Choosing my first camera

Ariston

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M-88 said:
I think the same can be said about F-801/N8008 and it doesn't seem to suffer from sticky back.
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The sticky back is definitely gross. You have to set aside a little time to correct it, and it's not fun to do. But once it is off it looks and feels perfect. I don't know why they didn't just leave it off in the first place. I guess people wanted that soft, grippy feel.

I never looked at the N8008 before. It looks like the N90's twin! People don't know what they are missing...
 

M-88

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N8008 is a very able camera. Of course N90 is its successor and given that, it's better than the former, but we shouldn't cross it out completely just because of that. I mean, have we crossed out FE because of FE2, or FG because of N2000?
 

Ariston

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M-88 said:
N8008 is a very able camera. Of course N90 is its successor and given that, it's better than the former, but we shouldn't cross it out completely just because of that. I mean, have we crossed out FE because of FE2, or FG because of N2000?
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Sometimes good qualities are added, while other good qualities are removed. I prefer the FE over the FE2 for no other reason than that it uses the wind lever as the power switch. Others hate this, and want faster shutter speeds. Luckily we can pick and choose - especially when you are talking about "unsexy" cameras like the N90S and N8008! I guess I should be glad no one likes them, so they can still be had for under $30.
 

M-88

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Ariston said:
Sometimes good qualities are added, while other good qualities are removed. I prefer the FE over the FE2 for no other reason than that it uses the wind lever as the power switch. Others hate this, and want faster shutter speeds.
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For me (left eye user here) it's troublesome to use FE in portrait orientation while simultaneously pressing AE lock. Luckily it happens rarely.

Ariston said:
Luckily we can pick and choose - especially when you are talking about "unsexy" cameras like the N90S and N8008! I guess I should be glad no one likes them, so they can still be had for under $30.
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I couldn't agree more. Something tells me that prices will only go higher with every year.
 

troutbum

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I can recommend trying any of the following. I guess it depends on what type of camera you like to shoot.
  • The Best SLR Film Cameras
    • Canon AE-1
    • Pentax K1000
    • Nikon FE/FM
    • Olympus OM-1
    • Canon EOS A2 / A2E
  • The Best Rangefinder Cameras
    • Contax G1 (or Contax G2)
    • Canon Canonet G-III
  • Best Medium Format Film
    • Yashica MAT 124 TLR
    • Kiev 88
    • Mamiya RB67
 

M-88

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Welcome to the club! I'll write my opinions for each camera, if I may.

Canon AE-1
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Usefulness of Shutter Priority mode over Aperture Priority is highly debatable.

Pentax K1000
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A very basic camera, which is overhyped and has a blown price. I'd go for ME Super, Super A or Program A. They all cost less and "fully mechanical, unbreakable" is not that good of an argument, seen more than enough dead K1000s.

Nikon FE/FM
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Yes, these two are indeed good.

Olympus OM-1
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I would go for OM-2 because of battery availability. Although OM-1 is fully mechanical, it's good to have a light meter which doesn't require special batteries, conversions etc.

Canon EOS A2 / A2E
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This is perhaps the best choice for those who desires something close to their DSLRs. Nikon N90s and N8008s would work as well and wouldn't require an odd 2CR5 battery.

Contax G1 (or Contax G2)
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.... But the priiiice

Canon Canonet G-III
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This is indeed one of the best rangefinders with non-removable lens!

Yashica MAT 124 TLR
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A great camera for sure, same battery issue as with OM-1, but medium format just demands an external light meter.

Kiev 88
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... Only if one can find a reliable sample.

Mamiya RB67
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Terrific pro level camera. Also terrific for the shoulder and the back
 

RalphLambrecht

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Pentax K1000 or Nikon FM.
 

Chan Tran

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Skeeterfx20 said:
Just curious, Maggi how do you like your new Pentax?

Chan Tran do you still have that Nikon FM? We did a trade many years ago. I got the Besler Enlarged from you. It is still going strong after 15 years or more.
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Yes I still have it. The focusing screen now has a bit of a mark on it that I can't clean but it's still working fine. I now have another FM which is older but in better condition and an FM2n in excellent condition. You got the Beseler 67 right? I since then moved to a 23CII then a 45MX and then the CB7. But now I don't have no enlarger.
 

Sirius Glass

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You missed the obvious best MF camera ==================> Hasselblad
 
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