35mm Film recommendation

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Archive 2007 · 35mm Film recommendation

python2000
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p.1 #1 · 35mm Film recommendation

I'm one of these guys that went straight from APS-C film cameras to P&S digital to APS-C digital. I know it's sort of a devolution but with the prices of used film cameras dropping was curious enough to want to try out the 35mm film experience.

I figured I'd get a used film camera on EBay, and if my curiosity ran out, then resell it for a bit of a loss. I'd want something that had good metering, auto focus, and used the EF system.

I was looking at the Elan 7, but wanted advice from people here. Definitely want to spend under $300.

Nov 11, 2007 at 04:27 AM

stanj
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p.1 #2 · 35mm Film recommendation

Had the Elan, didn't suck. For the $300 budget I don't think you can go wrong with it.

Also, that camera proves that you can put a pup-up flash into a FF pentaprism

Nov 11, 2007 at 04:35 AM

Tri Tran
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p.1 #3 · 35mm Film recommendation

You could pick up a nice EOS 3 for less than $300. The 3 is almost a professional body.

Nov 11, 2007 at 04:38 AM

mh2000
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p.1 #4 · 35mm Film recommendation

I have both a Rebel G (~$30 mint/used) and the EOS 3 (<$300 mint/used) and love both for different uses. The Rebel with a small prime is featherweight and can match anything for results and the 3 is great, focus system and feature set is tops (easily is a "professional" camera in spite of what Tri Tran says... a working pro travel magazine photographer sold me his backup body since he was mainly going digital for work).

Nov 11, 2007 at 04:48 AM

kdphotography
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p.1 #5 · 35mm Film recommendation

If you're not stuck on Canon----a Nikon F100 is pretty close to your budget.

Nov 11, 2007 at 05:08 AM

AnthonyB
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p.1 #6 · 35mm Film recommendation

The EOS-3 camera is amazing. With a PB-E2 on it it can and will do basically everything you through at it. Definatly a great cam for the price. The only thing that I've noticed with mine is that it doesn't have the best battery life.

Nov 11, 2007 at 06:14 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.1 #7 · 35mm Film recommendation

There is someone selling an EOS-1v for $400 on POTN.
Sounds almost too good to be true, but worth checking.

Nov 11, 2007 at 07:08 AM

LloydG
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p.1 #8 · 35mm Film recommendation

From what I have read in this fourm the EOS 3 is a very popular film camera around here. I also use the Rebel G and EOS combo and it has worked out very well for me.

Nov 11, 2007 at 07:21 AM

J.D.
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p.1 #9 · 35mm Film recommendation

If you want bells and whistles get an EOS 1N.

If you want to do the whole hang-the-lens-plan-out-your-shot-before-you-hit-the-button thing, get an old Nikon F or F2. It'll last a couple of centuries.

Nov 11, 2007 at 07:54 AM

Jon Buder
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p.1 #10 · 35mm Film recommendation

I'd suggest the 1N also, but not because of bells and whistles - compared to most of the digital cameras, it's downright simple. Great build quality too, like all 1-series.

The viewfinder, quality and ergonomics will spoil APS DSLRs for you.

Nov 11, 2007 at 08:15 AM

walter23
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p.1 #11 · 35mm Film recommendation

python2000 wrote:
I'm one of these guys that went straight from APS-C film cameras to P&S digital to APS-C digital. I know it's sort of a devolution but with the prices of used film cameras dropping was curious enough to want to try out the 35mm film experience.

I figured I'd get a used film camera on EBay, and if my curiosity ran out, then resell it for a bit of a loss. I'd want something that had good metering, auto focus, and used the EF system.

I was looking at the Elan 7, but wanted advice from people here. Definitely want to spend under $300.

The Elan 7 is nice.

You might also consider jumping into medium format (or larger

). 4x5, 8x10 - options are limitless. What are your printing / scanning facilities?

If you're interested in film in any way, shape, or form, be sure to check out www.apug.org - it's like FredMiranda forums' evil twin sister.

Nov 11, 2007 at 08:55 AM

walter23
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p.1 #12 · 35mm Film recommendation

Jon Buder wrote:
I'd suggest the 1N also, but not because of bells and whistles - compared to most of the digital cameras, it's downright simple. Great build quality too, like all 1-series.

The viewfinder, quality and ergonomics will spoil APS DSLRs for you.

Try 4x5 or something like a mamiya RB67 - then 1-series and APS DSLRs all seem the same: tiny!

Nov 11, 2007 at 08:56 AM

John Mills
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p.1 #13 · 35mm Film recommendation

EOS 1Vhs

Nov 11, 2007 at 11:03 AM

J.D.
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p.1 #14 · 35mm Film recommendation

John Mills wrote:
EOS 1Vhs

If the camera don't break the bank the film costs will...

Nov 11, 2007 at 11:12 AM

jcolwell
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p.1 #15 · 35mm Film recommendation

The Elan 7 will do very nicely. You'll be able to spend your savings on developing, whatever that is

Nov 11, 2007 at 11:34 AM

EOS20
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p.1 #16 · 35mm Film recommendation

EOS 3 and Elan 7/EOS 33 are good choices.

If you want to try something a little different, the EOS RT or EOS 1n RS with the pellicle mirror is a nice camera as you don't get any mirror lockout, even during the exposure! Great for action or macro photography! (But just as good for anything else).

Nov 11, 2007 at 12:18 PM

popawalker
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p.1 #17 · 35mm Film recommendation

EOS1N is also a good choice,

Nov 11, 2007 at 01:12 PM

ISO1600
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p.1 #18 · 35mm Film recommendation

either a beater 3 or 1V would be best (in the EOS line).

Put lots and lots of Reala and Press800 in it.

Nov 11, 2007 at 01:34 PM

BigStuart
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p.1 #19 · 35mm Film recommendation

I recently picked up an EOS 1n on eBay for less than £100... I'm very happy with it.

Nov 11, 2007 at 02:50 PM

mh2000
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p.1 #20 · 35mm Film recommendation

>>If the camera don't break the bank the film costs will...

Certainly you wouldn't want to shoot your high volume commercial events etc. etc. in film, but for creative and personal photography people rarely need to take thousands of photos to get the really good ones that they want (if they work on it instead of just taking the shotgun approach of shooting everything without thought and with the hope that they will accidentally snag an occasional great one) so film/developing is generally a non-issue. Costs about $10 for a film/dev/prints* and frankly, I rarely shoot a full roll every week for my personal stuff (over time I still end up with plenty of really good photos).

*once you factor in prints (which are actually nice to show friends and family sometimes) the cost goes down vs. digital as well...

Nov 11, 2007 at 06:30 PM

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