Nikon SLR

[AMP]

What's a good Nikon film slr to buy?

Any recommendations?

 

[d1a1s1]

What's a good Nikon film slr to buy?

Any recommendations?

This one is good to buy http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/352116-USA/Nikon_1799_F6_35mm_SLR_Autofocus.html

 

[Big Mike]

What's your budget? I'd suggest the F6, as it's the best one (AFAIK).

 

[AMP]

I don't need anything special. I have a dslr but I want to try film. My budget is around $500.

 

[dinodan]

Check out Ebay. I just picked up a mint-like-new-in-box F100 for $430.00, delivered. It's an awesome camera, plus all the basic controls are similar to a DSLR, so it's easy to go back and forth from my D80.

It was the one just under the F6 in the line.

 

[selmerdave]

...or you could get an FM2, FE2, F2 or F3 for less than $200...

Dave

 

[Don Simon]

Loads of options... F100 is probably the best bet for a fully automated modern SLR that's also incredibly well built, although an F80 would have most of the proverbial bells and whistles for a lot less. Or if you'd prefer a classic mechanical SLR there's the FM2, FA or a number of other ones. There are loads of options, it all depends on your priorities as each camera may have something particular to offer (for example I read somewhere that the FA and the F4 offer the most metering functions with manual-focus lenses), and as long as the lenses are compatible you can't go wrong. One thing to be aware of is that if the lenses for your DSLR are "DX" lenses then they will not work very well on a film SLR since they're designed for a smaller image circle; you probably know that but I thought I should mention it anyway.

 

[jwkwd]

I have noticed that recently F2's are going for a little more than F3's for some reason. Either one can be had for less than $300.00 in near mint condition, the exception would probably be an F3hp or most certainly a F2as, F4's are going for a song as well. F5's would be pushing the limit of your budget. My personal favorite is an F2, they are just tough camera's that can take whatever you throw at them. I have an F4 as well, but find that I don't use all the auto stuff anyhow, but it does have nice metering. If weight is an issue, there are as mentioned, FE and FM's, very reliable as well. F100's have great reviews, but I have never held or used one, I am just not that big on automatic stuff.

 

[dinodan]

F100's have great reviews, but I have never held or used one, I am just not that big on automatic stuff.

Whoa!

The point is that the F100 is extremely easy to use in manual mode. That's just about the only way I use mine, and the manual controls for shutter speed and aperture, as well as what one sees through the viewfinder in terms of exposure, are just the same as my D80, which is nice.

The other nice thing about the F100 is that it can use "legacy" AI and AIS lenses, it's just that the aperture must be adjusted with the ring on the lens instead of the dial on the camera body. (And one cannot see the aperture number in the VF, though the DOF preview works fine.)

 

[motcon]

the f100 is a beautiful body. i shoot it fully manually with ttl spot metering. the 1/3 stop bracketing allows me the little wiggle room that i like with hie and panf. fits perfectly in the hands. wonderfully built.

 

[spazoid1965]

I'm not sure what your looking for. But the cheapest used nikons will probally be the Nikomats or the Nikkormats. They usually go for $30-$100 on eBay. There old, but they are extremely durable.

 

[cigrainger]

Well an FM2 is probably the single most reliable camera you can buy.

If you don't need all these frills of auto-this and program that and blah blah blah, just get a classic old brick of a Nikon, like the FM2, and enjoy it for life. The old Nikkor lenses are great and if I'm not mistaken will work on your dSLR if with manual focus.

 

[panocho]

MF or AF?
MF I would recommed: F2, F3 and FM2
AF: F100, F801s, F4

If you don't have any MF camera, I no doubt would go for a MF first. It's a beautiful experience shooting a fully manual camera. And you'll learn a lot having to do everything yourself

 

[jwkwd]

Dinodan, I know about the manual use of an F100, I am sure there are some similarities to my F4 functionally, other than the fact that an F4 is gigantic in comparison. IMHO, I just like older cameras. I have no problem with auto stuff, I would just rather use something manual.

 

[dinodan]

Dinodan, I know about the manual use of an F100, I am sure there are some similarities to my F4 functionally, other than the fact that an F4 is gigantic in comparison. IMHO, I just like older cameras. I have no problem with auto stuff, I would just rather use something manual.

I know what you mean. I have an FE2 that I really enjoy using as well. I guess my point was, since the OP is looking for a film camera to supplement a DSLR, he/she might want one that's similar to operate. Then again, as you say, he/she might be looking for the full manual experience. As we know, the F100 will do everything manually, but it's true that it's done by twiddling dials and looking at an LCD rather than turning the shutter speed knob and aperture ring and matching needles.

I guess once the "newness" of the F100 wears off a bit, I'll go back to the FE2 more often. Then, if I really want a "vintage" experience, I've always got the Bessamatic!

Cheers!