help me buy a camera

[jabumbo]

looking into taking a course in photography to learn how to set up a shot and how to process my own stuff.

all of the classes require you to have access to a 35mm camera with the ability to change the aperture settings and shutter speeds. i'd like to keep the cost reasonable, and i don't care if its used or anything.


any suggestions on brands/styles/etc?

[kaiser soze]

http://www.imagine-it-imaging.com/Vintage_monochrome/Anniversary_Speed_Graphic_II.jpg

just kidding - not sure what is out there for film cameras, they are becoming extinct quite quickly :(

I have this and barely use it considering there is only 1 place to develop film ( I did use it photography class in a black and white wet lab ). Works great auto or manual, takes great pics,but very limited in lens options.

http://www.mediacollege.com/equipment/konica-minolta/maxxum/images/50.jpg

[cosmo105]

canon rebels are great for beginners. nikons are the best in my opinion though.

[silence7]

Canon A1

If you want to go old school, I've had this camera (not the one for sale) for about 20 years now, you can get a crap ton of lenses for it, and you can do everything manually. Only downside, No Autofocus... It's a real workhorse.

$169 for a nice body on E-Bay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-A1-A-1-Camera-Body-Ex-Condition_W0QQitemZ320475049229QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ Film_Cameras?hash=item4a9dcd2d0d)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5D_CJYCeuc

People are dumping lenses for film cameras like crazy now, so there's some real good deals out there.
FD Lenses (http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=canon+FD&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=canon+A1&_osacat=0)

You might also try looking around at local pawn shops.

[Baseline]

Apart from learning, don't know your affections in photography. Personally, I have weakness for old cameras and photos with "soul" so...
I've recently bought
Minolta x-300 + MD lens 50mm f/1.7 + MD ZOOM lens 35-70mm f/3.5 +Metz 32 Z-2 Manual Zoom Flash
+original Minolta case and leather bag for all stated items above
for a silly amount of money, approximately 50 $ from some junkie (well it's true, it's his problem in the end),

and boy I'm delighted and inspired by it. Just can't stop playin' :)

[jabumbo]

^ that looks very similar to ones i was spying on via ebay last night. a little older, but still pretty basic on the function. the prices are right as well. at this point, i think i'd like to keep my total under $100 since i figure that if i actually to take off on this as a hobby, i'd be more inclined to upgrade then.