Cheapest 35mm SLR system

Malinku · Sep 29, 2015

I second the canon rebel 2000 as one of the better dirt cheap auto focus film bodies.
Also Pentax auto focus bodies would not be a bad place to look either. as I see them dropping in price when their digital full frame comes out.

For a fully manual body I'd go with a chinon body as most of them don't require a battery to work. Like the cm-5 I owned. If batteries are not a problem Minolta x-700s are dirt cheap and use those awesome md lenses

cuthbert · Sep 29, 2015

trythis said:
The two Zenits I own both failed half way through the first roll. 12xp's one plastic, the other metal so parts are not interchangeable . Knobs fell off and curtains detached. Got nice lenses off of them though that work fine on my EOS 620

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I wonder in which conditions you found them, none of my Zenits ever failed me. And the parts of for 12XP are interchangeable, the only difference is the top cover made of plastic instead of brass.

I even dropped my 12XP once, now the advance lever is a little rough but still works.

Ricardo Miranda · Sep 29, 2015

About the Zenits, like the above I don't know what condition some of you are finding them or what abuse they had.
I've had a 12XP and mine was with a metal top. The only problem I had was to calibrate the meter, which due to some cleaver Zenit technician (KMZ) was an easy thing to do and didn't need to open the top cover.
I still have a Zenit 11 that not only works perfectly well, but even its selenium meter is mint.

Cheap system SLR are relative.
I found on Ebay an early Nikkormat FTn for £18 that was cosmetically in not so nice condition, but inside it was mint. The (in)famous meter carbon tracks are even in perfect order. I would have paid more if needed. That was cheap for me as I know it would be working well for a long time. I have already put 4 rolls through it and another 3 rolls in my new mint Nikkormat FT3 just in the last week.

WP_20150929_10_37_21_Pro by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr

WP_20150922_16_13_15_Pro by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr

My 2 working Nikkormat FTN. The later version with the black plastic tip has had a hard life, but still works as good as the day it left the factory.

WP_20150929_10_36_44_Pro by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr

trythis · Sep 29, 2015

The knobs on the metal ones are different becAue the plAstic is thicker.
I guess mine were in bad shape but they looked new.

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frank · Sep 29, 2015

To me, cheap also means not going to break down imminently too. So, I think nikkormats, Nikon FG and Nikon 801s/8008s cameras are the Best Buy in cheap cameras.

elcabezagrande · Sep 29, 2015

Yashica bayonet mount (C/Y), particularly the FX3 and FX-D, with the Yashica ML lenses, are very affordable, and present the opportunity to upgrade to CZJ T* lenses when or if you want to.

Les Sarile · Sep 29, 2015

Cheapest would be the ones you can find in garage sales/craigslist closest to you. They usually just want to get rid of stuff they are not emotionally or financially attached to and you can try them out and negotiate an even lower price.

And they usually come with bags full of extra stuff too!

Marvin · Sep 29, 2015

The Minolta x700/x370 cameras would be good and have a good supply of lenses. The newer Maxxum series is also very affordable. The Nikon N75/N80 would be good choices, and entry into a good system. The thing I like about Nikon is the compatibility of the system. I can use many lenses and my SB-600 flash on the F5, N80, N75, and also on my D200, D90 digital. If you want to later have a system then you might want to look at what is available for that system. Nikon is one of the few manufacturers that still have film cameras in their lineup.

flavio81 · Sep 30, 2015

elcabezagrande said:
Yashica bayonet mount (C/Y), particularly the FX3 and FX-D, with the Yashica ML lenses, are very affordable, and present the opportunity to upgrade to CZJ T* lenses when or if you want to.

FR-1 is a very good camera, almost a pro camera. Or it is a pro camera. But let's keep it under the radar so prices stay low.

blockend · Sep 30, 2015

flavio81 said:
FR-1 is a very good camera, almost a pro camera. Or it is a pro camera. But let's keep it under the radar so prices stay low.

The FR is an excellent camera. Only known weaknesses are a failing frame counter and a louder than average shutter. I prefer the ML lenses to Canon and Nikon. You can pick up a body and three lens kit for £150-200, less if you buy DSB lenses.

naaldvoerder · Oct 1, 2015

trythis said:
But you'll need a new body for each roll of film.

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They will be cheaper then a new roll of film.

GarageBoy · Oct 1, 2015

Was just about to make the same comment about the price of Zenits
Minolta has lots of cheap bodies and their 50s are cheap, but some other focal lengths command serious $$$ because of cult status

I vote Nikon non pro body + 28 3.5/50 F2 or 1.8/105 2.5

Cheapest 35mm SLR system

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