Which 2nd hand entry level film SLR body to get?

Ah Pao · 6th April 2004

OK, a Canonian stepping in Nikon subforum.

I'm not familiar with Nikon offerings so need help here. My friend is looking for a 2nd hand Nikon film SLR camera with a budget of about $400. Because this is his first SLR camera, he will need to have a lens to go with it.

He's a pretty new beginner to SLR photography, shooting barely 10 rolls with a borrowed Olympus OM-1. So I guess all he needs is a basic entry-level model.

Any recommendations?

justarius · 6th April 2004

For a beginner camera, try for a F75. It goes for 699 new with kit lens (Nikon RRP), so I guess its possible to find a second hand one within your friend's budget. It's roughly equivalent to Canon's 300V (the two came out around the same time and targetted at same sort of market...I know 'cos I was considering between the two last year!). It has the latest 25 segment matrix meter (very accurate from personal experience) and enough manual over-ride and controls to provide enough room for your friend to grow into as well as the 'auto' modes to help him at the start.

If possible, you might also want to consider the F80, which is very very popular and very very good. It's considered a more prosumer level camera (roughly equivalent to EOS 30). It's enough camera that your friend wouldn't be anything better for a long time.

showtime · 6th April 2004

justarius,

just wondering. the F65 or even the F55 would produce the exact same quality of images as the bodies you mentioned (using the same lens and film)... why not these for a starter?

DeusExMachina · 6th April 2004

I have a Canon EOS88 kit to let go if he's interested, at half of his budget, and flash is included too.

espn · 6th April 2004

A 2nd hand F80 would go for $400-$450, everything, well almost everything for a beginner to serious hobbyist would need.

gadrian · 6th April 2004

I would definitely go for the F80.. it is used by many working freelance photographer as a backup body.. which says much about what is handling and it's capable off..

pipefish · 6th April 2004

I would recommend the F65/F80 because you can easily get them 2nd hand.

The F65 is a little more troublesome to use then the F80 as it only has one command dial to change aperture/ss. Famous NatGeo photog Galen Rowell used F65s as his main bodies whenever he went for hikes/runs and did not want to lug around a big camera.

Ah Pao · 6th April 2004

Thanks for the reply so far...I was expecting several F80s being mentioned...

But his budget is probably inclusive of a lens so I think $400 will probably be only enough to get a body.

I am more confused over the F55/F65/F75 (I hope I get the models right) and their differences...

Of course, I'll probably recommend him the F80 if he's game.

And no Canon for him, because he stated firmly he only want Nikon (one more for you people's camp!

)

kex · 6th April 2004

F601 with a 35-70mm 4-5.6
fits his budget nicely.

espn · 6th April 2004

Really and seriously, nothing beats the F80 for an entry level camera, even I myself am addicted to one. Of which, I still haven't returned the one I borrowed... oops!

coke21 · 6th April 2004

How about a Nikon FM2N?

kex · 6th April 2004

only thing i dun like about F80 is becoz manual lens won't meter on it..

RemAcuTetigisti · 6th April 2004

400 bucks: Get a FM2 and a 50mm f/1.8. I can go to the ends of the world with this combo. You can find a number of people selling this stuff here in Clubsnap. If you need integral metering, get a FE2. Forget AF 35mm cameras (F75, F80, 50, 60 etc...).

gadrian · 6th April 2004

HOnestly.. go for the F80.. second hand it goes for about 450.00 - 500.. and get a second hand 50mm f1.8.. it wil do lots more.. then the FM2.. I used to tell beginners to photography that the FM2 is the must use to learn photography..

I have changed my view.. coz when one is on a tight budget.. the FM2 is not really a good camera. second hand in good condition also goes for 450-550.. a lens 50mm f1.8 AIS is about 90-120 too.. and then you would have to get a flash.. if you intend to use it indoors.. that added about 120-150..for an SB22s.. or a and so on..

Sometime.. just for the fun of it.. you want built in flash.. AF.. the F80 is a great camera..

justarius · 6th April 2004

Originally Posted by showtime

justarius,

just wondering. the F65 or even the F55 would produce the exact same quality of images as the bodies you mentioned (using the same lens and film)... why not these for a starter?

True true, but there are several inherent 'disadvantages' in both of these cameras which are alleviated (wholly or partially) in the F75 or F80. My take on this is that if Ah Pao's friend find himself/herself really interested, they wouldn't be fretting about some minor feature or other which is frustrating to work around in the F55/F65. Both the F75/F80 has enough features to keep one satisfied for quite some time.

Check out this comparison here: bythom

justarius · 6th April 2004

Ah Pao: you might want to see this website from nikon australia comparing the F55 and F65:Nikon Australia

F55/F65 is entry level.
F75/F80 is prosumer level.
F100/F5 is professional level.

The first in the pair is the 'toned' down version of the second.

And coke21's suggestion for a FM2N is also a good one if your friend doesn't mind MF..

YSLee · 6th April 2004

$400 is tight. Nikon FG and two E series lenses if you're lucky.

Ansel · 6th April 2004

Originally Posted by YSLee

$400 is tight. Nikon FG and two E series lenses if you're lucky.

No way. FG is an antique. OK if you appreciate antique. But antique electronic devices ain't worth much.

Gimme F80 anyday!!

YSLee · 6th April 2004

I believe the recommendation here was for an entry level film SLR for shooting, not for collection purposes, to come with a lens, for under $400. The FG is a fine camera, and in the hands of a competent user will do better than the advice you're churning out.

tlim · 6th April 2004

If he expects his interest to grow, then I would suggest that he spend slightly more and buy a better cam even for a start.

It would definitely save him a lot of pain if and when he decides that the entry level cam is not enough for him and wants to upgrade. I'm quite sure that a lot of people went through this path, and when you add up your sums, you'd probably find that you could have saved a bundle if you went straight to the better cam.

I started with an entry level, and went on to upgrade, and everytime I changed my equipment, I lost some on selling, and it ended up costing me more than if I bought brand new equipment (same model as my upgraded stuff!)...

Anyone has had the same experience?

6th April 2004	#1
Ah Pao Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,578	Which 2nd hand entry level film SLR body to get? OK, a Canonian stepping in Nikon subforum. I'm not familiar with Nikon offerings so need help here. My friend is looking for a 2nd hand Nikon film SLR camera with a budget of about $400. Because this is his first SLR camera, he will need to have a lens to go with it. He's a pretty new beginner to SLR photography, shooting barely 10 rolls with a borrowed Olympus OM-1. So I guess all he needs is a basic entry-level model. Any recommendations?

6th April 2004	#7
pipefish Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 347	F65/f80 I would recommend the F65/F80 because you can easily get them 2nd hand. The F65 is a little more troublesome to use then the F80 as it only has one command dial to change aperture/ss. Famous NatGeo photog Galen Rowell used F65s as his main bodies whenever he went for hikes/runs and did not want to lug around a big camera.

6th April 2004	#2
justarius Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Western side of Singapore Posts: 1,163	For a beginner camera, try for a F75. It goes for 699 new with kit lens (Nikon RRP), so I guess its possible to find a second hand one within your friend's budget. It's roughly equivalent to Canon's 300V (the two came out around the same time and targetted at same sort of market...I know 'cos I was considering between the two last year!). It has the latest 25 segment matrix meter (very accurate from personal experience) and enough manual over-ride and controls to provide enough room for your friend to grow into as well as the 'auto' modes to help him at the start. If possible, you might also want to consider the F80, which is very very popular and very very good. It's considered a more prosumer level camera (roughly equivalent to EOS 30). It's enough camera that your friend wouldn't be anything better for a long time.

6th April 2004	#3
showtime Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 996	justarius, just wondering. the F65 or even the F55 would produce the exact same quality of images as the bodies you mentioned (using the same lens and film)... why not these for a starter?

6th April 2004	#4
DeusExMachina Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 227	I have a Canon EOS88 kit to let go if he's interested, at half of his budget, and flash is included too.

6th April 2004	#5
espn Deregistered Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Planet Nikon Posts: 22,045	A 2nd hand F80 would go for $400-$450, everything, well almost everything for a beginner to serious hobbyist would need.

6th April 2004	#6
gadrian Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 1,226	I would definitely go for the F80.. it is used by many working freelance photographer as a backup body.. which says much about what is handling and it's capable off..

6th April 2004	#9
kex Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: beebox Posts: 2,101	F601 with a 35-70mm 4-5.6 fits his budget nicely.

6th April 2004	#11
coke21 Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: East Posts: 728	How about a Nikon FM2N?

6th April 2004	#13
RemAcuTetigisti Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 189	400 bucks: Get a FM2 and a 50mm f/1.8. I can go to the ends of the world with this combo. You can find a number of people selling this stuff here in Clubsnap. If you need integral metering, get a FE2. Forget AF 35mm cameras (F75, F80, 50, 60 etc...).

6th April 2004	#17
YSLee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,262	$400 is tight. Nikon FG and two E series lenses if you're lucky.

6th April 2004	#20
tlim Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 108	If he expects his interest to grow, then I would suggest that he spend slightly more and buy a better cam even for a start. It would definitely save him a lot of pain if and when he decides that the entry level cam is not enough for him and wants to upgrade. I'm quite sure that a lot of people went through this path, and when you add up your sums, you'd probably find that you could have saved a bundle if you went straight to the better cam. I started with an entry level, and went on to upgrade, and everytime I changed my equipment, I lost some on selling, and it ended up costing me more than if I bought brand new equipment (same model as my upgraded stuff!)... Anyone has had the same experience?