Film camera recommendations for a digital photographer?
My main goal is high-contrast black and white photography such as this:
i already know about f-stop, iso, shutter speed so i don't need a fully automatic camera. I just want something that is of a good build quality, affordable (less than 200), and compact… Preferably smaller than my Nikon D40, something i could just whip out without having to wear around my shoulder or stuff in a bag.
what camera should i buy?
should i buy used or new?
i'm looking mainly at standard 35mm SLRs, but a rangefinder would be nice, would there be any rangefinder cameras that fit my budget?
If oyu do go for an SLR go for a nikon, perhaps you can share lenses. I would not buy new, with all the used 35mm cams that's insanity. Look at ebay and keh.com what your budget buys you
I have a Canon rebel and I really like it.
Any camera body will do. It's the lens that you should be focused on. You may want to look for a cheap, old camera body (maybe a Pentax K1000, if you're looking for a trusty, manual, no nonsense type of film camera). That image is wide-angle, probably 28-35mm and an f2.8 (very little movement so it had to be fast). You might even look into filters that'll give you more contrast (Orange or red filters). With black and white, there's so many ways to get high-contrast images (zone system, development processes and film types are but a few) but most people do it these days in Photoshop.
I'd go to a local camera store and look for used bodies and, since digital is all the rage, you could probably find a good one for cheap. Lenses, on the other hand, are another thing. But, for night-time, high speed lenses are a necessity.
If you want small, you definitely want a range-finder. Since you already have a digital SLR, the range-finder will further enhance your collection. Both Canon and Nikon made range-finders (as well as a slew of others, of course). Unfortunately, I don't know much about individual models when it comes to range-finders, but if you go to KEH.com and see what they have, then look up the prospective models at a place like Camerapedia, you can probably narrow it down good.
P.S. Even Wikipedia has info on a good number of popular camera models. At least ones that were pivotal in the market or technology.
KEH:
http://www.keh.com/
Camerapedia (Canon P):
http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Canon_P
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
The AF-S Nikkor 35mm F1.8G DX is a lens which certainly caused a degree of dismay on its release, with many Nikon fans disappointed by the decision to make it compatible with the DX format only. However the main benefit of that decision is plain for all to see - even at its introductory price the lens costs rather less than the venerable AF-Nikkor 35mm F2.0D, despite the addition of an AF-S motor to allow autofocusing on Nikon's entry-level D40 / D40X / D60 bodies.
I was googling and found Canon Rebel T2 35mm SLR Camera which is really good.
#Fully automatic 35mm autofocus SLR camera
#7-point high-speed, wide-area selectable autofocus
#Ergonomic design with secure grip, large backlit LCD screen
#Enhanced built-in flash with advanced E-TTL II autoflash
#Body only; Compatible with Canon EF lenses