Reliable manual SLR for under $300?
By Phoebe - usenet poster
I am looking to get my own 35mm slr camera. I have been using a Minolta
X-370n but its not mine and I don't always have access to it. I own no
lenses so I am starting from scratch there. A 35-70 lens is fine for my use.
My choices appear to be:
Minolta X-370s
Nikon FM-10
Olympus OM-2000
Pentax ZX-M
Vivitar V4000
There may be a few others but I noticed that many appear to have the exact
same body (Nikon, Vivitar, Cosina). I guess I am asking if there are any
that are more reputable than the others.
Solution #1
posted on Aug 01, 2007
Green1 - usenet poster
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Of those you mention, my first choice would be the Pentax. I know it
has dof preview, which is going to be a great aid in learning
photography. The Cosina made cameras I wouldn't buy, and the Minolta I
don't know.
Some say a camera body is just something to stick a lens on. This may
be true but the body determines not only what you see, but what you
get, and how long you get it.
You also don't have to puzzle out what camera you will want 5 years
from now before buying a camera today - You may not even want an SLR
before too long. Get something good today, and you can sell it if/when
you know what will do what You want better.
There is an article on selecting a camera on my website, along with a
couple others on learning how to use it.
--
Digital photo restoration in autumnal Chapel Hill NC
#
New - A Digital Workflow + Sharpness: Threat or Menace?
And Selecting Your First SLR
Sent via Deja.com #
Before you buy.
has dof preview, which is going to be a great aid in learning
photography. The Cosina made cameras I wouldn't buy, and the Minolta I
don't know.
Some say a camera body is just something to stick a lens on. This may
be true but the body determines not only what you see, but what you
get, and how long you get it.
You also don't have to puzzle out what camera you will want 5 years
from now before buying a camera today - You may not even want an SLR
before too long. Get something good today, and you can sell it if/when
you know what will do what You want better.
There is an article on selecting a camera on my website, along with a
couple others on learning how to use it.
--
Digital photo restoration in autumnal Chapel Hill NC
#
New - A Digital Workflow + Sharpness: Threat or Menace?
And Selecting Your First SLR
Sent via Deja.com #
Before you buy.
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Solution #2
posted on Aug 01, 2007
paulrmc - usenet poster
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Does it really have to be a new camera? There's truckloads of
second-hand manual cameras on the market which are far superior to any
of the models listed above and still cheaper. If you insist on a maximum
of protection and security then take your 290 bucks to the second-hand
department of a decent camera dealer. Places like B+H come to mind.
Ralf
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K??ln/Cologne, Germany
Ralf's Cologne Tram Page - #
e-mail from trash accounts (deja, yahoo) automatically rejected
second-hand manual cameras on the market which are far superior to any
of the models listed above and still cheaper. If you insist on a maximum
of protection and security then take your 290 bucks to the second-hand
department of a decent camera dealer. Places like B+H come to mind.
Ralf
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K??ln/Cologne, Germany
Ralf's Cologne Tram Page - #
e-mail from trash accounts (deja, yahoo) automatically rejected
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Solution #3
posted on Aug 01, 2007
Gary10 - usenet poster
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I would recommend a used Nikon F2. DOF preview, mirror lock-up, self timer,
interchangeable focusing screens, interchangeable prisms, multiple exposure
capability, operates fully (except metering) without batteries, exposures up
to 10 sec w/o remote cable, uses any Nikon SLR lens made (manual or
autofocus), and built like a tank (but small enough to be comfortable).
Should be able to get one between $200-$300 with the standard metered prism
(DP-1). If you want auto advance or rewind, a motor drive can be purchased
separately. It will continue to hold it's value also. The only real problem
I can see is that to use a camera-mounted flash an adapter ($15-$25) is
required (or you can use off-camera flash via the PC cord connection). A
50mm f1.8 Series E should run about $50 used.
Richard
...
interchangeable focusing screens, interchangeable prisms, multiple exposure
capability, operates fully (except metering) without batteries, exposures up
to 10 sec w/o remote cable, uses any Nikon SLR lens made (manual or
autofocus), and built like a tank (but small enough to be comfortable).
Should be able to get one between $200-$300 with the standard metered prism
(DP-1). If you want auto advance or rewind, a motor drive can be purchased
separately. It will continue to hold it's value also. The only real problem
I can see is that to use a camera-mounted flash an adapter ($15-$25) is
required (or you can use off-camera flash via the PC cord connection). A
50mm f1.8 Series E should run about $50 used.
Richard
...
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Solution #4
posted on Aug 01, 2007
Cato - usenet poster
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I would look into used equpment.
I am burned out/sick of my autofocus stuff, spending lots to refurbish older
gear.
I am burned out/sick of my autofocus stuff, spending lots to refurbish older
gear.
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Solution #5
posted on Aug 01, 2007
Grant - usenet poster
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If you just want to slip into the hobby, you can pick up a Pentax K-
1000 and a couple of lenses for a couple hundred bucks, too. There's a
slew of lenses available and the Pentax line is backwards compatible
when you want a new body later. Simple, no frills camera but lots of
lenses on the market and it's not expensive.
-Brett
Sent via Deja.com #
Before you buy.
1000 and a couple of lenses for a couple hundred bucks, too. There's a
slew of lenses available and the Pentax line is backwards compatible
when you want a new body later. Simple, no frills camera but lots of
lenses on the market and it's not expensive.
-Brett
Sent via Deja.com #
Before you buy.
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Solution #6
posted on Aug 01, 2007
lawyer - usenet poster
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<My choices appear to be:
Minolta X-370s
Nikon FM-10
Olympus OM-2000
Pentax ZX-M
Vivitar V4000
There may be a few others but I noticed that many appear to have the exact
same body (Nikon, Vivitar, Cosina). I guess I am asking if there are any
that are more reputable than the others.
As you observed, the Nikon FM-10 and FE-10 and Olympus OM-2000 are all rebadged
Cosina models, so I would not expect much variation in quality. However,
there's far more in the way of lens options to choose from with the Nikon mount
that with either Olympus or Minolta MD.
If this is a one-shot purchase I don't think it matters. (Variations -- the
Olympus includes spot metering, the FE-10 includes aperture priority AE, the
FM-10 is all manual). OTOH, if this is to be the start of a hobby, getting into
the Nikon system could be your best bet.
regards,
Henry Posner/B&H Photo-Video
#
Minolta X-370s
Nikon FM-10
Olympus OM-2000
Pentax ZX-M
Vivitar V4000
There may be a few others but I noticed that many appear to have the exact
same body (Nikon, Vivitar, Cosina). I guess I am asking if there are any
that are more reputable than the others.
As you observed, the Nikon FM-10 and FE-10 and Olympus OM-2000 are all rebadged
Cosina models, so I would not expect much variation in quality. However,
there's far more in the way of lens options to choose from with the Nikon mount
that with either Olympus or Minolta MD.
If this is a one-shot purchase I don't think it matters. (Variations -- the
Olympus includes spot metering, the FE-10 includes aperture priority AE, the
FM-10 is all manual). OTOH, if this is to be the start of a hobby, getting into
the Nikon system could be your best bet.
regards,
Henry Posner/B&H Photo-Video
#
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