If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Cheap automatic SLR for a beginner
I have a friend who's just getting into film photography. She's
looking for a camera she can afford (she really doesn't have a lot of money) and that will be easy to learn and will be dependable. I'm not even sure where to start looking. Could anybody direct me to either a good place to find cameras like that, or to some specific cameras I can pass on to her? Thanks. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Cheap automatic SLR for a beginner
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Cheap automatic SLR for a beginner
"Wilba" wrote in message ... wrote: I have a friend who's just getting into film photography. She's looking for a camera she can afford (she really doesn't have a lot of money) and that will be easy to learn and will be dependable. I'm not even sure where to start looking. Could anybody direct me to either a good place to find cameras like that, or to some specific cameras I can pass on to her? Thanks. Pentax ME Super with the 50mm kit lens. Good choice, I'd also add to this "list" a Nikon FE2, Nikon F3 and the Olympus OM 2. I've always liked the Nikon FM2n, but F3's can be had for about the same money or even less. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Cheap automatic SLR for a beginner
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Cheap automatic SLR for a beginner
wrote in message oups.com... I have a friend who's just getting into film photography. She's looking for a camera she can afford (she really doesn't have a lot of money) and that will be easy to learn and will be dependable. I'm not even sure where to start looking. Could anybody direct me to either a good place to find cameras like that, or to some specific cameras I can pass on to her? Thanks. Pentax P3n (Black) or P30t (gray). Has full manual operation, plus program mode, aperture-preferred automatic exposure and auto flash exposure when used with Pentax dedicated flash units. Seiko electronic shutter. Standard lens is the SMC Pentax 50mm f/2, and there are f1.7 and f/1.4 lenses also available. The f/1.7 is reputed to be the sharpest normal lens that Pentax ever made! Most of these cameras were bought by amateurs and they had very little use. I picked up a total of 4 of them on eBay, and all of them were in virtually mint condition. Camera body alone goes for $60. With lens, $100. I'd stay away from auctions where the lens is a kit zoom, as they are slow and do not have the optical quality of the normal prime lenses. The 50mm f/2.0 normal lens is in plentiful supply on many of these bodies, and will yield excellent results, with Pentax's legendary multicoating to limit flare. Best bang for the buck, in my opinion. I use them as my "walkabout" cameras. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Cheap automatic SLR for a beginner
wrote in message oups.com... I have a friend who's just getting into film photography. She's looking for a camera she can afford (she really doesn't have a lot of money) and that will be easy to learn and will be dependable. I'm not even sure where to start looking. Could anybody direct me to either a good place to find cameras like that, or to some specific cameras I can pass on to her? Thanks. Have her go to a dealer in used cameras (used film cameras last longer than used digital cameras, and I don't think there is any debate on that point), and ask about entry level SLRs, with autofocus (or autoexposure, or both, depending on what you meant) and chit chat with them about it. I assume she is seeking a 35mm camera. Dont' really need Medium format, if she is just beginning. She has many selections from Minolta, Pentax, Nikon, and Canon, to choose from. She should do this, and put the cameras in her hands, because a lot depends on ergonomics, which vary from person to person, just like sitting in the driver's seat of a car. Depending on what type of photography she is getting into, she might ask about flash units, as well. She could probably get started, easily, for under $300, maybe $200, depending on her needs. If they don't come with a manual, she can probably find the manual for it on Ebay. In most books stores, there are plenty of starter books for budding SLR photographers, read read read. Good luck. I started with a Canon Elan with a 28-105 and a Sunpack 433 TTL flash, got it all for about $350. It fits your description, it's auto everything, which can be, except for the flash, put in manual mode. To learn flash photography, I would recommend not a TTL flash, but an auto flash (such as the Sunpack 433 with adjustable F/stops, so it's a deceiving name, since you actually adjust it manually, the TTL version is fully automatic, which is easier, but you don't learn photography as well with it). Thaddeus |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Cheap automatic SLR for a beginner
wrote in message oups.com... I have a friend who's just getting into film photography. She's looking for a camera she can afford (she really doesn't have a lot of money) and that will be easy to learn and will be dependable. I'm not even sure where to start looking. Could anybody direct me to either a good place to find cameras like that, or to some specific cameras I can pass on to her? Thanks. I would look for a Pentax starting with an "M". ME, MX , MV , ME Super,etc. And make sure you get Pentax lenses with that. Can't beat "em. Bob Hickey |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Cheap automatic SLR for a beginner
Check out the Canon EOS 850. They are practically giving them away. They
are high quality and they make an excellent simple point and shoot beginner's camera. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
FA: Digital, 3D, SubMini, 35mm Accs. Cheap*Cheap*Cheap | Bob R. | General Equipment For Sale | 0 | June 11th 05 08:59 PM |
FA: Digital, 3D, SubMini, 35mm Accs. Cheap*Cheap*Cheap | Bob R. | 35mm Equipment for Sale | 0 | June 11th 05 08:59 PM |
FA: Digital, 3D, SubMini, 35mm Accs. Cheap*Cheap*Cheap | Bob R. | Digital Photo Equipment For Sale | 0 | June 11th 05 08:59 PM |
FA: Rare Ansco Automatic TLR - cheap !! | DColucci | General Equipment For Sale | 0 | October 10th 04 02:20 PM |
FA: Rare Ansco Automatic TLR - cheap ! | DColucci | Medium Format Equipment For Sale | 0 | October 10th 04 02:19 PM |