Way OT - film camera recommendations

caffeinator · 14535

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Offline dbishopbliss

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Reply #15 on: February 25, 2013, 08:33:15 AM
Hi All,

If you'll forgive a Way-OT question, I am thinking of taking a basic B&W photography class.  One of the class pre-reqs is to have an all-manual film camera (I'd read that mean including cameras that can be operated in all-manual mode).  They recommend a 35mm SLR.  I'd sincerely appreciate recommendations of good used cameras to fit the bill.  As this is a bit of an experiment, and I might try to find two copies of said camera (my daughter might take the class along with me), I'd be looking for recommendations under about $150.

TIA,

David

I have an 1990 Nikon N2002 that I will send you.  It has auto-wind feature, but everything else is manual.  I haven't used it in at least 20 years so I cannot say if it still works or not.  Send me a PM with your address and I will ship it out.

David B Bliss
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Offline caffeinator

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Reply #16 on: February 25, 2013, 08:56:46 AM
Wow - is this a great forum or what?

Thank you all for the helpful info and great recommendations, and thank you, dbishopbliss, for the generous offer!  PM coming your way.



Offline adamct

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Reply #17 on: February 25, 2013, 12:00:55 PM
FWIW, if you're going to scan your film, then I see little point to 35mm. It is very hard to get a really good scan of 35mm film unless you manage to obtain a very expensive dedicated film scanner that is unlikely to have drivers compatible with current operating systems. I am completely serious about this. Ignore the specs on all the film scanners currently available at reasonable prices. There is a big, big difference between creating a file that has 8, 10, 12, 14, etc. megapixels, and creating a file that has 8, 10, 12, 14, etc. megapixels worth of actual detail and information. Most scanners will just produce big, blurry, useless files.

In contrast, there are many cheap, current flatbed scanners that do a reasonably good job of scanning medium format film. And medium format makes it easy to look at the negatives and know whether a picture is worth scanning or not. And a scan of a medium format negative (or positive, if shooting slide film) is still reasonably competitive with digital -- 35mm is not and, in my opinion, hasn't been competitive with digital for several years now.

I have owned a number of medium format cameras, all with their own quirks, strengths and weaknesses. But my favorite is the humble YashicaMat 124G. It is very light and compact, has good, intuitive controls, a good, bright focus screen and a useful magnifier, and a match-needle meter that is surprisingly effective. Moreover, being a TLR, it allows you to take pictures that are usefully different from most digital cameras used at eye or shoulder level (although cameras with a tiltable rear LCD screen are starting to negate that last bit). And stopped down a stop or two, the lens is very, very sharp. I like YashicaMats better than some of the bigger names in TLRs. I was enticed by the brand and the lore of some more expensive cameras, but ultimately came back to the YashicaMat: since it is faster top operate, lighter and more convenient to carry around with you, it actually resulted in better pictures.



Offline caffeinator

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Reply #18 on: February 25, 2013, 12:14:34 PM
Thanks for the comment and info.  I have always thought the Mamiya C330 series TLR's looked pretty cool, though otherwise I have no real technical basis for that preference.  Do you feel the Yashicamat is a better go than the Mamiya in the medium format segment?

I'm planning to dip a toe with 35mm in any event, and, depending on interest, perhaps consider anything further.  Still, very interested in opinions and recommendations for future reference.  Thanks!



Offline Doc B.

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Reply #19 on: February 25, 2013, 12:49:50 PM
MF is a whole 'nother can of worms. Hassys are so cheap these days!  Also love the MF Fujicas. The high end Fujica lenses are really amazing. In fact Hassy uses them these days. Had a couple of MF range finder Fujis that took awesome shots. Let them go because MF color processing and scanning is quite spendy.

Always wanted one of those Fujica "Texas Leicas" in 6x9. In fact I'd do a generous trade with someone who has an older one that takes the interchangeable lenses.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
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Offline earwaxxer

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Reply #20 on: February 25, 2013, 02:21:38 PM
Its an interesting thought, what it would be like going back to film. I've been in DSLR's now for almost 10yrs. I really loved the Canon AE-1. I wish I still had it. What I do still have is the first autofocus SLR, the Minolta Maxxum vintage about 1981. I also bought it when it first came out with the double 'xx' icon in violation of Exxon's copyright. Been Canon ever since. I did some b/w darkroom work as a hobby when I was a teen. Fun stuff. Digital has got so good, but film is still very sexy!

Eric
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Offline adamct

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Reply #21 on: February 25, 2013, 05:29:38 PM
The Mamiya's are good cameras, but heavy and better in the studio than when you're out and about.

I agree with Doc about the Fuji MF rangefinders, but they are also quite heavy. On balance, I would stick with the YashicaMat.



Offline Doc B.

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Reply #22 on: February 25, 2013, 06:27:16 PM
Yeah the big G690 is a monster, weighs like 5 lbs. But the 645s are quite light (probably a fair amount lighter than a 124) and have really great glass. The 124G is a classic for sure, as are the Rolleis.

If you want to get into it just for the sake of playing with gear there are some interesting adventures out there. At one point I wanted to try the pentax screw mount stuff, because there are so many different lenses out there. After doing quite bit of study about potentially good bodies that weren't getting inflated like the Pentax stuff, I ended up buying some 35mm screw mount slr body off ebay for like $20 - maybe some kind of Ricoh? One day I opened it up and also opened up my Nikomat and realized that they were virtually the identical camera, both with that awesome Nikkormat shutter and just different lens mounts.

The Soviet rangefinders can be fun too, with some very good glass for cheap and the option to mount Leica or Contax RF lenses depending upon the type you buy (FED/Zorki or Kiev) - if you are willing to redo the mechanical stuff, which gets sticky and grungy with time.

But i'm just sayin'...You can get a Hassy for so cheap these days. Kinda bulky but man the glass is amazing.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
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Offline Chris

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Reply #23 on: February 25, 2013, 06:33:13 PM
Fujica "Texas Leicas"........ Hahahaha thats funny...



Offline adamct

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Reply #24 on: February 25, 2013, 07:14:18 PM
The Fuji GA645 is a great camera - the world's best point-and-shoot (autofocus and autoexposure), but probably not well-suited for full manual usage. But it has a great lens in a light body.

If you want a REAL Texas Leica, go for a Koni Omega Rapid 200. Indestructible, great ergonomics (I'm serious - they are ugly as hell, but a real pleasure to use in practice), interchangeable lenses and backs, no mirror slap, and amazing lenses too. But heavy. On the upside, I think prices are so low that people will actually pay you to take one off their hands...



Offline Wanderer

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Reply #25 on: February 26, 2013, 03:43:19 AM
......At one point I wanted to try the pentax screw mount stuff, because there are so many different lenses out there. After doing quite bit of study about potentially good bodies that weren't getting inflated like the Pentax stuff, I ended up buying some 35mm screw mount slr body off ebay for like $20 - maybe some kind of Ricoh? One day I opened it up and also opened up my Nikomat and realized that they were virtually the identical camera, both with that awesome Nikkormat shutter and just different lens mounts.....


The Nikkormat, and several other SLRs, used the Copal Square Shutter.

Brief mention of it here:
http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Copal

   

Kevin R-M


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #26 on: February 26, 2013, 05:20:57 AM
Thanks I was trying to think of the name of the square shutter. It really is a great design.

The Koni Omega is a neat one too. I remember seeing a lot of wedding photographers using them when I was younger. I didn't realize at the time how strong those guys must have been lugging that thing around with a Norman flash on a bracket and the battery pack hanging over their shoulder.A frend of mine picked one up for a song a few years ago and loved it. Another camera that is so rugged you can use it as a hammer in a pinch.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
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Offline adamct

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Reply #27 on: February 26, 2013, 03:13:06 PM
...a sledgehammer, that is. I have one.



Offline earwaxxer

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Reply #28 on: February 27, 2013, 02:57:13 AM
I always wanted a medium format rig. Is the film still readily available?

Eric
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Offline adamct

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Reply #29 on: February 27, 2013, 03:45:39 PM