35mm Camera Buying Guide

35mm Camera Buying Guide

by Michael Lu (2013)

Full Manual:

These are cameras that encourage manual control of all camera functions (focusing, shutterspeed, aperture, winding, etc.) Cameras of this type were popular up to the advent of microprocessors that allowed for greater automation. Because of the few electronics cameras like these required, they’re very durable and, despite falling out of favor with the public in the 1980’s, they can still be bought in very good condition, and lack of demand means they can be bought cheaply. A great learning tool that I encourage.

Notable Examples: Canon AE-1, Pentax K1000, Minolta XG-M, Olympus OM-1, Leica M7

Price: $20-$100

Automatics:

These cameras usually offer the same abilities as full manuals, but offer the added bonus of being able to automatically adjust crucial settings if the photographer is rushed/paniced/lazy. Very easy to get consistent photos, but pricier and more fragile. Those looking to continue using lenses they have for their digitals and save money that way are recommended to buy a compatible body.

Notable Examples: Canon EOS, Minolta 5000i, Nikon F-801

Price: $50-$200

Point and Shoot: Cameras are designed to be easy to use and range widely in complexity. Unlike automatics, they’re stripped of most of the features and make for inflexible shooting. They do, however, offer good consistency, portability, and a simple “get the job done” attitude.

Notable Examples: Canon Sureshot, Pentax IQ, Oympus Stylus, Yashica T4

Price: $15-$80

Toy Camera:

Cheap construction and simplicity are characteristic of toy camera’s. Similar to point and shoots in fidelity, they differ in design philosophy in that they’re designed to encourage nontraditional picture taking. Fun to play around with, but like point and shoots, not particularly great learning tools.

Notable Examples: Holga 135, Lomo LC-A

Price: $5-$80

Closing thoughts:

I highly encourage getting a full manual camera. These are generally 35mm SLR and Rangefinder cameras from the 50’s to 80’s. They offer great durability, picture quality, and price, while forcing you to understand all the different ways a camera works. But feel free to do as you wish. Different strokes for different folks. The real important thing is that you have something that shoots film that you can than take into the darkroom. It’s the photographer that makes the picture, not the camera.

It's likely best to buy the camera online, to get the best price. Champaign-Urbana is rather poor in photography stores, let alone ones that carry film cameras. If you want to buy local, best bet would be to surf thrift/pawn shops, garage sales, or craigslist. Urban Outfitters carries toy cameras, but they carry a steep mark up for what I personally consider poor cameras.

Web stores:

- Ebay

- https://www.keh.com/

- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Film-Cameras/ci/9812/N/4288586278

- http://www.digitaltruth.com/store/cart/Film/

- http://www.fourcornerstore.com/collections/film