Help a noob out

[tevo]

Hello TPF,

I have not been on these boards for a while.. in all honesty I wasn't using my camera nearly as much as I should have been, was preoccupied with other things. But now, I am enrolled in a photo class, and am spending much much more time with my camera. I have a Nikon D7000 w/ the stock 18-105 lens.

The reason I am posting in this section of TPF is because I want to start learning to shoot film. I came into possession of a box full of old cameras: http://i54.tinypic.com/2u8ie6v.jpg (having problems uploading a photo for some reason ><)

I did my best to restore them, however the Kodak seems to be the only one functioning.


The reason for my post is 1. I am looking at Minoltas, any reccomendations? I was looking at the x370, but I know next to nothing about Film Photography ; and 2. Am I posting in the right section? It seemed appropriate, but there could be a Beginning Film Photography section I don't know about

Thanks in advance!

 

[dxqcanada]

The X-370 or X-700 are not bad cameras.
Any particular reason for Minolta ?

This section would appear to be for Film shooters.

 

[dxqcanada]

This site might be helpful for those old cameras : Free camera instruction manuals, camera instructions, free film camera user guide, camera manual, camera instruction manuals,* Canon camera manual, Nikon camera manual, Ricoh camera manuals, Sears Camera Manuals, camera instruction manual, replacemen

This for more recent classic film cameras: http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/photography.htm

 

[tevo]

The X-370 or X-700 are not bad cameras.
Any particular reason for Minolta ?

This section would appear to be for Film shooters.

no real reason necessarily, I have a friend who has a minolta something or other, and he seems to like it.. he also knows next to nothing about photography in general.. besides that I have heard good things about them, and they seem to yield nice results. Any other brands that are better? I'm all ears, you guys know more than I do - which is why I am asking lol

 

[dxqcanada]

IF you want to get into photography using Manual Focus Film camera's then you can consider one of the older Nikon camera's ... this way you can reuse lenses.
The FM2 was a great fully manual exposure camera.
FE's are not bad either.

 

[tevo]

IF you want to get into photography using Manual Focus Film camera's then you can consider one of the older Nikon camera's ... this way you can reuse lenses.
The FM2 was a great fully manual exposure camera.
FE's are not bad either.

oh, so lenses that work with my d7k will also work with the film camera? that is indeed handy, however part of me wants to get a physically OLD film camera, with physically OLD lenses. the reason being is that I want to know the camera / glass well, and still be able to produce good photos. in essence - I want THE experience of old photographers, say ansel adams, not a similar experience #traditionalism

 

[dxqcanada]

The Nikon FM, FE, FA, FM2, FE2 ... those are old camera's.
You can then get old manual focus lenses.

You can use manual focus lenses on the D7000 -> Nikon | Imaging Products | Lens Compatiblity - Nikon D7000

 

[dxqcanada]

http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfmseries/index.htm

 

[tevo]

The Nikon FM, FE, FA, FM2, FE2 ... those are old camera's.
You can then get old manual focus lenses.

You can use manual focus lenses on the D7000 -> Nikon | Imaging Products | Lens Compatiblity - Nikon D7000

Okay, out of those you listed, recommend me one, as well as a lens. And how would those compare to an x370? It would be NICE to be able to share lenses between a Nikon SLR and my current DSLR, but not hugely important to me.

 

[dxqcanada]

I would suggest a Nikon FM or FM2.
Why ... it has no automatic anything.
The Minolta X-370 has auto/manual exposure.

Classic 50mm lens to start.
Simple design. Good for low light and tend to have great image quality.

 

[tevo]

I would suggest a Nikon FM or FM2.
Why ... it has no automatic anything.
The Minolta X-370 has auto/manual exposure.

Classic 50mm lens to start.
Simple design. Good for low light and tend to have great image quality.

even the older Minolta x370 does? I'm talking getting a like-new one from eBay or something..
but good to know with the Nikons, thank you very much. Any specific 50mm lens?

 

[dxqcanada]

You will have to ask some of the Nikonians about that.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/50mmnikkor/index2.htm

Note: I am not biased towards Nikon only ... I could think of other great fully manual camera's depending on how much you want to spend ... and reusing lenses is handy even if you do not think so now.

 

[tevo]

You will have to ask some of the Nikonians about that.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/50mmnikkor/index2.htm

Note: I am not biased towards Nikon only ... I could think of other great fully manual camera's depending on how much you want to spend ... and reusing lenses is handy even if you do not think so now.

oh i completely agree with you! i can see the use of being able to re-use lenses. however, i am (at least initially) going for a setup with an older lens on an older camera. as for my price range, a few hundred dollars max is okay, for much more than that i could get a new film SLR (which i have also considered). as for your bias, i didn't assume that you were biased towards nikon, you were just providing information b/c of the lens compatibility, which i again thank you for. you are a tremendous help to a noob like myself

 

[dxqcanada]

You should be able to find an FM on Ebay with a lens for less than $200.
Though FM/FM2's are popular so their price will be higher than other brands of MF cameras.

 

[tevo]

You should be able to find an FM on Ebay with a lens for less than $200.
Though FM/FM2's are popular so their price will be higher than other brands of MF cameras.

Within 10 minutes on eBay I have found very workable prices / cameras. Thank you so much for your help!