35mm Cameras?

Question

I am looking for a 35mm camera (preferably with a zoom but not necessary) but it has to be extremely "easy to load and use"!!! I bought an old Minolta yesterday from a thrift store but I am having the darndest time trying to load the film. The camera doesn't have to be new or anything fancy. A used camera is fine.Older models are ok as well. Not looking to spend a lot of money. I am not too much of a camera person so as I mentioned, it has to be really easy to load and use (point and shoot). Any suggestions?

Answer 1

If you are not a camera person, then you probably would not use it very often, I would go to a discount store ie. Walmart K-mart and by a throw away camera. They are already loaded after you shoot all the film just drop it off to be processed and buy you another one. They are only about $4.00 and unless you plan on shooting a lot of pictures by the time you buy the camera and then buy the film this would probably save you money.

Answer 2

I've been using Minolta cameras since 1971. Loading the film has never been a problem. I simply hold the film can in my right hand and slip the leader into one of the slots in the take-up spool. I then slowly pull the film can to the left and drop it in the cavity. I then advance the film, usually keeping a little tension on the rewind knob to "seat" the film. After a couple of advances, to make sure the film is feeding through, I close the back and advance the film to the "1" on the exposure counter. Now I'm ready to shoot.

Answer 3

Just a quick note on that Minolta. Some cameras wind the film in the opposite direction. Be sure you are trying to start the leader on the correct side of the spool.

Answer 4

Before you give up on your Minolta, take it to your local camera store and they'll show you how to load it.

Buy a roll of film ;-)