Good 35mm film camera for starters?

[NedM]

What's a good 35mm film camera for beginners?

Someone just barely grasping the fundamentals of photography?

 

[vimwiz]

Depends whether you want something really manual, or a bit automatic.

I started with the Canon FD mount cameras, mostly because the lenses and other parts are very cheap on ebay (as they wont fit a DSLR), currently use a T-90. I like it as it has tonnes of metering modes, automatic wind and stuff, and can be used in modes ranging from fully manual up to fully automatic (other than focus). Popular ones I know others use are Olympus OMs, they are more manual than Canons I started with.

Not all bodies will offer all features. For example, many canons offered *either* apature priority (Av) or shutter speed priority (Tv), and fully manual.

Either way, spending around £30-£60 on ebay will get you a well built camera in good nick with a bag, strap, and 50mm lens, maybe a flash, a decent starter kit.

A film EOS would have the benefit of taking the same lenses as a DSLR and they have autofocus, but I dont like the build quality.

 

[acparsons]

I started on a Nikon FM2, which is fully manual. The Nikon N90S has a lot of presets and can auto focus.

 

[vimwiz]

I started on a Nikon FM2, which is fully manual. The Nikon N90S has a lot of presets and can auto focus.

I personally found that MF was better on my first body, because it forced you to take a second and think about the composition, before snapping.

What country are you in? Ive got a film EOS 300 on ebay for 99p atm, if you are in the UK (would need a lens).?

 

[limr]

Pentax K1000. All manual and a light meter. Very reliable and durable, and easily available. Can't go wrong. It's been used by students in beginning photography classes for decades.

 

[480sparky]

Pentax K1000. All manual and a light meter. Very reliable and durable, and easily available. Can't go wrong. It's been used by students in beginning photography classes for decades.

Or the Pentax MX.

 

[DougGrigg]

Pentax K1000. All manual and a light meter. Very reliable and durable, and easily available. Can't go wrong. It's been used by students in beginning photography classes for decades.

This --^

My first camera was a pentax k1000, image quality is so great I still use it today. If you find a good one, Hold onto it!