Film Camera

[olrac]

I am looking for a film camera,

I may be enrolling in a course that only teaches in film. So I need a film camera.

Any idea's as to what I should be looking at. I have seen an F5 for 800 on ebay.

I want nikon so the lenses that I have that are not DX will work...

Thanks for your help in advance.

[Nnnnsic]

You might want to see what sort of things the course will teach before you spend the cash on something like an F5.

Getting something like an FM series or FE series camera might do it for you if you don't care for AF, else something like an F65, F75, F80, or F100 might do it for you, too.

Hell, even finding an F801 would be a good buy.

I say this because if you have to later on buy a medium format or large format system down the track, you'll be thankful you didn't spend a ridiculous amount of money on a camera which can't be used in either of those systems.

[olrac]

Sage advise,

I have just been looking around and it would appear that for 800 I could get a camera and the midrange zoom that I am missing for a film camera (insert d70 kit lens here) and have change.

So out of the auto focus ones what is going to be somewhat similar to a d70?

[Killakoala]

So out of the auto focus ones what is going to be somewhat similar to a d70?

How about an F70 I have one of those.

[Nnnnsic]

Yup. Indeed.
Either an F70 or an F80 would put you on similar grounds to a D70.

Likewise, if you can find an F801, it too probably would stick you on similar grounds with an older style body.

I'm going to try out my DX lens on the film camera this week and stick the film in later on for development.
Theoretically, it shouldn't work based on the construction of the DX and how the lens works, but I'm betting it probably will.

[Greg B]

You might benefit from a look at The Camera Exchange on Lonsdale Street to see what sort of thing is around in the second hand line and get a rough idea of prices.

[olrac]

I suppose getting a feel of each of the camera's is a good idea......

I am now thinking that if i replace my 18 - 70 with a 24 - 120 then I would be able to use this on either a film camera or my d70.....

[shutterbug]

just PM'ed you

[jdear]

i have an F100,
got it for about 800 all up second hand from the states + postage etc.

I like how its more compact than the F5. Essentially its like what the D200 is to the D2X, its the F5 version but smaller and a few features cut out.

I used an F80 alongside a wedding:
* it felt not as well built and quite plastiky in comparison to the F100
* it had a larger brighter viewfinder
* larger more comfortable grip
* and not an annoying AF illuminator light which blinded everyone when it was trying to focus in dark scenes.

If you can get a good priced F100, you won't look back. I hope to keep mine forever

if your ever at a sydney minimeet, Birddog apparently has the F5, F100 etc.

Jonathan

[Alex]

olrac,

Just out of interest... which course are enroling into??
Thanks
Alex

[cameraguy21773]

The N80 (F80 in Europe and other places) may be Nikon's best non-pro body ever. The D70 was based on it. Very attractively priced too.

[xorl]

I went through the same process a year ago. I ended up settling on the F75, I wouldn't go any lower than that. The remote is the same as the D70 and the F75 can spot meter via the EL button. The F80 is a much nicer body but will require another remote.

Some personal annoyances with the F75:
- It prewinds film so you can't expose frames you have already taken by accidently opening the film compartment. I've never needed this feature and it's slightly frustrating that all the neg numbers go backwards.
- Bulb mode causes a light on the front to flash continuously which unnecessarily chews batteries while taking a long exposure shot bulb shot (or remote). It might also reflect off of subjects in the photo and get in the way. I tape over this when necessary.
- It feels like a plastic toy & the grip is tiny.

For a while I wished I paid extra and got a F80, but it doesn't bother me now. I don't shoot much film & the F75 can do everything I require. Now I would have prefered to have picked up a fully mechanical camera (FM2/FM3A) and a couple of 2nd hand MF lenses. If it wasn't for the money involved, I'd swap my F75 kit for a FM3A & lenses. I've never used the automatic modes on the F75 & batteries make long exposures painful. Plus an FM3A has a cool factor that the F75 can never live up too .