thinking about going SLR

[pesphoto]

So after looking at KEH and other sites and seeing the amazingly low prices for some film SLR AF cameras and lenses Im considering going back...at least to do some street work with an AF camera. Very tempting...any suggestions? Need a change of pace to try and get myself jump started with shooting again.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

Nikon F100 would fit the bill. I agree, the prices are very attractive.

 

[pesphoto]

Nikon F100 would fit the bill. I agree, the prices are very attractive.

Would love to go that route but that is a bit up there in price for me right now, though IM saving up. KEH has Nikon F90's for like $30-$50. Worth it to try this out?

 

[Pickett Wilson]

The F90s is a great camera. I find, though, that I use the N8008s more. Lighter and just feels better in the hand. YMMV

 

[pesphoto]

I used to have an old 8008s and stupidly got rid of it having been under the rangefinder spell.:bang:

 

[Al Patterson]

I use canon A-1's as my SLR of choice, but they are manual focus.

 

[antiquark]

F90x has good lens compatibility, even better than the F100:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

(EDIT: that is, better compatibility with old AI and AIS lenses.)

 

[Tuolumne]

FM3a. Manual focus but what a nice piece of gear. All metal like the Leicas, too.

Put the 40mm f2.8 lens that was designed for it on and you have a really small, sweet package.

/T

 

[Chris101]

If you are going to be doing any low light work, the F100 will be worth it's price premium, due to it's AF being much better than it's predecessors. Depending on what Nikon lenses you have available, you will want to consider lens compatibility when choosing a body. I wanted to use my 24-120vr lens with film, so I got an N80. It's not got the F100's super-fast AF, but it does everything else, without a lot of extra stuff I'd never use, like 'idiot' modes.

 

[JeffGreene]

I'll put a plug in for an FE or FE2. I've had the FE since the early 80's, and it has never let me down. Manual focus as well, but pricing for these cameras is very reasonable now. Wow, I've inspired myself! Good luck PESPHOTO with whatever you decide. Once you get out there, post some images. 🙂

 

[italy74]

Depending on your attitude and budget:

Nikon F80 (N80): AF, easy and reliable, plus grids on demand and flash

Nikon F100 OR Nikon FM3A: AF or Manual probably the best compromise between performances and price

Nikon F6: I'd choose it over the F5 which is cheaper but also quite bigger and heavier (but it's up to you, some prefer this way)

 

[Pickett Wilson]

But the N80 won't meter with manual lenses, will it?

 

[Tuolumne]

I'll put a plug in for an FE or FE2. I've had the FE since the early 80's, and it has never let me down. Manual focus as well, but pricing for these cameras is very reasonable now. Wow, I've inspired myself! Good luck PESPHOTO with whatever you decide. Once you get out there, post some images. 🙂

The FM3a is a marriage of the FE/FE2 and the FM series: All mechanical like the FM but eliminates the diode metering of the FM series and replaces it with the match needle/AE metering of the FE/FE2. It was really the first ideal camera I ever found. It combined my wish list of marrying the FE and FM series perfectly. Too bad it had such a short life. "It was digital killed the beast."

/T

 

[Nh3]

I have a F100 and a N80.

F100 has great AF and it meters flawlessly but its big and can be conspicuous.

N80 is more compact and it meters flawlessly like F100 but its AF is weak and its viewfinder is dim.

I prefer N80 for street photography because its smaller and lighter.

 

[pesphoto]

Ive had an FM2, F3 and they were great. Want to go back to an F3hp one day. But right now Im wanting to try out some with AF. If I go F100 I'll have to wait to save up a bit more, but sounds like the fast AF is worth it maybe. Also want a 50mm AF lens I think as thats what I tend to use most with rangefinders.

Tomorrow's my birthday afterall so Im looking for a gift to myself.

 

[pesphoto]

I do want something on the smaller size so maybe the F100 is too big.
There is an N80 about to sell on ebay.

 

[Nh3]

Just to let you know that F100 is loud like a Ferrari (in a nice way) it has the same sound that you hear from press conferences. It auto focuses and forwards the film with sheer violence.

 

[Nh3]

Thom's website is by far the best place to get concise information on Nikon SLRs, for example: http://www.bythom.com/Bodies.htm

 

[pesphoto]

Thanks guys...I'll check out both of those!

 

[JeffGreene]

The FM3a is a marriage of the FE/FE2 and the FM series: All mechanical like the FM but eliminates the diode metering of the FM series and replaces it with the match needle/AE metering of the FE/FE2. It was really the first ideal camera I ever found. It combined my wish list of marrying the FE and FM series perfectly. Too bad it had such a short life. "It was digital killed the beast."

/T

The FM series is a great design that as you say came out on the cusp of the digital mania. I've been eying the FM3 for several years, but they're still at a level that is just more than I want to spend. I recommended the FE because of PESPHOTO's cost constraints. I've seen FE's in user condition for as little as $100 in some local shops. The only drawback is that it's manual; although that is no drawback for me!

My grandchildren and sons have been after me to get a digital SLR, and I've been tempted, but I'm going to wait until the full-framed models come down in price. The Canon 5D is priced reasonably now, but I'm reluctant to get caught up in the whole sensor clearning thing; I'm going to wait. 🙂