Second hand analogue camera

[Vorago]

The titel says it all I guess.

Somehow I'm attracted to analogue photography.

So, I'm looking for some advice on getting a used camera;

I'm planning on using it mostly outdoors, hiking, climbing, etc.

So, what body, what lenses (the most important part of a camera right?)

etc

[MakiSupaStar]

Cannon Elan. It's a SLR camera. Takes great photos.

[sarcastro83]

If you wanna go REALLY old-school, go with a Cannon AE1 with a plain old 50mm lens. Pretty meat and potatoes. Shouldn't be too hard to find/too expensive.

[Vorago]

What kind of budget are you guys talking about when you mention those camera's?

[sarcastro83]

AE-1 and a 50mm lens could probably be found in good, working condition for around $200 CAD/US. If you've got any local camera shops that sell used stuff, that would be a good place to look. Ebay works too, if you're into the whole online thing. There's a lot of information about them out there. Just Google "Canon AE-1".

[JPrinos]

I've been collecting film cameras for about 3 years. My best finds are from thrift stores. They're full of discarded film cameras that originally cost hundred of dollars.

Another route is to try forums like nelsonfoto (http://www.nelsonfoto.com/v/index.php). After you register, you can get access to a 'For Sale/ For Free/ Wanted' forum. I've picked up some goodies there and the community is quite helpful.

Good luck

[IanStephenson]

Second hand you can get a Canon EOS-1 - their top of the range pro body for not very much at all (well relativly - it depneds on your budget). Considering these were thousands a few years ago, they're pretty tempting. Compared to the cheaper Elan and similar bodies they're a LOT tougher, as they were designed to be taken to more hostile environments than the average holiday destination. They're more likly to survive getting dropped down the side of a mountain, or rained on.

The cash is in the lenses, but the Canon EOS film lenses all work on the Canon digital SLR's too (though the reverse is not necessarily true).

If you're serious, then I'd also look at the Fuji Medium Format rangefinders. They use 120 film which produces fantastic images, but they're actually smaller than an SLR, and are very popular for lanscape work. If you're developing and printing your own film then 120 is WAY more fun.

check out www.apug.org. Great website.

[Selta]

Depending on your budget, you can get into medium and large format for pretty cheap now a days. I'd highly look into Mamya RZ67s etc. for that range of stuff.

[onemorebass]

Canon Elan II or EOS 1n if your budget allows. I've seen quite a few 28-135mm IS lenses priced pretty low.

I've owned all three of items listed above, never any problems and pretty easy to use.

photo forum

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

gear for sale

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...splay.php?f=14

[Joe Gress]

I would definitely check out the used electronics stores, and the thrift stores around town.

[tplyons]

My 35mm is a Minolta XD-11 from 1977. My walkaround lens is a 50mm, and the thing does amazing shots, is bulletproof, and is entirely manual. The only thing that's not is the light meter.

Really forced me to learn everything about photography I could. Really helped with my transition to digital.

[Disco_Gee]

Originally Posted by sarcastro83

If you wanna go REALLY old-school, go with a Cannon AE1 with a plain old 50mm lens. Pretty meat and potatoes. Shouldn't be too hard to find/too expensive.

BINGO!

That's what I'd get.

[Vorago]

Originally Posted by tplyons

My 35mm is a Minolta XD-11 from 1977. My walkaround lens is a 50mm, and the thing does amazing shots, is bulletproof, and is entirely manual. The only thing that's not is the light meter.

Really forced me to learn everything about photography I could. Really helped with my transition to digital.

That's one of the reason why I want an analogue camera, to make me a better photographer.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by Vorago

The titel says it all I guess.

Somehow I'm attracted to analogue photography.

So, I'm looking for some advice on getting a used camera;

I'm planning on using it mostly outdoors, hiking, climbing, etc.

So, what body, what lenses (the most important part of a camera right?)

etc

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Depending on your budget, you can get into medium and large format for pretty cheap now a days. I'd highly look into Mamya RZ67s etc. for that range of stuff.

Although I love medium and large format cameras I would not want to take one hiking with me.

I learned on an AE-1 program....look around for Pentax K-1000 as well. I'd say be wary of pawnshops. A lot of times these old cameras can have internal issues that will need repair.

Try before you buy...make sure the light meter works (if not you can buy an external light meter) and make sure the shutter blade and prism gives you a nice crisp snap when you squeeze the shutter button. They should return to their position crisply too.

[Vorago]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Depending on your budget, you can get into medium and large format for pretty cheap now a days. I'd highly look into Mamya RZ67s etc. for that range of stuff.

Sure, if you carry it for me

[HeavyDuty]

Hiking and climbing, huh?

I suggest you look for a lightweight Nikon body like an FM or FE, or any of the later variants to these. Also, a single prime (non-zoom) lens to start with - a 50/1.8 would be inexpensive. You may find you want something wider or longer later, but learn what you need with the single lens first. Nikon has an exceptional line of lenses, and used availability is very good.

I'm not sure what the market is in Belgium, but as an example at KEH.com a bargain condition body will be in the $50 to $150 range depending on model, and a 50 will run anywhere from $50 on up dependent on model. They even have a black FE with 50/1.4 for $165, a pretty decent deal from a dealer with a warranty.

Friends don't let friends buy Canon.

[sarcastro83]

Originally Posted by HeavyDuty

Friends don't let friends buy Canon.

HAH! I love that the superior brand debates that frequently take place here on TB carry over into camera territory.

[megadan]

I use an old ("vintage") Pentax KM (like the K1000). It has everything you need and nothing you don't. Cheap too, they're popular as student models for kids in art school so you can always pick one up used on craigslist.

[burk48237]

When I sold my film cameras four years ago the resale was already in the trash. I'd go for a pro level body from Nikon or Cannon. I'll bet you could get a Nikon F4 or F100 for under 300$ now, those were in the 12-1800$ range new five years ago. In Cannon I would look at the F1, EOS 1 or FTB. One note Cannons later consumer SLR's like the AE-1 don't have the reliability or Ruggedness that the heavier Nikons of the same Era had. I did all kinds of light climbing and banging of Nikon F4's and D90's. Galen Rowell was one of the foremost mountaineering photographers in history and he spent years banging around Nikons on the Cliffs of Yoeseminite.

If your on a real tight Budget a Nikomat or Cannon FTB would be hard to beat. But with the current prices of the big "pro guns" like the F4 or EOS l. Stay away from the Rebels and such, many had plastic lens mounts and reliability was not their strength. Also remember the more electronic a camera got, the less durable they became, especially the Cannon consumer stuff. Cannon introduced lightweight alloy and some plastic in bodies with the AE-1, they didn't dent, they just transferred shock to the inside of camera. While my FTB had dents all over it and worked my AE1 died with impact. The Nikons, stayed heavy this was a good thing,

Lenses, are a different issue. Cannon changed lens mounts in the mid-90's ( when they went from F series to EOS auto focus) so some really old Cannon lens won't fit the new stuff. Nikon has kept the same mount so an old lens made during the F era still fits a D3X. BUT with both companies their are differences in the compatibility of lens with the electronic capabilities of the camera or flash. In Nikon your pretty good with any of the AF-D lens models forward, Cannon I'm not sure (I switched to Nikon in the early 90's). The bad thing is an old lens, if well taken care of, is still good, and a twenty year old lens while they may be heavier are as good optically. What this means is that the used lens market is booming and the resale has stayed high. You'll fine this especially true on prime glass like the an 80-200 2.8 or the long telephotos. Remember a 400 f 2.8 Nikkor was a 5000$ lens new.

http://www.mountainlight.com/

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by HeavyDuty

Friends don't let friends buy Canon.