Film SLR to play with

[rasputin]

I've got a Canon Powershot A640, which does have lots of manual controls, but as a beginner it's too easy to stick it in auto mode which gets a better shot than I can 99% of the time .

I'd like to learn a bit more about photography, and have a camera that feels a bit more... "interesting", so I'm thinking about getting a used film SLR to practice with.

My budget isn't too high - though I have no idea what I'd need to spend on a decent condition film SLR plus the appropriate lenses, so this idea may not be do-able at all. £100 would be absolute top of my budget at this point. There's lots on eBay but I don't understand enough to pick a good one.

I'm interested in both long-distance scenery and close-up macro shots, so would need appropriate lenses.

And more chunky/heavy cameras are a bonus, I would like to feel I am holding something significant

Any suggestions?

[andy-xr]

Holga!

But get a light meter if you can

[SamHH]

35mm film cameras have dropped in popularity in recent years so you could easily get something for £100. Anything Canon or Nikon from the last 20 years or so would probably do.

Camera, normal zoom and telephoto zoom lenses:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikon-F55-SLR-Camera-2-Lens-...

Two cameras, normal zoom and telephoto zoom lenses:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1x-Canon-EOS-1000F-1x-Canon-...

The quality of the lenses won't be perfect, but they'd do just fine. The only thing they won't do is very close up stuff (flowers, insects etc.). A specialist macro lens that can to this will cost >£150 but there are cheaper options like extension tubes and reverse mounts.

However, bear in mind that whilst 35mm film SLRs are cheap, the downside (and the reason no-one wants them) is that every 36 shots cost a fiver in film and processing and you have to wait days or weeks to see the results, a particular disadvantage when you're starting out. An oldish, second-hand digital SLR and lens will probably cost £150ish but if you get seriously into it, may work out cheaper in the long run.

Hope this helps.

[beanbag]

Just my bit of advice. Try and source out an old Canon 300D instead of a film SLR.

Buying film these days is notoriously expensive and if you are learning, it's quite pricey to develop the films all the time.

A 300D can be picked up for about £150 or less with a standard kit lens and you are able to take as many photos as you like without worrying about other costs. It also allows you to shoot RAW and learn some Photoshop developing skills.

Failing that, learn to use your current Canon properly and avoid the auto setting. If your pictures aren't coming out properly, it means you're not doing things correctly and a film SLR will yield even worse results and therefore waste your film and developing costs.

[beanbag]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-EOS-300D-DSLR-with-EFS...

Just £53 the last time I looked at 20 hours to go!

[Bernie-the-bolt]

beanbag said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-EOS-300D-DSLR-with-EFS...

Just £53 the last time I looked at 20 hours to go!

That would be a great buy for a cheap entry into DSLR's.

[Simpo Two]

I love the way the OP ask about film SLRs and you come back with 'Buy a Holga! and 'Buy a DSLR!'...

[rasputin]

Simpo Two said:

I love the way the OP ask about film SLRs and you come back with 'Buy a Holga! and 'Buy a DSLR!'...

My dad has one of these sitting around somewhere:


Zenit - not sure on the exact model but around 40/50 years old - not been used in about 20 years, it was a top of the range model in its day (and country), but I don't know if it would be up to much now

I should probably just try out all the manual functions on my Canon. Just need to keep away from the Auto...

[Simpo Two]

Ah yes - Zenit. The favourite tool of the cash-strapped photography student since god-knows-when!

[rasputin]

Simpo Two said:

Ah yes - Zenit. The favourite tool of the cash-strapped photography student since god-knows-when!

So are they any good for the cash strapped photography student?

[SamHH]

Try it and find out. You might love being forced to control everything yourself manually or you might find that it's too much of a hassle and too much to learn in one go. For the sake of £5 of film and developing, give it a go.

[curtisl]

That was my first step into photography. i went out and got myself a EOS 3000v and got to grips with the settings and quickly realised that i wanted a digital camera.

In hindsight i would have just gone digital and been done with it.

[Simpo Two]

SamHH said:

Try it and find out. You might love being forced to control everything yourself manually or you might find that it's too much of a hassle and too much to learn in one go.

It's like a clockwork tank. I haven't used a Zenit (I wasn't a photography student!) but I'm fairly confident it has many less buttons and widgets than any DLSR!

Perhaps we need a Zenit DSLR?

[J111]

rasputin said:

Simpo Two said:

Ah yes - Zenit. The favourite tool of the cash-strapped photography student since god-knows-when!

So are they any good for the cash strapped photography student?

Flare aside (coatings hadn't been invented when they were designed), the lenses are excellent. Providing the meter works and everything feels smooth it should keep going indefinitely.

[nick_bbb]

I would definatley go the 300D route if I were you, it will save you alot of money and you will learn much faster. I cut my teeth on one, the photos were good enough for the cover of Classic American too.

[_dobbo_]

I'm not convinced a Holga is a good choice Andy - even with a light meter you are limited to choosing between f/8 and f/11 and that's pretty much it.

Forget hand holding for longer exposures in bulb mode, it's far, far too hard to control the shutter speed.

£250 gets you a brand new DSLR and lens these days, so I'd guess £100 should get you into something second hand if you do want to go digital.

Otherwise just by an old EOS or F body and lens combo of the 'bay. a Nikon F50 should run to less than £50 leaving you a bit for a lens. Personally I'd skip the film, spend a bit more, and go digital.