35 mm SLR Basics

[gr82bart]

Found this on the net: http://www.marietta.edu/~mcshaffd/macro/fcam.html

Regards, Art.

 

[shengja]

A good 35mm SLR for a beginner

For that price you can get a nice camera. However, the more basic your camera is, the more you will learn in a class. If the camera focuses for you, even if you can turn it off, you will be tempted to use the auto focus. If it has automatic film loading you will never learn how to load your own film. Etc,, etc. Also, most modern cameras have an infrared sensor, which doesn't matter unless you want to experiment with infrared film, which is really cool stuff. So, I would go super basic and used. Try a photoshop that trades in equipment because they usually won't sell you something that is broken, whereas a pawnshop will. I would look for these characteristics, brand matters very little, as long as it works.
You want an adjustable shutterspeed with a bulb option, so that you can have long timed photos
You want at least an apeture range of 3.5-22, but the larger the range the better (this is more for the lens)
A strong body, so that if you drop it, it doesn't shatter, I prefer metal bodies.
I have about five cameras, all of them are very different and I use them all, but my favorite was bought in 1980 and is a Pentax K1000, I have had no problem with it in 25 years. It is a great camera.

 

[simulatordan]

I've been using a Pentax ME Super for over 25 years. I only have prime lenses; 28mm SMC, 50mm SMC, and a 135mm Hoya; oh and a 2x converter.

I was recently given a Fujica STx-1 with 28mm , 55mm, and 200mm lenses. this camera has a battery to power the very basic light meter. I removed the battery and have used it in its very basic manual mode ( relying totally on 'sunny 16' + 23rd box speed )and have had great results and retaught myself some things I had forgotten.

Both these cameras are very robust/basic and go every where with me.

Regards Daniel

 

[DWThomas]

Cool -- I am a bit amused by this statement:

The film got smaller, cut into strips 220, 120, or 70 mm wide.

(620 must have been huge. )

DaveT

 

[Lee L]

Cool -- I am a bit amused by this statement:

The film got smaller, cut into strips 220, 120, or 70 mm wide.

(620 must have been huge. )

DaveT

I think the fact checker at the internet was home sick that day.

I like the twin, no, make that double lens reflexes that used prisms to reflect the image onto the ground glass.

Lee

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