Some students have been asking me about purchasing cameras, what to look for etc. From my experience, Canon and Nikon have been the preferred cameras because of their optics, but Olympus, Pentax and Minolta, are not bad (usually better priced). With most new cameras you will have LED readouts. Make sure that you are getting a “film” camera and not a digital one. And make sure it is a 35mm format SLR with at least a 50mm (normal) manual focusing lens (zooms are fine). Also make sure that the camera allows both “shutter” and “aperture” (f-stops at ½ stop increments) manual control. If you don’t know what this means, ask your sales person.
Shop around and ask a lot of questions, ask about used cameras as well as new ones. Next pick up each of your possible camera candidates and adjust the f-stops and the shutter speeds. Keep in mind that as you shoot in the manual mode, you want these actions to be fluid and easy. Take a shot; adjust the f-stop 1/2 stop up and then 1/2 stop down. Change your shutter speed and make sure there is a “B” (bulb) setting. For a used camera, open the back of the camera and look for ware and tear (especially look for dents on the outside indicating the camera has been dropped). While the back of the camera is open fire the shutter and advance it making sure that it advances and is working smoothly. Also while the back is open fire the shutter at a slow speed and then fire it again at a faster speed, making sure there is a recognizable difference. Also while the back is still open go to a slow shutter speed and while looking through the film opening fire the shutter a few times while changing the lens's aperture (f-stop) settings, making sure that the size of the hole changes from f-stop to f-stop.
Compare the ease of use for each camera especially the metering system, does the camera tell you what f-stop and shutter speed you are at in the viewfinder? Then try the focus in the manual mode, see if the camera can focus "macro" and try it out. See how close you can get to something in focus. Then if it is a zoom lens extend it to the most telephoto mode and focus in and out with the manual focus (Can you easily tell when you are in focus?) When comparing the lenses of the different cameras check what the smallest f-stop number and the largest f-stop numbers are (An f-4 lens should cost less than an f-2.8 lens from the same manufacturer, but the f-2.8 would be more desirable if you are shooting in low light conditions). Next how does it fit in your hands and is the viewer easy to look through and does the camera fit comfortably to your face. Also check to see if the camera has a “hot shoe” or cord attachment for an external flash (not mandatory, but a nice option to have).
If you are still not sure look the camera model up on line and see what consumer groups say about that particular model. There is a glut of good used “film” cameras on the market since many photographers are switching to digital, shop around for the best deal.
Also, get a written guarantee that if the camera cannot be used in a fully manual mode for this class, that the store will refund your money if you return it within one week or so. That way I can look it over in class. With used cameras make sure that you get a 90-day warranty that the store will refund or replace the camera. A used camera will do you no good if it’s in the repair department for 6 or 8 weeks!
I hope that helps you choose. Don’t worry if you are still confused, we will go over all this in class. But you must have a camera to use by the second week of class.
Here are some websites that can help give more info:
http://blog.epicedits.com/2008/06/20/your-guide-to-buying-old-film-cameras/
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Almost-Any-35mm-Film-Camera
http://www.epinions.com/Film_Cameras
Shop around and ask a lot of questions, ask about used cameras as well as new ones. Next pick up each of your possible camera candidates and adjust the f-stops and the shutter speeds. Keep in mind that as you shoot in the manual mode, you want these actions to be fluid and easy. Take a shot; adjust the f-stop 1/2 stop up and then 1/2 stop down. Change your shutter speed and make sure there is a “B” (bulb) setting. For a used camera, open the back of the camera and look for ware and tear (especially look for dents on the outside indicating the camera has been dropped). While the back of the camera is open fire the shutter and advance it making sure that it advances and is working smoothly. Also while the back is open fire the shutter at a slow speed and then fire it again at a faster speed, making sure there is a recognizable difference. Also while the back is still open go to a slow shutter speed and while looking through the film opening fire the shutter a few times while changing the lens's aperture (f-stop) settings, making sure that the size of the hole changes from f-stop to f-stop.
Compare the ease of use for each camera especially the metering system, does the camera tell you what f-stop and shutter speed you are at in the viewfinder? Then try the focus in the manual mode, see if the camera can focus "macro" and try it out. See how close you can get to something in focus. Then if it is a zoom lens extend it to the most telephoto mode and focus in and out with the manual focus (Can you easily tell when you are in focus?) When comparing the lenses of the different cameras check what the smallest f-stop number and the largest f-stop numbers are (An f-4 lens should cost less than an f-2.8 lens from the same manufacturer, but the f-2.8 would be more desirable if you are shooting in low light conditions). Next how does it fit in your hands and is the viewer easy to look through and does the camera fit comfortably to your face. Also check to see if the camera has a “hot shoe” or cord attachment for an external flash (not mandatory, but a nice option to have).
If you are still not sure look the camera model up on line and see what consumer groups say about that particular model. There is a glut of good used “film” cameras on the market since many photographers are switching to digital, shop around for the best deal.
Also, get a written guarantee that if the camera cannot be used in a fully manual mode for this class, that the store will refund your money if you return it within one week or so. That way I can look it over in class. With used cameras make sure that you get a 90-day warranty that the store will refund or replace the camera. A used camera will do you no good if it’s in the repair department for 6 or 8 weeks!
I hope that helps you choose. Don’t worry if you are still confused, we will go over all this in class. But you must have a camera to use by the second week of class.
Here are some websites that can help give more info:
http://blog.epicedits.com/2008/06/20/your-guide-to-buying-old-film-cameras/
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Almost-Any-35mm-Film-Camera
http://www.epinions.com/Film_Cameras
