Beginner SLR Camera: suggestions, points, and tips needed

[Don Simon]

Hopefully there will be no squashing. The Spotmatics are very nice, though they use the old screw mount which is technically 'obsolete'. You can still use M42 lenses on modern Pentax, Canon or Minolta/Sony AF SLRs or dSLRs with the right adapter, though obviously no new lenses will work on the old camera. It might be better to start with something that uses a current mount (Canon EF, Pentax K, Nikon F, or Minolta/Sony A) as this way you will be able to use the lenses on both a film SLR and also a digital SLR if or when you get one. Of course this is just a matter of preference; a manual-focus-only M42, Canon FD, Minolta MD or Olympus OM system or any of the many other 'obsolete' systems would also be good and possibly excellent value.

By the way, are we definitely talking about a film SLR? I notice the OP only mentioned digital photography.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

This is why I tell people who are just starting out to but a Nikon F with an AF lens. That lens will still work on any Nikon body if it's an AF-D lens.

 

[Don Simon]

Although it might not autofocus on the newest bodies but still if it works and it meters that is very useful and lets you carry both a film and digital SLR with a single set of lenses. I do the same (old cameras with new lenses and vice versa) albeit with a different brand.