Praktica M42 models -- "...great little cameras..." I do beg to differ on "little"!!! 🙂 I have a various collection of PC/LT/MT Prakticas -- and most of them have been very reliable, but they are, as expected from late Cold War East Germany, built like tanks! And they weigh about as much! One good thing -- if someone approaches you to try to take your stuff, you can easily knock them unconscious by a swift swing of your Praktica!!!!!

@crazygeorgelincoln

2 жыл бұрын

Harsh knocks can jam praktica shutter, hit them with a zenit, but don't leave it near a radiator as the glue holding the cloth shutter can go bad.as can the foam pad on top of the prism causing a brown vertical line in viewfinder.

@wibbley1

2 жыл бұрын

@@crazygeorgelincoln Yep, all Zenits suffer from foam rot, which in turn causes the 'Zenit crack' in the viewfinder. Eventually it turns orange and destroys the prism. I have changed the foam in all of my Zenit collection. Even the newer 122s suffer from this. Anybody who has a Zenit MUST change the foam, else it will destroy the prism. Even if damage is already showing, removing it will stop further damage. There is also a bit of foam to the right of the prism and just below the viewfinder. The door seal is wool & does not deteriorate. The glue holding the ribbons onto the roller also lets go. Easy to fix, but the whole camera has to be stripped to get to it.

If you can find a Minolta XG-M -- it's very similar to the XG-1 *except* that the light meter works in any of the manual settings -- whereas in the XG-1 (and XG-7 at least) the light meter only works in Auto mode.

Great reviews again thank you. Always think it useful for people getting into film photography to understand what battery type are required for each camera and what functionality is available when the battery runs out Please keep up the great work

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks Lee, glad you enjoyed it!

I always enjoy your presentations and appreciate the time and effort that must go into them. I agree with your opinions as usual. I will say that having bought and sold camera equipment for years as a hobby, I can’t remember ever coming across an example of those particular Konica or Minolta cameras that functioned in any way. I especially enjoy East German and Soviet cameras and never understood why so many photographers look down on Praktica gear. The optics are superb.

Some lovely kit, Nigel. The Praktica range were looked down on by photo snobs, but here we are, 55 years later, and they still work as well as the day they were made. The shutters seldom, if ever, give problems, and stay accurate throughout their lives. This is all due to the fact that they use the Copal Square shutter, a vertical travelling, metal bladed mechanism. The individual blade have less distance to travel - the vertical side ov the negative, and so the springs have less work to do and are under less stress. Other cameras used the Copal Square shutter too, of course, and the same things apply, the metal blades outlast the fabric curtain and the ribbons that the mechanism uses in them. I had a day out with my Olympus OM-1 35mm ( I wish they had given the new Olly digital a different name.) and shot a roll of Kodak Pro Image 100. I'm going to develop it in a C41 kit from Bellini to see how that kit works. Another great Sunday evening video. George

@johnfarrell8773

2 жыл бұрын

Hi there, George...Praktica L shutters shared a common design idea with the Copal, but they are quite different in detail. The blades hang on a single plate, and the back of the shutter is the camera back. The Copal shutter is a complete module with front and back plates. The timing gears for the Praktica shutter are in the camera top, whereas the Copal shutter has the timing gears attached to the front of the shutter. The Praktica B shutter is closer to the Copal. John.

@GeorgeK356

2 жыл бұрын

@@johnfarrell8773 Thanks for that info, John. I hadn't realised that they were that different, not having had to dismantle one for repair. It's useful to have places such as this where such information can be shared, we want to keep our old cameras working as long as we can.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks George, very glad you enjoyed it!

Had a Minolta X-GM with a Hoya 70-210mm and Minolta 50mm lens. Loved it and used it a lot. Minolta lenses are cool. I use a Minolta Beercan on my Sony a350 and its great for woodland and landscape photography as it gets great warm colouring! Great video. Off to Ebay!

Another great video, I just love your presentation style so relaxing when you're indoors, chatting cameras, on a very personal level, I'm in process of checking out all these cameras. The Vivitar and the Minolta caught my eye in particular. I believe the Vivitar was built by Cosina, based on the Cosina C1. Many thanks once again. Regards Rob.

I really enjoyed that as they are exactly the kind of SLR I am looking at buying. You are right about the EF lenses. I used to have a Canon DSLR and bought some of the old EF lenses that were aimed at cameras like the EOS 3000, so it is the same mount. I was convinced that motorcycle was here and was even looking out of the window for it!

That Canon reminds me of my favorite film camera from 20 years ago. If you like Minolta lenses, you can’t go wrong with the Maxxum 5 from around 2000. Super light (featherweight compared to even mirrorless), auto advance / multi frame shooting, full auto and manual exposure functions, up to 1/4000 / second shutter speed. I honestly miss shooting it.

I'm always amazed that the Canon EOS SLR's are as cheap as chips. I have the 600, the 1000, and the 5000, and they are great cameras. They make shooting film so easy, and a lot of fun.

@djtoman6875

2 жыл бұрын

Maybe because they're really ugly. But functionally just fine.

@Frillar

2 жыл бұрын

for sure they will go up in value in coming years.

@realamericannegro977

2 жыл бұрын

Film as in movies or film as in film you develop pictures?

@nevillewatkins4997

2 жыл бұрын

@@realamericannegro977 Film as in cameras. You develop.

Glad you like Minolta kit too; I've retained my X-700 and lens collection despite buying a micro 4 thirds body. simply bought an adaptor ring so I can use the lenses manually. I think I started with an XG model before the X-700 came out.

Great video again, Nigel! I was also surprised over how nice the Minolta xg1 is. Except the Praktica, it's the only one of these cameras that have some vintage feel. I have the Praktica mtl5b as well, a rugged and robust machine, it feels older than it is, but that doesn't matter. If you're not finding a Zeiss Tessar lens, you often find a Pentacon 50mm 1.8, which also is very good. T-series Canons are indeed much cheaper than the A-series or F-series, they're simply not vintage, but Canon FD lenses are. Often on T-series you'll find the kit zoom, FD 35-70 mm f4, it's not bad, but the primes are better. Among all K-mount cameras, Ricoh can be found cheap, often quite nice cameras. By the way, I paid 15 euros for my Konica Fs1, with the 50mm 1.7, so they don't have to be expensive. Yes, the eos film cameras by Canon can use todays ef lenses, not ef-s, they are for aps size sensors, but hence primes are often more expensive. Looking forward to your review on the A7R, my choice of a full frame digital camera.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info Kalle, glad you enjoyed the episode!

Hello Nigel! Sure! You can use any EF lens on a EF mount camera they are all compatible. AF works perfectly. I have that body too. I also many M42 adapters so I can use my soviet made m42 lenses too. Luckily these EF canon bodies are not so "retro" so they are very cheap and easy to find. Their shutters are reliable in every shutter speed, viewfinders are bright and light meters are so accurate. What more a film photographer could ask for? The answer is more trouble and limitations by something like a lovely Practica TL2 or maybe a Zorki 4K.

Nigel, it goes without saying that you are only able to feature cameras you have in hand, but I do want to mention the earlier Canon EOS cameras -- the 620, 630 & 650 -- all of which are absolutely terrific, extremely well built & sturdy, & fairly easily available -- at least in the US. I've just scanned eBay, & @$60 gets a good one. Highly recommended.

@ErwinSerle

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely nice cameras, remind the 600 is the same as the 630. I bought some to use with my Canon EF lenses that are normally used today on the EOS Digital bodies. They all work!

It really is an education watching your reviews. Any plans to do a feature on Twin Lens Reflex cameras? BTW Zorky looks great on film!

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I've neglected TLR cameras a little so far, perhaps it's time to have a look at one! Thanks for the suggestion.

I would like to add the often overlooked OM-40/OM-PC. Can be found for under 50 pounds and is a cheap way to get into the Olympus OM system.

@jameswburke

2 жыл бұрын

That's true, and you often get a lovely Zuiko lens on board. Got an OM20 on my last trip to UK. So well built.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I do have a soft spot for the Prakticas - they're so simple and honest - I like the placing of the shutter button too!

@user-vt5tx7ts7m

Жыл бұрын

I recently got the OM-PC with the "made in Japan" 50mm f/1.8 lens and I think it's great. I like the auto exposure modes, the led viewfinder readouts, and the refined shutter sound. It's a fun camera to use, IMO. I got it for about $55 total.

Since you've asked for feedback to help your channel grow: - You've made quite a lot of videos about Fujifilm gear. The reality is that very few people actually own Fujifilm gear. It's probably better to focus on what sells. Nikon 35mm and Pentax medium format are really strong sellers when it comes to old camera gear and Canon when it comes to new. Sony is popular under videographers. - Some of the lenses you review are so old that they don't really have any use in practice, unless you first want to refurbish them. Anything 1970s and older is really old when you are a millennial like I am. I think that most photographers take photos with their equipment, they are not really into restoring old lenses. Other than that I think that you do a great job!

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!

Brill. Thanks.

@zenography7923

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

This showed up on our feed and had to have a squint.. A few years back we bought a Praktica BMS bayonet mount camera that came with a Sigma lens. Haven't really had a chance to do much in the way of film shooting - apart from one roll of film to work out the bugs... To think all we ever wanted in the '90s was a decent SLR camera. Now a WiFi device with a camera does most of our picture taking...

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

How times change eh? Thanks for looking in!

T70 does shutter priority, program-tele, program-wide, program. For manual, just move the aperture ring. There is an on-board lithium battery. Took me 30 years to find how to get to it. Then found it is still ok! Loosen but do not remove the back release catch. Remove the screws holding the front on, then remove. You will now see the screws that hold the top on. Remove the screws and top. Battery is under the prism hump.

The only reason I've avoided the minolta maxxum, canon rebels, ect is just the electronics in it due to parts availability they worry me a lot more for that reason but they're stellar camera's I keep debating about. Sitting here with 4 minolta's and 2 pentax's and trying to tell myself I don't need more while I know I'm going to add a couple of these to the collection.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I must say, I've found electronics to be extremely reliable, and I think they'll probably hold up long into the future. Nothing lasts forever of course, but integrated circuits seem to come pretty close!

I have a Kalimar K90 that is very similar to that Vivitar. I bought it new when I was a teen on clearance for $100 with a 50mm lens. It also has a K mount and the only other lens I picked up was a 135 Sears. It has been years since I have used it and was thinking of getting rid of it, but I may have to drag it out for a roll or two before I decide.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I'd keep them and use them - they'll most likely surprise you!

Aperture priority is great, I use it constantly.

On the t70 I noticed it has aperture priority, only with my nFD 100-300mm f5.6. Tried with other older breach mount lenses and some other nFD ones and none of them activate it. There's very little online regarding this, looking around after doing my tests.

Having found Zenography, I would like to compliment you on your in-depth analogy of the film camera; I haven't touched a film camera since the 80s, I was a keen enthusiast at the time, however, at this point, I must make a complaint; thanks to you and your vlog I now own a Zorki 1,2 a Nikkormat ftb, Minoltra XG-1, FED 1,2, and two Kodak Retinette 1b though the latter I'm not sure if you've reviewed and I must say I thoroughly enjoy these wonderful cameras

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you've come back to film - it's not quite as easy as digital, but it has a magic that digital doesn't!

Hello Nigel, thanks a lot! You put a lot of effort in your videos. I purchased a Canon T70 a while ago. A nice camea! In its viewfinder it has a seven segment display which reminds me of the vintage pocket calculators from the 1970s with red digits. Maybe you remember them, too. Please have a look at the Canon EOS 1 Mk. 1 from 1989. A camera I also highly recommend. Best wishes, Ralf

@zenography7923

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip Ralf, I'll check it out. I've been shooting my T70 recently and really enjoyed it - a very capable and solid machine that feels reliable. And unlike its brother the monstrous T90, it's not too big either!

I used to have a zenith 1b and em. Very tough bit like a tank no frills you got what it was just a camera bit like a praktika i guess.

The Canon T70 is the most underestimated body of the Canon line. It has manual mode with FD lenses with the aperture set on the lens aperture ring. Without an lens with the FD charateristics it switches automatically to shut down aperture priority. It has three full automatic programs and dual metering characteristics. And is has the Canon typical shutter priority.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I really like the T70 - a very capable, very solid camera that mounts some fantastic lenses! A great machine!

@darrin2382

2 жыл бұрын

The most underestimated is the Canon Eos 30. Acts like a DSLR, has an EF mount, but shoots film. Perfect for those making the transition.

Nikon N80. The little brother to the more popular Nikon F100 but it is 95% the same camera. Can be had for under $50 or cheaper. The N80 is one of the few Nikon film SLR's that has full compability with modern Nikon G lenses. The N80 is an easy way to get modern high quality optics and you can still use the same lenses with current Nikon DSLRs. G lenses are also future-proof with Z-mount mirrorless cameras via FTZ adapter.

When I got one of those Canon bodies (500n same enough) ,what a shocker ,such an easy going camera, great pictures , and a multiple exposure mode for getting creative, all for a fiver. Would like to add the spacious eos mount can accommodate ring adapters for m42 ,PK, Nikon Af , (I guess there are more) before mirrorless it was the mount anything mount. Have a soft spot for the zenit em, the zenit b is a favorite , like a slightly luxurious holga. Recently bought (still in the post) a poorly photographed in the dark with a potato ,1977 zenit e , described as not functional misfireing for £23 shipped. But why? I think the shutter button bayonet is causing the problem , if it is actually broken I'm not worried. Because the lens (that I really hope is not moldy of scratched) is a unassuming 44-2 , from the kmz plant. With a triple zero. and we know what that means...

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Oh my gosh, it sounds as though you've struck Helios gold!

The T70 has film advance and rewind as well as the AAs, hence the weight. I'm surprised they made a plastic 1.4 as they are usually high end and of high quality construction.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

The later FD lenses have some plastic in their construction - they make great images though!

The XG-1 was my first SLR. I bought it new and a 50mm f1.7 in the late 70s. I kept it and dusted it off when I got back into film I’m 2015.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I love that little camera - hope you're enjoying yours!

@JoeLopez

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 It is retired for now as I've since bought/shot/sold many SLRs. My current stable of Minolta shooters include a few X-570, one X-500 and a XD. Such great cameras!

I have certificate of authenticity (if it can be called that) for a Praktica MTL 5B, and it lists the lenses that were available as a kit: Pentacon 1.8/50 MC Domiplan 2.8/50 Pancolar 1.8/50 MC Jena T 2.8/50 The lens that came with the camera is underlined (in my case a Pentacon 1.8/50) Seems like other lenses were aftermarket options. I love Prakticas, I have a MTL3 and an FX3. They don't feel as refined as the Japanese manual cameras I've had, the Minolta XG-1 feels like a brick, so did my Pentax ES, and the Mamiya/Sekor I have now is incredibly pleasant to use. Praktica MTLs seem very "gets the job done" in comparison, but that's not a complaint. Probably because a Praktica will cost at least half as much as any of the cameras I mentioned. It just won't feel as smooth and nice as other cameras might. Praktica FX2 and FX3 are very cheap for cameras from the mid-late 1950s. And the FX3 supports automatic aperture lenses.

A few Canon models worthy of note are the EOS 600, 650 and RT, AT-1, EOS 1000f, EOS1 (the black brick that I love) .

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I'll check them out, thanks for the tips!

Yes the Canon will except all the modern EF full frame lenses, though I am not sure if IS will work on this model. I recently purchased a EOS 600 for peanuts, spent a further £90 on Canon's EF 40mm f2.8 and the combination works perfectly. Accessing some of the modes is a bit fiddly and the battery is rare and relatively expensive, but over all the camera looks quite stylish for an 80's design, is comfortable to hold, feels robust and reliable, is relatively smooth and quiet in operation (unlike Pentax's offerings of the era) has impressive and quiet AF (very impressive when one considers the camera's age) and gives you access to Canon's very good range of high quality and readily available glass. Pair this with a 5 or 6D and you would have a very competent film/digital combination. I understood the Konica FS-1 and FT-1 (a very handsome design) cameras to be shutter priority and manual, not aperture priority. You can tell this is the case from the AE setting on the lens's aperture ring

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info!

@ErwinSerle

Жыл бұрын

The battery is not rare at all in Europe, can be had everywhere the 2CR5 for less than 6 Euros.

Yes, you can use most newer EF lenses on the film EOS. I tried newer lenses that I use with my Canon 5D mark II and 70D on my EOS Elan. Any full frame EF lens should work. The other way around too, one of my favorite lenses to shoot with on my Canon 5D2 is a 1989 Canon 28-80mm lens originally made for the film EOS cameras. I think the adapters, like the m42 to EF will work as well, but haven't actually tried this. I've noticed that your Paktika MTL 5 looks pretty identical to my MTL 3, (my preferred camera to shoot film with,) I wonder what the differences are?

@kevrosas1

2 жыл бұрын

The only problem with Canon is you can’t use FD lenses on the EOS system. That is DSLR’s at least as the mirror will be completely unable to move. Mirrorless Canon is ok.

@kevinroberts1888

2 жыл бұрын

@@kevrosas1 You actually can with an adapter, I've tried it but the adapter requires an extra element to be able to focus to infinity. This causes you to lose a stop of light, kind of defeating the main purpose of using those fast FD lenses. On the other hand, the early EF lenses are incredibly good since Canon was trying to convince FD users to switch over. The 28-80mm USM I mentioned is often referred to as the poor man's L lens.

I have 4 out of 6 and my 2 Canon T70's do work in full manual.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I ought to have mentioned that, thanks for reminding me!

Hi Nigel, 40 £ vor The Minolta XG-1 with the 2.0/50 mm is a real bargain!

@zenography7923

Жыл бұрын

It certainly was - I bought it a while back though, when prices were a little saner than now!

Great !!!

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks !!!

@aureliomarsili3902

2 жыл бұрын

​@@zenography7923 It is I who thank you. I started photographing directly digitally, with a Canon 60D, so the film world is unknown to me, but your videos excite me, I like the passion and attention to detail with which you show the cameras and lenses, even the cheapest hardware becomes precious if described with passion ... thanks, and greetings from Italy !!! Ciao ...

One of these shots are from Liverpool, the steps of the bombed out church. Are you based in Liverpool or did you travel here.

This was a great video. I have watched it a few times already. It's like walking through a secondhand camera shop. My fist camera was a Yashica FX-3 which I still have. That is a great starter camera, ultra-reliable but has a yashica/contax mount so lenses are a bit harder to find.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Martin, very glad you enjoyed it!

Pentax K mount and Minolta MD mount can both take M42 lenses with a simple adapter. Nikon F mount cannot, a simple glassless adapter will not focus to infinity. An adapter with a glass element will, but increases the focal length of the lens.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, and degrades the image a little too I guess, though probably not enough to see. Good job there's plenty of Nikon glass!

I wish you would do video on choosing film.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for. the suggestion!

Another great inexpensive camera from the 80s is the Pentax SF1n (SFXn). It has very distinctive 80s design. It's an autofocus camera, but since it was released when majority of lenses were still manual, it has wonderful focusing aids: a focus confirmation LED and two little arrows that show which way to rotate the focusing ring! You can buy this camera body only for $20-40. However, there is a drawback: it uses expensive batteries, and the AA battery grip is very rare and hard to find.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

That sounds like an interesting camera - thanks for the tip!

@richardhale9664

2 жыл бұрын

Yes the SF1n(SFXn) is very cheap and reliable and feels good in the hand. The styling is dreadful, It's loud and clunky, it takes an expensive battery and using the various modes can be a bit fiddly, They have proved very reliable though and despite all its faults, whenever I use mine it puts a big grin on my face.

@avg6764

2 жыл бұрын

@@richardhale9664 All true, but I respectfully disagree on the styling :) I bought mine mostly for its design and think it looks awesome with the original embroidered strap and the A 35-135mm F3.5-4.5. It's a lens from the previous generation, but it looks like this lens and the SF1n were made for each other (sorry, can't post the picture here).

@richardhale9664

2 жыл бұрын

@@avg6764 I guess I am just biased against 80's styling in general. Having suffered through the decade during my youth. At least the SF1 is not even a contender for ugliest camera of all time. Which I would award to the Nikon F401.

@avg6764

2 жыл бұрын

​@@richardhale9664 The SF1 style is not to everybody's taste, but at least it has some :) The much more advanced Pentax Z-1P has no style at all, just an ugly blob of black plastic.

The Konica FS-1 is shutter priority and manual it does not have aperture priority. The only thing about them is they are not very reliable putting age aside even compared to other cameras it competed with at the time it was still underwhelming in reliability and they are more expensive because it’s more difficult to find one that works or has a battery door fully intact just like the FT-1 motor.

K mount is open source mount as Pentax in the 1970's wanted other manufacturers to use the mount

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I guess that must have led to increased lens sales? A smart move if so!

@scrptwic

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 That's why so many third party lens manufacturers made K mount lenses in the 1970's such as Chinar, Quantaray, and the Helios K mount

Looks like you were up in Liverpool. :-)

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed - it was something of a home from home for a while, still get up there now and again!

@christinebeckett7060

Жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 I'll treat you to coffee and cake if I see you. 🙂

Canon was odd in that they preferred Shutter Priority to Aperture Priority like nearly every other maker (I think Konica occasionally did it too). So they were concentrating on speed over depth of field.

@ingowalkerling5141

2 жыл бұрын

The idea Canon had with shutter priority was to get sharp images free handed. And that you could reach better, when you could choose the shutter time according to the focal length and the movement of the motive. Technically shutter priority is much more complicated than aperture priority, which works even with an bottle bottom... You had to simulate the shutter settings for open shutten metering, the largest aperture of the lens, the selection of the lens mode (automatic or manual settings) and the aperture lever. A lot of mechanical transferred information which has to be aligned and connected securely with the camera bodies counterpart.... And here Canon made their job perfectly and got an technical advantage. FD lenses are integrated stepless in the shutter priority automatic. Other systems had a need to get the correct exposure with an correction of the shutter speed even at shutterpriority.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I guess so. I prefer aperture priority personally, although it's possible to force a wide aperture on a shutter priority camera.

@trevorsneath4665

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 Likewise. My camera is on AP a lot of the time, and manual when that isn't giving me quite what I want. Shutter priority is more an action setting I suppose.

@ingowalkerling5141

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 I prefer landscape- and general nature-photography, mostly shots from a tripod. And here is aperture control more important. So I agree fully with you. And further, with uncoupled macro accessories and some of my beloved M42 vintage glas I need stop-down aperture priority. In Japan most photographers shoot family pictures with negative film. And that was the market, Canon regarded that as their primary group and they grew with the consumer market. In the SLR beginning of Canon they distributed their cameras in the important US market under the BELL& HOWELL label. This "cheap catalog firm"- image was a long time a problem to get into the pro-market, even with their F-1 models.

Minolta: XE-5, XK, XD-11. Canon: FT, FTb, TL, TLb. Nikkormat/Nikomat.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tips!

@lindadee2053

2 жыл бұрын

I still have my Nikkormat FT2 from the late 1960's, which is built like a tank and still works flawlessly. I also still have my semi-professional Nikon FE, which I purchased brand new in 1979 for $350 with 50mm f/1.8 lens and which is an excellent "electronic" SLR including Aperture Priority mode, and my collection of exceptional Nikkor lenses from 24mm f/2 to 50mm f/1.8 to 105mm f/2.5 to the 80-200mm f/4 zoom. Everything still works flawlessly and I absolutely love the FE for my occasional forays back into shooting film. Ken Rockwell has called the Nikon FE the "nicest SLR ever made" and I tend to agree. My beautiful FE just does everything right!

The camera I traveled the world with in the 90s as a travel photographer/writer was a kind of poor man's Nikon F4, the N8008s. (And just above it, the great N90, which is pricier.) The 8008 and 8008s can be had dirt cheap these days, under $50. Assuming all's in order with it, you can't miss.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip, I'll look out for one!

@d.r.martin6301

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 I'm thinking it might be the 801 in the UK, if my memory serves?

RE: Konica FS-1, they have ropey electronics that can be killed by the us of rechargeable batteries. Has sticker inside the battery housing stating not to use Ni ca battery. Also Battery housing can be cracked corroded due to battery leakage. Got a non-working one(hmm thats 4 now! 2 working 1 half working. 1 dead) from ebay just for the housing. Mint camera one of the last ones made (500k serial number) came with a roll of Kodachrome 64 in it only at the first frame, as that all the camera does at the moment wind the film on to the first frame then it appears to be dead no LEDs shutter not firing. Yes i have a soft spot for Konica's Oh FS-1 is shutter priority, 4 AA batteries BTW For someone first film camera, I think i'd says go for the Praktica, cheap lots of lens around and you won't have to deal with replacing the Light seal as Praktica used felt and not foam rubber that degrade into a sticky mess.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

The Praktica is a great little camera - not to be overlooked! Thanks for looking in.

Plastic Fantastic 90's autofocus SLR's are disgracefully cheap at the moment. I recently bought a Minolta Dynax 500si with a 35-70mm f 3.5-4.5 lens for less than £40. It handles likea DSLR, can be used fully manual or in program modes and produces excellent photos.

PS The Vivitar is a Cosina badged model.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Ah, Cosina - I should have guessed!

I thought the title said film cameras you can’t afford 😂

The Vivitar should be Cosina made so a close relative of many posh brand cameras but also Cosinas like the CT series . They had an excellent metal shutter (Seiko?), up to 1/2000th and 1/125 flsh sync. So the Vivitar is very much like the Voigtländer Bessa R, Nikon FE10 and FM10 or the Canon T60 or Olympus OM2000. The wind lever doubling as on/off switch normally gives it away.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Cosina made many cameras for many brands, including some of the better known ones - a lowish key company, but a very successful one!

@Martin_Siegel

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 A very underrated brand I may say, mostly flying under the radar. The last Fuji Medium Format cameras also came from them. And all the new Voigtländer lenses of today.

Sadly soon the film you put in will be more expensive than the camera itself :(

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I think you may be right. there's apparently a massive shortage of film at the moment, and aside from that, less and less is being made. I guess it will be available for many years to come, but it does seem to be climbing in price...

@parranoic

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 from my sources on the inside apparently it's more profitable for them to sell some of the chemicals to the beauty industry than to make film

Please be careful with these Minolta cameras these days. I own a camera store and we are specialised in film photography and we sell all kinds of cameras. But I've stopped selling Minolta from this generation because they tend to go wrong sooner or later. It is electronics related, it is repairable but is is quite expensive... So please be careful with Minolta!

these dont look Film pictures to me , they look like digital mirrorless images , kudos to you if you shoot film , but i think you just collect those .If im gonna shoot film , im gonna shoot 6x4 and large format ,because you get INSANE resolution with basically any lens . The bigger the imaging area the better the resolution . Those cameras wont go in to fashion :) " grab one now would be my advice " , yeah right . I have another joke , buy CRT TVs while they are still cheap , they are going in to fashion real soon . Grab one while you can :)

@zenography7923

Жыл бұрын

Hey Pavle, there are some digital images in the video to demonstrate qualities of lenses, other images are on film shot specifically with these cameras - I hope I made clear enough. which are which, apologies if not. Thanks for looking in!