Film SLR?

[rlynn5]

Hello,
I'm a little nervous about posting this question, because from what I've read, it seems that most people here use digital. I'm getting ready to buy a new film SLR (I've been using a very old hand-me-down Canon). I've been reading reviews and doing some research, but I wanted to ask all of you if you have any suggestions for a good film SLR. There are so many choices...I'm having a tough time wading through all of the information. I don't have a very big budget, I'm thinking I would like to spend about $150-$200 on the body (I've seen Nikon N80's in this price range on Ebay). I've been asked to take pictures at a wedding in September (my friends are on a VERY tight budget!) so I would like something I can use for that. Any suggestions you could offer would be great! Thanks for your time!

[greghalliday]

Now that it seems more people are moving to D-SLRs, now is the time to buy a used film one. A few recommendations.

The Nikon N80. A great camera at any price really (this coming from a Canon user. Oh, the humanity). If you can find one within your 150-200 dollar range, it probably will not come with a lens. If I were just starting out in the game and wanted a cheap film body, this would be it.

Canon Elan 7. I have one. I like it. You can find one used for slightly less than a used N80. The biggest difference in the Elan 7 and N80 (with the exception of the lens mount) is the N80 has a spot meter and the Elan 7 doesn't.

Canon Elan IIe. I used to have one. I liked it. Here is where we get into the range of finding a used camera body with a decent lens in your price category. On KEH.com, you can find Elan IIe's with a 28-105 lens (a pretty good one. stay away from the 28-80) for about 200 dollars. This is about as old as I would go. This is the oldest, cheapest camera that uses Canon's E-TTL flash metering system. Thus you may use any of Canon's current EX series flashes on the body with excellent results.

Hope this helps. You will also need a good flash for the wedding shoot. I know nothing about Nikon's flashes, but if you go Canon, I would suggest a used 380EX or 420EX (or any new one.)

[freygr]

Have you checked the older pro camera dealers? There is almost always a photo store which has used cameras for sale. Look under camera repair in the Yellow Pages, because they just may have a some cameras which have been repared, and has been abandoned, which you could pickup cheap. Or they may have cameras on consignment.

[another view]

A Nikon N80 is a good choice, and a bargain for that price. Actually most film SLR's are selling for bargain prices these days too - for a little more money you could get an F100 which is huge step up in performance. The main points for an F100 would be that the viewfinder is brighter and the autofocus system is much better in low light (as in weddings...).

[JamesV]

Here is a link from B & H that has the used cameras sorted by price. You should be able to find some of the ones mentioned here along with some you like. You can also look and the lens and ask questions I hope that thiss helps you out, and good luck with the wedding.

[photophorous]

I saw a N75 with a basic kit lens at Circuit City for $208, just the other day. I don't know what they go for on the internet these days, but that's pretty darn cheap for a new one.

I have an N75, and here are my complaints. Autofocus is not fast enough for fast action shots. No mirror lock up feature. No bulb exposure setting with out using a remote.

With that said, I think it is a great camera for the price. Going from fully manual, an N75 would most likely keep you happy for quite a while. But, if it were me, I would probably look for a used camera, with faster autofocus, like an F100.

Good luck,
Paul

[another view]

No mirror lock up feature. No bulb exposure setting with out using a remote.

I've heard that MLU adds a lot to the cost of producing a camera but I don't know if it's true. They've only had it on the "F" series (not including the F100) because it's a feature that isn't often used. It's handy for really long lenses and high magnification macro, but most people doing that work used F-series cameras or could be conned into getting one if they didn't. I have had it but rarely used it. The FE/FM manual focus cameras had a way to do this with the self timer, but not aware of any others.

My cameras have all had "bulb" without having to use a remote, but I'd always use a remote with really slow shutter speeds anyway to avoid camera shake.

[photophorous]

I've heard that MLU adds a lot to the cost of producing a camera but I don't know if it's true. They've only had it on the "F" series (not including the F100) because it's a feature that isn't often used. It's handy for really long lenses and high magnification macro, but most people doing that work used F-series cameras or could be conned into getting one if they didn't. I have had it but rarely used it. The FE/FM manual focus cameras had a way to do this with the self timer, but not aware of any others.

My cameras have all had "bulb" without having to use a remote, but I'd always use a remote with really slow shutter speeds anyway to avoid camera shake.

Yeah, I don't know how much I would actually use mirror lock up, but it seems like it would be a nice feature.

About the bulb setting, on the N75, what I really meant is that you can not use a standard cable release. You have to buy the Nikon remote, which I think is about $20. I use the self timer for all my long exposures, but that only works up to 30 seconds, and you have to wait 20 seconds for every shot. I don't know why I haven't spent the $20 yet.

I think the autofocus speed (or lack there of) is the most important consideration in this price range.

Paul

[rlynn5]

WOW! Thank you all so much for your advice and for offering so much information! These responses were all very helpful. I looked around ebay very briefly to see how much the F100's were going for...they may be a little out of my price range, but I'm going to keep looking for a good deal on that or the N80. I'm also going to check out the other sites that were suggested, as well as the local camera shops. I was glad to see that you were all in agreement that the N80 is a good camera. It was so reassuring to hear it from people who actually use cameras and enjoy photography! Although, you kinda lost me when you started talking about the mirror...no idea what that means. Thank you again for your help, and I will probably be hitting you up for suggestions when it comes time to shoot the wedding, since I will have no idea what I'm doing!

[another view]

you kinda lost me when you started talking about the mirror...no idea what that means.

Mirror Lock Up (MLU) is a feature that's usually used with really long telephoto lenses, macro or shutter speeds of about 1/4 to 1/30 sec. The mirror bounces up and down when you press the shutter release, and it can shake the camera a little bit even if you're using a remote or a cable release. MLU lifts the mirror up and holds it open, then the only thing that happens is that the shutter opens and closes - which won't shake the camera. Of course, you have to be in full manual mode to do it because the automation can't "see" anything at time of exposure (possibly TTL flash, but like I said I haven't used it a lot).

Long lenses (say 300 or more) magnify the subject, and also any vibrations from the camera. Macro setups can be so precise that any slight movement will be noticable in the image. Shutter speeds of 1/4 to 1/30 are thought to be the biggest problem, and when you have a couple of these situations together MLU can be nice to have. However, using rock-solid technique when taking difficult shots should take care of 95% of the problem. That last little bit can be helped by MLU.

For example, I've seen people complain that a particular lens isn't sharp. When you find out their camera settings and how they took their shot, no lens would be sharp in some of these cases. It isn't the lenses fault or the cameras fault (for not having MLU), it's not taking the time to properly support the camera that's the main problem.

[srobb]

rlynn, you may also want to look into some of the lesser Canons. I have a Rebel GII, though it may not be made now. I bought it about a year ago with a kit lens for around $211. That included taxes. It is a really nice camera and I will be using it to do my nephew's wedding in a week.

[payn817]

Wal-Mart still has them for $189.

[srobb]

Wal-Mart still has them for $189.

They have come down, then. I got mine at Murphy's which is a regular camera store and WalMart had them then for almost the same price as Murphy's.