I need a wonderfully generous photography aficionado to help me find the

C

Charlie

New member
camera of my dreams!? This is what I'm looking for: I want an (obviously older) film camera with a few very basic and amateur specs. I can function aperture and focus, but that's about it. I took a photography class a couple of years back and we had these very simple (Nikon maybe?) cameras that were so easy to use. I don't even want to shoot color pictures, all black and white, but I'm told that this has nothing to do with the camera and is a result of the film, but hopefully that question can be answered here as well.

I want to buy off eBay most likely, and just need help with what to search for and how to get the most basic and easiest cameras to use!

Thanks lovers.
 
If future lens compatibility with a DSLR isn't important then I suggest a Minolta XE-7 with a 50mm f1.7 lens. This is a heavy, old-school camera with Aperture Priority or full manual metering. It was used by Leica as the chassis for their R-3 SLR with only the lens mount and metering (Leica offered spot or averaging metering) changed. Leicaphiles who bought an R-3 were really buying a Minolta - and payiong a premium price for the Leica name plate. The XE-7 has a Leitz-Copal shutter which is very quiet and a buttery smooth film advance.

The XE-7 also allows easy double and multiple exposures with the flip of a switch. This can be a powerful creative tool.

I use mine in Aperture Priority about 95% of the time.

Another Minolta worth considering is the XD-11 which was the world's first multi-mode SLR. It offers you the choice of Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority or Manual. It was used by Leica for their R-4 & R-5 SLR cameras. The XD-11 uses the same Leitz-Copal shutter as the XE-7 only in a smaller, lighter body.

If future lens compatibility with a DSLR is a consideration then go with a Pentax K1000 or any Nikon.
 
Back
Top