters). an F with a waistlevel finder is about $123 shipped on KEH and is what I was leaning towards (until I did a little research on the OM-1). then there's the local FM + 50/1.8 series E + motorwinder for $100 which sounds kinda sketchy.

Not any more sketchy than a broken camera with a broken lens.

I wouldn't buy into another system. You said about the Nikon that while you don't enjoy SLR shooting as much, at least you'll be using your equipment; well, with the OM you're going to have neither. In the end it's just another SLR. The OM system is nice, but the hype on places like this has made it into the most expensive of all the dead SLR systems (with the possible exception of Leica R, but that has Leica written on it and doesn't count).

In your situation, I'd probably stick with the Nikons, or try to borrow a Bessa and buy one of you find yourself liking it. Most important of all, don't get into the habit of basing your buying decisions on doing too much "research" in gearhead forums on the Internet. They're full of people enthusiastic about gear, so what do you expect? All that will accomplish is getting you preoccupied with gear, while spending a lot of money following the hype cycle.

A solid piece of advice in your situation is probably: always try things out before you buy them, and never buy anything just because someone on the Internet said it's good.

 

[matthewm]

personally, i sold all my DSLR stuff and moved onto RFs. not for everyone. so you need to make sure you don't look back. i took the leap of faith and i'm happy

This is a very good point. RF photography is NOT for everyone. I bought an R2A and RD1s with 28/35/50 lenses and while I loved the files from those cameras, never could quite grasp RF photography. It's not bad, it's just not for me. I really miss that RD1s and the beautiful files it produced, but I just needed something different personally.

Maybe you could rent or borrow a more modern RF camera?

Also, the OP mentioned that he didn't want to lose money for depreciation. However, you also mentioned that you had some paying gigs. If you bought a $1200 lens and got paid to use it, then it's essentially partially paid for anyway. Look at it like that and the few hundred bucks you'll lose in the sale of it won't seem so bad. Also, if you're not using it, why just let it sit? You might as well part with it and get what you want.

If you sold the 10-20 and 80-200 and got your asking price for them both, you'd have around $1200 to spend on RF or 35mm gear. You could buy a Bessa R2 with a couple of lenses or an OM camera with 28/50/85 lenses and a whole slew of film for $1200. Heck, you could even venture into a Fuji GA645 or GA645zi for that and still have money for film left over. Then you're shooting medium format AND it's an RF style camera.

If you want to go cheap on film and processing, just shoot C41 films (color or black and white) and process at CVS/Walgreens/Costco with a basic scan. If you really like something and want to print, either get a print made there or have the negative scanned large and send it to MPIX or some other place for printing large.

 

[matthewm]

...never buy anything just because someone on the Internet said it's good.

Good point. I've read reviews and bought things based on positive reviews only to find it wasn't my cup of tea (take the famous RD1s for example).

Unfortunately for me, I live in a black hole and there isn't a decent camera store for 500 miles so the only way I can try things is to buy them. 🙁

But for the OP if you're in a town with good camera stores and second-hand shops, go get some stuff in your hands and try 'em out!

 

[Keith]

In regard to OM's it's worth having a look through the thread that's been running here for a while "help me I'm a zuikoholic"

Long thread but it's an indication of the passion OM's can create ... not that I'd know of course! 😛

 

[PatrickCheung]

Not any more sketchy than a broken camera with a broken lens.

I wouldn't buy into another system. You said about the Nikon that while you don't enjoy SLR shooting as much, at least you'll be using your equipment; well, with the OM you're going to have neither. In the end it's just another SLR. The OM system is nice, but the hype on places like this has made it into the most expensive of all the dead SLR systems (with the possible exception of Leica R, but that has Leica written on it and doesn't count).

In your situation, I'd probably stick with the Nikons, or try to borrow a Bessa and buy one of you find yourself liking it. Most important of all, don't get into the habit of basing your buying decisions on doing too much "research" in gearhead forums on the Internet. They're full of people enthusiastic about gear, so what do you expect? All that will accomplish is getting you preoccupied with gear, while spending a lot of money following the hype cycle.

A solid piece of advice in your situation is probably: always try things out before you buy them, and never buy anything just because someone on the Internet said it's good.

You're right about that buying into another system and ending up with "just another SLR" and not being able to use my lenses thing. I think in the end I only considered a film nikon because I can use my lenses! I would love to try an OM-1 someday, and I thank you all for your suggestions but I'm not quite up to making a new investment into a system I'm not too sure about.

Well, I think I've come to a conclusion... I'll buy a nikon body and use my lenses... Maybe sell the 10-20 and 80-200 and use that towards university funds and some new lenses for my iif OR a new M camera.

So... it really comes down to which Nikon SLR to buy. I've been dying to try the waistlevel finder on the F (just because I love shooting with my Rollei so much) and I really appreciate the... er... antiquity of the F, but the FM is much more recent... and an FG serves all my purposes, is a bit smaller, lighter, and cheaper.

My deals on the cameras listed are:
1. Nikon F with Waistlevel finder for about $123 including shipping, maybe $140ish with border tax from KEH.

2. Nikon FM with series E 50/1.8 (probably sell this lens), flash, motorwinder for $100 locally

3. Nikon FG, grip, Series E 50/1.8 for $80.

What would you guys suggest? I'm kinda leaning towards the F, I feel as if I'd be happiest with that camera... but is it worth spending that ammount on it?

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH for all your guidance, support and patience! You've all been very helpful :]

Since you're all still following this thread, I guess I'll post a few photos of what I've been shooting lately with the X100... I have a few negatives from a recent roll on the iif, but I'll upload those later if you guys wanna see them

thank you all so much!

 

[PatrickCheung]

Oh my, yes Keith, I remember that thread... the photos in there are amazing... I think I'll spend on an OM-1 if I enjoy shooting with the Nikon SLR

 

[mooge]

buying more stuff, eh Patrick?

you might want to get a pentaprism as well as a WLF for that Nikon F if you buy one- WLFs on 35mm SLRs are small. it won't be too much like your Rollei.

and besides, that Photomic finder is like the reason to buy a Nikon F- no one else really makes a finder that ridiculous.

cheers!

 

[Ranchu]

I think I'd go with the FM, it will meter with your lenses, and being able to check it out in person is good. $100- seems like a very fair price to me, make sure there isn't anything wrong with it. It's a tough call because an F with a waist level finder sounds very interesting too. Go handle the FM, you're going to have to decide!

 

[PatrickCheung]

I'm not sure who's still following the thread, but I've just placed an order on an F with a waist level finder on KEH. Should be arriving next week! I'll probably sell my Sigma 10-20 in the next few weeks, but save that money for university next year... probably the more responsible thing to do!

Thanks for all the help and support guys!

 

[Frank Petronio]

Convert everything you don't use into cash and save your money. Use the X100 a lot and get really good at it, then when you get stale, sell it and get a different camera. Use that one a lot and get really good at it. Repeat as necessary.

Use one camera at a time. You might swap the X100 for a Leica and scanner. Or a Rolleiflex. Or ? But commit and be serious about it.

Use money for experiences and as a safety net. Investing in cameras is stupid if you want to be a photographer.