Looking for an inexpensive 35mm camera to teach a kids summer camp

gazefuzzy · Mar 24, 2016

Hi APUG, I'm teaching a 5 day photography section of a kids summer camp that is meant to be an introduction to 35mm film photography. The kids will only get a chance to shoot, not process or print images from their negatives. I'm looking for a basic 35mm film camera that ideally has some manual controls so I can demonstrate the principles of aperture and shutter speed, but auto exposure as well. The trick is the camera needs to be in the $20-$40 range for both the body and lens. Any suggestions?

Chadinko · Mar 24, 2016

I've seen (and bought) Canon Rebels in that price range on Craigslist. Other stuff too, but more Rebels I think.

gazefuzzy · Mar 24, 2016

Chadinko said:
I've seen (and bought) Canon Rebels in that price range on Craigslist. Other stuff too, but more Rebels I think.

I was thinking of Canon Rebels as well, but I will need to get 10-15 and ideally would be able to order them (or most of them) from one place. Right now I am leaning toward finding them from various sellers on Ebay.

Paul Howell · Mar 24, 2016

Vivitar V 3800 in K mount with short zoom or 50mm prime Vivitar 250 in screw mount, if in working order i
Minolta Maxxum StSI, 50, 5. or 7000 all came with kit lens. the 7000 are pretty common.
Nikon N2000 or N4000 with short zoom
Pentax ZX 7 or 10 with kit zoom

There are lots of other, Rioch, Chinon, Cosina all made entry level K mount cameras.

Going back in time, Minolta 101, Canon Ftb, Yashica FX3, even the feew AF cameras they made, but the futher back the more likely the camera will have issues.

ciniframe · Mar 24, 2016

gazefuzzy said:
I was thinking of Canon Rebels as well, but I will need to get 10-15 and ideally would be able to order them (or most of them) from one place. Right now I am leaning toward finding them from various sellers on Ebay.

I would not worry too much about auto exposure too. They can learn the basic principles with a manual camera. Finding 10 to 15 cameras on the bay shouldn't be a problem. That they all work, including built in meters could be a problem. If you need 10 you might have to buy 15 to get 10 functioning units. Whith that said I thought of the Ricoh KR-5 with the 50mm f2 lens or the same camera sold by Sears, a KS-500 with the same Sears lens. The lens mount is a basic K mount. They both use 2 MS76 batteries to power the meter so you might want to buy those in quantity to avoid local prices of $3-5 each. They are all mechanical so will operate without batteries, nice to know in a pinch.

LarryP · Mar 24, 2016

Nikon 8008 or Canon rebel. KEH has both in the 10 to 15 dollar range. Guaranteed to work just add lenses. Would not be surprised if they have inexpensive kit lens too. Actually they may work with you if you let them know what you're doing , wouldn't hurt to ask.

John Koehrer · Mar 24, 2016

Keh might make you a package deal if you buy 15 cameras at once. Or not, all you can do is ask.

m1ckDELTA · Mar 24, 2016

^^^ KEH ^^^

What he said.

Dead Link Removed

MattKing · Mar 24, 2016

gazefuzzy said:
Hi APUG, I'm teaching a 5 day photography section of a kids summer camp that is meant to be an introduction to 35mm film photography. The kids will only get a chance to shoot, not process or print images from their negatives. I'm looking for a basic 35mm film camera that ideally has some manual controls so I can demonstrate the principles of aperture and shutter speed, but auto exposure as well. The trick is the camera needs to be in the $20-$40 range for both the body and lens. Any suggestions?

Where are you?

There may be APUGers nearby who can help.

albada · Mar 25, 2016

Kodak Pony. First model, or B or C. These plastic cameras were cheap in the 1950s, and are approximately worthless today. They are fully manual, with guess-the-distance focussing, and have no meters. For a children's class, you don't need the high quality of modern SLRs and their lenses, so why pay for it? The Pony's 3-element lens is good enough for what you're doing. Their shutters are sometimes sticky, so watch out for that.

Mark Overton

removed account4 · Mar 25, 2016

if the cameras didn't require manual controls,
i would have suggested getting disposable cameras.
its great telling kids about all the manual stuff and nice cameras is nice-nice
but sumemr camp and kids screams take lots of pictures and learn
how to view in a view finder.

i'd hate to be the kid who drops the rebel
or whatever nice camera they might use.

mark's idea is great too, but not sure how you would find lots of these cameras
in time for camp ...

Neal · Mar 25, 2016

Yashica FX-2. It even has a DOF preview button. 357 silver oxide batteries work fine.

Neal Wydra

RalphLambrecht · Mar 25, 2016

gazefuzzy said:
Hi APUG, I'm teaching a 5 day photography section of a kids summer camp that is meant to be an introduction to 35mm film photography. The kids will only get a chance to shoot, not process or print images from their negatives. I'm looking for a basic 35mm film camera that ideally has some manual controls so I can demonstrate the principles of aperture and shutter speed, but auto exposure as well. The trick is the camera needs to be in the $20-$40 range for both the body and lens. Any suggestions?

a call tpoAPUG members may be successful;Theyall got old bodies floating around and $20-$40 is not unreasonable for these otherwise dust gathering oldies.

narsuitus · Mar 25, 2016

gazefuzzy said:
I'm looking for a basic 35mm film camera that ideally has some manual controls so I can demonstrate the principles of aperture and shutter speed, but auto exposure as well. The trick is the camera needs to be in the $20-$40 range for both the body and lens. Any suggestions?

Consider the HolgaGlo 135BC (or the HolgaGlo 120N if you are open to medium format). You can get them brand new, in different colors, and close to your price range from Freestyle Photographic Supplies (freestylephoto.biz). The Holgas come with a fixed shutter speed and a fixed aperture, but you can use one of your more sophisticated cameras to demonstrate the principles of aperture, shutter speed, auto exposure, manual focus, auto focus, auto film advance, and lens interchangeability.

Paul Howell · Mar 25, 2016

narsuitus said:
Consider the HolgaGlo 135BC (or the HolgaGlo 120N if you are open to medium format). You can get them brand new, in different colors, and close to your price range from Freestyle Photographic Supplies (freestylephoto.biz). The Holgas come with a fixed shutter speed and a fixed aperture, but you can use one of your more sophisticated cameras to demonstrate the principles of aperture, shutter speed, auto exposure, manual focus, auto focus, auto film advance, and lens interchangeability.

For the same price as a Holga, OP can get 35mm AF point and shoots, either fixed lens or zooms, on the larger end in terms of size at the Olympus or Chinon Bridge 35mm. I just bought a Pentax IQ weather resistance with 35 to 90 mm zoom from Goodwill auction site for $12.00 included shipping.

Rick A · Mar 25, 2016

I used to teach 4H summer art programs, and used disposable cameras for photography. They can still be had with color or B&W film.

telletdl · Mar 25, 2016

Contact Mike Raso at the Film Photography Project (http://filmphotographyproject.com/). They have provided cameras to school groups before and he may be able to help you out.

Alan Gales · Mar 25, 2016

My stepson recently picked up a Canon AE-1 with 50mm lens for about $40 off Craigslist in Chicago. He took it to Italy with him and got some great shots.

There are a lot of cheap 35mm cameras out there. Check your local Craigslist, flea markets, yard sales, etc.

mr rusty · Mar 25, 2016

look out for a minolta x300/370. Often found with a nice 1.7/50mm for peanuts.

dabsond · Mar 25, 2016

Contact the folks at www.filmphotographyproject.com I know they have sponsored educational projects in the past.

m1ckDELTA · Mar 25, 2016

gazefuzzy said:
Hi APUG, I'm teaching a 5 day photography section of a kids summer camp that is meant to be an introduction to 35mm film photography. The kids will only get a chance to shoot, not process or print images from their negatives. I'm looking for a basic 35mm film camera that ideally has some manual controls so I can demonstrate the principles of aperture and shutter speed, but auto exposure as well. The trick is the camera needs to be in the $20-$40 range for both the body and lens. Any suggestions?

How many cameras and is the camp a "not for profit"?

RalphLambrecht · Mar 26, 2016

LarryP said:
Nikon 8008 or Canon rebel. KEH has both in the 10 to 15 dollar range. Guaranteed to work just add lenses. Would not be surprised if they have inexpensive kit lens too. Actually they may work with you if you let them know what you're doing , wouldn't hurt to ask.

I second this idea;talk to them;you are likely to gert all you need from one source for an unbeatable price in working order.

John_Nikon_F · Mar 29, 2016

Nikon 8008, N90 or N90s, the 6006, 2020, FG, etc, all will do the job. If full manual is desired, the Nikkormat FT2 works well. Takes modern batteries, has a decent meter, and is simple to operate. It's also decently cheap. Not as cheap as the 8008, but, still pretty cheap.

-J

Kirks518 · Mar 30, 2016

PM'd about bodies at $5 each. I have a bunch that will work for you.

Looking for an inexpensive 35mm camera to teach a kids summer camp

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