Seeking recs for professional level 35mm camera for my son

guangong · Jun 21, 2018

Don’t believe the nonsense that all professional cameras have all been beat to hell. On the contrary, most “professional “ models were bought by enthusiasts as well as those well heeled individuals who “wanted the best” but never used the best.
Several years ago I went to estate auction of successful professional couple who died in accident. They bought the best for when they would have time to use it...best sporting equipment, best guns, best Nikon equipmen, all like new, some in original packaging. This is not unique. A lot of very good lightly used professional equipment is out there.

AgX · Jun 22, 2018

As reply to post #14 you used the following words:

RhodriMawr said:
He prefers shooting on film, not digital. He's chosen this programme in London because they've an extensive dark room setup and lecturers with similar interests. This is something that he and I have spoken about quite a bit, and this is the professional and creative path that he wants to take. Respectfully, I would prefer if you didn't try to project your own career goals and artistic preferences onto anyone other than yourself, and especially not my son or myself, since you seem to be assuming that I'm ignorant and wanting to purchase something that he doesn't want or need. As for others caring, I don't think that this is really about that, I would like to get something nice for him, not for others.

Your presumption and tendency toward interrupting an internet discussion with unsolicited advice is rude and bothersome, I request that you refrain from posting on any post that I've made unless your intention is to answer what's been asked.

On the risk of being called by you rude and bothersome too:

Why then not let HIM join us at Apug and discuss things with?

cowanw · Jun 22, 2018

For educational purposes, consider an inexpensive large format photography camera. Not what you asked but very useful for (re)learning fundamentals and if the school has a darkroom then it will most certainly be pertinent.

RhodriMawr · Jun 22, 2018

AgX said:
As reply to post #14 you used the following words:

On the risk of being called by you rude and bothersome too:

Why then not let HIM join us at Apug and discuss things with?

I'm not stopping him, he can post wherever he likes.

RhodriMawr · Jun 22, 2018

mshchem said:
Buy a Holga 120 30-40 dollars. Don't spend money, wait until he knows what he needs. Find a cheap functional used camera, I would definitely check with the instructor.

Are you serious? Why would I get my son a toy camera? That's insulting.

What do you mean wait until he knows what he needs? He needs a professional grade 35mm camera, he's going to university and not primary school, they don't publish an exact supply list, a photographer chooses their camera based on what they need and can afford. I don't understand the point of your insulting comment is? Jealousy that I can purchase my son nice equipment? Or like the other poster, are you just being rude and presumptuous, thinking that you've any place giving unsolicited advice about my son's career and professional life, answer the question asked or say nothing.

barzune · Jun 22, 2018

I think he may be pleased with a Nikon F4, mounted with a 60mm Micro lens.
The F4 is definitely a professional model, it offers auto focussing, although an early version of that feature, and can be reconfigures with alternate viewers and power banks.
From what I've read in your comments, you would like a camera that can be fully manual operation, but have the facility of automation for focus and exposure;
the Nikon F4 satisfies those specifications. It has been described as Nikon's best manual-focus camera, with autofocus. A very good specimen, with the 60mm lens, would fall
into your budget.

AgX · Jun 22, 2018

RhodriMawr said:
I'm not stopping him, he can post wherever he likes.

With "HIM" I referred to your son.
This whole discussion should be about him and his preferences and not about what you yourself find appropriate.

darkosaric · Jun 22, 2018

RhodriMawr said:
Are you serious? Why would I get my son a toy camera? That's insulting.

Ever heard of Mr. Michael Kenna? He uses Holga, and he is not only a pro - he is a master of photography:

http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-...ichael-kenna-dumped-his-hasselblad-holga-hong

Second that comes in mind is Mr. Wolfgang Moersch - probably best active darkroom printer on the planet:

https://www.moersch-photochemie.de/content/galerie/holga/

EDIT: When one asks question on open forum - it is normal that 100 persons will give 300 different advice's. No need to get too emotional . Long time ago I asked which developer I should use, and many answers were given. Only one was correct - Rodinal, but not all have the wisdom to understand that Rodinal is the best developer.

Photoguy365 · Jun 22, 2018

Reading through the "wants" of your post, the F100 would probably do him well. As it is a smaller auto focus body with many professional features. The auto/manual focus selection is made on the lens itself. There are a ton of 35mm cameras available on the used market. For full manual focus, the Nikon FE2, F3HP would be my top recommendations. If auto focus in a need, then any of the auto focus F series would more than do the job. The F5 may be large for street photography. However, it is a monster of a camera. I wish him the best of luck with a career in photography. It's a hard path these days.

narsuitus · Jun 22, 2018

If I were in your son's position, here are the cameras I would consider:

Leica M6 with 35mm or 50mm lens

Nikon FM3a with 35mm or 50mm lens

Pentax Spotmatic with 50mm f/1.4 lens

Paul Howell · Jun 22, 2018

+ 1 for the 1V the Canon EOS IV will be supported by Canon until 2025, has all the features he will ever need, no worries about which lens are compatible almost every Canon EOS lens will work, options for high end L glass. With high hi speed battery grip really fast FPS, excellent metering. I would add 50mm and 28mm prime and one mid level zoom like a Sigma Red Ring 100 to 300 APO for reach. Not sure but there may be an adaptor to use Canon EOS lens on his Fuji. There might be enough left over for a Canon Rebel as second body for street work or times when you son won't want to risk the 1V.

bimmey · Jun 22, 2018

I'm with Bill Burk on this one. The OM 4T is a small well built slr with the most useful metering system for learning photography built right in it. Add the 21mm 3.5 lens to the kit Bill suggests, and he will have a fine "street" kit.

My 2 cents

Chan Tran · Jun 22, 2018

RhodriMawr said:
Are you serious? Why would I get my son a toy camera? That's insulting.

What do you mean wait until he knows what he needs? He needs a professional grade 35mm camera, he's going to university and not primary school, they don't publish an exact supply list, a photographer chooses their camera based on what they need and can afford. I don't understand the point of your insulting comment is? Jealousy that I can purchase my son nice equipment? Or like the other poster, are you just being rude and presumptuous, thinking that you've any place giving unsolicited advice about my son's career and professional life, answer the question asked or say nothing.

I wouldn't buy a Hoga for my son. If he wants one he has to buy it for himself. I don't want to waste my money.

MartinCrabtree · Jun 22, 2018

Another for the Nikon F5. Sturdy,reliable and versatile. It can be full auto to full manual with several steps in between. Uses all F mount lenses from 1977 on except the newest AFS-P. Takes some getting used to for size and weight and the custom settings menu. Rarely do you hear of failure. I've heard (online) of one with over a million shutter actuations w/o issue. Cannot expect that but it gives credence to the legend of the robust nature of the camera.

Opemus · Jun 22, 2018

Chan Tran said:
I wouldn't buy a Hoga for my son. If he wants one he has to buy it for himself. I don't want to waste my money.

Poor boy with a dad like you...

Sirius Glass · Jun 22, 2018

RhodriMawr said:
My son will be going to London to study photography at university. My wife and I purchased him a DSLR two years ago but he has discovered that he prefers working on a film camera. Unfortunately, the camera that he uses is my old Contax T3, which is a point and shoot that isn't really great for professional photography, he has many other cameras that he purchased from charity shops, but my wife and I would like to get him a high quality, professional 35mm camera. Which models do you recommend?

His style of photography is mostly street photography, and he mainly uses the film used to make slides to go in a projector, he also uses a lot of black and white film.

Our budget is £1000/AU$1800, or around US$1320. We can't really afford to spend more on the camera itself because we would also like to purchase lenses and other accessories, including a film scanner and a newer slide projector.

Thank you for your assistance.

There are many cameras that work do that well. For 35mm the Nikon F100 would allow from full manual to auto exposure and auto focus with spot or matrix light readings as well as a wide range of available manual and auto focus lenses. For your budget you could buy a nice Hasselblad set up.

Sirius Glass · Jun 22, 2018

RhodriMawr said:
Are you serious? Why would I get my son a toy camera? That's insulting.

What do you mean wait until he knows what he needs? He needs a professional grade 35mm camera, he's going to university and not primary school, they don't publish an exact supply list, a photographer chooses their camera based on what they need and can afford. I don't understand the point of your insulting comment is? Jealousy that I can purchase my son nice equipment? Or like the other poster, are you just being rude and presumptuous, thinking that you've any place giving unsolicited advice about my son's career and professional life, answer the question asked or say nothing.

I agree with the OP. It was very insulting.

Ko.Fe. · Jun 22, 2018

darkosaric said:
...
EDIT: When one asks question on open forum - it is normal that 100 persons will give 300 different advice's. No need to get too emotional . Long time ago I asked which developer I should use, and many answers were given. Only one was correct - Rodinal, but not all have the wisdom to understand that Rodinal is the best developer.

Do show me HP5+ in Rodinal @3200. I think, I miss something.

Chan Tran · Jun 22, 2018

Opemus said:
Poor boy with a dad like you...

It's the matter of principle. If he wants it his way then he figures out the way to pay for it. I much rather buy him a Leica MP or a Nikon F6 than the Hoga.

WilmarcoImaging · Jun 22, 2018

Minolta Dynax 9 and several high quality Minolta or Sony lenses. Or the Dynax 9 and one Zeiss lens for the Sony Alpha system.

Arguably the best of the last generation of film bodies, and compatible with current production lenses, which are themselves compatible with current production digital bodies. Plus a very deep and wide supply of secondhand lenses.

avb · Jun 22, 2018

Have you considered selling the Contax T3 to increase your budget?
I think then you'd have the option of getting a used Nikon F6, which for many is the ultimate 35mm AF camera.
I also recommend the Nikon F100 or Nikon F5.

drmoss_ca · Jun 22, 2018

Great way to answer a question, guys. Is it the developer contaminating our brains that makes us deserve the reputation for crankiness that always seems to be associated with analogue photography forums?

Presumably we can agree that the student concerned needs:
- a reliable working camera, which..
- must be capable of manual operation if it has an internal meter
- and has a lens in the range of 28 - 50mm since he like street photography
- which might be interchangeable or fixed (might learn more creativity if fixed or is the only lens owned)
- and he can choose whether he likes rangefinders or SLRs.

Beyond that, it won't matter a bit for his purposes which manufacturer it came from. Should the education result in a desire to go on and continue photographing with film he will decide later what he wants to use. For now it simply has to work and allow him to learn the technical side. I'm not sure if the aesthetics can be taught, and even if they can, it won't matter which camera is used.

To the OP: if by chance you can visit a real brick and mortar old time camera shop, you might do well to do so. Tell them what you need. A good store owner will show you options amongst his secondhand stock. There was a time when all such owners were enthusiasts who would enjoy helping you out, rather than making a profit and getting you out of the door. I'm sure there are still a few of the good guys around.

Huss · Jun 22, 2018

Like others here, I recommend that he gets what I use.

Paul Howell · Jun 22, 2018

WilmarcoImaging said:
Minolta Dynax 9 and several high quality Minolta or Sony lenses. Or the Dynax 9 and one Zeiss lens for the Sony Alpha system.

Arguably the best of the last generation of film bodies, and compatible with current production lenses, which are themselves compatible with current production digital bodies. Plus a very deep and wide supply of secondhand lenses.

If the Dynax 9 was factory mod to work with mircor motor driven lens. The Minolta 7 came out after the 9 and will work with Sony lens. Here in the U.S don't know who works on late Minolta film bodies. I have a 9, 7, 800 and 600si, I really like them, and the price point very good, Minolta glass is some of the best. But for someone who is attending photography school to become a professional I still recommend a Canon EOS 1V, it will be supported by Canon for the next 7 years, Nikon only supports the F6.

Bill Burk · Jun 22, 2018

RhodriMawr said:
Are you serious? Why would I get my son a toy camera? That's insulting.

What do you mean wait until he knows what he needs? He needs a professional grade 35mm camera, he's going to university and not primary school, they don't publish an exact supply list.

Don’t be offended when a Holga is suggested. I’ve got an acquaintance/friend I met when out on the school playground at their “carnival”. I was shooting a Leica M2 and he had a Nikon F. Of his photography, the work he has done with a Holga is what I remember most clearly.

Of my photography, I want people to remember my 4x5 stuff. I decided I like that look better than 35mm. Now I consider my 35mm work to be “snapshots”.

So you might not know yet what your son wants or needs. Sometimes the gear is secondary.

Seeking recs for professional level 35mm camera for my son

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