What 35mm camera would you recommend for the cost of a meal?

Big G

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My local camera shop has a bin of 90s film SLRs with a notice saying they're all broken. I've found that some of them are, but many are not. They only require a battery and a customer willing to forgo a guarantee. I've picked up a Nikon F80S (or N80) and a Canon 620 for about $5 each. Both have worked pretty well after a clean up (F80 sticky rubber) and some minor surgery (Canon 620 backlight). I find the latter very satisfying to hold. It is still possible to get a $5 lunch here (Japan), but sadly not a roll of film to feed these cameras.
 

88E30M50

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For a basic simple 35mm, it's hard to beat a Spotmatic. But, Yashica FX3s are reliable and easy to shoot even if fairly bland in use. Lenses might be a bit harder to come by than many others, but the things do work and are often almost given away due to crappy leatherette that didn't age well. I've had 2 and with a $20 leatherette kit, they can be a decent beginner's camera.
 

chuckroast

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A late model Nikkormat FtN. Great lens options, built like tanks, very accurate shutter.
 

Paul Howell

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In auto focus world a Yashica 300, they are dirt cheap. I have one, have not put a roll of film though it. My only grip is there is not ISO overide.
 

Marcelo Paniagua

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Yep Spotmatic is hard to beat. Have seen them multiple times on my local flea market for around $10, which is within my lunch budged. Curiusly enough, never bought one since my spot for M42 is filled with some Prakticas and one or two Zeniths. Heck I've seen Spotmatics that are in better shape than Zeniths and a way better camera-price deal.


Marcelo
 

fstop

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What 35mm camera would you recommend for the cost of a meal?​


Buy me a decent meal and I'll make a recommendation.
 

Sirius Glass

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Nikon N70, Nikon N75, and Nikon N80 sometimes can be found a low prices.
 

benjiboy

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I have re-concidered the original question of "how can one buy a camera for the price of a meal", and think what a strange criteria it is to buy things with, how many meals price would one have to spend to buy a family car, or a washing machine ?
 

Pioneer

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Hey, don't knock it. I bought a 62 Ford Falcon off a farmer in Minnesota for $20 when I was much younger. Best $20 I ever spent. Since then I have spent way more than that on cameras that did not take me nearly as far!

Of course back then $20 would have bought two or three good meals.
 

88E30M50

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This afternoon, I picked up a Nikon N80 along with a 28-70 f3.5-4.5 Nikkor and a 70-210 f4.0-5.6 Nikkor for $30. I've run a roll of film through it and after processing, the package seems to be completely functional. The glass is clear and works well. That's less than I'd have spent on lunch downtown.

About a month ago, I found a Nikon N2000 in the inop bin at my LCS (Local Camera Shop) and was guessing that it was a battery box issue. 10 minutes of messing with it had it running like new since I had a spare battery box from fixing my sister's N2000. I picked up a lens at the same shop for $5, so that one is my $10 Nikon rig. The $5 lens is a Nikkor 43-86 that's not well regarded, but for $5, it's punching well in it's weight class.
 

88E30M50

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Pieter12 said:
Just like I’d pass on a $30 lunch, I’d pass on a $30 camera. You will end up regretting both.
Click to expand...

Time will tell with the Nikon. At worst, I will find it mediocre and after a couple of rolls of film for fun, I'll hand it off to a family member to play with. At best, I'll find it very nice and will probably hand it off to a family member to play with. Some of my favorite cameras have come off that bargain shelf though, including a $10 KX and a $10 MX, both of which are fantastic shooters. I love that we can explore some equipment that was top notch in its day for the cost of a good lunch.
 

4season

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I've never dined at The French Laundry, but I might like to! At prices ranging from 450-1200 USD per person, a person could choose from any number of fine cameras. At this level, Pentax 17 is an easy pick which is guaranteed to work.

But my own real-life average meal cost wouldn't buy much camera, because I do much of my own meal preparation: Priced popular fast food lately?
 

dynachrome

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I have a fleet of Yashica FX-3/FX-7 and FX-3/FX-7 Super cameras and one Super 2000. As I may have mentioned in the past, I think the Super 2000 is especially poorly made. All of my other FX cameras have been overhauled and reskinned. The new skin is textured vinyl floor tread material. My repairman removes the adhesive backing with solvent and then attaches it with Pliobond. The FX cameras cost very little and are easy to get serviced because there are plenty of parts available. They have nice finders because they all have glass prisms. They do not feel as sturdy as a Nikkormat or a Minolta SRT but are nice and light to carry.
 

88E30M50

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I've had several FX-3s and have always found them to be reliable. My FX-3 Super tends to be the one I toss into the range bag when heading out with buddies
 

grain elevator

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Jammed Spotmatic, often they can easily be unjammed. Although like every old camera, they should really be serviced which costs a lot more than my typical meal.
 

MattKing

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Pieter12 said:
Just like I’d pass on a $30 lunch, I’d pass on a $30 camera. You will end up regretting both.
Click to expand...

While not cheap, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't regret a $30 lunch at this Vancouver location (yumm):
 

MattKing

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Pieter12 said:
While it may be good, $30 (even CDN) is a bit steep for a sandwich.
Click to expand...

At the risk of crossover with one of those "Is it Art?" discussion threads, it is almost unfortunate that those sandwiches are called "sandwich", rather than "Lunch Art".
 

Donald Qualls

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Assuming you find one that hasn't had the shutter oiled and subsequently stuck fast, and has no chips out of the Bakelite body, I'd have to say a Kodak Pony 135 (any version, no-letter through Model D) would be an excellent choice for the cost of a mid-priced dinner for one (Applebees or Outback range). Simple, reliable frame counter, good coated triplet lens, reliable scale focus, and adequate shutter range (IIRC, mine had 1/2 to 250).
 

loccdor

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15 years ago Olympus XAs were the price of a pizza. Now they're the price of a high end steak dinner for two. Still counts, I guess.
 

baachitraka

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paddycook said:
Olympus OM1n with a 50mm f1.8. Better viewfinder than any camera mentioned here, fully mechanical and a sweet little lens. Whole package is just about pocketable.
Click to expand...
The cheapest I got was black OM-1n for 25 euros but I don't spend 25 for lunch.
 

Paul Howell

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When thinking about a camera for the price of mid level lunch, does that include the cost of CLA? The Olympus is indeed a very good camera, lots of good glass, but will need some care, new foam and seals, if possible lube of the shutter.
 
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