I need help please!

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katiejennifer

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katie
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right, my uncle gave me his camera with three lenses and i think a detectable flash as well and something else which i had no idea what it is. the camera is a canon A-1 and i think the lenses are canon lens FD 35mm 1:2:8, canon lens FD 50mm 1:1.4, canon zoom lens FD 70-210mm 1:4. the flash is a speedlite 199A and the thing which i dont what is says soligor on the side of it and says model C-1TR. i also have two straps that go round the neck and i have all the instruction manuals for everything and cleaning cloths. all i really want to know is how much it is all worth and is it suitable for a beginner? i really need some help. any is great.

thankyou.
Katie
 
Hi Katie and welcome to the forum. :wave:
Personally, I'd say it's worth very little as it's an old film camera, not a modern digital one though it may appeal to a collector.
Some people still like using film but for a beginner you can't beat the simplicity of a digital setup, rattle off a load of shots and simply bin the ones that are no good, no messing about (or expense of) taking rolls of film to be developed or setting up a darkroom to do it yourself. ;)
 
The C-1TR is a power winder that attaches to the bottom of the camera.
 
Hi Katie, welcome to TP.
First of all, the mystery Soligor item is a power winder. It fits on the bottom of the camera and is battery powered. It winds the film automatically between shots.
Film cameras aren't really worth that much now and even though the A1 is quite an advanced camera, I doubt you would get much for it now. Probably somewhere in the region of £25 or so.
The lenses are probably worth between £10 and £40 each, depending on condition, and the flash, around a tenner. Of course, all this is assuming someone wants to buy them! There are a lot of these old cameras about and not enough buyers.

Anyway, its a good kit to start of with film especially as you have all the manuals.
Good luck with it.
Allan
 
Hi. The Soligor C-1TR is a power winder for the camera. It does the job of the lever that advances the film.
As said previous, probably not worth a lot!
Put a roll of film through it and get it processed, no reason why it shouldn't be ok for a beginer.

EDIT`: MUST type faster!
 
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You lucky person.

The A1 was a class camera in its day and if it is still all working I'd guess it is no slouch even now.

If you want to get involved in 35mm film photography then assuming the lenses are also in good order you have a very good set up.

Sorry I can't help with the how much it is worth, but there others on here who I'm sure can help.

The Soligor unit you mention is a motor drive which fits on the bottom of the camera and advances the film after each shot is taken.

Some old lenses can be used on current digital cameras, but I have a feeling that the FD lenses won't fit current Canon digital cameras, but I may be wrong.

Dave
 
I would think you'd probably get in the region of £80-100 for the whole lot from a collector as long as it all works ok and the lenses are clean and free from fungus, maybe a little more if you split it down into individual lots on Ebay.
There's an awful lot of them still about so unfortunately, there's no 'rarity value' in it.
Even if you got £50 for it it's £50 you could put towards a decent DSLR. :thumbs:
 
Its not worthless, its worth at least £100 on ebay, possbily more depending on condition.
 
katiejennifer said:
right, my uncle gave me his camera with three lenses and i think a detectable flash as well and something else which i had no idea what it is. the camera is a canon A-1 and i think the lenses are canon lens FD 35mm 1:2:8, canon lens FD 50mm 1:1.4, canon zoom lens FD 70-210mm 1:4. the flash is a speedlite 199A and the thing which i dont what is says soligor on the side of it and says model C-1TR. i also have two straps that go round the neck and i have all the instruction manuals for everything and cleaning cloths. all i really want to know is how much it is all worth and is it suitable for a beginner? i really need some help. any is great.

thankyou.
Katie
Click to expand...

Personally I would keep it, as mentioned, your uncle has given you a very decent setup. Camera with power winder, 35mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4 and 70-210mm f4 lenses and a flash, a setup like that in the digital world would setup back over £1000. If it all works, I think you'll enjoy using it

http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Buying-a-Canon-A-1-What-you-should-know?ugid=10000000000135587

The lenses would be FD, so if you bought a digital camera, they wouldn't work with the digital body unless you use an adapter and manually focus the lens.
 
Hello Katie
I am also new to the the digital world having used film for years.
I feel if you used film then digital then you would not use the film again as digital is far easier and cheaper.
I was lucky and sold my entire film set up to some one going to Africa who wanted a film camera as he went to a very remote place, I had a very capable set up and struggled to get £100, but take some pictures and put it on Ebay or in the for sale secton.
Buy a few rolls of film and have a go.
 
As mentioned Katie that model was a very good one in its day and still is if it is working. Personaly I would buy a couple of rolls of film, read the manual if there is one, if not there is one Here and get to learn the basics, entirely up to you though :thumbs:

What you may need to know if you use the camera.
Exposure
Shutter speed
Aperture
Depth of Field
Composition
Which one of 5 modes to use
How to twist the lens to make things look in focus.


To name a few, what you may need to know with a DSLR.
Which camera to buy
Which lens to go with it
Which flashgun to buy
Which supllier to buy it from
Exposure
Shutter speed
Aperture
Depth of Field
White Ballance
Which picture style to use
Which metering system to use
Which focus point to use
Which one of 10 modes to use
Why are your pictures not sharp
Why your pictures do not look the same on screen as they do on the camera
Why your pictures look noisy
How to minimise noise in your pictures
A basic knowleadge of editing
Which editing programme to use
 
Katie - the Canon A-1 in its day was a top end 35mm film camera. A very capable piece of kit (I still rue the day mine was stolen by a colleague I worked with in my Jessops days). It's a very good introduction into the world of photography as it forces you to learn the basics (and only having 36 shots per role really do teach you to think before you shoot!! :) )

I personally would say persevere with it, for what you'll get for it if you sell it you're better off trying it for a while. Oh and avoid attaching the power winder, you'll go through batteries and film in record time!!

One point worth nothing with A-1's specifically. If when you shoot with it you hear an audible 'squeak' or 'screech' it means the shutter is on its way out.
 
katiejennifer said:
wow these replies are all great thank you all so much. can i sell on this wedsite?
Click to expand...

Yep! Just not yet.
You need 25 meaningfull posts (no spamming!) and 60 days membership.
The classifides are there as a perk to contributing members.
You will soon get there!
 
The FD fit lenses are creating up in value a little at the moment as they're becoming quite popular with m4/3 users. They're probably going to be the most valuable bits if you're looking to sell.
Check eBay for rough prices and then you can decide if the kit is worth selling or not.
 
Hello katiejennifer;
Your kit si a very good beginner kit and allows you to understand progressively, the rules of photography and all its mysteries. Let test, try, lurn, read; that is the best way to do what you want. I am 60' and bought my Canon A1 in 1978 (after my first Canon Ftb! It is an amazing camera and I continue to lurn with it. Of course, since these years, i purchased many others cameras, T90, EOS 1VHS...
Recently I purchased a Soligor C-1TR for my old A1 but didn't find any manual to discover its different functions. If you have time enough, i would apreciate you send me a scan or photocopying of this C-1TR manual if you have it. Tell me if that costs anything.
Best regards;
 
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