Anyone have a favourite traditional SLR?

Question

I'm going to buy one from eBay. I was thinking canon rebel - I want either Canon or Nikon. I've done loads of research on digital SLRs but very little research on traditional SLRs! So, does anyone have a favourite? I will do research on this so don't go into detail unless you really want to, otherwise someone will accuse me of being a lazy cow who doesn't want to do research into the best camera. So far I have had the canon 50E - it wasn't that good to start with, but it broke withint a few months lol.

Please don't say "use digital" or anything like that. I want a traditional one. The digital will come later.

Answer 1

Canon A-1 is one of the best trad SLR. But for the most beautiful, the old Minolta SR-1 is hard to beat. They were out in the 60s.
For a peek at an SR-1 see http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Minolta_SR-1

Answer 2

I have both Nikon and Canon film SLRs. If you buy later Nikons with auto focus lenses, you can move to either Nikon or Fuji digitals, and I think there is a high end Kodak body using the Nikon lens mount. All Nikon lenses from 1977 on are fully compatible with the mount, but you will not have the full range of exposure metering options with the earlier lenses.

My daughter is intending to do something similar to you, but has chosen Pentax as her start point. The Pentax digitals take all K mount lenses, again with some limitations with earlier lenses.

My Canon kit is all manual focus, and cannot be used on their later bodies.

Nikon thoughts: I have F60, N70 and N80 bodies. F60 is a good basic entry level camera. N70 has more features, and N80 would appear to be the best of the consumer level cameras that don't cost a fortune on eBay.

Answer 3

I purchased a Nikon n65 slr from a friend at work.So far I really like this camera.I paid him 50.00 for the camera,lens(28-80)and a battery pack.Lokked on ebay and it was selling for around 125-150 range without the battery pack. The camera seems easy to use,right now I keep it on auto focus will do this until I learn more about the camera.I also bought my daughter a Cannon rebel for the same price and she seems to like it a lot.So my choices would be either the Nikon or Cannon,do not think you could go wrong either way.Try looking at Amazon or some other sites also before you buy on ebay,just a suggestion.

Answer 4

Although I love my Olympus OM10, OM1 and OM2 film cameras I will suggest that you get a Nikon slr. My reasoning is that if you buy a Nikon and equip it with several lenses you can still use these lenses when you get a Nikon digital slr later on ( as long as you stay away from the d40 and d40x because older lenses won't auto focus on these models). You can also consider Minolta slr since you can use the lenses for the Sony Alpha dslr. Sony bought the Minolta technology and used the Minolta mount. But the same reasoning can not be made with Olympus since they abandoned any compatibility between digital and film slr. I can not say for sure for other brands about film/digital compatibility but at least you can do a research and base your decision along these line.

Answer 5

There are lots of photographers who will debate the film vs digital image question. You know the drill. I suspect that with this being the case, you may be able to pick up a traditional 35mm film camera for a good price. They each have their place in the market and in the hearts of die hard camera fans. As for a recommendation, you absolutely cannot go wrong with Nikon (I have two) or Pentax (I have two). I do most of my photography with a high end digitals (Pentax and Sony). If you buy on Ebay just make sure there is some type of guarantee. A lot of cameras with problems won't be discoverable until you start to "wring them out" and try all of the settings and optional functions, and then you find out why it was sold. I have a Nikon 8008. You should be able to find a used one for under $80 without lenses. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I love my Minolta SR-T303, has everything I need (aperture readout, shutter readout, split prism, mirror lock up, ttl metering) and works in all weather (even mega minus degrees) the fact that the SR/MC/MD lenses aren't digital means that I pick up lenses for peanuts, and Minolta Rokkor lenses were revered for their bokeh & contrast.

Older Nikon lenses are expensive by comparison because they can still be used on Nikons high end DSLRs.

The 303 is fairly rare, however you'll be able to find a SR-T101 no problem. Great cams, very well made and very reliable.

These are manual SLR's, if you want something automated then I would opt for either a Canon EOS3 or a 1V (absolutley brilliant both of them) and the EOS lenses will work on a Canon DSLR should you wish to keep your options open.

Answer 7

Nikon F100. Pro quality body, great metering and autofocus. You can find a body in mint condition on fleabay or www.keh.com for about $350 - 400 USD. They sold new (before the digital revolution) for over $1200. Also the Nikon N90s. Good body for around $100, maybe less.

Answer 8

Canon F-1N.

Absolutely beautiful, and very solidly made. It has the brightest and best viewfinder for manual focusing I've ever seen.

I like it enough that I have two of them.

The Canon T90 would be a close second.

Answer 9

Not any old comeras no. but i own a Canon EOS 10d (Fantastic piece of equipment !!!) cant go wrong with it. if ur after a comera go for this one.
i also own an old canon EOS 5 film camera, its in mint condish and i have no use for it really as i am a digital man myself. i will sell you it for £300 (good offer) give us your email address. my EOS 5 is boxed and only been used 2 times by my Auntie. so i would recommend it big time. and its a film camera that u want and it's canon and they only do photographic equipment. i also have the instruction manual for it to. GOOD BARGIN !!!
good luck

Answer 10

I have an old Olympus OM-2N - 35mm SLR - best camera I have owned (not inc Digital) - great camera - 20 years old and the battery in it is still the original - and working - open to offers - includes tripod, filters, tele lens, fish eye lens - all sorts