Comments on: What kind of vintage film camera should I buy?

By: FotoZ 4 FX

FotoZ 4 FX — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:34:59 +0000

Look into TLR cameras… Mamiya, Rollieflex, there are many and they take 120 and 220 film (medium format). You will enjoy using them and the images will be incredibly sharp (medium format is so much better than 35mm for prints).

Here’s a sample link: http://www.tlr-cameras.com/sales.htm

You can also find them at pro shops reasonably priced.
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References :
Photographer: http://s467.photobucket.com/albums/rr34/GAlanFink/Water/?albumview=slideshow

By: Jo

Jo — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:10:59 +0000

I would get a 35mm, not a medium format (6×6, 6×7, 6×8 or any 120 film). I say this because buying and processing the film for a medium format is a huge hassle and more of an expense for these type of films. Some companies have already stopped making these sizes and you can only take 10-15 pictures per roll.

35mm, however can still be purchased and processed in any corner drug store. You can make a quality 11×14 or larger with that tiny negative, so there is no reason to use a larger film, anyway. It’s a good camera that makes a good photo, and a good lens that makes a good camera.

I would get a SLR camera (single lens reflex). This is a detatchable lens with a mirror inside that flips up to the eye piece. That way when you look through the camera you are looking through the lens itself and not a view finder. Good brands are canon, hassleblad, nikon, minolta.
References :
yashica-g twin lens owner. They look cool, but go 35mm.

By: Fishmeister

Fishmeister — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:49:59 +0000

TLR’s are great, I own a Yashica A myself, but I think you should look at a 35mm SLR or rangefinder. If you could tell us what budget you have and what kind of photography you are interested in then it will be easier to give a better recommendation.

Here are a few you should consider..

SLRs

Canon A-1
Canon AE-1
Pentax K1000
Olympus OM series

Others..

Fujica Auto M
Voigtlander Vito B or C
Ricoh 500G or GX

That’s just a few I recommend off the top of my head (I own most of them)..

Another one to consider that is very cheap is an Olympus Trip 35, a great little camera. Zone focus, no batteries required, 40mm f/2.8 Zuiko lens (very sharp!) and available for around £20 on eBay. I always have one in my pocket. No manual options but hey, if I want those then I will just take an SLR out (but they do not fit in your pocket!)..

My Olympus Trip set..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfisher/sets/72157622629982669/

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References :
http://www.ianfisher.info

By: Pooky

Pooky — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:23:59 +0000

You must be young. Polaroid, although out of business, is hardly a vintage camera. How about a Leica M3? It's a classic. (And not very old either.)
References :

By: littlealien

littlealien — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:06:59 +0000

A Holga.
They are super cheap and make great vintage looking pics!
References :
http://microsites.lomography.com/holga/about
http://microsites.lomography.com/holga/galleries/multicolor-holga

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:34:59 +0000

Yashica D TLR – TLRs are fun, with their waist level view screens, and the quality of a well made one is stunning (the yashica D’s lens is sharp, put in some nice film, and go to town)

Or a Minolta Autocord, both fantastic TLRs and about $100-$150
References :

By: Briley

Briley — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:25:59 +0000

I have a Diana+F that I got from Lomography.com It’s all plastic and takes "dreamy" like pictures.
It uses 120film, which you can still buy or you could get the Instant pictures piece so it works a lot like a polaroid camera.
References :