Idiots guide to film cameras :D

[Allan Batchelor]

Ok im in market for a film camera and need info from the wise

Points to note -
I want a SLR
Preferably Nikon but thats not a must

 

[Davie Hudson]

Ok im in market for a film camera and need info from the wise

Points to note -
I want a SLR
Preferably Nikon but thats not a must

For the love of christ!!! not you as well?

 

[Larry Bolch]

The F3 was in production for over 20 years even though it was superseded by a couple of other models. Built like a tank, extremely versatile and with three quarters of a million being sold, should be pretty easy to find.

 

[Allan Batchelor]

For the love of christ!!! not you as well?

LOL i just want have a wee bit o fun with a bit of brown acetate since Ive never really done it before

Larry so far Ive had a wee look into F4 but they might be a little over what i want to spend at moment. Not had a look at F3 yet. The other one I read a bit about was the F90x/s any opinions o that wee beast

 

[Pete Askew]

I'd look at an FE too if I was you.

NIKON FE CHROME BODY VERY GOOD CONDITION | eBay

 

[Larry Bolch]

I bought my F3 new because it was the least expensive Nikon to own. With the occasional cleaning and calibration, it was good for 500,000 to a million shots. It was a primary source of revenue, so if it broke on a shoot, not only would I lose the shoot but probably the client. That I could not afford. I still have it, though it has been many years since I used it. I could have bought cheaper, but reliability and longevity were the primary considerations, with versatility a close second. Buying bottom of the line bodies, I would have worn out many at a cost way beyond one F3.

Totally out of touch with used film-camera prices, I checked KEH camera brokers and B&H—the largest camera store in the world—in the USA. Interestingly, the difference in price between consumer-level cameras and top of the line pro cameras in excellent condition is minimal. Since these are used cameras, I would certainly pay the difference for the more robust. A well taken care of consumer-level camera may be cosmetically perfect, but ready for an expensive repair simply due to wear.

 

[David Mitchell]

Perhaps look at something like the aperture priority Nikon EM like I have, it automatically sets the shutter speed depending on the aperture,there are a lot of cheap SLRs around though, what is your budget?

 

[Brian Moore]

Relative to Larry's point about KEH and B&H, I've read many good testimonials about KEH. You'd pay a bit more than you might from E-bay, but you'd be getting something with a 6 month warranty and from what I have read, their condition ratings ("like new", "excellent", "good", "bargain", etc.) are conservative.

 

[Hamish Gill]

..some details missing here ... mf or af?

 

[Ahmad Bhai]

Ok im in market for a film camera and need info from the wise

Points to note -
I want a SLR
Preferably Nikon but thats not a must

Allan if Nikon aint a must i had a Pentax Mz5n aka Zx5n(came out in 1999 i think) just a simple gorgeous modern classic.
Aint built like no Nikon F & don't always show on ebay as owners tend to hang on to them.

(Stock photos)

 

[Kev Pugh]

DJ go for Oly..DD will love ya for ever