What's a good 35mm SLR for photography class?

[Anubis]

Google for a Nikon FE2 or FM10 you can get one with a lens for less then 150$

 

[screw3d]

Thanks all.. I'm still thinking whether to go the Nikon or Canon road..

But I know for sure that somewhere down the road I will get a digital SLR to replace my current G5.. I might just get a cheap used one just to get by this class and later drop some heavy cash on better digital equipment. I hope this is not a bad idea!

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: screw3d
Thanks all.. I'm still thinking whether to go the Nikon or Canon road..

But I know for sure that somewhere down the road I will get a digital SLR to replace my current G5.. I might just get a cheap used one just to get by this class and later drop some heavy cash on better digital equipment. I hope this is not a bad idea!

no thats a fine idea, just be aware that whatever syetem you buy into Canon or Nikon if you get a "OLD" film camera now like the FM10 and it comes with a manual lens then they lens will not work on the new digital, unless you go for the pro level digital

 

[DXM]

You can look for a nice used example of the Canon AT-1. The AT-1 is pretty much the same thing as the AE-1 but lacking shutter speed priority which you problebly won't be using in a photography class anyway. You can pick one up on ebay for less than $50 with lens.

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: DXM
You can look for a nice used example of the Canon AT-1. The AT-1 is pretty much the same thing as the AE-1 but lacking shutter speed priority which you problebly won't be using in a photography class anyway. You can pick one up on ebay for less than $50 with lens.

Whoah! That was marketed in 1977 :Q

 

[abaez]

1977 but still awesome for photos.. TONS of great used fd lens on ebay.. I just bought a f/2 35mm lens for 70$.

 

[Anubis]

yea the old stuff is great my old Nikormat was made in the mid 70s. still takes AMAZING pics, have a 50mm f/1.4 and a 200mm F4 for it

 

[JoeKing]

Canon AE-1 owns all!!!

I "inherited" my dads AE-1 and it hasn't failed me yet. I got an A in my photography class and had a few photos used in a show using that camera.

 

[NutBucket]

I've actually got a now extra Rebel S2 since my new SLR just came in today. I'll cut you a good deal if you're interested......

EDIT: Its what I used for photo class maybe 8 years ago my freshman year of HS.

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
I've actually got a now extra Rebel S2 since my new SLR just came in today. I'll cut you a good deal if you're interested......

EDIT: Its what I used for photo class maybe 8 years ago my freshman year of HS.

I would love to get a used one online.. unfortunately I have to have it by next Monday.. so I guess I have to get it locally

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: screw3d

Originally posted by: NutBucket
I've actually got a now extra Rebel S2 since my new SLR just came in today. I'll cut you a good deal if you're interested......

EDIT: Its what I used for photo class maybe 8 years ago my freshman year of HS.

I would love to get a used one online.. unfortunately I have to have it by next Monday.. so I guess I have to get it locally

Nah, just use whatever you've got for the first assignment. The reality of it is that photo classes focus first on basic techniques that you can practice with any camera.

Just something to think about

It'll be sitting on the floor if you change your mind

 

[ProviaFan]

Beware of some of the entry level cameras, though. I know someone who has one of the cheapest Minolta SLRs. That thing has horribly slow autofocus, and allows absolutely no manual control over exposure. The higher end Minoltas are fine cameras, of course, but they may also be out of your budget. The Nikon or Canon models suggested are fine, especially if you want to start building a collection of lenses to move over to a DSLR someday.

Throwing more money into an inherited screwmount (or other outdated) system is a very bad choice, as I now know from painful personal experience. The old Mamiya 1000DTL was free from the unused-in-the-past-20-years pile in the parents' closet, but the accessories and related stuff has certainly not been; after this time I regret not getting into the Nikon system from the start (I love macro so am kind of partial to Nikon).