Is this worth it?

[JBoontje]

I'm sorry, I guess this is another 'should I trade' topic...

I am using a rangefinder for a while now, I absolutely love it. I've heard some stories about the Canon AE-1, and reading the topic 'My first AE-1' made me look for some online bargains.

Here's the deal:
Canon AE-1 as good as new, including:
50mm 1:1.8
28mm 1:2.8
and some Sigma 60-200mm that I probably wont use.
And a bag.

All for €30, $44,5 or 27GBP.

You can see the photos of the camera over here: Dead Link Removed

I dont know, should I make the deal? Do you think I wont need it, because I already have a 35mm rangefinder? Or is this camera <i>so</i> special that I cant forget about it for this kind of money?
I do think that I want to continue shooting 35mm film, so this camera could get useful once I want to do serious portraits/landscapes etc.

Thanks alot in advance.

 

[Denis K]

If you have one girlfriend and she is ever so sweat, life can be great. If you have a girlfriend and then pick up a mistress life can get very complicated. My recommendation is to stick with one camera and stay loyal to it and only stray if you are outside the 500 mile limit.

Denis K

 

[goodfood]

That mony you get enough for a good dinner only. You should keep one SLR, or you will buy one in future. Range finder not good for macro ant tele work. I'm range finder user.

 

[Leighgion]

At €30, is it really necessary to trade? If you're interested in trying an SLR and you're not destitute, just spend the money and enter the very convenient world of multiple camera ownership. A camera is more like a friend, not a girlfriend. It's generally enriching to have more than one friend.

 

[Pumal]

I started my collection like that when I was 12. Now I have around 200 cameras. The only thing you need to be afraid of is the G.A.S. Syndrome.

 

[Vincent Brady]

Don't trade, buy it , you won't regret it.

TEX

 

[pentaxuser]

I think the OP is using the word "trade" as meaning to buy and not to trade( as in exchange) his rangefinder for the SLR. If the camera is in as good a condition as it is said to be in his description then it seems a bargain. At worst he could sell it again for as much as he will pay. As someone else said if he wants to do telephoto work or action shots then a SLR is the way to go.

With two cameras there is the option of loading two different B&W films or the same film but with different speeds or one B&W and one colour negative film. I have often been in situations where I have B&W film and the shot would be better in colour or sometimes the reverse is true.

pentaxuser

 

[railwayman3]

For 30 euros, and if the condition is as good as you say, I'd grab it but I'd certainly also keep the rangefinder camera, for all the reasons already stated. Canon is quality gear. And a Sigma lens which I have myself, although not a "top" name, is a quite reasonable performer.

The two cameras are quite different instruments, and the SLR will give you considerable advantages for certain work such as close-ups or long telephoto work (and especially if you ever get interested in anything exotic like photomicrography or astrophotography ) Even if you didn't use the Canon for a while, I don't think that you will regret tucking-it-away.

I use both SLR and rangefinders (and MF) and wouldn't want to part with any of them.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Keep your rangefinder and buy the Canon AE-1. In the long run you'll won't regret it.

Jeff

 

[JBoontje]

Guys, I bought it after all for €32 or $42. I was surprised that the advertisement was still there, so I made a slightly higher offer and she accepted!

Cant wait, it will probably arrive monday or tuesday. Thanks for your help

 

[sangetsu]

The AE-1 is a great camera, and all the better because you can now get the great Canon FD lenses for next to nothing. With the 50mm and 28mm lenses you are pretty well covered, but it's easy (and not too expensive) to go wider and longer.

I have the big and clunky F1n with a pretty good collection of lenses (GAS truly is a disease), but the much lighter AE-1 is easier to carry around, and takes pictures just as well.