Your Faves: Ridiculously Cheap Great Film Cameras!

[f16sunshine]

Cheap?... Anything that gets used on a continuos basis.
Mju2, xa3, Hexar AF, Pentax MX for me.

 

[coelacanth]

From my experience, the Maitani combo of OM and XA.

 

[ForestCap]

Olympus PEN F/FT/FV. Not cheap, but they save half of the films (and resolutions if you care).

 

[CameraQuest]

Then I see Hassy and Linhof mentioned as cheap film cameras...😱
Or even MAT 124G and IIIf...😕
I hope you aren't dealing with stolen cameras...😎

To me, used rock solid professional cameras and lenses like the Hassy and Techs that often sell at 20% or even less of their traditional used prices is cheap.

Stephen

 

[struene]

Hallo,

the all-time-super-bang-for-buck in 35mm is the

Yashica FX-3 (with or without super/2000) alltogether with the 28mm 35mm an 50/1.7 yashinons. You normally get one in good condition (except the leather which you always have to replace at this model) with 50/2.0 for ~15€. I got three of them, just because i could not resist the bargain...

For a complete modern and metered M-Rangefinder the

Bessa R2 is really hard to beat for 200-300€ depending on condition. The VC 35 2.5 matches perfectly.

in medium format the

Mamiya c220(/c330) is really hard to beat price/quality/reliability-wise for ~200€ in good condition.

in between would be the original metal Mamiya M645 series. The pre-"N"-lenses are just wonderfull (and super-cheap...). With Prism/80/2.8 in about the same league pricewise as the C200 - about 200€.

schöne Grüße,

Johann

 

[barnwulf]

I always liked my Nikon FE2 that I had for years. Never a problem. - jim

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Interesting, isn't it, what people regard as "ridiculously cheap" cameras?

For me cheap means single figures to buy. But I can see the appeal of giving running costs for say a CL after 40+ years and a couple of visits to Leica's workshop.

Regards, David

 

[colyn]

Minolta XE-7
Minolta srT* my fav is the srT-102
Nikon F

 

[tunalegs]

Super Ricohflex TLR, good ones go for under $50. A good basic entry into medium format.
Rolleicord, older models in good condition go for under $100 (online). A good entry into medium format if a Ricohflex is too crude for you.
Petri 7s, I had a working one that I got for $19 - sharp lens, around the lens selenium meter, parallax compensation, etc. wonderful, underrated, fixed lens rangefinder. Mine only died when I dropped it on pavement.
Fed 3 (knob wind) around $50 - mine is about as smooth operating as my IIIf, and build quality comparable to average Japanese cameras of the same era (which is to say good but not exceptional). I'm not sure if the lever wind version is as well made as I've never handled one. For an interchangeable lens RF this is as good as it gets in this price range. The Zorki 4 has a nicer RF, but overall handling and quality is lower.
Mamiya 500/1000DTL - basically worthless - under $20 online for a perfectly functional example with lens. Sometimes even the light seals and mirror bumper will still be fine. Solid M42 camera with TTL meter that takes modern batteries. One of the most boring looking SLRs ever made - but a good user camera that came with excellent kit lenses.

 

[Greyscale]

Any of the Ricoh made, Sears branded K mount cameras.
Agfa Super Silette/Ansco Super Memar, especially with the f2 Solagon lens.
Canon FTBn
Yashica FX-D

 

[John E Earley]

I forgot the F80 - I found one at a charity store for AUD$15. Terrific camera. Team it with the bargain Nikkor 50/1.8 AF-D and you can't go wrong.

The N80/F80 is a great bargain. Almost an F100 and it can use Nikkor G and VR lenses. I recently came across two of them, one for $17 and one for $22. Both are nearly new. For next to nothing a battery grip can be had that takes AA batteries.

I also have to agree that most of the Nikkormats are a bargain if they are not worn too badly.

 

[skibeerr]

For tripod work the Mamiya RB pro SD. The later lenses are superb and cheap.
To run around with Minolta x-500 and xd. Good body's with stellar lenses.

 

[Nokton48]

The lowly Minolta SRT-101. Sold my Leicas and I am perfectly happy with these. I grew up with them. Old Friends. Fabulous glass.

 

[CMur12]

I think most old film cameras are bargains now.

I have been able to build up my Mamiya TLR system for way less than it would have cost me when I first started thinking about it. (I've bought a 55mm f4.5 lens, a 105mm f3.5 DS lens, a C220f body, a multi-angle side grip, and some lens shades.)

I also love my old Minolta SLR bodies (SR-T 101, SR-T 102, SR-T 201, and two X-570s) with MC and MD Rokkor prime lenses.

- Murray

 

[crsantin]

The N80/F80 is a great bargain. Almost an F100 and it can use Nikkor G and VR lenses. I recently came across two of them, one for $17 and one for $22. Both are nearly new. For next to nothing a battery grip can be had that takes AA batteries.

I also have to agree that most of the Nikkormats are a bargain if they are not worn too badly.

Yup, I paid $15 for mine a few months ago. It looks almost new. They had another one for the same price, I should have bought it too. It's a great camera, everything you need and nothing you don't, very light and very capable.

 

[sinisaostojic]

Super compact, super sharp and super cheap - MINOX 35, any model.

 

[charjohncarter]

Pentax P3n: only drawback; no DX override. It has split prism viewfinder. It will take any Pentax lens, is tough build, and has no screen to tell you nothing. The batteries last for 10 years, and it is small about the same size as a Leica M-XXX. I bought one new and got another as back up: $20. I always have film in my two, and vacations are a dream: two bodies and two lenses then switch lenses for B&W and color. You all are missing something simple and easy to use; good meter too.

 

[skibeerr]

+1 on the pentax P3n

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I just bought a lovely Nikon FG. The camera I wanted in the 80s as a teenager. Tiny. Nice viewfinder. Wish it went quicker than 1/1000, but I will deal.

 

[leicapixie]

A lot of my expanded collection was free.
Spotmatics, Pentax KM, Canon ae-1.
Others were dirt cheap, often with a lens.
Prices between $10 and $40.
Kinda hard to use one's Leica-M in foul weather..
I love my Canon A series,Fuji SLR's,Nikon-F(full price 4+decades ago),
Minolta and Pentax.
They all are great.
One not yet used. A Praktica.