Working with film
- Thread starter SJTstudios
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CharlieB, you're right that the AE-1 had auto-exposure modes (hence the "AE"), but it's my reference point for the "electronic" bodies because it was the first to replace mechanical timing with electronics. It was also the most popular -- likely more widely available. The AE-1 did have manual mode. I used them for many years and they lived in manual, so I still tend to think of them as manual.
Of course, this does prove that you can explore the benefits of manual with more advanced bodies.
SJTstudios, if your good at manual, then you already know what I was driving at and it does make sense to get the most you can get and think long-term.
CharlieB makes a good point on batteries. The FTb's needed button-cells for the light meter, but could still function without them. These are still fun cameras (or maybe I'm too nostalgic for the classics). I don't know how readily available the AE-1 batteries still are – without them, the camera is useless. It does pay to look into battery availability and future potential (if you can guess at this).
Of course, this does prove that you can explore the benefits of manual with more advanced bodies.
SJTstudios, if your good at manual, then you already know what I was driving at and it does make sense to get the most you can get and think long-term.
CharlieB makes a good point on batteries. The FTb's needed button-cells for the light meter, but could still function without them. These are still fun cameras (or maybe I'm too nostalgic for the classics). I don't know how readily available the AE-1 batteries still are – without them, the camera is useless. It does pay to look into battery availability and future potential (if you can guess at this).
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crasher8
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B&H's current Canon EOS used film body list
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ns=p_PRICE_2%7c1&ci=3017&N=4294247087+4291570227&srtclk=sort
Enjoy shopping
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ns=p_PRICE_2%7c1&ci=3017&N=4294247087+4291570227&srtclk=sort
Enjoy shopping
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Just get a Rebel G (EOS 500N). It's small, light weight, and has the manual controls that you will no doubt be required to use in your photography class. If you're only going to use it for 1 year, then the financial outlay will be next to nothing.
Save your cash for digital, because those cameras will bleed you dry.
Save your cash for digital, because those cameras will bleed you dry.
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My recommendation is to find a good clean EOS 620. Takes all EOS EF lenses, has autofocus, sturdy metal body, large contrasty viewfinder and simple controls, with easily replaceable battery and lots and lots of old examples around - try Craigs List or Ebay, if not local camera shops used departments, camera shows and thrift shops. A very nice clean one will fetch between $30.00 to $120.00, depending on who is selling it and where it's selling. This was a high mid-end enthusiast camera when it came out. See" http://kenrockwell.com/canon/film-bodies/eos620.htm to learn more specific details. Generally, it's going to sell for much less than any of the pro EOS cameras of its era, or the ones from a bit later, and be almost as good performing and rugged in use as the pro models, except in autofocus performance, which you should probably not really be using very often anyway, if you really want to learn to master photography, rather than learn to pilot an auto-function camera. They don't make mid-level cameras with construction like the 620 anymore. I bought my son this camera with a new cheap "normal" zoom to go with it for his introductory photo class about 5 years ago and the thing is still going strong. The camera body was $75.00 from a good local camera store and the less than stellar 3rd party zoom lens was another $75.00 or so. Your experience will vary. And don't be afraid of getting a used beat-up looking and now discontinued model Canon EOS lens (I coundn't find one when when my son needed it); if it works properly, the bad cosmetics are only acting in your favor, lowering the price for you because many others would be too worried to take a chance on the bad cosmetics.
If you want even better construction, can live without autofocus and don't mind digging around for some older FD lenses later on, get an even older top-of-the-line professional Canon F-1 - or the second series "new" F-1 - with a lens or three in a kit for sale on Ebay, or from the same sources mentioned above. That was a great camera and using it as an all manual camera (both focus and exposure) is very very easy and a great experience for anyone trying to learn the actual craft of photography for the first time.
Whatever you do, don't buy one of the later, flimsy plastic EOS Rebels, which were comparatively poorly constructed and not as nice in many other ways.
Regards,
David
If you want even better construction, can live without autofocus and don't mind digging around for some older FD lenses later on, get an even older top-of-the-line professional Canon F-1 - or the second series "new" F-1 - with a lens or three in a kit for sale on Ebay, or from the same sources mentioned above. That was a great camera and using it as an all manual camera (both focus and exposure) is very very easy and a great experience for anyone trying to learn the actual craft of photography for the first time.
Whatever you do, don't buy one of the later, flimsy plastic EOS Rebels, which were comparatively poorly constructed and not as nice in many other ways.
Regards,
David
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