Cameras

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Any photographers frequent the board?

I'm undertaking a photography unit as an elective this semester at uni and a great deal of the unit involves film, not digital SLRs. I've been told its best to learn on film SLRs before converting to the digital camera anyway so one can get a better understanding of how photography works..

Anyway, I'm thinking of picking up a cheap film SLR off ebay or the like, but really have little idea what I'm looking for. If anyone has any advice or recommendations, they are welcomed. Is it even worth looking into buying a non-digital SLR? Are they that redundant?

Other option is to start out using the crappy uni film SLRs to get my feet with then just buy a nice digital SLR some months down the track..

Any input is appreciated..

[nairb49]

there are a few threads on this, search around a bit. also check out the photo threads in superculture.

[PAID VACATION]

film SLRs are cheap enough where you should just go ahead and learn on them. i cant stand the who "i bought a pro-sumer camera and therefore i am a photographer" thing, but i guess times have changed.

camera to get:

Canon AE-1, any of this series is a good bet, since they have a lot of accessories floating around, they are straight forward, built like a tank.

very similar to the student standard Pentax, but IMO a better camera.

[brianliu]

if you wanna go Nikon, do FE or FE2.

[toufu]

i got a mint

canon eos rebel t2

im trying to get rid of

[home]

Read the other threads just then, decided that I will probably go with a film SLR to start out with.

So far looking at the Canon AE-1, any others I should look out for?

Also, as I'm looking for a second-hand camera, are there any tips one would give for seeking a camera that hasn't been thrashed? Any tell-tale signs that a used camera isn't in good nick (other than any obvious aesthetic deformities)?

Cheers.

[Comma H]

I do a fair bit of freelance photography and nowadays use digital more than film cameras. Most of the time people prefer to work with digital stock for sheer ease.

I use Canon Cameras. I started with an AE-1 and learnt a lot from it. I now use an EOS 3 and an EOS 5D. If I had to choose and reccommend one, it would be the digital. They are much more flexible and forgiving, especially for someone beginning in photography.

Good Luck!