First film camera recommendations?

4season

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Pentax MX has a pretty notchy shutter speed dial which takes some effort to turn, and it seems to have been designed that way. I've thought to modify mine to have a lighter action.

BTW, I'd give the 50/1.7 (or was it the f/2? I forget) SMC Pentax-A lens a pass: Both optically and mechanically, I found it sort of blah, and I'm sure there are much better Pentax offerings to be had.
 

Chan Tran

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the f/1.7 is very good. It's the f/2.0 (which is made for the K1000) that is not good. That is why I definitely not recommend the K1000.
 

M-88

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4season said:
Pentax MX has a pretty notchy shutter speed dial which takes some effort to turn, and it seems to have been designed that way. I've thought to modify mine to have a lighter action.
Click to expand...
There are many things I disliked about MX and shutter dial is one of them. Although someone on Photrio assured me that "with proper CLA" the dial is very smooth and can be turned effortlessly with just one finger. I don't know, MX just was not my cup of tea. I subsequently picked up Nikon FM and while it's got plenty of its own drawbacks, FM is still a tactile pleasure, compared to MX.

Of course at the end of the day it's just my personal opinion.
 

Chan Tran

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I like the MX very much although I only had it for a rather short time. The one I had has a bad sync contact so it can't be used with flash. I didn't feel the shutter speed dial more stiff than on on the Nikon FM (I have several FM's). I never turn the shutter speed dial with 1 finger. If you are into the one finger thing check out the Canon. They are designed for 1 finger.
 

M-88

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Chan Tran said:
I never turn the shutter speed dial with 1 finger. If you are into the one finger thing check out the Canon. They are designed for 1 finger.
Click to expand...
Not that it was stiffer than other bodies, it was just somehow uncomfortable to rotate. Maybe poorly positioned for my hand. As for Canon, if only they had a battery independent model with compact form factor I fully agree, their dial works wih just one finger (borrowed AT-1 from a friend once. Fond memories).
 

Pioneer

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All these are great suggestions. Enjoy your new camera. Don't baby it and use it regularly. Many of these old manual cameras respond well to regular use but leaving them unused for years is not a good idea.

I still use my Pentax K1000 SE and the M 50mm f2 lens that is with it. I bought it from a pawn shop back in 1980 and, except for a trip to Eric Hendrickson about 5 years ago for a good cleaning, I have been using it almost continually all these years. It just keeps running so I keep using it. The old Asahi or Honeywell Spotmatic cameras were very, very well made and the early K1000 cameras were just as robust. That is not unique to Pentax though but is true of all those old manual, mechanical cameras from that same era. It really doesn't matter whether they were built by Pentax (Asahi), Canon, Minolta, Nikon or a dozen other manufacturers.
 

Sirius Glass

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I change the shutter speed with a thumb and one or two fingers.
 

4season

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Chan Tran said:
the f/1.7 is very good. It's the f/2.0 (which is made for the K1000) that is not good. That is why I definitely not recommend the K1000.
Click to expand...
Ah yes, checking into my archives, I see that it was indeed the f/2. Avoid. I hope that the other SMC Pentax-A lenses had better aperture rings too.
 

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xkaes

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Once again, I was wrong. I just bought a MAXXUM 5 (actually a DYNAX 5 -- same camera) WITH a MINOLTA 70-210mm f4.0 with a data back in MINT condition for $10.

WHY shop anywhere else?

Now I've got to drop my buying limit for the MAXXUM 5 to $5.

Pretty soon, people will be paying ME to take their MAXXUM 5 cameras.

This makes no sense to me at all -- the best, smallest, lightest, full-featured 35mm SLR camera in the world for the price of postage.

Why would anyone want anything else?
 

Autonerd

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I'm late to the party, as always... Sounds like you are looking at a manual-focus, manual-wind camera, and you're on the fence about automatic exposure.

I'm a big-time Pentaxian and the MX is a great camera though not my favorite Pentax. Two other models to consider:

- KX, predecessor to the MX, also all-mechanical (clockwork shutter) and with similar specs. Unfortunately it's bigger and heavier than the MX but I prefer the match-needle meter display to the MX's LEDs. Also, from anecdotes I believe the MX is more prone to shutter problems. Both are clockwork and may eventually require a CLA as shutter timing could go out. (Pentaxs.com is the place to go for Pentax CLA and repair.)

- K2, like the KX but with an electronic shutter and an automatic mode. I recently got one (two, actually) and it's rivaling KX for my favorite Pentax. (If the K2 strikes your fancy I have an extra, film-tested, that I want to sell, and I'm in SoCal. PM me.)

- At the risk of going all broken-record, I always recommend the Ricoh XR-2 and XR-2s (also known, and even cheaper when sold as, Sears KS Auto) which uses Pentax K-mount lenses. It's my workhorse and you can buy them (and my second-favorite Ricoh, the KR-10/Sears KSX), for $10-$50. Has the features of the K2 in a lighter package.

Best thing about the Pentax K-series is the abundance of inexpensive lenses, especially the Pentax-M 50/1.7, a $30 gem. Credit the popularity of the K1000

I don't have any experience with the Canons or Olympus cameras so I don't have much to say about those; I certainly have nothing against them.

I think the Nikon FE is a bit overrated -- never fell in love with mine and when it broke for the second time I decided to stop putting $$ into it. I think FM is a good bargain among Nikons (FM2/3 is far more expensive) but keep in mind that Nikon glass can get expensive. Don't rule out the FG, which has a bad rep among people who have never used one but is loved by those of us who do. It's one of my favorite Nikons.

I agree that the Minolta Maxxum 5 is the best camera bargain in the universe, but it sounds like you don't want that level of automation. Magnificent camera, though, and super light. Biggest problem I have with the M5 is that the batteries are as expensive as the camera.

As I said I'm in Los Angeles so reach out if you'd like to fiddle about with some cameras.

Aaron
 

xkaes

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Two points. First, you can turn OFF all auto features on the MAXXUM 5 -- if you want -- and it works fine as a manual everything camera.

Second, it is unfortunate that the batteries actually do cost more than the camera, but most electric cameras use similarly-priced batteries. The only difference is those cameras cost more than the MAXXUM 5. For example, you can get a MAXXUM 7 or 9 at TEN TIMES the price of the MAXXUM 5, but you still have to pay for the batteries -- and not much more feature-wise.
 

4season

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Lots of folks are drawn to film cameras which have a certain "something": Call it vintage charm or tactile qualities. Last-generation film SLRs represent the pinnacle of film technology, and they're very efficient picture-taking appliances. But whether that satisfies the emotions is another matter! For younger enthusiasts, maybe something from the grandparent's era would be ideal.
 

Thorsten

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While I personally shoot Nikon (F2, F3 and FM3a), I always suggest people to buy Olympus OM-1 or OM-2, if they look for a professional top camera on a budget.

These little gems are not only incredibly durable and well built, but also quite underpriced. If you live in Europe, look up www.om-doktor.de in Hamburg, Germany. It is a one-person-shop of an old Gentleman who had learned the trade at Olympus Germany in the 60s and who had been to Japan and been trained by "Japan's Barnack", Mr. Maitani himself.

He always has a camera to sell. a friend bought an OM-1 from him three or four years ago. It was perfect. It was adjusted to modern 1.55 V batteries (he made some modifications to the electronics, probably another type of Schottky diode). Paid around 150 EUR for it. Add a 50 mm Zuiko and you are ready to go.

Do not write emails. You need to call him.
 

baachitraka

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pentax spotmatic F + standard screw mount lens
 
OP
OP

annowl

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Yes I found a good deal on a Nikon FE with a lens, will check back on how I like it.


If I were in Europe or in Germany that guy sounds like it'd be pretty cool to visit! Upon this journey of figuring out a camera, it's been really cool seeing how passionate people are
 

MCB18

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Some advice from someone who has a super underrated camera: ignore the hype. I have a couple cameras you might enjoy, however, these are just two of the many cameras out there that you can choose to use.

Pros:
  • Cheap
  • Easy to learn to shoot
  • Has only the basic features unwed, you won’t be overwhelmed
  • Can easily be repaired by anyone who works on the AE-1
Cons:
  • No autoexposure
  • Lenses are getting kind of pricey now
  • Electronic shutter, requires a battery

I also have a Nikon F, however, though this system has some huge advantages, it also has some downsides.

Pros:
  • Lenses are super cheap (look for Pre-AI lenses)
  • Incredibly versatile system, with many features not found on typical beginner cameras
  • Interchangeable viewfinders and focusing screens
  • Fully mechanical, no battery required
Cons:
  • No autoexposure
  • The camera is more expensive than a typical “student” camera
  • No in-camera light meter by default, metered viewfinder prism and battery adapters required
  • Proprietary flash hot shoe
I know that this isn’t much, but I hope it helps you out all the same.

Oh, he got an FE. Great camera, wish you luck!
 

Finny

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the 2nd camera is a Nikon F, ok!
And the 1st one is exactly what? ;-)
 

MCB18

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Finny said:
the 2nd camera is a Nikon F, ok!
And the 1st one is exactly what? ;-)
Click to expand...

Oops! First camera is the Canon AT-1. Basically the AE-1, but without… AE.
 

dave olson

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Keep it simple. To help you learn how to shoot film, you want a mechanical body with no auto anything. Shooting film is knowing how shutter speeds and aperture settings affect the film. Pentax K1000 is ideal, no frills, all manual, meaning you decide, no computer.
 
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