Is getting a old slr worth it? - 1
I'm currently looking at the Canon AE-1 and the Nikon FM. I'm 17 and used to use old film cameras when I was a kid up to when I was 13. I loved using those cameras and they were great. The only camera I use now is a point and shoot by Canon and I love adjusting the settings on it to get a good picture. Would it be worth it to get one of these old cameras. I only have a $200 budget and these cameras seem great. I could probably get them much cheaper on Ebay too. Would they be ideal for taking pictures outside or for learning how to use a slr? I plan on getting the pictures on a Dvd so I can upload them to my computer too.
IMO, getting a 35mm SLR isn't worthwhile because the visual quality isn't that good -- certainly not better than a good DSLR -- and it's inconvenient. But medium format film IS worth it. If you want to start cheap, get an old Russian Lubitel in good condition for about $60 to $75.It uses 120 film -- still available -- and the quality is much better than digital.
PS a cheap light meter will help, too -- or use your DSLR for a light meter.
Film cameras can be so so cheap, but be prepared to give them a little love and attention. Anything much older than 20 years, be prepared to change the light seals. It's usually a fairly cheap and easy job to do yourself. Check lenses for fungi.
I have two digital SLR cameras, but I also use film cameras. 35mm film is still easily available and can be cheap. I pay £1 for AgfaPhoto Vista Plus films (77 US cents). Getting them developed can be more problematic, but there are still many local independent processors with a photolab machine, and if not, many postal developers. Lots of people however opt to shoot in true b&w and then develop themselves. Either way, it's worth buying a digital scanner. Many flatbeds have film masks, and lamps built into their lids, to scan negatives or slides. Then all you need is the negatives.
120 roll film is still available, but if you think that you will ever use it, try invest in a digital scanner that can scan 35mm or 120 film negatives. Again, 120 b&w negatives can be developed at home.
As for price, I find Ebay a little expensive. The cheapest places here in the UK are 'car boot sales' - sort of mass yard sales. Examples of working film cameras that I've bought over the past twelve months:
Pentax ME Super - £10 from Ebay
Olympus Trip 35 - £5 from a car boot sale
Olympus XA-2 - £0.50p from a car boot sale (38 US cents)
Kodak Retinette 2A - £2 from a car boot sale
Lubitel 166B TLR - £2 from a car boot sale (yes, I paid less than a few dollars for a medium format film TLR!)
You get the drift, they are VERY cheap, just be prepared to clean them up and replace light seals, which can be purchased online. Film is not as 'instant' or convenient as Digital, but it is a whole lot of fun, and worth enjoying while it's still around.