My wife's birthday present... (Need opinions on film cameras)

[SunnyD]

She wants to get into photography - she enjoys taking pictures with the digital camera we have and loves to take pics with crappy film cameras, so I figure it's time for something better. She's been window shopping for when we have some spare coin to be able to get something decent. I made a few recommendation - but I am certainly no photographer.

Anyway, as I said she window shopping - and checked out some of the SLR's at one of the stores. She came away liking (in order of preference):

Canon G2
Canon Ti
Nikkon N75
Nikkon N55

Mind you - both she and I are at the level of Amature-- when it comes to picking out cameras. So - suggestions? Comments? Etc. The camera isn't going to be intended for "casual" use. She actually wants to get into photography, so I'd like to get her a good jumping off point. And yes, she knows how to use a better camera (since I know someone is going to ask).

Also - if anyone has decent net photo resellers with good prices, I'd appreciate linkage.

 

[SunnyD]

Anyone?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I would recommend a Canon Rebel body with a normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM autofocus lens. Don't bother with a kit, the lenses that come with those kits are very poor quality and I think she would probably learn more about photography and framing pictures with a decent quality 50mm lens rather than a really crappy zoom.

BTW-It's Nikon, not Nikkon.

B&H Photo is where I buy all my photography equipment. Linkified

 

[jacob0401]

Canon EOS Elan 7... love mine . I woudl go with any of the Canon bodies, but then again I'm a Canon fan boy. A more sensible reason could be that if you ever get a DSLR, which Canon is dominating right now, you can use your EOS lenses from the film camera.

In any case... Adorama.com seems pretty good. Not the lowest prices, but reputable.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Camera Body

Lens

 

[jacob0401]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I would recommend a Canon Rebel body with a normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM autofocus lens. Don't bother with a kit, the lenses that come with those kits are very poor quality and I think she would probably learn more about photography and framing pictures with a decent quality 50mm lens rather than a really crappy zoom.

BTW-It's Nikon, not Nikkon.

B&H Photo is where I buy all my photography equipment. Linkified

Yeah, this is good advice. Don't buy the kit. The lens that is included is garbage.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: jacob0401
Canon EOS Elan 7... love mine . I woudl go with any of the Canon bodies, but then again I'm a Canon fan boy. A more sensible reason could be that if you ever get a DSLR, which Canon is dominating right now, you can use your EOS lenses from the film camera.

In any case... Adorama.com seems pretty good. Not the lowest prices, but reputable.

I have an Elan 7 and I love it also. I recommend the Rebel though for a beginner simply because it is smaller and lighter than the Elan series bodies. Elan is more of an entry into pro level cameras and as such it is a bit bulky and can be a bit of a put-off to the beginning photographer.

The Rebel will take any EOS lens.

The nice thing about an SLR camera is the ability change settings that you wouldn't be able to on a point and shoot camera. You can also add filters and change lenses to suit your environment. Much more versatile than a point and shoot camer.

 

[Gooberlx2]

What's your price range? I'm assuming even the Canon Digital Rebel isn't going to be what you want if you're just starting out? I'd say try out the Elan 7 (used if in good condition) and then get the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 mk II (incredible lens for $70...if you can find it in stock anywhere). And then some sort of 28-135-or-so mm zoom for a general walkaround lens.

 

[jacob0401]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
What's your price range? I'm assuming even the Canon Digital Rebel isn't going to be what you want if you're just starting out? I'd say try out the Elan 7 (used if in good condition) and then get the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 mk II (incredible lens for $70...if you can find it in stock anywhere). And then some sort of 28-135-or-so mm zoom for a general walkaround lens.

50 mm f/1.8 is great optically, but construction wise it is lacking a bit. also it is not USM so autofocus is noisier. the only really lacking thing is manual focus all the time, you ahve to hit the switch. however, it is a great lens for the price and I enjoy mine thoroughly. great alternative if you can't afford the 50 mm f/1.4.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: jacob0401

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
What's your price range? I'm assuming even the Canon Digital Rebel isn't going to be what you want if you're just starting out? I'd say try out the Elan 7 (used if in good condition) and then get the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 mk II (incredible lens for $70...if you can find it in stock anywhere). And then some sort of 28-135-or-so mm zoom for a general walkaround lens.

50 mm f/1.8 is great optically, but construction wise it is lacking a bit. also it is not USM so autofocus is noisier. the only really lacking thing is manual focus all the time, you ahve to hit the switch. however, it is a great lens for the price and I enjoy mine thoroughly. great alternative if you can't afford the 50 mm f/1.4.

Yeah....construction is plastic....but that's why it's cheap. Optically it's as good as an 'L'. But construction and lack of USM shouldn't be THAT big of an issue....I mean...I'm doubting she's gonna be hunched in a thicket shooting pics of some rare african bird....or trying to use it while falling down a rocky cliff after failing to bike the ledge .

I'd say another alternative is the 50mm 1.8 mk I. It's a little more $$$ ($150-ish on ebay) and more rare, and still lacking USM. But atleast it's metal.

Obviously the big advantage to the 1.4 (IMO) is the extra 3 blades (8 vs. 5) in the aperture mechanism (iris?), slightly sharper, faster (f1.4 vs. f1.8), silent and probably faster focusing (USM), and better build construction....

...but in the end (for me atleast) it still comes down to optics/features vs. price.....and you just can't beat the 50mm mk II.

 

[PHiuR]

i have a rebel 2000 with the KIT...lens is decent...(i just started gettin into it) i wont say anything spceial about the lens but the body is great...im looking into gettin a new lens soon..something with better fstop goodluck...i would say any rebel body is pretty good for anybody to learn on and also... if you want to spend some more get the digital rebel!!

 

[SunnyD]

A digital rebel isn't out of the price range, however she wants to get into FILM photography, at least for starters. I figure if she gets good at it later on and wants to get a little heavier into it we're talk digital then.

Price range, I was looking at around $300 give or take for what I'm going to get for her. I think I'll be safe up to about $500 - but I'm thinking that might be a bit much to spend on a beginner.

 

[Linflas]

If you are good up to $500.00 I suggest checking out a Nikon N80. I got one of these for my wife a couple Christmas's back and she loves it. When I was shopping them I liked the feel of it much better than the N75.

 

[TwiceOver]

I purchased a Nikon Kit (Unsure What Body) w/ a 28 - 80mm Lense, A Targus Camera Bag, Batteries, and a Tripod for $355 from Best Buy a couple months ago. It was a present for my Girlfriend who also wants to get into film photography. It seems like a good camera, she is having a blast with it. I think I was allowed to touch it once.