Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
A few years ago your question would have been answered by many with suggestions of FSU gear!
We seem to have moved on from FSU gear a little around here!
That said ... a good Fed 2 is nothing to be sneezed at IMO. I have one and when it works properly it is one of the nicest rangefinders I've ever used! I really should sort out that capping shutter!
We seem to have moved on from FSU gear a little around here!
That said ... a good Fed 2 is nothing to be sneezed at IMO. I have one and when it works properly it is one of the nicest rangefinders I've ever used! I really should sort out that capping shutter!
wakarimasen
Well-known
Try a Canon AE-1 or A1. FD lenses are plentiful, relatively cheap and good!
kshapero
South Florida Man
I am still sticking with the Nikon FE rant.
see: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/fe.htm
One time I agree with Ken completely.
see: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/fe.htm
One time I agree with Ken completely.
ColSebastianMoran
( IRL Richard Karash )
For the OP -- This is a great time to buy film gear. Decide what features you want.
Sounds like manual exposure control is a must vs. auto-only. There are so many options, you can definitely get what you want.
Sounds like manual exposure control is a must vs. auto-only. There are so many options, you can definitely get what you want.
cosmonaut
Well-known
My dad bought me an old Chinon at a yard sale for two dollars last week. I think it takes Pentax K mount lenses. It is very much like a K1000. You can get an SLR real cheap.
mdarnton
Well-known
Ha! More cheap FGs for me! Not that I really need more than the seven that I have now.
ColSebastianMoran
( IRL Richard Karash )
Nikkor lenses are great, very much available, and will last (almost) forever. The small Nikon bodies are great, but not "economically repairable." For now, use, and replace when they break. What will we do when we run out of camera bodies?
ColSebastianMoran
( IRL Richard Karash )
And, the OP's question is "RF vs. SLR?"
I suggest, at today's very modest prices, trying one of each.
I suggest, at today's very modest prices, trying one of each.
kshapero
South Florida Man
Agree, enjoy the ride while it lasts.
mdarnton
Well-known
That's why I've been hoarding FGs. I started with an FM, which was "everyone's" recommendation on another forum. $100 for the camera, and another $125 to get it cleaned, lubed, and adjusted (if you can find someone who can do it and has the parts). Then I came upon an FA for just about free, but spent another $240 on that one for a complete overhaul (if you can find someone who can do it and has the parts).
At that point, I did a search and did NOT rely on people's recommendations, but simply looked for the Nikon that didn't have any particular problems and was common. It quickly became evident that any of the most simple electronic ones without LCD screens were the most reliable. And undesirable to history or mechanical-only people, too! You can buy an N2000 for $10, and it's a great camera, but noisy winding (motor). The FG had A priority, Program, and TTL flash metering, and nothing to go wrong--a very sophisticated camera, for the time, and built like a little tank.
I also discovered that on the used market they're common, and because they were marketed as amateur cameras (though much more sophisticated than everyone's favorite OM1, for instance), most of them are nearly new, and often don't even need dusting off, they're so clean, outside AND in (spotless viewing systems, most of them, since the previous owners probably never changed the lens even once). So, for a while I bought every one that I saw for around $40. Now, I figure I have enough to last me until the end of film, and if they break (which they don't actually seem to ever do), I'll just throw out that one and pull out another nearly new one.
Another sleeper is the N90 or N90S. Very recent, but orphaned by digital. Fast AF and works with ALL current and past lenses except early non-AI (unlike most of the other NXX cameras), and mine cost me $29. They were wedding fleet cameras, and often blown out really cheap, because the very thin sprayed-on rubber under the right thumb peels revealing smooth plastic--no mint-condition snob appeal, again, so cost like dirt. I use it when I want AF on film.
At that point, I did a search and did NOT rely on people's recommendations, but simply looked for the Nikon that didn't have any particular problems and was common. It quickly became evident that any of the most simple electronic ones without LCD screens were the most reliable. And undesirable to history or mechanical-only people, too! You can buy an N2000 for $10, and it's a great camera, but noisy winding (motor). The FG had A priority, Program, and TTL flash metering, and nothing to go wrong--a very sophisticated camera, for the time, and built like a little tank.
I also discovered that on the used market they're common, and because they were marketed as amateur cameras (though much more sophisticated than everyone's favorite OM1, for instance), most of them are nearly new, and often don't even need dusting off, they're so clean, outside AND in (spotless viewing systems, most of them, since the previous owners probably never changed the lens even once). So, for a while I bought every one that I saw for around $40. Now, I figure I have enough to last me until the end of film, and if they break (which they don't actually seem to ever do), I'll just throw out that one and pull out another nearly new one.
Another sleeper is the N90 or N90S. Very recent, but orphaned by digital. Fast AF and works with ALL current and past lenses except early non-AI (unlike most of the other NXX cameras), and mine cost me $29. They were wedding fleet cameras, and often blown out really cheap, because the very thin sprayed-on rubber under the right thumb peels revealing smooth plastic--no mint-condition snob appeal, again, so cost like dirt. I use it when I want AF on film.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Chinon is one heck of a camera manufacturer.
Most people overlook it, but their cameras are solid, no frills and has some interesting features.
Alpa selected them as their "Japanese" OEM at one time.