Seeking recs for professional level 35mm camera for my son

[macfred]

Have you ever considered sitting up to a troll? - That's what I think of right from the start ...

 

[Mike Crawford]

I try to avoid these sort of discussions as the rhetoric is a bit weird in-between the posters who have offered sound advice. However, quick thought for the OP.

Don't know which University you're son has got into, but well done! London's an incredible place and will be a great place to study. I know some of the Universities teaching photography in London and it should be an inspiring time. With regards to the camera, lots of relevant comments on this thread, but as seen, asking a forum with loads of members will give so many answers instead of perhaps the definitive answer you may want.

I would suggest emailing either the head of department or one of the key lecturers and get their opinion. It should be easy enough if it's the LCC, UAL, Westminster or whichever to find the right person either directly from their website or through inquiring by the usual channels.

You mentioned a scanner and while a general flat bed will have many uses and will be a useful bit of kit, it's not going to give the results for 35mm which a professional scanner like a Flextight will do, though these cost several thousand pounds. However, I presume the University will have such scanners so no need to get such an expensive scanner. Certainly the University where I sometimes teach, (not in London), has great facilities for scanning and their Flextight is a lot more modern and quicker than my older model!

If shooting on transparency film, the University will probably have some Kodak Carousel projectors in the store room so if he is shooting slides, will be able to use them. Though I expect he'll soon find the benefits of shooting colour neg if the plan is to make prints, either directly from neg or to output digital c type or inkjet via a scan. Interestingly, I was in a London colour lab last week and they are now processing hundreds of rolls of C41 colour neg a week as so many professional photographers are back shooting on film for editorial, fashion and even advertising.

For my personal opinion regarding a camera, best to get the most affordable one he wants. I would imagine he would have opinions if it should be Nikon, Canon, Olympus or whatever. Probably more important to decide which sort of brand initially than an exact model. Once you shoot with a Nikon or Canon or whatever, you normally end up sticking with that make. Though, would think £500 would be more than enough. Would suggest spending the balance at Process Supplies, (great London supplier) on lots and lots and lots of film.

Hope he has a great and inspirational time!

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I think in general Holga advice is not insulting, I know good street photogs using Holga, Diana Mini, Belair cameras, but OP son is into transparencies and it was not so smart to advice limiting on exposure cameras like Holgas.

 

[Opemus]

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.

Please forgive my previous silly and gently joshing comment...you son is very lucky to have a dad like you...I had to buy my own MP, which never leaves my side. It's perfect for street photography with a Konica Hexanon-M 50/2 attached, or occasionally 90/2,8 Elmarit-M.

Otherwise I use a late model Rolleiflex 3,5F which is almost invisible to the subject if used discreetly - it is a very non-confrontational camera.

Regarding SLRs I have some good luck on the street with a Contax 167MT and the 50/1.7 Planar or the 45/2.8 Tessar pancake lens.

I recently acquired a Contax T from a charity shop in Hampshire and that is proving very useful for street photography in London as it doesn't spoil the cut of one's suit when carried in the jacket pocket. The ability to preset hyperfocal distance makes it very responsive indeed.

I always use HP5+ and love the results printed on Fotospeed RC/VC oyster after a slight touch of selenium.

Isn't film photography such fun? You have to wait for ages to see what you got!

 

[Les Sarile]

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.

As a father too, I can appreciate your efforts to get your son the best you can find. Since there are not many options available in new, are used a consideration? Also, how about manual focus?

I ask because I've had the Canon EOS 1V and L lenses - great quality, all the bells and whistles, but have since explored manual cameras.

Obviously, the Canon's great autofocus and metering system has it's advantages over the older generation's manual systems, but clearly the manual cameras can be much smaller and lighter. With some practice, manual systems can be just as effective - if not more so. In fact, the Pentax LX is the only camera ever made - film or digital, that can aperture priority autoexpose a scene for as long as it takes, monitor the scene for changes in lighting conditions and adjust accordingly.

Of course digitals have many options for angle viewing but interchangeable viewfinders were available to manual cameras too. As an example, the Pentax LX has the most variety of viewfinders ever made for a camera. Most with built-in diopter adjustment.

So depending on your son's requirements, many options can be had with older cameras.

Also, when it comes to scanners, yet another older discontinued model is still the best option and that is the Nikon Coolscan 5000/9000. It has always puzzled me that people would invest money in the best lenses but buy the cheapest scanner that obliterates all the details and colors captured on the best films.

 

[Fin]

Would suggest spending the balance at Process Supplies, (great London supplier) on lots and lots and lots of film.

Now... ^ There, is actually a really really good piece of advice!

 

[Bill Burk]

Les Sarile,

Your comparison charts and experience with the different cameras is always so informational, thanks.

I was tempted to look into the Pentax LX after seeing some of your charts a while ago, then I saw the prices they go for on eBay and backed down...

I'm happy to be "rebuilding" my kit of Pentax M42 cameras and lenses, knowing that I can get a camera for under a hundred dollars... Even the K1000 is pricey and everyone knows that's a "consumer-grade" body.

 

[mshchem]

Les Sarile,

Your comparison charts and experience with the different cameras is always so informational, thanks.

I was tempted to look into the Pentax LX after seeing some of your charts a while ago, then I saw the prices they go for on eBay and backed down...

I'm happy to be "rebuilding" my kit of Pentax M42 cameras and lenses, knowing that I can get a camera for under a hundred dollars... Even the K1000 is pricey and everyone knows that's a "consumer-grade" body.

I picked up a perfect SP 500 for 10 bucks ,that was my first 35 SLR, it was like time travel. Same place had a bunch of lenses, I found an 8 element 50 1.4 Super Takumar, perfect 25 bucks. Meter works, stop down metering . Such beauty for next to nothing. That lens could hold it's own even today. I had so much fun with Spotmatics!

 

[Les Sarile]

Les Sarile,

Your comparison charts and experience with the different cameras is always so informational, thanks.

I was tempted to look into the Pentax LX after seeing some of your charts a while ago, then I saw the prices they go for on eBay and backed down...

I'm happy to be "rebuilding" my kit of Pentax M42 cameras and lenses, knowing that I can get a camera for under a hundred dollars... Even the K1000 is pricey and everyone knows that's a "consumer-grade" body.

You're welcome as I am happy to share just like everyone here.

It seems I like to shoot in relatively dark settings so I couldn't pass on the Pentax LX and it's meter system.

 

[RichardJack]

If he is serious get him a Hasselblad, skip 35mm film. He could always add a digital back to it when he becomes rich and famous. Another thought is getting him for ED or L primes for his DSLR (assuming he is using Canon or Nikon).

 

[Sirius Glass]

If he is serious get him a Hasselblad, skip 35mm film. He could always add a digital back to it when he becomes rich and famous. Another thought is getting him for ED or L primes for his DSLR (assuming he is using Canon or Nikon).

I agree that camera provides film capability with a digital path.