The Pentax KX is a better variant that can be had for cheaper.
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The Pentax KX is a better variant that can be had for cheaper.
KX or KM, even MX, are far less hyped...
Recently bought one for $30 w 28-80 zoom.
And a body only for $20. Then bought the 28-80 G for another $20
Less hyped but also much better than the K1000. At the time the K1000 was the bottom of the barrel Pentax, for good reason.
It is internet hype that makes it expensive now.
For $50 (euro) I would get a af 35mm slr w lens. There are so many good ones from Nikon, Canon, Minolta.
You can use AF and AE when you want - to get a hang of it and see how 'good' the pics can be. And switch to manual exposure and manual focus when you want.
Also, the vast majority of these cameras will work. While old mechanical slrs pretty much will be a mess if they are 50 euros w lenses.
I cannot recommend a Zenit as a learning camera. I had perfect condition TTL, 12XB (I think it was called that) and 212K. All of them had incredibly inaccurate light meters - so bad it was better ignoring them. Random shutter timings. About the worst feeling shutter button action you could imagine. And glorious dark viewfinders that show 60% of the actual image area.
You can use AF and AE when you want - to get a hang of it and see how 'good' the pics can be. And switch to manual exposure and manual focus when you want.
Also, the vast majority of these cameras will work. While old mechanical slrs pretty much will be a mess if they are 50 euros w lenses.
I cannot recommend a Zenit as a learning camera. I had perfect condition TTL, 12XB (I think it was called that) and 212K. All of them had incredibly inaccurate light meters - so bad it was better ignoring them. Random shutter timings. About the worst feeling shutter button action you could imagine. And glorious dark viewfinders that show 60% of the actual image area.
Mine was expensive. With shipping it was closer to $30.
You can easily put together an N80 rig with that zoom for $50 or so, without being patient or a great shopper. Same with an N75, under $50 with that very usable kit lens.
I'm all on board the N80 train here. Mine's still loaded. Even if it were $100, depending on the lens, totally worth it.
I have a Nikon N6006 called F601 in Europe. You can shoot i n auto as a P&S or siwtch to manual, shutter or aperture priority. It has an electronic shutter so mine is still very accurate as well as a built in meter. MAke sure you get a batteryn and battery charger.
www.bing.com
samples pictures in BW: https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort...=1&tags=n6006&user_id=55760757@N05&view_all=1
f-601nikon - Bing
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samples pictures in BW: https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort...=1&tags=n6006&user_id=55760757@N05&view_all=1
I have a Nikon N6006 called F601 in Europe. You can shoot i n auto as a P&S or siwtch to manual, shutter or aperture priority. It has an electronic shutter so mine is still very accurate as well as a built in meter. MAke sure you get a batteryn and battery charger.
f-601nikon - Bing
Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.
samples pictures in BW: https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=n6006&user_id=55760757@N05&view_all=1
Yup, cameras like this are the best way to start. You can see what it can do, then switch to manual knowing now what it can do. Instead of getting frustrated and wondering where things are going wrong.
K1000s are sadly overpriced from being heavily promoted as the best student camera. I have one, a gift from my former father in law. Note what the K1000 DOESN'T have: No depth of field preview, unless you want to partially dismount the lens. No display of shutter or aperture in viewfinder. Of these two omissions the depth of field preview is the more important, IMHO. A proper understanding of depth of field seems pretty important.
If you can find one the Pentax KX, one of the original roll out of the K mount is a far better choice. It offers in viewfinder readouts of shutter speed and aperture, and depth of field preview, and I think a more sensitive meter. I scored a KX in like new condition with the 50mm f1.4 lens about three years ago for about $130.00. I've seen rather rough K1000s with the f2 50mm for $150 to almost $200.
Maxxum 5 is an amazing camera. a 50mm F1.4 Minolta or even better Sony is a great combo. It sometimes strangles with night flash. But they have spot meter.
Canon elan 7n and 300v are also great especially when combined with the amazing 40mm F2.8. They shoot better with flash but dont have spot meter.
Focusing with SLR is hard.
My N80 does it in a split second
So does my F3, or FM3A.
I still say N80 or that equivalent. I have an 8008 and it was cheap for very high quality. The 6006 mentioned above is great for cheap.
All the old mechanical recommendations seem to be what folks would have gone for in the 20th century for a cheap starter, but you can do all the manual stuff with an N80, its cheaper, and the old school mechanical cameras cannot do all the autofocus or metering the plastic fantastics do.
Not only cheaper, but also much more likely to work properly as not as old.
I get the appeal of wanting to use an old metal mechanical slr, but the odds of finding one that works correctly for 50 EUR is slim.
I get the appeal of wanting to use an old metal mechanical slr, but the odds of finding one that works correctly for 50 EUR is slim.
We Should All Be Shooting Dorky AF SLRs and Here's Why
Save money, save time, and improve your photography shooting one of these unpopular, ugly and amazingly capable autofocus film SLR cameras.
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That was a result of marketing not actual best value for learning. And sadly that is reflected in its price, so over the wall for long years now. When still in production it was priced ok, but then the myth of “best student camera” took over and the rest is history.
for leaning manual shooting Maxxum is not the one, too many bells and whistles. Minolta from X range is definitely excellent, XG-M certainly great value, but also X-370
But 50€ budget will take some patience to find body/ lens combo. They are out there just not on a moment’s notice.
I bought a mint Vivitar 420/SL body for $5 on ebay. Also, bought a mint Vivitar 420/SL in black with three lenses for $45 on eBay. Built like tanks. Copal Square shutter. Made by Cosina Japan. They take M42 mount lenses.
Recently bought a nice Olympus OM2n with two lenses for $47 on eBay.
Warning: If you get an OM2n you won't want to put it down.
Edit: I got sick and tired of the N80 hype and just bought one for $21 on ebay.)) N80's and N75's can be had for little money if you're patient. Also, a trick to find a 28-80mm kit lens for cheap is to look at the N55's for sale. Sometimes they're super cheap and come with that lens.
Recently bought a nice Olympus OM2n with two lenses for $47 on eBay.
Warning: If you get an OM2n you won't want to put it down.
Edit: I got sick and tired of the N80 hype and just bought one for $21 on ebay.)) N80's and N75's can be had for little money if you're patient. Also, a trick to find a 28-80mm kit lens for cheap is to look at the N55's for sale. Sometimes they're super cheap and come with that lens.
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Actually MX had and still does have, quite a hype too, but mostly a deserved one. K1000 ??? I'd take any other Pentax MF body before K1000, and not only due to pricing. A so much older Spotmatic can feel so much more refined, and not only against K1000 but many well known models from all major brands.
I don't agree mechanical cameras are not worth looking into. Lots of them are still going strong 40-60 years past their prime. Whether learning manual shooting is easier with more modern model that has all the extras on top of a manual override is a matter of choice, and up to a debate.
Does that auto stuff help learning manual, or is it getting in the way? Problem I have is, auto is there, and using it as a way to learn manual is not all that straightforward. It sure can be thought of as such, but it is more like studying for a test with prep-books, vs. learning the principles and applying them correctly in solving presented problems.
As for Zenit - well, shutter speed limitation alone makes it one of the least choices. Viewfinder? dark and limited, even the 12XP made no dent in how it behaves. It is a rather crude machine and can damage any surface it drops on. The one plus is the standard lens Helios, but it's a gamble anyways. Odd-ball production practices and apparently no quality control can have you end up with either a lens with so-called clinical, downright astounding optical quality or a dud not worth its weight. So a Zenit is more of a historically hysterical proof of how not to produce an otherwise presumed precision instrument. Still, with luck, it can take wonderful photos.
The N80 hype is only here, which is why you can buy one for $20! Let’s keep it that way.
You scored an om2n w 2 lenses for $47? Dang, nice work!
The N80 hype is only here, which is why you can buy one for $20! Let’s keep it that way.
You scored an om2n w 2 lenses for $47? Dang, nice work!
Mums the word. I did spill the beans about N55's with 28-80's. You can pick the pair up for less than $20. Nice. I think the guy who sold me the N80 has a 28-80mm lens for sale for around $17.
Yeh, I'm still smiling about the OM2n. It came with a nice camera bag, too. What a jewel.
Let's not forget that many people will just give us nice cameras. The Nikkormat FTn with Nikkor 24mm f2.8 lens I just got from a buddy is one of them. I bet the OP could score such a combo with a little digging.
Last year a friend gave me a like new X700 w 50 1.7. I shot a roll through it tp have the experience, and then gave it to another friend’s kid who is in high school and shootimg film. He has an old SRT and freaked out when I gave him the X700!
I still have friends giving me film which is really nice. Just got a care package w TriX, HP5, Acros (OG), Ektar and Pro400H. It seems many think they will get back into film, so load up, then can’t be bothered!
In another thread I mentioned the OM2n. What a lovely camera. That one hooked me, while the X700 was ‘nice’.
I still have a SuperTL1000 which was my first SLR and it still works - shutter speeds accurate, no light leaks, meter still works. And they are very cheap with a lens. I’d recommend them ( or one of the similar vintage Prakticas) for a cheap first SLR.
I have an F3 but never shot it… Still looks hard… I prefer rangefinders or AutoFocus SLR
The N80 hype is only here, which is why you can buy one for $20! Let’s keep it that way.
You scored an om2n w 2 lenses for $47? Dang, nice work!
It appears OMs, especially OM2 and then OM10 (even if the latter a bit of a far cry from earlier versions) seemed to have made it into grandparents homes, often are found as "junk" in the basement and sold accordingly. Of all OM models these I have seen at all kinds of prices, often enough to just good riddance sales, get off quick.
Still, OM2n with 2 lenses for $47, provided all in good and fully working condition, was a steal.
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