Rangefinder/SLR for beginner that "Just works"

[tunalegs]

For learning, the fewer features the better. You don't want to be thinking about the gadgetry, just exposure and control of focus. An Exa Ic is a good starting point. 😉

 

[Rayt]

I have a friend who shot with an auto everything AF SLR in P mode. The photography is good and she couldn’t give a crap about aperture, shutter speed and all that stuff. Some people are fine with a high tech p&s. I should stress the high quality of her output.

 

[tunalegs]

And this was your friend's first camera?


I think it is important for a beginner to experience what aspects of the image they have control over, so they can know how to form a vision and execute it. Of course you don't have to learn that up front, some people prefer to learn by accident.

 

[Ste_S]

A lot of the cameras mentioned so far (FE2, FM, K1000, OM1 etc.) are well out of that budget, unless you're getting very lucky at garage sales.

It's the RFF way! Ignore what the OP wants (budget of $80, manual focus) and recommend out of budget and/or autofocus cameras. 😉

 

[p.giannakis]

Go for a Chinon CE-4s. Great cameras, Seiko MFC metal focal plane shutter - stepless whilst on AUTO and on manual mode between 4s to 1/2000 (!), ASA range is 25-3200. Other features include: Depth of field preview, both speeds and aperture visible in the viewfinder, unlimited multiple exposures, shutter button lock (OFF position), self-timer offering 5s or 10s delay, exposure lock button (!) and exposure compensation. It also accepts a winder. Popular Photogrpahy's Lab test (Apr 1980) spoke quite highly regarding its internal construction. Takes Pentax k-mount lenses, hundreds to choose from and definitely within you price range.

Same with the Chinon CG-5, you choose.

I prefer the CE-4s as it has a metal bottom plate and feels a bit better made.

 

[David Hughes]

I can go along with the K1000 and OM-1 or OM-2's but can't see a good one coming along within the budget. All I can think of is something like the Soligor TM and others like the Chinons and Cosinas that are not cult-ish.

I'd be amazed if anyone comes up with a conventional and controllable RF within the budget...

The problem is they are wanted as fully manual and that means what people see as "pro" cameras and they are expensive but nice once they've been serviced as you never know what's been done with them; although you could be lucky.

Another point to bear in mind is the age of them all.

Have fun, David

 

[AlexBG]

Pentax ME Super maybe? Definitely in budget. Rangefinders look at a minoltina or minolta al-s. Very small and good. Newer look a the user grade Canon eos and Nikons. So many about and have all the modes that she can learn about and then upgrade the kit lens to a nifty 50.

If she is just starting with film then I would personally get her a camera that had DX coding and an auto mode. Get her into film and then let her find her way from there.

 

[santino]

Yashica FX3/7 - all mechanical with build in light meter you have to activate via a seperate button (not so the super and super 2000).
Those cameras got Cosina shutters and are equipped with the C/Y mount so you have access to all Zeiss and Yashica ML lenses. You should easily get one for 80 including the 50/2 ML Yashinon (which is almost a pancake lens btw).

 

[David Hughes]

Chinon CE-4* might suit the bill and there's a lot from Minolta starting with the 7000 that seem to be very cheap at the moment and Minolta partnered Leica for some time...


Regards, David




*Lens mount is the Pentax K, which you know.

 

[retinax]

In your position, I would buy from a private seller, check the camera and replace the light seals etc. before I'd give it to a friend, if you have the time. Many more cameras in the budget this way, compared to buying from a dealer, where you will still need to check if it works properly for her and return if necessary. And often, dealers also don't replace the light seals, which is necessary with many old cameras.
I'd be good if you could tell us at least if there's a preference for AF or MF, and AE and which kind...
Btw. my experience with Chinon CE-4 hasn't been great, uneven frame spacing with some overlaps. Could be a fluke of course. But it illustrates that there is no safe bet with old cameras. Some may work more reliably than others, but there is only anecdotal evidence in any case. So buy something with qualities she might actually like, as opposed to some vague internet evidence of reliability. A camera with a nice feel and look helps keep a person interested in using it. So avoid Canon AE1 like the plague!

 

[tbhv55]

Go for a Chinon CE-4s. Great cameras, Seiko MFC metal focal plane shutter - stepless whilst on AUTO and on manual mode between 4s to 1/2000 (!), ASA range is 25-3200. Other features include: Depth of field preview, both speeds and aperture visible in the viewfinder, unlimited multiple exposures, shutter button lock (OFF position), self-timer offering 5s or 10s delay, exposure lock button (!) and exposure compensation. It also accepts a winder. Popular Photogrpahy's Lab test (Apr 1980) spoke quite highly regarding its internal construction. Takes Pentax k-mount lenses, hundreds to choose from and definitely within you price range.

Excellent suggestion, Pan! I never did get one of these, but I remember thinking - back in the day - that it looked like a decent quality, no-nonsense camera, at a sensible price.

BTW, how on Earth did you find the Popular Photography review from April 1980? Do you have all the back-copies?! 😱 As it happens, that was around the time that I got my first SLR, so I probably read that review at the time. 😎 🙂

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

My recommendation:

 

[p.giannakis]

BTW, how on Earth did you find the Popular Photography review from April 1980? Do you have all the back-copies?! 😱 As it happens, that was around the time that I got my first SLR, so I probably read that review at the time. 😎 🙂

I think it is somewhere in here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/38552878@N02/
You might have to go through handreds of pages though...

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I think the biggest issue in finding a camera that "just works" is the OP's price point. Yes, many different manual SLRs could be found in excellent mechanical condition, but more often than not, they will need door and mirrror foam replaced, at the very least. So, if a good SLR can be found for $10, it may need a CLA, which is going to be no less than $100. Last year I got a Pentax MX for $14. It was in decent condition, but the meter needed to be calibrated and the whole camera needed a CLA. I paid Eric Hendrickson to do this work and now the camera is essentially brand new. I could have used the camera before the work but the door seals had turned to tar, the mirror foam had turned to powder. Since this is a more complex camera than a much larger mechanical body, I chose to send it to the guy who knows these best. I didn't want any of that door goop or film chips or whatever, mucking things up, and ruining images.
Finding a reliable working camera for $80 with a lens, is going to be a test of luck. Even KEH BGN cameras need work, often.
Phil Forrest

 

[shawn]

Any of the 80s/90s plastic body SLRs are insanely cheap at this point. Loads of features in some of them though and they feel different than a mechanical camera so might not have the same vibe.

For a SLR I'd definitely agree with the Minolta suggestions. The SRT series are very nice, have good metering and are inexpensive. Something like a XG7 with a 50 1.7 lens is really cheap too.

Usedphotopro has a bunch of Nikkormats and SRTs around the $40 mark right now and a 10% sale going on. A SRT101 with a 50 1.7 will come in under $80 and would have warranty and return policy if needed. Might need new light seals but that is around $12 or $15 and pretty easy to install. Jon Goodman makes nice kits with great instructions on how to change them out.

Shawn

 

[narsuitus]

Recommend that she search for a brand new $80 digital compact point and shoot that she likes.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Recommend that she search for a brand new $80 digital compact point and shoot that she likes.

That sounds exactly like what the OP and their friend are looking for.
Phil Forrest

 

[David Hughes]

The Olympus OM10 punches well above its weight and, of course, takes those nice Zuiko lenses. It's underpriced in my opinion. At first glance it looks like a P&S but takes a manual shutter adapter to turn it into a different camera altogether. It is also fairly foolproof in use.



Regards, David

 

[Huss]

Finding a reliable working camera for $80 with a lens, is going to be a test of luck. Even KEH BGN cameras need work, often.
Phil Forrest

I bought a perfect Nikon N2000 from Roberts Camera (on ebay) for $40 just recently. Came with a 6 month warranty.
I recommend them over KEH.

I also recommend the Pentax P30T. With 35-80 Pentax lens , Pentax flash and Pentax soft case in new condition it cost $22! Bought that end of 2019.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Recommend that she search for a brand new $80 digital compact point and shoot that she likes.

😀 :bang::bang::bang:

& what Phil said.....