The 5 Best 35mm Film cameras for beginners.

I have 3 of them :)
 
LOL
I'd choose the T70 over the AE1P..the T70 is much superior.
OM20 over the OM10
Expensive Contax huh..much cheaper point and shoots.
Can't argue choosing FM2 or X-700 although I prefer the XD11 (one day I'll have to find out what X-700 can do that the XD11 can't).
 
I wouldn't bother with the AE1/programme, these days they sell for too much money for what they actually are (probably because of the silver and black retro look). If they want a manual wind 35mm SLR then I usually suggest beginners go with the Canon A1 instead; I find it a much nicer camera to use and it will do more than the AE1 (when they're ready to use more advanced features), I think the LED digital readout in the viewfinder is easier to read than a needle and scale, plus the A1 often seems to sell for less than the AE1/Programme, which to be honest I think is daft. However, I find that beginners often don't listen, and go with one of the AE/V/T1 series cameras instead... then end up changing it later, probably to the A1 I suggested in the first place. As my Grandad used to say, you can't put an old head on young shoulders.
 
Looks like a rather random selection of decent cameras, and the descriptions are vague and sometimes misleading (e.g. 'the Olympus is equipped with a built-in light meter that allows you to fully control your exposure, ISO and shutter speed for manual shooters. Even in the instance where your battery dies, the camera can still be used and functions properly' - the OM-10 doesn't have full manual control without the manual adapter, which is nothing to do with the meter, and it has a battery-dependent electronic shutter).
 
(one day I'll have to find out what X-700 can do that the XD11 can't).

I had an x500 which is pretty much the same, and now own an XD7. The advantages I found of the x500 over the XD were:

1. It's a bit lighter
2. Has a program mode
3. Has an exposure lock button

I only miss the exposure lock button, and the nicer metal build quality of the XD definitely makes up for that.
 
Program mode?

Yes you're right the X-700 has P but only A...but although the XD11 doesn't have P it has A and S and with it's other advanced reasons is probably why I prefer it.
 
I had an x500 which is pretty much the same, and now own an XD7. The advantages I found of the x500 over the XD were:

1. It's a bit lighter
2. Has a program mode
3. Has an exposure lock button

I only miss the exposure lock button, and the nicer metal build quality of the XD definitely makes up for that.

One of the first cameras I picked up was the X300, that is a good basic camera for beginners.
 
One of the first cameras I picked up was the X300, that is a good basic camera for beginners.

Same here, and yes agreed. I've had all sorts of much 'fancier' and higher priced 35mm cameras since, and none of them were more usable or took better photos than the x300.
 
Well, I have had a think about this and my list from what I have used in the past fifty years is as follows:

All can and have recently been purchased for less than £100 inc at least one lens.

Nikon FM.

Canon AT 1.

Pentax K1000.

Olympus OM1n or 2

Nikon F70.

What would be your selection.
 
Nikon FM.

Canon AT 1.

Pentax K1000.

Olympus OM1n or 2

Nikon F70.

What would be your selection.

I'd say that this is a far better selection than theirs [thehub], and very much in line with my thoughts. I might perhaps change the F70 to an F65, but this is only because I had one and that it has a marginally newer AF system :D
 
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I'd be leaning to more automated cameras to learn film photography on... such as the Nikon F80, which is still a great bit of kit for the price you can buy them for.
 
I'd say that this is a far better selection than theirs [thehub], and very much in line with my thoughts. I might perhaps change the F70 to an F65, but this is only because I had one and that it has a marginally newer AF system :D


I just had a look at my F65 and on reflection you are right, as the features are the same,but, the F65 top layout is easier to adjust and with faster/newer AF when used edges the contest.

Also the F65 takes the MB-17 battery grip and the F70 does not have one.
 
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The F65 is also very small and light. But like Dave I'd go for the F80. It's still very cheap and pretty light, but you get the full 2 dial interface and a lot of camera for the money, the next best thing to the F100 in that generation of cameras, and with a lot of compatibility with the current dSLR system (including G and VR lenses, though not E or AF-P).

For a manual SLR, how about an FM2? It's a high quality and pretty much bulletproof camera (though as a left-eyed shooter I've never liked the way the wind-on lever has to be pulled out to the standoff position to switch it on - the F3 doesn't have this issue).

For a rangefinder, I'd say a Canon P - reasonably priced and no need for accessory viewfinders for common focal lengths.

For a pocketable manual focus camera, the Olympus XA is hard to beat.

For an AF compact, a Yashica T4 or 5 would be great, but they go for silly prices these days and the similarly specified Olympus Mju models are also pretty pricey. Some of the Canon Sureshots are very cheap and have nice lenses - you can find a Sureshot Supreme for the price of a nice roll of film.
 
My top five for beginners would be:

Fully Manual Camera = Pentax K1000
Auto/Manual with manual focus = Nikon FE or FE2
Program/Auto/manual + manual Focus = Canon A1
Auto with Auto Focus = Canon EOS 30 (I think - what @Mr Badger uses)
Compact Camera = Olympus Trip

I have chosen the above as they all offer something different to each other at reasonable costs on the used market.
 
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My top five for beginners would be:

Fully Manual Camera = Pentax K1000
Auto/Manual with manual focus = Nikon FE or FE2
Program/Auto/manual + manual Focus = Canon A1
Auto with Auto Focus = Canon EOS 30 (I think - what @Mr Badger uses)
Compact Camera = Olympus Trip

I have chosen the above as they all offer something different to each other at reasonable costs on the used market.
I'd agree with most of those. Maybe the Minolta X700 instead of the Canon A1 as I believe the A1 has long term reliability issues?

Anyway spreading the love by including Minolta. :)
 
LOL
I'd choose the T70 over the AE1P..the T70 is much superior.
OM20 over the OM10
Expensive Contax huh..much cheaper point and shoots.
Can't argue choosing FM2 or X-700 although I prefer the XD11 (one day I'll have to find out what X-700 can do that the XD11 can't).
The X700 has TTL flash metering when used with the PX range of flash guns. The top of the line being the Auto 360 PX. Unfortunately it lost the vertical travelling shutter and only has a 1/60 sec sync speed (I think) vs the XD7 which has a 1/125 sec sync speed. The X700 also has a true motordrive with grip whereas the XD7 can only take a winder with no grip. The AE lock of the X700 is a nice feature but would be nicer still if it operated on a half press of the shutter button.
 
I'd agree with most of those. Maybe the Minolta X700 instead of the Canon A1 as I believe the A1 has long term reliability issues?

Anyway spreading the love by including Minolta. :)
I've owned and used the same Canon A1 since I bought it new in 1980, I must have put hundreds of films through it during that time and it's still going strong and everything on it still works just as it should, including the light meter and the red LED digital display in the viewfinder (which still auto adjusts to make it comfortably viewable in different lighting conditions). In all that time it's had one service (to cure a squeaking shutter bearing - carried out around 26 years ago and it's been fine ever since!) and new film door foam light seals and mirror buffer just over a year ago. That also includes a period of it lying unused in a cupboard for around 8 years after the advent of digital SLRs, and mechanical cameras like SLRs don't usually like not being used for long periods. If that's 'long term reliability issues' then I'll take that degree of maintenance cost over a 38 year period! :whistle:
 
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Remember guys & girls - the thread title includes 'for beginners' :) I would choose some different options for myself.

I personally love the A1 as a Camera (I used to stare at the canon adverts for it in the photography magazines as a young teenager; how sad!) but the Minolta is a nice suggestion as well (y)

I chose the Canon because the lenses are good yet very cheap.
 
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Remember guys & girls - the thread title includes 'for beginners'

Well I thought it was all sorted for the T70 o_O As well as you can use it manually it also has shutter priority where if you set the lens for auto it has just the feature for newbies in that if you have selected the wrong shutter speed for the aperture selected and light conditions...then the camera will auto select the right speed from 1000 to 2 secs.... and has built in motor drive for about 2.5 frames\sec and they go for peanuts. (y)
 
Well I thought it was all sorted for the T70 o_O As well as you can use it manually it also has shutter priority where if you set the lens for auto it has just the feature for newbies in that if you have selected the wrong shutter speed for the aperture selected and light conditions...then the camera will auto select the right speed from 1000 to 2 secs.... and has built in motor drive for about 2.5 frames\sec and they go for peanuts. (y)
Plus you can put it on the mantlepiece to scare young children and small animals away from the fire! ;) :D

Only joking, you can't use it for that purpose... but I still think the T70 is something of an acquired taste looks wise. :whistle:
 
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but I still think the T70 is something of an acquired taste looks wise

Doesn't matter to me as I grew up with crappy looking cameras :D not that I think the T70 is that ugly. A few years ago on the net was a topic about the ugliest cameras and one chosen was the one I had..a bakelight coronet
upload_2018-11-14_23-41-44.jpeg
 
I can see a certain 'toast rack' like styling influence in that Coronet too. Perhaps it's just me? :confused:
 
What are the needs of a beginner?

As an example, the X700: "It was the top model of their final manual-focus SLR series before the introduction of the auto-focus..." (sorry for quoting the wikipedia), so it was not targeted for beginners. One starts learning how to drive a car with a Fiat 500 not with a Lamborghini Diablo. A simpler camera would be much better, maybe something like a Pentax ME Super or Nikon EM, with the option of Av just to start learning first how to play with the aperture forgetting for a moment the speeds, with a somehow reliable and easy to read light-meter, and small, light body. The ME Super has also the option of full manual operation.

The mentioned Contax makes no sense at all.
 
The ME Super has also the option of full manual operation

I've just tested mine and like many other cameras at the time is not very good at low light in not being able to see the exposure meter reading and I didn't mind buttons for shutter speeds...but was impressed at the flash sync as it was 1/125 sec :eek:. So IMO it should be in the short list.
 
What are the needs of a beginner?

As an example, the X700: "It was the top model of their final manual-focus SLR series before the introduction of the auto-focus..." (sorry for quoting the wikipedia), so it was not targeted for beginners. One starts learning how to drive a car with a Fiat 500 not with a Lamborghini Diablo. A simpler camera would be much better, maybe something like a Pentax ME Super or Nikon EM, with the option of Av just to start learning first how to play with the aperture forgetting for a moment the speeds, with a somehow reliable and easy to read light-meter, and small, light body. The ME Super has also the option of full manual operation.

The mentioned Contax makes no sense at all.
That's where the Canon A1 is so good, it's as complicated or as simple as a beginner wants it to be. If they want to just concentrate of focusing and getting the hang of the dynamic range of a certain film then just put it on full auto and the exposure will take care of itself.
 
The site that hosts the page that is the topic of this thread doesn't inspire confidence. There is lots of stuff, but it is mostly filling space with not particularly informed content. Like the '10 AFFORDABLE + UNDERRATED PLACES FOR CREATORS TO LIVE' page. S' funny, not useful.
 
That's where the Canon A1 is so good, it's as complicated or as simple as a beginner wants it to be. If they want to just concentrate of focusing and getting the hang of the dynamic range of a certain film then just put it on full auto and the exposure will take care of itself.

I'm not suggesting don't get an A1 but in that case the T90 can be used in that way :D you can even switch safety shift (like T70) on and off if incorrect shutter speed...mind you, you still have to focus and it's a fairly large and heavy point and shoot :D
 
I'm not suggesting don't get an A1 but in that case the T90 can be used in that way :D you can even switch safety shift (like T70) on and off if incorrect shutter speed...mind you, you still have to focus and it's a fairly large and heavy point and shoot :D
The A1 has what went on to become the 'standard' PASM (P, AV, TV & M) modes (and was the first SLR to feature all these) but in an easy to understand manually switched way. It also has the traditional film wind lever that people seem to like as a 'retro' feature. It should therefore be quite easy for a beginner to quickly learn how to operate an A1. The T90 is more complicated by comparison so in addition to a beginner learning how (and when) to use PASM settings they'd also have to learn (and remember) how to use all the settings on the T90. Don't get me wrong, the T90 was a good camera in its day (I used to own 2 of them), but it's still a manual focus camera and smaller, lighter and less complicated versions of the same basic thing exist and would probably be easier for a total beginner to 'get their head around'.

That's with the 'retro' design in mind. If the person was a 'beginner' with film and wasn't bothered about the manual focus 'retro' look, then my camera suggestion would very much depend on what digital camera that person was already used to. For instance, someone who uses a Canon 70D would probably find something like a Canon EOS 30 35mm SLR easier to learn to operate than something like an Olympus OM10 with manual adaptor.
 
The A1 has what went on to become the 'standard' PASM (P, AV, TV & M) modes (and was the first SLR to feature all these) but in an easy to understand manually switched way. It also has the traditional film wind lever that people seem to like as a 'retro' feature. It should therefore be quite easy for a beginner to quickly learn how to operate an A1. The T90 is more complicated by comparison so in addition to a beginner learning how (and when) to use PASM settings they'd also have to learn (and remember) how to use all the settings on the T90. Don't get me wrong, the T90 was a good camera in its day (I used to own 2 of them), but it's still a manual focus camera and smaller, lighter and less complicated versions of the same basic thing exist and would probably be easier for a total beginner to 'get their head around'.

That's with the 'retro' design in mind. If the person was a 'beginner' with film and wasn't bothered about the manual focus 'retro' look, then my camera suggestion would very much depend on what digital camera that person was already used to. For instance, someone who uses a Canon 70D would probably find something like a Canon EOS 30 35mm SLR easier to learn to operate than something like an Olympus OM10 with manual adaptor.

Hey Mr Badger you're preaching to the converted as I'm using my A1 now (on my camera rotation system)..it is a good camera but a generation behind the T90 but then for a beginner the T90 might be too advanced.
 
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