So, I got a camera. Want opinions on this beast.

[NeoPTLD]

Update:

Ok, I've settled for a Pentax MZ-30 with Tamron lenses instead of a Pentax lens. I got a Tamron 28-80mm and a 70-300mm long one. I heard Pentax is pretty good camera and I'm not arguing that, but how are these lenses? These lenses are assembled in China. Rather unusual for optics.



I'm taking photography in school this year and I need to provide my own camera. The only requirement is that I get a SLR camera capable of manual settings. I have no idea how much I'd have to shell out for a decent one and since I'm going to drop money anyhow, I want something that can do automatic focus AS WELL so the camera won't become useless after I'm done with the class. Manual focus is nice for some applications, but if it doesn't have automatic focus and shutter speed as well, I think I'll never use it after I'm done with my class.

We have to pay for our own paper and film and these are expensive enough. Basically I want a decent SLR as cheap as possible. Papers are like $16 for 25 sheets of 8x10 and you go through them pretty fast. Film is about $4 per 25 shots , so it's not too bad.


Also, do I need to buy a seprate strobe unit?

 

[Lucky]

I can help you but please define "cheap". $399 w/a starter lens "cheap" to you?

 

[NeoPTLD]

Originally posted by: Lucky
I can help you but please define "cheap". $399 w/a starter lens "cheap" to you?

Basically cheapest possible. My definition of cheap is cheap in the eyes of a typical highshool student. $400 is hell of expensive to buy as something I need to use for one year in a class. I have no idea how much they cost for the basic model, so I decided to leave out the exact numbers

 

[Gunbuster]

A bottom of the line AF Nikon (N55, N65) is going to run you $350-400 with a lens

 

[WinkOsmosis]

eBay

 

I paid $279.99 last summer for a Minolta STsi full auto/full manual camera with a 35-80 mm lens.

Awesome price, great camera.

 

[mastertech01]

Ask around school, surely someone took the class last year and has one for a bargain price.

 

[NeoPTLD]

Actually my handout says it can cost from $150-400. What can I get for $150??

>$250 is :| expensive for something you need in HS class!

 

[KK]

You can look at canon rebel 2000, it's their cheap one, should do you fine.
Or the rebel G here.

KK

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
Actually my handout says it can cost from $150-400. What can I get for $150??

Local pawn shop. Disregard the sanded off serial number.

 

[PsychoAndy]

..and you're taking photography for WHAT reason?

 

[Lucky]

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
Actually my handout says it can cost from $150-400. What can I get for $150??

>$250 is :| expensive for something you need in HS class!

What is the maximum amount you can spend? At $150, you are talking about a manual only camera. $250 will get you a used auto/manual camera. $350 will get you a new auto camera.

 

[lowtech1]

Get a used Pentax K1000 with a 50mm for a bout $100.00-150.00 (very reliable & rugged camera).
And, $50.00-80.00 for a Vivitar 283 or 285 flash (they are both reliable & powerful flash, but the 283 is much more rugged).

The above combination will be able to match any pro cameras/flash combo from Nikon, Canon, Contact, etc..., And a manual focus & film winder train you to study your subject longer & save film (no trigger happy syndrome).

$4.00 is a bit pricey for a roll of 24 exp B/W films. You should be able to purchase Fuji Neopan ISO 100 @ 36 exp for around $2.00 each, or you might want to look into rolling your own. There isn't much difference in B/W films, except for the tighter grain T cell from Kodak T-max films & Tri-layers crystal from Ilford Delta family.

What you could do is purchase a roll of film from each manufacture & see which film suit your shooting style, chemical & processing method. I personally prefer Agfa 25 iso & Delta 100 iso B/W films due to their nice long contrast quallity, but I have uses & have many beautiful prints on from all types of B/W films.

I have just check my bag & found that I still have quite a few B/W films left. 12 rolls of 120mm Agfa Pan 25 iso, 3 35mm rolls of Delta 100 iso, 5 35mm rolls of Delta 400 iso, and 3 35mm rolls of Neopan 100 iso.

 

[Brutuskend]

After my Digital AND my 35mm SLR camera got "liberated" a few months ago, I got a Mamiya 35mm SLR camera REAL cheap off of Ebay.

 

[RanDum72]

I got a Mamiya 35mm SLR camera REAL cheap off of Ebay

I thought Mamiya made only medium format cameras, not 35mm....

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: RanDum72
I got a Mamiya 35mm SLR camera REAL cheap off of Ebay

I thought Mamiya made only medium format cameras, not 35mm....

Nope. The one that got ripped was a Mamiya Sekor, and my "new" one is a Mamiya NC1000.

 

[IBuyUFO]

I'll vouch for the pentax k1000. It's a cheap camera but it can take some incredibly sharp pictures with the 50 mm lens. Unfortunately that romance with the k1000 lasted for only a week since it was a borrowed camera and I got my nikon N90s. Then I switched over to two F5s. I can tell you that the F5 is a great camera. Here you can see the 2 extreme one being all manual the other other one being all computerized auto everything. But if you don't want to spend that much money for a camera then just get a pentax k1000

 

[lowtech1]

I thought Mamiya made only medium format cameras, not 35mm....

Yup!
Mamiya use to make amature/consumer 35mm cammeras, but the Yashica championed it with the Contact.

Canon & Pentax also helps with killing it by cloning the Mamiya 35mm camera body.

 

[NeoPTLD]

Is it a good to get a used camera?

Where is a good place to get a used camera in the Portland Metropolitan area or even though less preferred, online stores?

 

[lowtech1]

B & H is a good store for new & used equipment: Ace

I would go for the Olympus OM series body with a 50mm if you don't mind paying $150.00: Olympus OM-10 W/50/1.8 [USED

Better yet, get an OM-1 ot an OM-2n body with a Zuiko 50mm f1.4 for around $250.00 to $350.00 if you want a light weight & strong titanium body/lens.

Olympus made some of the sharpest lens in the world & the bodies & lenses are quite refine.

The OM Zuiko 50mm f1.4 quality & sharpness is un-match by any manufacture even with today computer aided design & laser technology.

A Pentax K1000 if you are looking for a cheap heavy brute that will take any punishment short of a hammer.

Pro bodies are over price & very heavy.

Light weight & refine are Leica & OM bodies except that the OM are is not as costly as the Leica.

Good luck!

 

I recently purchased a Canon EOS Rebel 2000 used for $200.
Damn fine camera for the money.

 

[BlueApple]

I third the k1000.

With an auto/manual camera, you'll have to carry around batteries, a big case, and be careful with the plastic case. You could play basketball with a k1000 and it will still work.

Since the k1000 is out of service, you can also try the model that has replaced it, the Pentax ZX-M.

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
Is it a good to get a used camera?

Where is a good place to get a used camera in the Portland Metropolitan area or even though less preferred, online stores?

Yes, used cameras are absolutely a possibility.

Go to a camera shop. Not a store that sells cameras in addition to other stuff, go to a camera shop. They'll have a used inventory and are probably very familiar with an influx of students at the start of each semester needed inexpensive cameras. They'll know what's going to be taught in the course and will be able to steer you toward an appropriate camera.

Any college town seems to have at least one good camera shop.

In my (limited) experience, these places are always "good people." They're honest, they won't try to oversell you, they'll take the time to explain stuff to you, etc. For me, walking into this type of store makes me think of what this country must've been like in its more innocent days. The guys that work there tend to be camera enthusiasts first, salespeople second.

 

[kei]

go to www.ritzcamera.com
click on clearance center located in the menu on the left hand side
you'll find the Nikon - Pronea S APS SLR Camera with 30-60mm Lens for $99.95

i tried to do a direct link but it didn't work

 

[777php]

Originally posted by: kei
go to www.ritzcamera.com
click on clearance center located in the menu on the left hand side
you'll find the Nikon - Pronea S APS SLR Camera with 30-60mm Lens for $99.95

i tried to do a direct link but it didn't work

I don't think he can use a APS camera for this class. It seems that they will be developing their own film.