WTB or Trade for: Film SLR

[kevin.rivers]

Hello everyone. I am taking a photography course in the Fall so I need a nice Film SLR. A decent lens would be nice.

I do have about a years experience with SLR's (Digital) however I want to get back to the basics and learn the dark room. So, I don't need a dumbed down camera.

Let me know what you have. Thanks!

[chipz]

I have a Nikon N-90 with 50mm lens F1.8 and a 35-80mm F4-5.6 lens along with an FB-25 Speedlight I'm willing ro sell. Make me an offer and we'll see what can be done. Those 80 GB HD sound like a good start.

[tivoboy]

my question is, why would you want to go back to film?
you can get a very nice canon rebel these days, for about 550$ new with lens. This is an awesome camera for digital photography and to learn with.

Or, get a used one for less than that?

just thinking aloud here

:-)

[baby duck monge]

my question is, why would you want to go back to film?
you can get a very nice canon rebel these days, for about 550$ new with lens. This is an awesome camera for digital photography and to learn with.

Or, get a used one for less than that?

just thinking aloud here

:-)

It's for a photography course. The vast majority of such courses require 35mm (since they usually involve developing, and they don't want you do take any pics with an autofocus).

[kevin.rivers]

my question is, why would you want to go back to film?
you can get a very nice canon rebel these days, for about 550$ new with lens. This is an awesome camera for digital photography and to learn with.

Or, get a used one for less than that?

just thinking aloud here

:-)

Had a rebel. Sucked. Limited me and I can't afford a 30D. Plus, I want to learn the dark room techniques.

[GOTML]

Had a rebel. Sucked. Limited me and I can't afford a 30D. Plus, I want to learn the dark room techniques.
Ya, i took grade eleven photog this year, great course, learned TONS about photography and developing in dark room, etc.

-Wes

[serpent]

I dont need any HDD's but I have my spare Nikon F5 I'd let go for $300. It's been my workhorse, everything works fine tho except for the bottom shutter release button(internal ribbon cable tore).
offer is for body only.

Serpent

[technicolor]

my question is, why would you want to go back to film?


:-)
You know things are getting bad when people start asking this question...:rolleyes:

I have a canon AE-1
if you are intested

[kevin.rivers]

You know things are getting bad when people start asking this question...:rolleyes:

I have a canon AE-1
if you are intested

Yeah I know what you mean :)

I will let you know about the AE-1.

[kevin.rivers]

Nothing to trade now. So buying outright. Let me know what you have.

[adk]

my question is, why would you want to go back to film?
you can get a very nice canon rebel these days, for about 550$ new with lens. This is an awesome camera for digital photography and to learn with.

Or, get a used one for less than that?

just thinking aloud here

:-)

Because in many applications (I'll admit not all), film is better. The beautiful grain of Kodak Tri-X film just cannot be faked. On top of that, understanding not only Aperture/Shutter speed etc. but also darkroom techniques like pushing and pulling film and using filters brings an overall better skill to anybody's photography.


As a side note to the OP, I personally don't like the way canon lenses shoot, the photos just don't seem to pop. That said, I shoot all the time with a Nikkormat FT2 (circa early 1970's) and I love the nikon lenses. Also, Pentax is worth looking into.

[kevin.rivers]

Because in many applications (I'll admit not all), film is better. The beautiful grain of Kodak Tri-X film just cannot be faked. On top of that, understanding not only Aperture/Shutter speed etc. but also darkroom techniques like pushing and pulling film and using filters brings an overall better skill to anybody's photography.


As a side note to the OP, I personally don't like the way canon lenses shoot, the photos just don't seem to pop. That said, I shoot all the time with a Nikkormat FT2 (circa early 1970's) and I love the nikon lenses. Also, Pentax is worth looking into.

Someone on Fred Miranda offered me a Pentax Me Super with a 35-70 and 80-200 and some other stuff for $100. I am seriously thinking about that one.

What would you say a Nikon N90 is worth? Chipz said he wanted $400 for his. I checked eBay and prices were no where near that.

[mlrproducts]

Had a rebel. Sucked. Limited me and I can't afford a 30D. Plus, I want to learn the dark room techniques.

Curious as to how you felt it limited you?

On a side note, I do use a DSLR. I was reading "The Making of 40 Photographs" by the man, and it really makes me want to go pick up some equipment. In the last year or so I've really slowed down on "taking" pictures, and focused on "making" less, but more "substantial" photographs.

I'd LOVE to know how one could even begin to mimic "Aspens" on a digital.

[kevin.rivers]

Curious as to how you felt it limited you?

It was too small even with the battery grip. It was slow. Auto focus was a joke. The controls function similar to Canon's consumer digital cameras, which as I got better it became too slow and I was missing shots.

Just to make sure I didn't suck, I borrowed a friend's 20D and another friends Nikon D2X and they were much faster, the controls faster and more intuitive, and they felt better in my hand.

There are a few other things, like the ISO performance, but those are the main ones.

[mlrproducts]

It was too small even with the battery grip. It was slow. Auto focus was a joke. The controls function similar to Canon's consumer digital cameras, which as I got better it became too slow and I was missing shots.

Just to make sure I didn't suck, I borrowed a friend's 20D and another friends Nikon D2X and they were much faster, the controls faster and more intuitive, and they felt better in my hand.

There are a few other things, like the ISO performance, but those are the main ones.

I meant to ask you if you were using the XT or the original? I almost said (besides the obvious frame rate!), but didn't. What didn't you like about the AF, and what lenses were you using?

BTW- thanks for the reponse.

[kevin.rivers]

I meant to ask you if you were using the XT or the original? I almost said (besides the obvious frame rate!), but didn't. What didn't you like about the AF, and what lenses were you using?

BTW- thanks for the reponse.

This was the XT. I found the AF to be inaccurate on just about any lense. I had a 50mm 1.4, 80-200/4.5-5.6, 85/1.8, 50/1.8 and I borrowed some L glass from some friend a few times.

I also never really got the sharpness I wanted. Maybe it was just my camera specifically though.

[xPismo]

Edit:This was the XT. I found the AF to be inaccurate on just about any lens... never really got the sharpness I wanted...

Did you run the hacked firmware? I have been told it made things much more enjoyable. I just won't even pick one up. A digital canon without a thumb wheel isn't a canon to me.

====

You look to have it under control but I'll throw in my .02.

I had a Canon A1 with a set of primes for my B&W 35mm years. I personally enjoyed the manual set control over other who had more modern (EF lens) bodies. Most times they ran afoul of the overly helpful computer.

I sold it on ebay to pay for my d30 body and I really wish I didnt. If I had cheaper access to a darkroom (California laws make recycling the heavy metals in darkroom work $$$$) I would have held it longer.

Enjoy your darkroom experience, its sad how few new photographers actually get darkroom time.

[e²Studios]

I have 2 Film SLR's that i would be willing to sell

Canon A2E
Canon Rebel 2000

I have a Canon 1n-RS but i'm not quite sure i can part with it just yet :D

PM me with a offer if you are interested :)

Ed

[Counterfit]

I have a Minolta SRT-101 and a Rebel 2000 (which does feel limited to me now, but no where as much as a digital one would. Image quality is easily upgraded on a 35mm SLR. Just put on a new lens, and slower film. :D)
Anyways, neither are up for sale, but I would certainly recommend an SRT-101 if you were able to find one. The only problem I have with mine, is that the foam rubber pad for the mirror is decomposing, leaving gunk on the mirror.


So then, why did I post?

[mlrproducts]

This was the XT. I found the AF to be inaccurate on just about any lense. I had a 50mm 1.4, 80-200/4.5-5.6, 85/1.8, 50/1.8 and I borrowed some L glass from some friend a few times.

I also never really got the sharpness I wanted. Maybe it was just my camera specifically though.

I've been recommending many folks to get the original Dreb because the XT is just toooo small. The original probably would have been better in your hands (and the original is mucho cheapo now too). Also, some of the functions are built into the software menus on the XT and have hardware buttons on the Dreb.

To the other poster - I'm pretty sure hacked firmware is only available for the original Dreb, not the XT. However, it is very nice!

[serpent]

See if ya can get your hands on an old Minolta XD-11. Prob one of the best cameras ever made! Body, motor drive, flash, and a couple of lenses will only set ya back a few hundred for an excellent specimen.
otherwise I've found some great deals on ebay from a seller named Seattle Goodwill and the $$$ goes to a good cause.

Serpent

[kmarketing]

Hi,

Not sure if you're interested in this, but I have a like new Nikon n65 with Nikon Lens that I used 4 times. We got a digital after we bought it, and just never used it.

Let me know.
Thanks!

[serpent]

just dug thru my camera bag, I've got a mint Nikon EM with Sigma 35-70 2.8~4 zoom. Blk body
$50 w/fedex shipping (lower 48 only)

Serpent

[DavidCL23]

just dug thru my camera bag, I've got a mint Nikon EM with Sigma 35-70 2.8~4 zoom. Blk body
$50 w/fedex shipping (lower 48 only)

Serpent

Serpent is great to deal with, I highly recommend :)

[feelthefire]

Just a recommendation- for a photography class especially, you'd do really well to get an OLD model Nikon or Canon. I'm talking circa the 70s, early 80s at the latest. The metal bodies and metal lens housings are way better built than the current plastic ones, feel so much better in the hands, and often have simpler, more accurate metering systems. Having a camera with fewer in built consumer features will make you learn the theory and practice behind things like hotshoe flashes and all kinds of specialised techniques. It's something that can't be faked with a newer model AF camera.

I personally "inherited" all my cameras from my father and grandfather (both are professional photographers as their "night jobs") so I have a 1974 Canon with original optics (50mm, and four different zooms) and a 1983 Pentax SuperProgram that I can't live without. These things are my babies, and you just won't find a camera built the same way if you buy a relatively new model.

I also have a 1960s ish TLR Rolleiflex and medium format is priceless. Such a good experience. They just will never make a camera like that again.

A bonus with these old ones is an old metal body in good shape will run you between $75 and $150 and an original lens will set you back no more than $75. You'll get a great setup that will last another 30 years and I think you'll really enjoy it.

I've taken to amassing a collection of older metal bodies that I find at good prices. The Canon AE-1 mentioned here would be a good buy as well. There's a used camera shop near my school that knows me very well and calls me when they get something they know I'll like in.

If you're looking for a specific model or limited price range with optics let me know, and I can see if I have anything that will meet your needs for a good price. I've got about 20 of these sitting around now.

[mlrproducts]

Did you try getting a hold of the school and asking what was needed?

[serpent]

feelthefire, I couldn't agree with you more in what you posted, but unfortunatly a "good" camera from the late 70's early 80's will set kevin back more than 75-150$. Just the CLA is gonna cost him that much + new seals and are you forgeting that the mercury batteries that have helped pollute our dear Mother are no longer available, so either their great metering systems have to be re-adjusted for the higher voltage of todays batteries or he would have to use a light meter, more $$. As far as lenses go, good lenses cost good money! Good prime lenses w/a 1:1.4 aperture or better cost big $$. Try to find a 50mm MD 1.2 Rokkor-x, betcha it'll fetch $400 on ebay.
my advice, take a trip to a local camera store, ask questions and make sure it has some type of return/warrantee.

Serpent

[xfiftyfour]

Did you try getting a hold of the school and asking what was needed?
if it's anything like my uni, they basically just require an slr, period. i have the same type of class this fall.. you have the option to "rent" a camera from them, but it's expensive, and you almost might as well just buy your own.. i did, however, stick with the brand and type they'd already adopted.. the canon rebel t2.. probably not the best out there, but it's served me well and wasn't too terribly expensive :)

[DMPDX]

I have an old canon I coud let go for $50 +shipping. It was made in the 80's I believe. PM me.


EDIT: I just saw that kevin.rivers is banned. Does anyone know what happened?

[xfiftyfour]

EDIT: I just saw that kevin.rivers is banned. Does anyone know what happened?
He's only banned until Wednesday.

[tivoboy]

don't get me wrong, learning film is nice, but from a quality standpoint 99.99% of people shooting, even pros are doing to do fine with a dslr, and get as good if not better results.

I've been shooting film now for nearly 30 years, developing both B&W and color (color, what a pia) and continued to shoot 35mm film till about three years ago. Sure, I used a p&s, but wasn't ready to plunk down the $$ for a dslr yet, and they just weren't reasonable.

but, now shooting with a 20d, and 1d Mark II, I will never go back to film.

On a modern dslr, there is no question one can and MUST learn about aperature, shutter speed, iso-film speed, filters, focus, everything that one had to before. I would even argue that one must learn MORE today, since the digital sensor is a bit less forgiving, as well as the crop factor and lens interface of dslrs. One REALLY has to understand depth of field, stopping down, film speed as it affects shutter speed, performance, light and ultimate image quality. the NICE thing is that these things can get learned in real time, and not over time, after developing, and making sure that is done perfectly, and printing and making sure that is done perfectly.

I remember the learning curve 25 years ago, shooting with differant film speeds, and pushing rolls, and remembering which rolls were pushed, to what and calculating how much more or less chemical to use, or more or less time.

And then there was the notebooks. I mean today, we can just look at EXIF data and LEARN, and see, ah that is what f8 looks like, nice sharp, good DOF etc. With film, you have to write down every shot in a notebook, what SS, what aperature, what iso, what lighting conditions, what exposure comp, and then hope to match that up with the film to see and understand the differances. today, that can be learned and understood in one setting.

I agree about the rebel, it is a poor example, but it will shoot lovely images. The xt is better at image quality and i would say equal to the 20d sensor, but the body size is poor for learning, and learning about hand holding and such.

A cheap N50 might be a good choice, ultimatly.

I have a couple canon eos 10s, and eos 1 if you are interested. Don't really have lenses to sell with them, but you can find a nice 50mm 1.8 for between 50 and 100$ depending on what model you get.

[feelthefire]

feelthefire, I couldn't agree with you more in what you posted, but unfortunatly a "good" camera from the late 70's early 80's will set kevin back more than 75-150$. Just the CLA is gonna cost him that much + new seals and are you forgeting that the mercury batteries that have helped pollute our dear Mother are no longer available, so either their great metering systems have to be re-adjusted for the higher voltage of todays batteries or he would have to use a light meter, more $$. As far as lenses go, good lenses cost good money! Good prime lenses w/a 1:1.4 aperture or better cost big $$. Try to find a 50mm MD 1.2 Rokkor-x, betcha it'll fetch $400 on ebay.
my advice, take a trip to a local camera store, ask questions and make sure it has some type of return/warrantee.

Serpent

Well, I pulled the price range from my own experience buying these things. I have about 4 pentax K-1000 bodies in my collection at the moment, all in excellent condition, none costing more than $150 to purchase. All have original K mount 28-80 lenses, which cost me about $100 per camera. These pentax optics are now extremely tough to find so I'm trying to hold onto them...but I think the most I've ever paid for a body is $200.

For the OP, I may know of a complete Pentax setup that's available...I'm blanking on the model of the camera, but it's one step down from the SuperProgram I have- I think the person wants $250 for the whole deal, 3 lenses, body, hot shoe flash.

And by the way, serpent, should you ever have a need for mercury batteries, I have a huge pile of them. Might shorten my lifespan but my grandfather fixed cameras for fifty years and the part collection he relocated to my basement is astonishing. It never ceases to amaze me with what i find in there.

I recently set up a friend with a Canon TX (very basic, simple to use, needle meter) and canon 28-80 (approximately the same vintage) for $212 with 7% sales tax. So it can easily be done. Everything was in perfect working condition, with maybe a few surface blemishes (though the wonder of these metal bodies is the insane durability) and that's a pretty regular price for the setups I buy.

The same person wanted an Nikon N90, and I tried it at the store and hated it. We went shopping for a real non-AF tough simple camera and she couldn't be happier.

For all those pushing digital, the fact remains that the OP needs a film SLR regardless of the merits of high end DSLRs and it will fit a lot better into his budget. I have a D70 that I use sometimes, but the images will never look the same as good quality film shot from a film SLR and developed by hand in the darkroom. The level of control and flexibility there really isn't matched for me by any postprocessing tool (though I've been experimenting a little bit with aperture) so you'll be prying my old, inexpensive film cameras from my cold, dead hands.

[mlrproducts]

The reason I stated to call the school was this:

My good friend recently went through a photography majaor, and shes now in her senior year. She's used a DSLR the whole way through. She had I think no more than 3 assignments which required film, two of which I believe were black and white. And for those assignments, they had cameras that she could borrow (for free). This was at a major university.

[kevin.rivers]

I'm back from the Kingdom of Ban. Anyway.

I have gotten so many offers from both here and fredmiranda forums. I don't even know where to start. Anyway with some film expertise would be welcomed with arms wide open.

I really don't know what these things are worth. I am using keh.com as a guide but there are so many film cameras out there :eek:

Anyhow. To everyone who has sent me an offer, please be patient. I have about 20-30 offers to go through. My course doesn't start til 8/17 so I have some time.

Thanks everyone.

P.S. My trades have changed, as all the drives are sold (I think). I do have a $50 apple store credit though (from the ipod settlement thing).

[kevin.rivers]

Did you try getting a hold of the school and asking what was needed?

Here is what it says:

Students need to provide their own 35mm camera with equipped with manual override option.

[sstern1]

I've got a Nikon N75, less than a year old. two cheap quantaray lenses. think one's 80-200. another is completely manual old nikon lens w/filter.

make an offer on pm.

[serpent]

kevin I would check with the uni if possible and see if you can get more info on what they would perfer you to use. If it is a class teaching you basic film techniques and developing, there is probably no need for a SLR and I think you might be better off w/35mm rangefinder! something like a minolta hi-matic 7s-II, canon p, or canon 7, the first 2 can be found dirt cheap the canon 7 will set ya back about the same $$ as a new d70s.
I never go out w/o my 7sII with a fresh roll of panatomic x, when I'm shooting either digital or film.

Serpent

[mpopkin]

Hey
I have a Canon Elan II with two lenses, both Sigma, one 28-85mm, second 100-300mm, if you are interested pm me

Hello everyone. I am taking a photography course in the Fall so I need a nice Film SLR. A decent lens would be nice.

I do have about a years experience with SLR's (Digital) however I want to get back to the basics and learn the dark room. So, I don't need a dumbed down camera.

Let me know what you have. Thanks!

[kevin.rivers]

Hey folks. Well my search is on hold, possibly forever. I got an ae-1 with a 50mm 1.4 and a 75-205 macro for free. I am going to be checking it out over the next week to make sure it is functioning properly.

To the one who said I could use a rangefinder, it is my preference to use an slr as I have used and am comfortable with slr's.

To those who say to go digital. First the course includes the processing of film. So I would be mssing out a little bit with a digital. Also, I want to learn as much about photography as possible including it's roots(film) as I am sure it will improve my skills.

Thanks to all who offered advice and offers!