What type of film camera do you suggest?

I'm starting a b/w photography course and it requires a film camera, I want to get one like these:

http://www.keh.com/PopItemCloseUp.aspx?imgSKU=CA02010400252&BRAND_DESC=Canon%20Manual%20Focus%20-%20Camera%20Bodies

or

http://www.keh.com/PopItemCloseUp.aspx?imgSKU=NK02010200934&BRAND_DESC=Nikon%20Manual%20Focus%20-%20Camera%20Bodies

should i get a canon or nikon? Also are these good quality? And what sort of lenses should i get?

all answers appreciated!

also, i really want the pictures to have a somewhat grainy texture.

I have digital now but still have my Canon AE-1 It's a great camera.

I'd recommend a Minolta, particularly from the XD or earlier XG range.

These cameras were made with primarily metal components, so they have reputation for solid reliability. The Canon's were made with more plastic parts, so the all of the gears and delicate internal mechanisms are more prone to breaking.

I've used Minolta, Canon, Olympus, Yashica and Pentax, and the Minolta's are by far the nicest to use. They've had the fewest problems, and by comparison they make all the others feel cheaply made (although my Olympus OM 1 comes close in build quality, the light meter doesn't work, which is a common problem). I've never used a film Nikon, but their F-Body cameras are legendary (and so come with a high price tag and are probably not the ideal option for a student).

Something like this would be an ideal student camera:
http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=12337012

That website above, shopgoodwill, is a good source of cheap cameras. Because it's less well known than eBay and other places you get a better deal. Just make sure it says it has been tested and works. You might also want to try Craigs List.

This website is a good resource to look up info about specific cameras:
http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Camerapedia

If you need a manual to learn the ins and outs of how to use it, chances are this site will have it:
http://butkus.org/chinon/index.html

Also, if you want a grainy look, you should get a film with an ISO speed of 800, 1600, or 3200. There's not much in the way of high ISO black and white film made to day, so eBay might be a good bet because you can find listing like this for film you can find elsewhere anymore:
http://www.ebay.com/...0396066897

Both cameras are good, choose whichever you want. Neither is better than the other.

You'll need to buy lenses that match the mount system on the camera. The Canon AE-1 takes Canon FD lenses. And the Nikon EL2 takes Nikon F-mount lenses.

Grainy textures are achieved by using film with a high ISO, such as ISO 400. Nothing to do with the camera as such.

* Either one is fine. I personally think autoexposure is a gimmick. I always use a handheld incident meter for determining exposure.

* You probably might want to start with 50mm f/1.8 lens.

* Might want to consider Pentax or Nikon. They both use a mounting system that can use legacy lenses. (The old manual focus Minolta and Canon lenses will not fit on the new AF mounts.)

* Graininess has nothing to do with the camera. That will depend on the film you choose to use.

Here are some cameras you may want to consider:
Pentax K1000 (Not rare. Shutter will work without batteries.)
Nikon FM10 (Available new.)
Argus C3 (Fairly easy DIY repairs. Affordable. Plentiful. No batteries needed.)

The camera contributes nothing to the graininess of a photo, that is purely a result of film and developer choice.
Older Canon cameras (up to the T series) use a lense fitting that is not compatible with later Canon bodies. Nikon lenses fit Nikon - to adapt other maker's lenses needs extra optical elements so is often not worth the trouble. Minolta made darn good cameras, again, forward compatability is limited. For simplicity and a lot of "forward compatibility" I'd suggest either a Pentax K fit body - many makers adopted this fitting - or a 42mm screw fit for which there are millions of lenses available. German Praktica bodies sell on eBay for pennies - the cost of shipping can be greater than the sale price! A fully working Praktica with an internal light meter and a Pentacon or Tessar lense might sell for less then £20. Screw mount Chinon (CS or CX) are also very well built and they usually come with fine lenses. Pentax Spotmatics are the top of the screw mount heap butr their prices now reflect that - lovely if you pay for a top condition one.