Any suggestions on 35mm SLR cameras for beginners?

Question

My daughter is in art/photography 101 and needs a 35mm SLR. What brands or models would you recommend? Is a used camera worth it vs brand new?

Thanks for all the education! I ended up buying a used Canon EOS and kit with 3 decent lenses for her pod, and tripod for $250. So that should start her with SLR's I have already invested in several digital cameras for her. I'll buy new once this camera body wears out. Thanks again so many good answers I can't choose. Thanks to you all and let's put it up to a vote!

Answer 1

A used camera leaves you with a budget for lenses. In that area, I'd suggest Nikon or Canon, as they have the largest support systems and lens selections, including 3rd party lens makers.

If she's looking at film 35mm SLR's, I'd look for the Nikon FM series as it's a solid all-metal manual metering, manual focus camera. The current version is the FM-10 and it sells for under $250 with lens. The N-series camera are of lighter build, but have full automatic options.

If she's looking at digital, I'd look at a used D70 or D50. I have two D70's myself and just recently bought a D50. These two models are well constructed and will work with Nikon lenses, both current digital and film versions.

One more piece of information for you to read.
http://www.jdpower.com/electronics/ratings/digital_camera/dslr

I hope you find this helpful. Feel free to ask, if you have any other questions.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I think when taking a photography class especially for beginners "less is more" the student gets more out of the class learning HOW the camera works if it has LESS automatic features and settings. So, probably buying a used manual camera would be your best bet... You may want to try local camera shops/pawn shops and in the local classifieds to find a truly manual student camera. An FM series Nikon would be great if you can locate one.. Or even a Canon AE-1 all popular back in the 1970's you may be able to find one at at local garage sale/tag sale or estate sale..Also, ask family members/relative and neighbors some people have such camera's lurking in their attic/basement since everything is automatic these days.. Look in the Classifieds and see if anyone is selling "old" camera equipment.. Since the "digital" revolution manual camera's have since become a "thing of the past" so students aren't getting the full benefit of learning how to take/process pictures.... It's all fully automated... Maybe, if your student can wait a quarter/semester to take the class you would have time to find the right camera. An FM-10 is resonable for a newer student model camera it retails for around $300. I have both an AE-1 I got for FREE from my uncle and a PENTAX K-1000 I picked up at a yard sale for $10 w/ lenses and I have a Nikon FM I got from my grandfather (FREE).. So, the camera's are out there just look. Good luck

Answer 4

Another two options to consider are the Canon EOS Rebel and the Nikon FM-10. These are both entry level film SLR's that would more than meet the requirements for any photo 101 courses. These two cameras are models from two of the widest-known camera producers today. Either one would get you far.

Buying used is certianly an option, if all the camera is really needed for is to get your daughter through her class. If she's interested in continuing to persue film photography (sadly, a dying art) after the course, buying new would perhaps be wiser, because of warranty and usage reasons.

Answer 5

I don't think Sony made a film SLR if that's what the asker meant by 35mm.

I would suggest a Canon/Nikon. Don't worry about second hand professional camera, since most of them are built as robust as they can built, you'll rarely find a bad one. But if you want to be sure, you might want to see the camera and hold it in your hand yourself.

Or if you want a new one, a Canon Rebel or a Nikon FM10 would do the job very well.

Answer 6

I'm sure this isn't an answer you want to hear, but just to throw in my two cents: I've been shooting for 20 years - been pro for about three quarters of that time. Right up until about three or four years ago, I swore I'd never stop shooting film. That has changed. With the current state of D-SLR technology, I see no real point in going back to 35mm film. Now, if you're shooting medium format, yes! Digital is still nowhere near being able to compete. But, with 35mm - film just isn't worth it. Sure, there's still a certain look to 35mm, that in certain situations, is desirable and impossible to accurately simulate with digital, but with the current state of D-SLR tech, those situations are so few and far between and the difference so slight, it's just not worth it to me to give up the conveniences of digital for it. So, my advice would be - pick up a used medium format TLR - you can find old Minolta Autocords, or Yashicas in excellent condition for around the kind of money you've mentioned - and they're great cameras. You'll absolutely BLOW 35mm film and digital out of the water with the quality of your images. But, if you're set on staying at 35mm - go digital. 35mm film isn't worth it any longer. Just my opinion. ***EDIT: John Martyr - I went to your website, I saw your images. They're good. You're a talented photographer. Nothing that you've posted there couldn't have been achieved digitally. So what's the point? A few years ago with digital there was a trade-off between quality and convenience. And, I was right there with you. You can take all the convenience in the world and shove it if I have to trade away quality for it. But, that was a few years ago. In the realm of 35mm there's no longer a trade-off. The choice is now quality OR just as much quality PLUS a whole hell of a lot more convenience coupled with a whole hell of a lot more ease of customization of the final product. For MY purposes, the choice is a simple one. No, film isn't dead. But, 35mm film is currently confined to a hospital bed, being fed through a tube and spending it's days pissing into a stainless steel pan. That's just the reality of it. You want to keep shooting 35mm film? I don't care. Have at it. If you enjoy it for some reason, great! I wish you the best of luck. I don't think that makes you a "filmtard", or any other infantile moniker. Hell, I've got 2 film bodies sitting within arms reach of me as I write this, and another 4 in various places throughout the house. I spent more than 15 years shooting nothing but film - but times change. That's always the way it's been. Sorry about your sour grapes. But, they really are YOUR sour grapes.

Answer 7

The Minolta SRT-202 or X-700 or X-570 would all be good choices. The 202 is an all-manual camera, the 700 and 570 both have Aperture Preferred metering so all she has to do is select an f-stop and the camera will select the shutter speed. You should be able to find any of the three at KEH or B&H or Adorama or on ebay. Find a Minolta MC Rokkor-X 50mm f1.4 or f1.7 and she is ready for class. If she desires a little more versatility with her lens the Minolta 35-70mm f3.5 constant aperture zoom is recommended.

The Pentax K1000 is another all-manual camera widely recommended for students.

Answer 8

for photography classes you will need a manual focus SLR. Get the Nikon FM-10. If you are not familiar with looking for camera faults, buy it new, not 2nd hand.. it should be very cheap since Digital SLR prices are skyrocketing.

Answer 9

Canon Rebel XT or 20D. Do not buy a used camera.

Canon cameras are far superior to all others. They use CMOS chip vs. CCD and you get a truer skin tone as well as truer colors ans sharper details. If you take photos of people Canon is the best way to go.

One other important note. Canon doesn't have to have a "digital" lens. You can use most all lenses that work with film cameras.

Answer 10

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