First film camera recommendations?

[4season]

Cheap for a reason:

Minolta X700 (faulty capacitors)
Pentax ZX/MZ-series (broken mirror-return gear, popup flash mechanism)
Pentax P3/P30-series (corrosion spots in viewfinder, winds on w/o cocking shutter)

All can be repaired, but good luck finding an example which has been.

Olympus: For years, I had a blind spot regarding the OM-2, but now I wonder if I'd actually like it better than OM-1

 

[Kino]

I don't know the cause.

The pentaprism is starting to degrade. Was foam used in this camera for a cushion? Not familiar with the internals...

 

[Kino]

Let's face it; most of these SLRs are anywhere from at least 40 to 60 years old. Some age better than others and even within model runs, some degrade before their cohorts.

At their current price point, you could buy 10 user, big-name SLR bodies and still have money to buy film if you shop wisely.

You're not getting married to the darn thing; buy it and try it. If you don't like it, go for another. Not rocket science...

 

[Les Sarile]

My offer to the OP again in case he missed it. This FM has problem with the viewfinder as you can see in the pictures but it's functional. Shutter speeds tested and meter tested good.
It's free all it cost about $20 for shipping within the USA.

A little distracting and probably addressable with minor CLA that any competent tech could do? Very generous offer.

 

[nanthor]

I think it depends on what you like in your hands. If you don't mind a larger camera, then the Pentax or Nikon systems will give you the largest choice of available lenses (Old Pentax will be a thread mount, Nikon a bayonet mount). If you like a lightweight but wonderful ergonomic experience, the Olympus OM system is marvelous and feels great in hand.

 

[Les Sarile]

Cheap for a reason:

Minolta X700 (faulty capacitors)
Pentax ZX/MZ-series (broken mirror-return gear, popup flash mechanism)
Pentax P3/P30-series (corrosion spots in viewfinder, winds on w/o cocking shutter)

All can be repaired, but good luck finding an example which has been.

Olympus: For years, I had a blind spot regarding the OM-2, but now I wonder if I'd actually like it better than OM-1

It's my understanding that the X-700 capacitor fault could be isolated to a batch of serial numbers. I'm inclined to believe this because I was given an X-700 by the original owner that continuous to work perfectly even though it was bought and stayed in Nevada for over 30 years. These types of capacitor failure is very common in the dry environment but my X-700 still works perfectly. I also understand the repair is very simple and cheap.

 

[Paul Howell]

I swore I would not buy another Minolta MAXXUM 5 -- even in MINT condition with a lens for more than $20. My last find was one with a 28-80 zoom and 75-300mm zoom for $25.

Sure, the MAXXUM 5 the smallest, lightest, most full-featured 35mm film camera on the planet -- with manual & auto-focusing, manual and several auto-exposure modes, built-in flash & TTL flash hot shot, built-in motor drive, etc.

BUT I just got another one with a 28-80 macro zoom & roomy system case -- for $14.99. How could I resist? It even has a data back, battery, and the 200-page user manual.

Maybe I should drop my limit to $10.

This is crazy. Pretty soon they'll be giving them away.

The Minolta 5 is a great bargain, as one of the last film cameras Konica Minolta made it will work with SSM lens, meaning that it will work with Sony, Sigma, and Tamron Minolta A mount SSM lens. These are the motor driven auto focus lens rather than the earlier gear driven lens, but the 5 will work all Minolta A lens including 5 and 8 pin lens gear driven lens. Easy to override the AF for MF. Uses 2 CR 2 batteries, still easy to find and again easy to override the DX coding for custom ISO. The one advantage of the Minolta 5 or 7 at the higher end over Nikon N 80 or 75 is that Minolta gear driven lens are less expensive than Nikon gear. Now that Sony had dropped it's A mount somewhat DSLR line prices are coming down as these lens are not sought after by digital mirrorless users.

 

[xkaes]

Right. The MAXXUM 5 is a camera that keeps you in the current world of lenses -- instead of hunting around for 40 year old optics. And it can be bought for about 1/10 the price of many 1970's SLRs -- like the K1000 or SRT101.

 

[AnselMortensen]

@Chan Tran's FM has an issue with desilvering on the prism due to corrosion from contact with foam under the top cover.
It is a bit disconcerting at first, but I was able to "look past" the issue with mine, in operation.
Free for cost of shipping is a good deal for a workable FM.

 

[4season]

My offer to the OP again in case he missed it. This FM has problem with the viewfinder as you can see in the pictures but it's functional. Shutter speeds tested and meter tested good.
It's free all it cost about $20 for shipping within the USA.

If OP doesn't want it, I'll take it - heck of a generous offer!

 

[Les Sarile]

Hello! I'm a bit of a lurker and a casual hobbyist so sorry for any ignorance.

But I'm wondering if I could get some recommendations on a first 35mm camera and lens pairing. I had taken a intro to photography class back in uni and I remember loving the film half of the course - we got to rent cameras if we didn't own one, but unfortunately I don't remember what I had used back then. I had always been interested in photography but when I bought my first camera a few years ago I went with a mirrorless (got a Fujifilm XT20, love all the knobs and such and manual finicking of settings--hopefully this gives some insight on what I may enjoy?). Recently I hung out with a friend who brought a Nikon film P&S with them and gave us some of their prints, and it made me remember how much fun I had shooting film, plus all the fun in the darkroom.

So I found myself diving into the world of 35mm cameras, but honestly I'm a bit overwhelmed since unlike my decision making before in choosing a camera I can't exactly go to a store and pick up and play around with the different options.... so I'm hoping if I could get some insight in good options to get into the analog world.

I had done some research and I thought I was leaning towards the Olympus OM1/n or 2/n but then I see people talk about other cameras like the Pentax or Minolta....I become hesitant on my choice yet again. Also I thought about the Canon AE-1 but I wasn't a big fan of it being mostly made of plastic, so I'm hoping for options that have less of that. For lens, I'm most likely to just use a prime and leave it on the camera (its what I've been doing with my Fuji, if I go out I just have the 7artisans 35mm 1.2 on and I enjoy just shooting with that, though I admit I have been on and off looking at other primes but I have been greatly distracted...).

Upon looking at Ebay and some used camera sites, I'm thinking my budget is about $200USD for both a body and lens, I don't mind potentially going over but I may limit it to about 300-350....

Any and all help would be much appreciated , hopefully my mention of what I use digitally can be a reference Thank you

My first "old school" SLR purchase came via local CL in some plastic grocery bags for not much more than a couple of them fancy coffees. During the exchange, I didn't even bother checking them out as I was confident the hefty weight was well worth the price.

Bagful of Pentax 1 by Les DMess, on Flickr


It was only after I got home and a little dusting off that I checked out my haul and even then I didn't really know what I was getting until later.

Bagful of Pentax 2 by Les DMess, on Flickr

Bagful of Pentax 3 by Les DMess, on Flickr

I was pleasantly surprised by the viewfinder of the Pentax MX which I later found out is the biggest of all SLRs ever made. After extensive testing, that used super cheap Pentax M 50mm f4 macro will provide detail that even my 4000dpi Coolscan cannot resolve. In fact, all the primes I later acquired are exceptional in this regard except for a mirror lens.


Maybe your fast lens can be adopted to one of these glorious bodies . . .

Fast glass by Les DMess, on Flickr

Anyway, your first purchase may not be your last . . .

 

[Chan Tran]

I know a lot of people now shooting B&W film in bulk and do the loading themselves they process with something like D-76 which is quite inexpensive so if you're one of those film is still cheap. I can do that but the problem is that I really can't shoot B&W well. I always see the colors. So to shoot color film the cheapest is color negative film which would cost more than $10 for a roll and then you have to send them out for developing. I have process C-41 film at home but it's actually not cheaper than sending them out. I can't do the replenishment doing in small volume plus the chemistry would die not being used.
So if you're a color shooter like me and you want to shoot film then you should be able to at least afford a $500 camera. Because $500 doesn't amount to a lot of film these days. If you can afford to buy film you surely can afford to buy a good film camera.

 

[xkaes]

So if you're a color shooter like me and you want to shoot film then you should be able to at least afford a $500 camera. Because $500 doesn't amount to a lot of film these days. If you can afford to buy film you surely can afford to buy a good film camera.

ANNOWL, the OP, indicated a budget of $200 for a good film camera and lens. You're suggesting $500??? Was that a typo?

I'm suggesting $20 for a MAXXUM 5 with a zoom lens in mint condition. The left over $180 can be used for film, processing, an extra lens or two, maybe a tripod or filters, and taking a few friends out to dinner.

 

[Chan Tran]

ANNOWL, the OP, indicated a budget of $200 for a good film camera and lens. You're suggesting $500??? Was that a typo?

I'm suggesting $20 for a MAXXUM 5 with a zoom lens in mint condition. The left over $180 can be used for film, processing, an extra lens or two, maybe a tripod or filters, and taking a few friends out to dinner.

Yes I suggest $500 if not more. Film is too expensive to run thru cheap camera. But then now I am not sure he wants a film camera.

 

[4season]

It's my understanding that the X-700 capacitor fault could be isolated to a batch of serial numbers. I'm inclined to believe this because I was given an X-700 by the original owner that continuous to work perfectly even though it was bought and stayed in Nevada for over 30 years. These types of capacitor failure is very common in the dry environment but my X-700 still works perfectly. I also understand the repair is very simple and cheap.

All I know is that both of my X700s needed service beyond simply removing the bottom cover and replacing a single capacitor.

 

[xkaes]

Yes I suggest $500 if not more. Film is too expensive to run thru cheap camera.

I'm sure ANNOWL will appreciate your generous donation.

 

[Paul Howell]

You can still get a Minolta 7 for just over or just under $200. Another great deal is the 800si body with battery grip are going for a $100. It was Minolta's top of the line for a few years, down side is it will not take SSI lens. Another leap, Canon Rebel 2000, one advantage of any Canon EOS body it that will work with just every full frame F mount lens including VR lens. A rebel with a kit zoom and be had for $30.

 

[Les Sarile]

All I know is that both of my X700s needed service beyond simply removing the bottom cover and replacing a single capacitor.

No doubt many things can go wrong over time and use. Given a fair amount of each, some luck is involved as I have two perfectly working X-700s.

You can still get a Minolta 7 for just over or just under $200. Another great deal is the 800si body with battery grip are going for a $100. It was Minolta's top of the line for a few years, down side is it will not take SSI lens. Another leap, Canon Rebel 2000, one advantage of any Canon EOS body it that will work with just every full frame F mount lens including VR lens. A rebel with a kit zoom and be had for $30.

In the used market, bodies can be available in wildly varying prices specially in local CL listings. For instance I picked up a fully equipped Canon 1VHS in mint condition for $50 courtesy of a local forensics lab getting rid of them. Just months earlier, I paid twice as much for an equally mint EOS3.

 

[Paul Howell]

Boy, that was deal for EOS 1V, more of a steal, I just dream of finding a deal like that. For most of us eBay prices seems to be guide.

 

[4season]

For grins, I'll submit this:

You want metal, the original Canon F-1 is as metal as it gets, and yet, it might be possible to acquire body + lens for around the OP's original target price. Unlike AE-1, probably not your grandpa's camera, unless grandpa was a pro or serious amateur with $. If Olympus OM is "Pro Light", then Canon F-1 is "Pro Heavy Duty".

https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film78.html

 

[annowl]

Yes I suggest $500 if not more. Film is too expensive to run thru cheap camera. But then now I am not sure he wants a film camera.

not sure where you got the impression I don't want a film camera anymore....just because I don't reply quick?
I might do a mix of color one time and then maybe b&w another, I'm not 100% sure atm. But I'm also sure I'm not going to run through film like crazy to rack up $500 quickly, but maybe I'm just being optimistic.

I am interested in your offer, I was just curious if you knew the cause. Also, I wasn't sure how to message you directly about it, so I guess I'm putting it out here, that yes I'm willing to take your offer for the Nikon FM

 

[annowl]

To just put it out there, I think I had 'narrowed' my options to Pentax MX or Canon A1 or Olympus OM-1N/2N (though I was iffy on battery situation for this I think) or Nikon FM/FE
// the Minolta/Konica options were definitely a better bargain compared to my narrowed choices but I guess I wasn't super drawn to them - or pictures online on Ebay didn't do them justice.

Maybe I'll end up reconsidering later or maybe I'll end up liking Nikon (assuming the offer from before still stands) instead of Canon since that was what my dad had liked.

 

[MattKing]

Also, I wasn't sure how to message you directly about it

As your post count is still low, the "Private Conversation" function isn't fully available to you - yet. But while you can't start one of those Conversations, if Chan Tran starts one with you, you can respond and continue.
Keep your eye out for a red flag at the top right, near the Inbox link - that tells you to click on that link.

 

[MattKing]

or Olympus OM-1N/2N (though I was iffy on battery situation for this I think)

The batteries for the OM-2 and OM-2n are modern and readily available.
The batteries for the OM-1 and OM-1n aren't available, but there are a number of practical work arounds.

 

[annowl]

As your post count is still low, the "Private Conversation" function isn't fully available to you - yet. But while you can't start one of those Conversations, if Chan Tran starts one with you, you can respond and continue.
Keep your eye out for a red flag at the top right, near the Inbox link - that tells you to click on that link.

ah makes sense, thank you