I need some camera advice for a gift, any help would be great.

[DGS12345]

I had a question, my girlfriend is really into photography and her 30th birthday is coming up. As a surprise gift I would love to get her a classic old camera, she has her own dark room and enjoys the look from the WW2 area photos. Could you recommend a few cameras I could buy for her, and where i could get them at? I don’t even know what a good price range would be but I’d like to spend around $200-$300. Thank you very much for any help you could give me.

 

[crazyphotoz]

Canon AE1 Program. A classic camera that works wonderfully. It was my first camera and I loved it. Find a good 50mm and she will be set. I think they sell for about 150$. I would start with ebay. Good luck

 

[Sw1tchFX]

AE-1 Program is a good choice, I'd go with something a little less sophisticated and maybe a Nikkormat FT2 with a 50mm f/1.4.


Or if you REALLY love her, F2AS and a 50mm f/1.2 AIS << Boom goes the dynamite!

 

[bratkinson]

How about an old Speedgraphic? Or any fold-out bellows-style camera from the 40s? I still have my grandfathers' old Kodak fold-out bellows camera I inherited and started with in 1957. Haven't used it though, since '58 or '59.

Note that finding film for them might be close to impossible, unless she can cut her own.

 

[Dao]

I think the Holga or Diana F+ sound like a fun cameras to have.

 

[pixmedic1 1]

you can always check craigslist in your area. ebay is usually full of cameras.
do you have a specific brand you want?
Nikon FM or FE is a good camera.
maybe a Pentax K1000

 

[fjrabon]

well, if she has her own darkroom already, I'm guessing she has something similar to a Canon AE-1. If she already has a 'workhorse' film camera like an AE-1, I'd second the idea of a Holga. They're fairly cheap still and super fun to use. You'd never want one as a primary camera but they give a sort of feel that is hard to replicate, no matter how hard hipsters may try.

 

[JAC526]

Look into Mamiya 645s or a Bronica ETRs. If she doesnt' have medium format stuff she will like it and film is readily available through online ordering.

I think if you look hard you can probably find these cameras for around 300 or maybe a bit more.