I Need an SLR

[plethobeth]

Hey everyone! I'm new here. Well not really, I've been looking around and reading for months now, but I never really had a question that I didn't have answered . . . until now

I'm starting some photography classes in the fall (August 22nd!) and it totally slipped my mind that I need to get an SLR. Not a dSLR (already have one of those! ) but an SLR.

I know NOTHING about them, I'm sure I'll learn a great deal . . . but I need to get a camera. Does anyone have any suggestions? My dslr is a Nikon 3100. I'd prefer to stick with Nikon, just because it's what I have, and all my lenses fit on a Nikon (so they wouldn't fit on a Canon right??)

Thank you all so much, I'm so lost haha. I can't wait to learn though!

[Bruce A]

For a start, depending on your lenses, they may not be suitable for an SLR. You haven't asked what requirements you are wanting in the camera - manual, auto, both and so forth.

[plethobeth]

Sorry! Honestly I don't very well know much about what exactly I need. I know I need both automatic and manual, and it has to be affordable.

I was looking through some that were on ebay, and I really just got overwhelmed. I thought I'd come over here to some experts haha. Now I see I look more foolish than I thought originally

[ishootRAW]

You can get minolta film stuff dirt cheap. like $50 for a camera and lens.

[plethobeth]

Yeah? Do you think that would be suitable? I'm pretty sure I just need any ole camera . . . just something that will take pictures on film so I can play around with the film, ya know?

[Bruce A]

Try your local second dealer or pawnshop - but be sure the camera and/or lens are clean, working and fungus free.

[plethobeth]

Originally Posted by Bruce A

Try your local second dealer or pawnshop - but be sure the camera and/or lens are clean, working and fungus free.

That's a really good idea, I've just been looking online, and some things just . . . don't look right. Hahah, I feel like these things should be much more expensive! My dSLR was $700, and I can get some of these other cameras for 50? Seems nuts to me haha

Thank you very much Bruce

[faeriegodess612]

I have the same DSLR,..but my husband has a Canon EOS Rebel K2. He got it for taking photography as his art credit in college. When I looked up the prices online, even it was a lil over $200. I'd do what Bruce suggested, as well as check craigslist and your local paper. You can check both of those for someone looking to sell one, as well as for yard sales. You never know what you might find.

[Mike367]

If your lenses are DX format, they won't work on a 35mm film camera, which requires full frame (FX format in Nikon speak) lenses.

In my limited experience, manual film cameras are easier to use in manual than auto film cameras in manual mode. It was just harder, for me, to manipulate the aperture and shutter speed on a camera that was designed to be used in auto. These old film cameras, for me, always worked better in manual since some exposure compensation/ bracketing was almost always required, and this was most easily done in manual mode. Thus, I would prefer fully manual as it is actually easier to use.