I'm looking for a Nikon 35mm Film Camera for School?

I'm getting ready to go to college for my photography degree and they require that I have a 35mm camera for film classes. I was wondering what Nikon model was a great 35mm SLR that I could use in school… Any suggestions?

Fm2

you can use the same mounts for a nikon dslr. However you may lose autofocus

It's quite a difficult question in the sense that you are buying a camera that has probably been through more than one set of hands. If you can find a professional camera like the F4 in good condition it would be on the money. The FM2 mentioned above would also be a good option but I think (can't remember for certain) that the FM2 was from the early 1980s while the F4 was late 1980, maybe early 1990s.

As old as the hills and not a Nikon but probably the best camera I've ever owned is the Olympus OM-1. Seriously brilliant machine.

Another option might be to get a Leica Rangefinder… Something like an M5 or an M6. The reason I suggest Leica is that people who use Leica tend to be nicer to their cameras than other other photographers so you're chances of getting a camera that has been treated well is higher.

If you are planning to use the camera for long, buy a new FM10.

I agree with the FM2. Here are the reasons

1- The lenses at the time were made of glass, instead of plastic as almost all modern lenses today. Glass>Plastic.

2- Lenses are cheaper. You can buy a lot of lenses with about $100 if you want to.

3- The guy who suggested you to buy a newer camera, is wrong. Modern cameras rely on batteries and are a lot more "consumer oriented" than professional oriented. Also they are made with cheaper materials.

4- It has an aluminum body.

The only thing I would do is to check that the camera has been serviced.