How much would you spend on a film camera, today?

[Joe Grodis]

It depends how amped the camera got me. In other words if it was a very rare camera a like a 24kt Gold Plated Nikon FA I would surely produce 3 figures in cold cash.

 

[benjiboy]

Just spent $50 on a Voigtlander Vito B. It arrived today in the mail. It is a beautiful bit of gear and I can't wait to shoot a few rolls with it. Although I shoot digital at work I love the feel and look of the old metal bodied film cameras. I'm well stocked with film cameras but would spend up to $600 on another MF body or lens.

Hi Bluedog,I have a Vito B I bought new in 1959 the camera cost just over £20 in those days, and I got the Voigtlander rangefinder and lens hood with it all are still mint, and I should use them more, this little gem is capable of excellent results, is pocketable at a pinch, and they just don't make cameras with this build quality any more, but I have so many cameras I can't use them all at once.
You might find this link useful for a new owner http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/VitoB2Survey.html , I hope you enjoy the Vito B..

 

[Peter Black]

Not quite $1000 (at today's exchange rate) on a wide version Texas Leica with 22 on the counter and a decent Sekonic meter and bag. It arrived this morning and has virtually no signs of use. In case anyone recalls the name, it isn't the one I mentioned in my recent thread in the Ethics & Philosophy forum.

Now I really must sell the cameras that I promised myself I would ...........................

 

[bluedog]

Hi Bluedog,I have a Vito B I bought new in 1959 the camera cost just over £20 in those days, and I got the Voigtlander rangefinder and lens hood with it all are still mint, and I should use them more, this little gem is capable of excellent results, is pocketable at a pinch, and they just don't make cameras with this build quality any more, but I have so many cameras I can't use them all at once.
You might find this link useful for a new owner http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/VitoB2Survey.html , I hope you enjoy the Vito B..

Thanks for the link Benjiboy. Everything seems to be working OK with my Vito B, but will know for sure after I develop my first film. It is a great little camera and lots of fun to use. These cameras are certainly built to last. I just picked up a rangefinder for it which should arrive soon.

 

[Steve Smith]

Thanks for the link Benjiboy. Everything seems to be working OK with my Vito B.

I have just bought one of these too. It's a fantastic small but solidly built work of manufacturing precision.

I have a Vito B I bought new in 1959 the camera cost just over £20 in those days.

Mine cost me £17 including postage a couple of months ago!

These can often be picked up cheap when the seller thinks the shutter doesn't work, not realising they need a film to cock the shutter.

I also have a Vitomatic II which adds a rangefinder and a meter but the Vito B is my favourite of the two.


Steve.

 

[rossawilson1]

£1000 seems to get you a lot these days, body and lens or just body, most expensive camera yet was a £3000 Arriflex 2C motion picture camera.

 

[elekm]

I agree: Depends on the camera.

These days, not much. $50 is my limit.

My most expensive film cameras:

-- The new Zeiss Ikon rangefinder (new)

-- Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR

-- Zeiss Ikon Contarex Hologon Ultrawide

I bought them to use, not to fondle.

Before it's all over, I would still like an Alpa.

 

[Palantiri7]

Next year I'm going to splurge out and buy a brand new Rolleiflex, and relegate my current 6003 to backup status. Strangely, I don't feel guilty about doing this even though it is a huge outlay for me.

 

[Chris Nielsen]

I'd love a brand new Nikon F6 but IDK if I can justify NZ$4000.. Which is about USD$2000, which of course is overpriced compared to the USA new price. I'm seriously thinking about giving KEH US $1200 or so for a 2nd hand one, that's about my limit really

 

[df cardwell]

Spend as much as you can afford on as little as you need.

 

[jongcelebes]

Just spent $100 for Nikon FE & Cosina 35-70mm lens and will buy $80 Nikon F70 with 28-80mm AF-D lens. Probably not a very good gears but that's all I need. I have 2 prime MF lens that I got for $100.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Just spent $100 for Nikon FE & Cosina 35-70mm lens and will buy $80 Nikon F70 with 28-80mm AF-D lens. Probably not a very good gears but that's all I need. I have 2 prime MF lens that I got for $100.

The F70 is the same as the N70 in North America. The N75 is a real trooper and is very serviceable. I also have an F100 which gives more flexibility, but I would not have and have not had a problem taking the N75 only on an important trip if I had to.

Steve

 

[Claire Senft]

Today? Well, lets see. I have $10.00 in my wallet and I have not eaten lunch yet. I guess not much.

 

[Steve Smith]

Today? Well, lets see. I have $10.00 in my wallet and I have not eaten lunch yet. I guess not much.

You can afford a wallet?


Steve.

 

[lilserenity]

Up until last Christmas, I hadn't bought a camera more expensive than £150 in my life. Some years ago I obtained an EOS 5 for about £100 which was an absolute bargain and cut my teeth using that. It went kaputt last Christmas and I replaced it with the EOS 3 which is so much better to handle than use than the EOS 5, they're world's apart.

However 2 days ago I bought my most expensive camera to date - a Leica M2. I paid £300 and it's in pretty good condition (especially from the front) and very happy with it.

But that is about the maximum that I'd pay for any camera as I'm old enough, probably wise enough and hopefully not that ugly enough to know it's more about the glass and most importantly the person behind the viewfinder which counts for much more.

Vicky