Vintage camera for the OH (present)... Any advice?

[mgmrw2003]

Just wondering if anyone can proffer advice as the OH has mentioned several times that she'd like a camera from the 70s as her 80s one has packed up.

She's doing photographic art as a masters, and is skint, hence me buying her one as a gift.

She wants an old school 35mm/SLR that doesn't have electrical components (I.E. need a battery) and after many hours of browsing the bay and t'interweb... I'm clueless.


Any ideas? advice? models I can look for as a present for her?

[Rich K]

something like THIS this ?

I'm no expert but i think it has a battery just for metering.

[mgmrw2003]

that sort of thing yeah.

She has 2x pratika, 1x olympus, and a minolta I believe....... Along with a few digiSLR's.

Can you get that sort of affair without the light meter/battery dependance?

[Simpo Two]

Nikons are pretty 'iconic' (god I hate that word) and she hasn't got one of those yet.

Here's a big list! www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/html...

However I can't advise you which takes batteries etc. I think a small battery for the lightmeter is acceptable - unless you want a strap-on selenium meter?

[mgmrw2003]

Simpo Two said:

However I can't advise you which takes batteries etc. I think a small battery for the lightmeter is acceptable - unless you want a strap-on selenium meter?

This was the route she planned to go...

[Simpo Two]

I think selenium dies after a while so make sure any meter you get works properly. Or you can look inside the box of film where it might give you the settings for various light condition for that speed of film

[mgmrw2003]

Righto. Well camera was my first priority, the light meter bit she was on about a tutor had one she could have/borrow/try..... So will have a look around.

Just a bit weary of buying something listed as "vintage" and it turning out to be knackered

[jimmy156]

Whats the reason for not wanting a battery? If its because she wants it to be completely manual my suggestion will be no good, but if its about availibilty of batteries they are readily availble and cost about £3.50 from boots.

My suggestion is a pentax ME super, i love mine(bought for £5, usually go for much more, closer to 50-100) and i think they look great!

[mgmrw2003]

she fancied completely manual.

I presume eBay and PH are good starting places?

[Simpo Two]

mgmrw2003 said:

she fancied completely manual.

I presume eBay and PH are good starting places?

That would be my first stop, yes. I suspect the first glut of cheap disposals folowing the DSLR revolution is now ending and classic models in good condition will be appreciating.

[mgmrw2003]

Simpo Two said:

That would be my first stop, yes. I suspect the first glut of cheap disposals folowing the DSLR revolution is now ending and classic models in good condition will be appreciating.

From a bit of research so far, I expect you're right.

What sort of money is reasonable? £50?

[Simpo Two]

You could do it two ways. Either decide what camera you want and pay the amount required to secure a good one (whether it's £50 or £100 is not much in the scheme of things), or set a budget and get whatever you find that fits it. Personally I'd go the first route and have something I can enjoy owning.

As for what you'll get for your money I don't know; you'll have to watch the adverts and get a feel for it.

[mgmrw2003]

Righto. Thanks for the advice, this is one area I know zilch about.

Bought her one of them retro "Lomography" things for xmas, which whilst only costing £30 was a massive giggle for her on sunny days. Photography is her passion, current job, hobby and hopefully one day a career, so want to do it properly.

That olympus at £50 on here, if fully working, looked a solid buy compared to an ebay gamble.