Student Film Camera suggestions?

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 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

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 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

On Jan 16, 8:10 pm, Chris Lott <Chris.L....DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:
> My son (a high school freshman) is taking a beginning photography
> course and needs a 35 mm film camera. Her requirements are that it is
> 35mm, has manual mode, that you can adjust shutter speed & aperture.
> She mentioned an acronym: SPAM, which I guess is shutter, aperture,
> something, manual?
>
> Based on some web research, I was thinking something along the lines
> of a solid Minolta SRT or Nikon FE. What would you recommend?
>
> Pls, no debate about requiring a film camera necessary
>
> c

There have quite a few good suggestions for your sons camera. Buying
used is okay as long as there is a return policy in case the camera
doesn't work.
Newer cameras that are all manual are few and very far between. But
most of the Canon line, Rebel T2, Rebel K2, Elan7ne can be controled
in a completely manual mode. Where he will have to set the apeture and
shutter himself for a good exposure. They take all the EOS lenses.
The FM10 from Nikon is a full manual camera. The only thing the
batteries do is operate the meter. This camera will take all the Nikon
lenese from 1959 till now, with a few exceptions.

Your choice. Either one will provide your son with a very good system.


Draco
 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

I would recommend something that uses modern lenses. So basically the
last generation of film camera's of the main brands. The reason is that
your son can continue to use the lenses if he decides to switch to
digital in the future. Also, these have all the required features plus
some extra's like fancy TTL flash metering, auto focus etc. Being a
Canon user, I'd recommend the Elan 2/2E or Elan 7E. I use the Elan 2E
myself and I'm quite happy with it. I'm sure that other brands have
similar camera's that are just as good. Key is that the camera has a
lens mount that is still being used by that manufacturer.

Menno



Chris Lott wrote:
> My son (a high school freshman) is taking a beginning photography
> course and needs a 35 mm film camera. Her requirements are that it is
> 35mm, has manual mode, that you can adjust shutter speed & aperture.
> She mentioned an acronym: SPAM, which I guess is shutter, aperture,
> something, manual?
>
> Based on some web research, I was thinking something along the lines
> of a solid Minolta SRT or Nikon FE. What would you recommend?
>
> Pls, no debate about requiring a film camera necessary
>
> c
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

On 2008-01-17 08:37:05 -0700, Menno <reply_to_group.TakeThisOut@nowhere.com> said:

> I would recommend something that uses modern lenses. So basically the
> last generation of film camera's of the main brands. The reason is that
> your son can continue to use the lenses if he decides to switch to
> digital in the future. Also, these have all the required features plus
> some extra's like fancy TTL flash metering, auto focus etc. Being a
> Canon user, I'd recommend the Elan 2/2E or Elan 7E. I use the Elan 2E
> myself and I'm quite happy with it. I'm sure that other brands have
> similar camera's that are just as good. Key is that the camera has a
> lens mount that is still being used by that manufacturer.
>
> Menno
>
> Which is, after all, one of Nikon's strong points. F mount essentially
> unchanged in fifty years, plentiful supply of F mount lenses with
> excellent quality (and holding their resale value quite nicely).
--
A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past, he is
one who is prematurely disappointed in the future.
Sidney J. Harris
 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

"Chris Lott" <Chris.Lott.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message news:a7f6b32e-1bfd-4a50-8cd5-85778ca5200e@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> My son (a high school freshman) is taking a beginning photography
> course and needs a 35 mm film camera. Her requirements are that it is
> 35mm, has manual mode, that you can adjust shutter speed & aperture.
> She mentioned an acronym: SPAM, which I guess is shutter, aperture,
> something, manual?
>
> Based on some web research, I was thinking something along the lines
> of a solid Minolta SRT or Nikon FE. What would you recommend?
>
> Pls, no debate about requiring a film camera necessary
>
> c
>
>

I recommend a Pentax K2 or Nikon EL2. Both are manual cameras that have mirror
lock-up (for vibration reduction on a tripod) and exposure compensation dials. The
K2 does have an auto mode of aperture priority (as an option, and camera chooses
shutter speed) and uses batteries that are still legal and still made (2x silver 1.5v or
1x lithium 3v). K2 has a more advanced shutter and light meter than most older SLRs.
Owners manuals can be found online for free download too. And there are so many
lenses made for either mount that are available used, like on the *Bay.

I do not recommend older Canon SLRs because of their requirement for now illegal
murcury batteries, as well I think their basic FD mount lenses are a bit poor sharpness
and contrast (I am quite experienced). Minolta, same for batteries but their glass was
great. Olympus? Very strange. And STILL very strange.

--
Giant_Alex }<)))*>
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/
 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

Chris Lott wrote:
> My son (a high school freshman) is taking a beginning photography
> course and needs a 35 mm film camera. Her requirements are that it is
> 35mm, has manual mode, that you can adjust shutter speed & aperture.
> She mentioned an acronym: SPAM, which I guess is shutter, aperture,
> something, manual?
>
> Based on some web research, I was thinking something along the lines
> of a solid Minolta SRT or Nikon FE. What would you recommend?
>
> Pls, no debate about requiring a film camera necessary
>
> c
>
>

Pentax K1000
Nikon F3

Don't know Canon well enough to recommend one.
 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

On 2008-01-16 18:10:27 -0700, Chris Lott <Chris.Lott.DeleteThis@gmail.com> said:

> My son (a high school freshman) is taking a beginning photography
> course and needs a 35 mm film camera. Her requirements are that it is
> 35mm, has manual mode, that you can adjust shutter speed & aperture.
> She mentioned an acronym: SPAM, which I guess is shutter, aperture,
> something, manual?
>
> Based on some web research, I was thinking something along the lines
> of a solid Minolta SRT or Nikon FE. What would you recommend?
>
> Pls, no debate about requiring a film camera necessary
>
> c

SPAM might stand for Shutter (camera sets aperture), Program (camera
selects f/stop and speed based on a few pre-programmed algorithms),
Aperture (camera selects shutter speed) and Manual (camera may indicate
under- or over-exposure as you adjust f/stop and speed). Sometimes the
modes are indicated by icons rather than the letters.

Depending on budget and taste, the student might love this "starter"
camera enough to build a system around it. At the very least he will
learn enough to make informed choices in a "serious amateur" upgrade.
It is also quite possible he will not follow on in photography. In
either of the latter cases, it would be nice to have a chance of
recouping part of the investment, no?

I'd go with a Nikon N90s. Lightly used or even new-in-the-box examples
are out there because there were so many of them made. If he can take
good care of it, he may recover nearly the full price after the class
if he wants to swap or resell it. If he decides to keep shooting film,
the body will work with any F mount lens ever made, including even some
DX lenses (a few of them will cover a 35mm frame). This camera is very
nearly the equal of the more-expensive F100. Make sure it's the N90s
(euro name is F90x), which is a big improvement over the N90.
--
A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past, he is
one who is prematurely disappointed in the future.
Sidney J. Harris
 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

On 2008-01-16 20:10:27 -0500, Chris Lott <Chris.Lott.DeleteThis@gmail.com> said:

> My son (a high school freshman) is taking a beginning photography
> course and needs a 35 mm film camera. Her requirements are that it is
> 35mm, has manual mode, that you can adjust shutter speed & aperture.
> She mentioned an acronym: SPAM, which I guess is shutter, aperture,
> something, manual?
>
> Based on some web research, I was thinking something along the lines
> of a solid Minolta SRT or Nikon FE. What would you recommend?
>
> Pls, no debate about requiring a film camera necessary
>
> c

I love my Olympus OM2 and the lenses are plentiful, inexpensive and
optically excellent. It has program mode, aperture priority, shutter
priority and full manual. Fabulous camera.
--
Michael
 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

Michael wrote:
> On 2008-01-16 20:10:27 -0500, Chris Lott <Chris.Lott.DeleteThis@gmail.com> said:
>
>> My son (a high school freshman) is taking a beginning photography
>> course and needs a 35 mm film camera. Her requirements are that it is
>> 35mm, has manual mode, that you can adjust shutter speed & aperture.
>> She mentioned an acronym: SPAM, which I guess is shutter, aperture,
>> something, manual?
>>
>> Based on some web research, I was thinking something along the lines
>> of a solid Minolta SRT or Nikon FE. What would you recommend?
>
> I love my Olympus OM2 and the lenses are plentiful, inexpensive and
> optically excellent. It has program mode, aperture priority, shutter
> priority and full manual. Fabulous camera.

Nice and compact too. Here's a friend's old kit:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography/11-25-06-oly-om-1
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography/11-25-06-oly-om-1/full-size
 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

"Michael" <adunc79617.TakeThisOut@mypacks.net> wrote in message
news:2008011723161216807-adunc79617@mypacksnet...
>> I love my Olympus OM2 and the lenses are plentiful, inexpensive and
> optically excellent. It has program mode, aperture priority, shutter
> priority and full manual. Fabulous camera.
> --
> Michael

Over many years I have used a whole range of Nikons, Canons, Pentaxs and
Minoltas. But my absolute favourite is the old Olympus OM1. Pure
minimalism! No program mode of any kind. Totally manual. Totally
mechanical. You set the shutter speed and f stop. The meter gave up years
ago, so I use sunny 16, or a hand held meter for tricky light. This little
camera is a gem. Small size, beautifully engineered, solid as a rock.
 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

On Jan 16, 8:10 pm, Chris Lott <Chris.L... RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote:
> My son (a high school freshman) is taking a beginning photography
> course and needs a 35 mm film camera.

Show the kid you love him and buy him a Canon 1V and a case of
condoms. He'll be sure to get straight A's from his female teacher
since Chicks dig the Fabulous EOS-1V! It is a little known fact that
most of these student-teacher relationships you read about started
when the kid brought the Fabulous EOS-1V to school. Waving that big
beautiful Canon body in front of a hot teacher is like rubbin fresh
catnip on a cat.
Trust me, I know. Of course, my teacher's name was Mr. Murrah.
 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions? 

On Jan 16, 11:45 pm, TH O <t... RemoveThis @tho.23.invalid> wrote:
> In article <kdbto31u0f15f4fh03hnns8rlfrcctp... RemoveThis @4ax.com>,
> That Rich <that_r... RemoveThis @wrongaddress.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:10:27 -0800 (PST), Chris Lott
> > <Chris.L... RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > >My son (a high school freshman) is taking a beginning photography
> > >course and needs a 35 mm film camera. Her requirements are that it is
> > >35mm, has manual mode, that you can adjust shutter speed & aperture.
> > >She mentioned an acronym: SPAM, which I guess is shutter, aperture,
> > >something, manual?
>
> > >Based on some web research, I was thinking something along the lines
> > >of a solid Minolta SRT or Nikon FE. What would you recommend?
>
> > >Pls, no debate about requiring a film camera necessary
>
> > >c
>
> > Both would be good choices. I think any decent slr made before 1990
> > would satisfy your needs. Most of these can be had for under $100 US
> > with a 50mm lens.
>
> > Good luck to your son. Hope he enjoys his classes.
>
> > RP©
>
> Pentax K1000s have always been popular in photo 101 classes.
>
> Here's another consideration -- choose a different camera manufacturer
> than yours so he can't borrow your lenses!

Ditto on K1000. Great camera, inexpensive, and nearly indestructible.
 >> Stay informed about: Student Film Camera suggestions?