Photography?

Question

I am interested in taking Photography A Level what would you say is the best, most appropriate 35mm single lens reflex film camera.

It says it must be 35mm SLR film camera.

Answer 1

I suggest that you get the best for the money and the most VERSATILE film SLR camera, which you will want to keep long after your classes: the Nikon N80; and the most versatile lens, Nikkor AF 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6D (or the cheaper version, Nikkor AF 35-105 f/3.5-5.6D-macro), and one of the best places to get this camera and lens at a great price is: www.keh.com (yes, this is also a “manual” camera but can also be used as a semi-automatic cameras as well as a full-automatic camera).

All manual cameras are limited in features and versatility. While the Nikon N80 has many automatic features, it also provides you the opportunity to override them when you need to BUT it can be used totally manual as well. That’s the advantage of the N80; it affords you the option of shooting totally manual or with automatic features that you can override as the need arises, that’s something that totally manual cameras cannot offer. This is a feature that will give you more control and versatility, and more opportunities to learn from for you to carry over to digital technology.

I propose that you get the Nikon N80 which can be used totally manual with or without auto focus, or semi auto (aperture priority OR shutter speed priority) with or without auto focus and full automatic with or without auto focus. Additionally, it has 3 metering modes (Average or Center-Weighted, 3D Matrix, and Spot Metering). It has a built-in strobe (good up to about 5-6 feet), great for fill-in light if your subject is standing in the way of the light to keep you from getting a silhouette. And it has on-command gridlines to help you keep the horizon level when shooting landscapes and seascapes. It will set the film’s ISO for you automatically (and allow you to "push" or "pull" the ISO film rating), and advance the film as you take photos and rewind the film as you take the last photo. It is a solidly built camera that is ergonomically designed and constructed. It even has a feature to allow you to perform double exposures! It is considered the Poor Man’s Pro Level Camera because of the many features it shares with its big brother, the Nikon F100, and it is considered the best camera to learn with by the vast majority of photography instructors that I know. It is a camera that you can grow with but NOT outgrow anytime soon. Many of the features of the N80 are also found in modern digital cameras.

The recommended lenses (either the Nikkor AF 28-105mm or the 35-105mm) can be used as a wide angle lens (28-35mm), an “average” lens (45-55mm), a portrait lens (80-90mm), a short telephoto lens (105mm) and as a macro lens! The lenses have great optics because of the superior glass formulas used, and because they’re made by NIKON, well-known for the superior quality of their lenses and the great variety of lenses offered, new and used; the lens mount has not changed since 1959!

AND if you want to have a great low-light lens that is very affordable and has the reputation of being the Best Bank for the Dollar, I suggest that you look into the Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8D lens. It's a lifesaver for many who've been caught in unexpected low-light situations, and is so easy to carry on a belt pouch or in your camera bag. You can probably find a used one in great conditions for about $75-$85 at www.keh.com or www.bhphotovideo.com

IF you still have doubts, go to ANY camera store that has a Nikon D80 and compare it with any other camera you might be contemplating to buy. Hold them both in your hands, look through the viewfinder and decide on the one that feels best in your hands.

Check this site: http://www.photosig.com/articles/1227/article

And for the cheapest price on long-lasting batteries for the N80, with a shelf life of 10 years, and for slightly over $1.05 each, check with:
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/carfnbr/97/prrfnbr/685

Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 2

I agree with the idea that in order to really learn photography you need to work with a manual camera. However the idea of using a completely manual camera isn't neccessary. While the more you learn and become adept at photography the more you will find yourself gravitating toward manual use, there will be times when some automated features will be useful. The Nikon F65 and the Pentax K1000 are both very good film cameras available at a reasonable cost. However I would question the wisdom of those who tell you to work with film. Lets face it film photography is dying out and you had better be ready to move beyond it. Kodak has already ceased production of film cameras completely, and Nikon only produces one film SLR.

The fact is that digital is quickly catching up to film and will soon surpass it. Unless you are a professional landscape photographer who is working with large format film cameras, sticking with film over digital just doesn't make sense. I first learned photography in the film age, and the jump to digital was difficult. Don't hamper yourself in the same way. With programs like Photoshop and Pixel Ninja working with your photos can be just as rewarding on a computer screen as in the dark room, albiet not as tactile.

On that note I personsally am a Nikon fan and would suggest the D70s or D80 ( both digital SLR's) as a good place to start. Both very nice cameras that are more than capable of whatever you may ask of them for a long time to come. If your budget is a bit more constrained you could consider the D50. Not a bad camera but not quite up to the caliber of the D70 or D80. Cannon also produces some very good equipment, but not being a Cannon guy I can't give you any real advice on their cameras. Good luck and good shooting.

Answer 3

There are plenty on the market. I used to manage a Photography store in Sheffield so we used to cater alot for students. I would personally say a Nikon F65 - Not the newest but youd probably get a double lens package for about £160 or maybe a Canon 300v which would be around £150. I prefer the Canon in size as its very lightweight and the shutter is very quiet but the Nikon does feel more substantial and the Flash range is a little better. As for the comment about digital, although Digital is all the rage at the moment, there is nothing more fulfilling as developing your own photos instead of just sat at a computer touching up and pressing print. Id stick to 35mm for now and have a play with digital as you progress. Good Luck, oh and Ive heard that Kodak professional film may be stopping in production, so its worth buying film in, in bulk and storing it in your fridge (it will last for ages). Hope this helps....

Answer 4

SLR is definitely a good idea, but are you sure you want 35mm and not digital?
Either way, the brands to check out are Canon and Nikon. Over 95% of professional photographers use one or the other of these. Both have a number of excellent cameras and a wide selection of quality lenses to choose from. If you're on a tight budget, you can find good used ones as well.

Answer 5

Digital or film?
If its digital (the way its all going now) then entry level decent camera would a Canon 350d or 400d, Nikon, Olympus is exceptionally good..but for the same price at the moment you can buy a Leica V lux!!. Its not really SLR but, it has a 35-420mm zoom!! The pictures are stunning! You need to be looking at about the £500.00 ($900.00) mark.

Answer 6

Go to Jessops ask and see what 2nd hand models they have in, youll get good advice there and get a feel for the models they have. You really should need to pay over £100

I'd go for any good old bog standard slr - my olympus is nothing fancy but still great after 20 years after having gone through 3 digitals in the past 8.

Answer 7

If you are interested in film photography, you may not want to go for 35mm but instead opt for a larger format film camera such as a Pentax 67 or a Hasselblad 500 series camera both of which you can find on the used market for a steal right now, especially if you go to keh.com or camerawest.com
If you are not familiar with medium format you can read this article http://www.photographical.net/mf_vs_35mm_vs_digi.html
The benefeit of these larger formats is an image with better tonality and resolution. To put it in laymans terms the images are sharper and more rich in their colors or tones as compared to a 35mm film camera.

Answer 8

Try Trick Photography Special Effects : http://tinyurl.com/KUqgL1xPPP

Answer 9

Get a cheap one from argos - most of my group did when i did A level photography last year and i still use it now for my foundation diploma. I wouldn't get a very expensive one because you might not contiue to do photography in the future and it might get stolen while your at college.

Answer 10

i've got a minolta 500si and i love it to bits, i know most people find canon and nikon better but i haven't had any problems with minoltas. you can use it fully manual, fully automatic and half manual.
i found my latest one on ebay for £70.. bit of a bargain hehe.
get yourself the biggest zoom lens you can afford, i've got a 28-200 and it caters for every situation without having to fiddle with lenses, which is great when you're just starting.
good luck, and enjoy yourself :)