2024 Film Camera Buying Guide | Cameras & Coffee 27 September

This quick video provides some tips on characteristics to look for in a film camera and is intended as a guide for photography students. Always defer to your teacher's syllabus or instructions over some random guy on YouTube, but this video should provide some tips to help you select a good camera model. If there's interest, I can also do a follow-up on where to buy a camera.

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[flowermaze___]

Canon FTb easily one of the most reliable and long last of all mechanical cameras. Beautiful to shoot!

[bluegrassengineer]

This is good advice all the way around. I have an OM-2S that I bought in the 80s. It still works, but I won't be surprised when the electronics die. I know that my OM-1 will probably outlast it by decades.

[jerzyjablonski]

I would add one point: check if battery for lightmeter is readily available or can be replaced by one of modern batteries. Non typical ones can usually be found, but are (lot) more expensive.

Also Russian or DDR (Praktica) from 70s and 80s cameras are good for learning. Eastern cameras either broke really quickly or are unkillable monsters, depend if Sasha that assembled them was drunk enough, but not too much :D But if you can buy Zenit XP or Praktica MTL5 for example that still works 100% that there is big chance it will work for years and years. It is actually hard to find one that is in good condition even here (I live in Poland) but it is doable.

[filmcamerasforever]

The Nikomat FTn (Nikomat FTn) uses a shutter from Copal Square, a very robust Japanese camera shutter specialist at the time, which is a vertical-running metal shutter. I have great faith in this camera. I recommend this camera because it is very robust and can be had for less than a Nikon F or F2.

The Minolta SR1s is another favorite camera of mine.
This camera is similar to the SRT101 in mechanics and feel, but it is a fully manual camera without a built-in exposure system. This makes it a bit more compact, but it features the same 1/1000 second shutter speed as the SRT101, a mirror-up mechanism, and a larger release button that is easier to press than the SR-1.

[TubaSolotheHiker]

I’ve been playing a dangerous game with a Canon EF. I love shooting that camera but the electronics will absolutely go one day. So, I scooped up a Canon F1n. (Not the original F1 and not the New F1, rather the original F1 with the small upgrades) so I’d have a fully mechanical camera. Happy with it for the most part. I know the more I shoot, it the more I’ll get used to it. It’s nice to know that I have a film camera that will likely outlast me. 😂

[joseerazevedo]

One more thing on mechanical cameras: they will probably last forever. if something breaks, a nice repair shop can rebuild it. This just doesn't happen with electronics. I've a Rolleiflex older than me - and I'm 60 - that works perfectly, has been CLA twice since I picked it in 2000

[robwhite]

Spotmatic SP and F are my babies, M42 screw mount lenses tons of those going for reasonable prices. The K1000 definitely has the cult status, but the Spotmatic is a little more robust and in most cases cheaper. If you can find one and the light meter still works your on a winner, repair CLA and many years of shooting are ahead of you.
And I recon the Spotmatic has more bohemian appeal than a just a legend, it gives you a outside the box status.

[jonlouis]

I see a lot of comments inline about how Pentax K1000's are overpriced, but I keep finding them for $20. They all need a service, but so do most cameras that age. At least they are usually an easy fix. Also, Canon F1's are shockingly cheap now, I have to stop myself from buying more.

[tonyhayes]

I grew up n the Pentax K1000 and Contax 1 rangefinder. They both taught me what aperture shutter speed and ASA film speed all mean and how they work together. I still have the Pentax K1000 and Spotmatic F both have been CLA'd and they work gorgeously.
My Nikkormat FTN still functions perfectly as well. My FM3a works well too but it was produced in 2001 so more modern and can be used without battery
The only 90's electronic camera I own is the Nikon F4 and it seems OK
Its 40 years of accumulation but they're such good cameras

[ionescuion]

What do you think about Nikon F2 with photomic finder?

[thomasthiele]

Being a user of Canon gear since 1980, I have to agree that analogue cameras of the years between 1990 and about 2001 are really excellent, if you prefer the models with only 1 digit in the model designation (f.ex. EOS 1, 1n, 3, 5 or perhaps the second class models EOS 50, 55, 30v, 33v) but there is always the risk that you dont get a matching battery or the electronics fail. Getting repair parts for electronic cameras older than ten years often becomes difficult. Mechanical cameras are often more solid and easier to repair. Exact metering is only necessary for slide film, negative film accepts over- and underexposure of one ore two steps. I worked with Canon AE-1 for several years and Canon F-1 and F-1n since 1981 until today. For the AE-1 you still find batteries, but it has only integral metering and without battery it does not work at all. The F-1 old and FT, FTb and others have the often much better partial metering. But the matching pb batterys are forbidden and not produced anymore. Nevertheless I would prefer these models because of their solid build quality. If you use en external meter or your smartphone it will work perfectly. The Canon EF from 1973 uses different electronic circuitry and still works with modern batteries, if the electronics of the cameras work. I do own two of them and they still work. My advice: Look for a Canon F-1n (1977 till 1981), it works between-40 and +50 degrees Celsius, as far as I remember, and is a joy to use. Its weight reduces camera shake. ;-)

[javaman]

You're addressing students, so where would you direct them to get a mechanical camera that works right now? I tend to go to eBay, but the camera probably needs a CLA, which can delay it for weeks or more. Also, which lens would you suggest? I always start with a 50mm f/1.4 on the assumption that it's better than the standard f/1.8 lens.

[jw]

This morning...

Mighty Good Coffee Roasting Co - "Almighty Blend"
Technivorm Moccamaster CDT / Grand
Encore Mignon Crono

I would submit that the Canon Ti isn't a bad option: 2003-ish, cheap as chips, no grip rubber to go bad, better AF than most 90s pro bodies, not really old enough to be dying due to age yet. I picked up 4 of them a few years back ~$25 apiece, one death so far but that was the Lake's fault 🤪

All solid recommendations, although you neglected to specify which Alpha 9 is an exception - the regular or the titanium? Details are important David😂

[PhongJr.]

FWIW: in the USA, Minolta autofocus cameras have remained inexpensive except the Maxxum 9xi, 7, 9.
Prime lenses have been lower priced than the MD lenses but are scarcer than the much more plentiful kit zoom lenses.

[gojuadorai]

i agree with most you said but i absolutely not think that an alr makes you a better photographer.
the more hassle a camera is to shoot the more it will teach you.

i strongly recomend a handheld spotmeter if you can afford one

[jadeorquiola]

hello, how about the canon eos 750qd? I just bought it as a first camera and wanting to explore about film photography more. Is it a good choice for a beginner or i should look even more? (i already have a kiss 3 as a spare)

[michaeldickson]

Minolta SR-T Series are the best of the Minoltas of the era. I had X-570, XD-11, XG1, all OK but the SRT beats them all in terms of quality.

[pavelpotehin]

I think that not only reliability is the main problem of 90s SLRs, but also using uncommon battery formats. CR123 or 2CR5, which most of them used are harder to find, they are pricier and there are no rechargeable option. Or at least no safe ones – there are a lot of forum posts from 2000s, where someone bought 2CR5 rechargeable and fried cameras electronics.

[YeahItsThatBad]

David, what is your opinion on Moka Pots?

[JaseSung]

How about a ‘98 Nikon F3? Would this be susceptible to 90’s build issues?