Would-be 35mm camera user

[bettonbaby]

Hi,

I've been reading up on specifications and prices until I'm dizzy! I've taken the battery problem on board and concentrated on Nikons and Pentaxs as advised.

First thing I found was that decent used digital slrs with full manual control are pretty expensive. (I'm in England by the way where everything is expensive). Second thing I found was that Nikons are dearer than Pentaxs which helped me make my mind up.

Lots of Pentax models available and one good one seems to be overlooked. The P30T is described as a hidden gem and I can get a body, described as little used, for only about 40 bucks in your money. My guess is that this model was bought by amateurs unlike, say, the MX.

I'm going to wait until one comes up attached to a 50mm prime lens. This combo won't be large and obtrusive, or too heavy, and, as it is supposed to approximate the human perspective, it should be good to learn on. That's my theory anyway but I'd welcome comments on this.

I'll be able to post off the used film to a developing firm and get back the negatives and photos in about three days. No problem, I won't have forgotten where I took them by then. However, I can envisage wanting to computerise some of the shots but can't quite see the best way to do it.

Do I scan the negatives or scan the photos? This is all in advance of myself of course as I don't have a scanner but I'm trying to get a perspective on the whole film scene. I can see that it could be very interesting. Reading the reviews of the cameras has enlightened me a little. Close the aperture down and you get a greater depth of field. As it gets dimmer, outdoors, you have to open up the aperture for more light and or give the shot longer exposure time. Or both. Hope I've got that right.....

I appreciate the willingness of everybody to help by the way. I have an American tree in my garden, a Bishop pine which I grew from seed, and I'll post a snap of it with the Pentax as a sort of reward. Well, I like trees, anyway.

 

[Dan Daniel]

If you are looking at Pentax, here's a site you need:
http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/index.html

And a forum specific to Pentax film cameras-
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/

The ME Super has a great viewfinder, takes SR44 and such batteries, and is very small and light while not being made of plastic. Having never seen a P30T, I cannot comment on it. The Pentax 50mm f1.7 lens is a near-classic, cheaper than the f1.4, and worth looking for over the 2.0.

You might look over your digital files to see what '35mm equiv.' focal length you've ended using most often. Be prepared to buy a wider lens. I am doing tree shots for a local group and carry the equiv. of a 28mm, 40mm, and 75mm (working in APS-C, so that's a 21mm, 28mm, and 50mm actual) to cover most everything.

Most places these days will do some sort of scanning of film if you want. Then you get a CD with files. A nice way to start, but your corner drugstore-level scans can be pretty bad.

 

[dehk]

Just do a K1000.

 

[John Koehrer]

bettonbaby,
A subtle hint for you. Prepare to duck when you mention the "D" word, few have survived.=)
APUG also has a sister site, "hybridphoto" there's a link at the very top of the page.

 

[lxdude]

bettonbaby-

I think you've made a good choice. I have a P3n, which is the same as the P30n. The P30t is the same camera with an angled split-image focus aid in the viewfinder instead of a horizontal one. It has a nice viewfinder (snappy but not as large or bright as the ME Super's), and is easy to operate. It's plasticky compared to a machine like the ME Super, but it has depth of field preview, an exposure hold button in automatic, and a conventional shutter speed dial, all of which the ME Super lack. The ME Super has a metal top, bottom, back, metal rewind shaft and knob, an exposure compensation dial, and push-button shutter speed changing. And a great viewfinder.
I have an LX, MX, ME Super and P3n, and find each has its charms. The P3n gets used a lot and I rarely use automatic. When taking pictures of kids and and pets on auto I find the ability to quickly switch exposure modes just by changing aperture or shutter dial position is very useful, as is the ability to lock an exposure setting with the lock button.
I think starting with a 50mm is a good idea. It's versatile and allows you to concentrate on your subject without thinking about which focal length to use, and is faster (has a larger aperture) than moderate wide to tele zooms. It focuses close, is very cheap and has fine image quality. After a while you will know what other focal lengths you will want. The P30t's DoF preview will help you avoid distracting backgrounds and see that you have good DoF when you want it.

 

[mr rusty]

Looks like you are getting towards making a choice. In all honesty, whatever you choose will be capable of taking both good and bad pix. Apart from the fact that 35mm allows you to shoot great lenses for not much money, unlike d*****l, the biggest difference you will find from a compact is depth of field. You just can't get this to the same extent, and it is what often makes a great photo in my opinion; the ability to have the subject in focus and the background out of focus.

Also

I'll be able to post off the used film to a developing firm and get back the negatives and photos in about three days. No problem, I won't have forgotten where I took them by then. However, I can envisage wanting to computerise some of the shots but can't quite see the best way to do it.

Suggest you give these guys a try over in Hull

http://www.photo-express.co.uk/index.html

It costs £4.50 inc return postage to get a film developed and returned on CD as 6MP approx JPG files. (No prints, but they are inexpensive for these as well). This is what I do, and then you can just print the photos you want, and if you get some really great ones, you still have the negs you can send out for a professional print. They turn around same day. I usually get stuff back the day after I posted it.

For film try http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=777 good prices. standard delivery a bit slow, but reliable. Or for next day http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/ or http://www.discountfilmsdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Ilford_35mm_Black_and_White_Camera_Film.html tho' I haven't tried discount film direct myself.

 

[BrianL]

I'm in agreement of the K-1000 for a newish body or go all the way back to the Spotmatic, an all mechanical camera with the battery only for the meter. I am surprised no one has mentioned the Yashica. The FX-3 and FX-3Super all mechanica bodies while at the beginner price point benefitted from Yashica's Contax program and the bodies are pretty hardy. Coupled with the Yashica/Contax lens mount and you can start with the Zeiss induced Yashica lenses that are an absolute bargain and with time if you want move up to the Contax/Zeiss mount lenses that were sold with the Yashica/Contax cameras such as the RTS series.

Another good buy is the Olympus OM-1. The system lenses are excellent and prices a bargain compared to the quality of the glass. While the camera is small, the results are huge from it.

 

[Prest_400]

I agree on the recommendations posted before. Pentax and Olympus are very nice SLR systems to begin with -and keep.

You might not need to operate a manual camera before doing the jump from a P&S to 35mm SLR; I did it that way, and once you know how to manage the settings, it's easy. The first time I shot manual was with a Film Nikon AF, and results were much better than I expected. You might have a relative or friend with an stored 35mm you might be able to borrow.

I chose the OM-1 and could get it CLA'd (serviced) already and adapted to modern 1.55v batteries, only praises to it and it delivers more than I will ever need in a close future. If shot well 35mm will give you very good results that can be a bit overwhelming at first when used to digi P&S.

Another way to get cheap might be a Rangefinder, although the viewfinder system isn't TTL.

 

[bettonbaby]

Had to change my mind somewhat now. I'm growing increasingly suspicious of cameras described as in excellent condition by vendors on Ebay, who only show one dark photo of their camera and few details to boot. So I've started looking at online pro dealers and cameras like the Pentax P30t I was most interested in are few and far between.

I live about 50 miles from a big town with photo shops a journey I'm reluctant to make as I'm very busy at the moment. So I'm going for a camera in plentiful supply online from reputable dealers: the Nikon N80 (F80 here). I know that it's autofocus and programmed but the camera can be used in full manual mode only.

I do have a few questions:
It seems that to be able to manually focus with a N80 I have to have an autofocus lens, the D type AF Nikkor. Have I got this right?
I can get the N80 body only. I starting to think that a prime lens wider than the 50mm I first plumped for will be better, as I will be using it in the great outdoors, Say a 28mm. Can anyone recommend a lens?
Some of the cameras come with short zooms, 28-80mm say. These aren't much dearer than body only. Are they worth having or just a cheapo kit thing?

I've spent hours and hours on this. Gonna press the button after I've read your answers......

 

[lxdude]

Not knowing where you're located, I don't know if this helps.
KEH ( Dead Link Removed ) has a P3t rated as EX right now for $39. They have an SMC Pentax-A 50mm f/2 for $43.
They are a good outfit. They rate very conservatively, so EX will be like most others' "like new" or "mint".

 

[mr rusty]

Hi Bettonbaby. How about http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-BOXED-Can...otography_Film_Cameras_ET&hash=item41548fbbd5

These go around £50-£60 for a used with a kit lens, so I guess this one will probably go circa £80-90, perhaps £120 if he's lucky. I have one of these and have to say its a great point and squirt SLR. I use it when I need full auto and rapid autofocus when my OM1 or OM2 won't do, but it is also fully manual or aperture or shutter priority auto. My view on the kit zooms is they are adequate, but useful. the 35-105 I have on the 300V isn't bad at all, but just about noticeably not as good as the zuiko primes on my olympus

uploaded a gallery image here:- (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

For a different point of view, there is always ffordes Dead Link Removed who at least offer a 3 months warranty. I have used them with slightly mixed feelings. received a flash from them described as good, but was in fact duff (they hadn't tested it as they say they do), but they sent a replacement and re-imbursed the postage fast enough, so I guess that's OK.

 

[totalmotard]

You are correct. The N80 will require an AF-D lens to meter correctly. The N90s will meter manual focus lenses and is probably available for cheaper than an N80. I bought an N80 and a 50 1.8 AF-D lens for less than $200. It's a great combo and can make stunning pictures. If you're used to shooting digital the N80 will be an easy transition. It's a very easy to use camera. If you want to go wider, the 35 f2 af lens is great but will probably run about $250. The auto focus works really well when you want to do that. I never use it for manual focus.

I recommend KEH as well as Adorama and B&H. Ebay is a gamble so I don't risk over $25 on it.

 

[bettonbaby]

Okay, tonight's the night I press the button and bid for or buy a camera from an online dealer. (I'm in England so can't deal with KEH, unfortunately). Thanks to the wonderful help I've had from this forum I know that my needs can be met by a variety of cameras and this will make things easier. I'm certainly not reading any more reviews or blogs as my head has only just stopped spinning.

I won't return to this thread, either. Enough is enough. But once I've had a week or two playing with manual focus, aperture selection and exposure values I'll be back with a binful of questions.

Look forward to hearing from you again in other threads ..............

Many thanks to you all.