camera help

[alanportfolio]

well, i recently purchased a nikon em, very old... it takes nice pictures, but of course because it was made in 1979, not too many options. me being an amatuer photographer, i was wondering what cameras are good to go into film photography with. i mainly would like a nikon, but if there are others better for my purpose, that'd be good too. i've experimented with a canon k2, as said early the nikon em, and a canon rebel g. i'm not too sure about which camera to get.

help would be greatly appreciated,
thanks.

 

[Nicole]

Dear Alan, I wish I had the immediate right answer, but only you can do that. It's a bit like asking shall I take the red or the blue shoe. But what I can say is, if you can, try and hold a few cameras, put a roll of film through them, see if the ergonimics fits your hands and style. Personally I prefer less bells and whistles (less automatics) and just manual cameras. I get distracted by them or they just get in the way. But then again, that's a personal thing. I have Nikon gear which has served me very well but then again Canon is the favourite choice for others. Nikon vs Canon has been a never ending debate. Again, I suggest you try out different cameras and see which fit 'you' better, even if you hire them for half a day or so. Also, an expensive camera does not guarantee the best photographs.

Now, if you hang around APUG for a while you'll soon find yourself upgrading from a 35mm SLR camera to a medium format 120mm camera, then to a large format and well, then why not the ultra large format!

You're first investment may not be perfect forever as our needs, aspirations and know-how changes in time.

Enjoy your photographic journey.

Kindest regards, Nicole

 

[Konical]

Good Evening,

I wouldn't worry so much about a particular brand or model as about the overall condition of what you select. I have consistently recommended that those relatively new to photography will learn the most and learn most quickly by using cameras which function totally manually and do not require a battery for anything except possibly a light meter. There's nothing wrong with having "automatic" features on a camera, but their use should neither be required nor normally relied on. (I once heard a comment to the effect that the best way to learn photography is to start with an 8 x 10!)

Konical

 

[alanportfolio]

I see what both of you are saying. That helps a lot.

Thanks

 

[gnashings]

Make a list of what you will photograph, how often, etc. Then make a list of how involved you want to get (do you want to develop your own, etc.). See if you want auto-focus, or not. With that list in hand, google some cameras and see which ones fit the features you need (there is a good site photozone.de, that has side by side feature overviews of most SLR's). You will surely have some questions as to what does what and what some of the numbers mean - I am sure you will find answers here if you just ask. At that point, you will have a list of cameras that fit your needs. All that remains is scanning eBay, or KEH, to get an idea of prices. That will narrow your choices further as you see what fits your budget and what does not. Since you said you had a preference for Nikon (presumably because you already have some gear), that should make things even more simple. I think that's about as close to step by step as I can think of getting

Peter.

 

[alanportfolio]

That seems like a good idea. I guess I should probably go ahead and check out that website :-D

Thanks for all the help

 

[Soeren]

Some info on your EM and perhaps also some tips on getting the best of it.
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/emfgfg20/em/index.htm
Cheers Søren

 

[trad_photographer]

I am currently studying photography at art school, i have an old yashica fx but had trouble finding both yashica lens and carl ziess lenses in my city, i picked up a nikon FM-2 with motor drive, which i just love. The is a huge range of lenses within multiple shops in my city so finding lenses is not a problem, the first lens i picked up for it was an old japan ese made fixed 50mm f1.4 so far so good.

 

[gnashings]

I think the problem with the Em is that it really is kind of like the Canon T50 - a glorified point and shoot with the benefit of using world class lenses. You are the mercy of its auto exposure calculations (which apparently are not all that bad, form what I hear - but do not replace the lack of control), and you probably noticed that this kind of set up is limiting when trying to delve a little more into photography. They don't fetch much of a price, but are compact and reliable, so I would say keep it as a just incase back up if you plan to stick with Nikon (which is not a bad idea at all!).

 

[Gerald Koch]

Manual cameras are nice for learning the craft. However, most every 35mm photographer finds the need at some time for auto exposure. There is often not enough time for slow contemplative photography. Then such cameras as the EM are a welcome additions to any camera bag. As was pointed out it gives you access to a fine family of lenses. I would keep it and get another Nikon body.

 

[Paul Howell]

Rather than an EM I suggest that you take a look at a FG. Like the EM you can use either the winder the motor drive with full manual control or automation.

 

[mawz]

The EM, while one of my favourite cameras, is quite limited, being essentially an Aperture-priority only body. If you like the feel of the body, the Nikon FG is essentially the same camera with full manual and a Program mode.

Otherwise a Nikon FM or FM2 would be a good choice as an upgrade. Or an FE or FE2 which will allow you to shoot in Aperture priority like the EM or full manual.

Sticking with Nikon will allow you to use the EM as a backup body, and to keep different film in both bodies. Not to mention the obvious advantage of using your current lenses on the new camera.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

i have an old yashica fx but had trouble finding both yashica lens and carl ziess lenses in my city,

I started with this camera and three Zeiss lenses, I (too) quickly went up to a Contax Aria (which I use for 35mm) and the AX.
The AX sets in a cabinet waiting to be repaired which I cannot find anybody to work on it. The Yashica waits at the ready to go anywhere and do anything. I've decided to use it exclusively for infrared film this summer.
Now that Contax has gone defunct there is some good equipment on Ebay.

 

[gnashings]

Manual cameras are nice for learning the craft. However, most every 35mm photographer finds the need at some time for auto exposure. There is often not enough time for slow contemplative photography. Then such cameras as the EM are a welcome additions to any camera bag. As was pointed out it gives you access to a fine family of lenses. I would keep it and get another Nikon body.

Gerald,

I hope didn't come across as condemning auto exposure in general or the EM in particular. I agree completely with what you are saying, however, what I took out of the initial question was that a little more control was desired in order to learn a bit more about photography in general, and eventually go a little more in-depth into it. I think auto-exposure is fine once you learn what it is doing, how its doing it and why - and as such, what to expect from it and how to use it best. That's why I suggested keeping the EM - little financial gain from selling it, and a handy little camera (with emphasis on little) to have when just such a thing is called for.
As to the suggestion of the FG - I would have to say that while it too is a fine camera (I haveone, and love it dearly), it would not be "the" camera I would buy in this case. It is very much a consumer camera which does not have certain features I think someone learning about photography could greatly benefit from (dof preview for one). But if you have the motor drive for the EM already, it does cast a vote in favour of an FG, as it essentially the same chassis with another exposure mode and the ability to go fully manual. The meter is very accurate, at least on my example, when compared with much more "pro" level gear. But I think an FM/FE type camera would serve you a lot better before you find yourself needing anything else in a manual focus 35mm camera (as you might have noticed, many people never do find a need for anything else - that's how fine a camera they are).

Well, I think I deserve to pat myself on the back for my complete lack of any Canon propaganda

Peter.

 

[alanportfolio]

Well, on eBay, I just bid on a new camera and won, and this camera is a complete, complete upgrade fom what I previously have owned. The camera that I got is the Nikon N60, a major advancement from the Nikon EM. I took into consideration everything that everyone has said, and I've decided to go with a more automatic camera which has the option of being fully manual, which is extremely good for my uses. I will use the Nikon EM like a back-up camera of some sort, but I want to try out the automatic features. Another benefit for me is DEFINETLY the pop-up flash. It saves the hassle of having a seperate flash that I would have to attach every time I needed it. It also has a nice LCD display. I chose not to go with the FG or any of the FM series because of the newer features on the EM. It is a huge leap though, and I will have to get used to it.
Anyways, I looked at the site (http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/emfgfg20/em/index.htm), that was suggested, and it has some nice tips for my Nikon EM. Thanks a lot :-D

Also, thanks everyone for the help and tips on upgrading and whatnot, it all helped a lot
And now I have my new camera thanks to you all :-D