Whats a good film camera
Canon AE-1 review | Digital Camera World
Early Verdict
The Canon AE-1 was a revolutionary 35mm SLR for the brand, allowing it to bring advanced features at a more affordable price. Some reliability issues can affect models though, but shop wisely and you should be able to find a great example that won't break the bank.
Pros
- +
First camera to feature a CPU
- +
Featured a shutter speed-priority mode
- +
Compact and affordable
Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Launched way back in 1976, the Canon AE-1 broke new ground for 35mm SLRs, becoming the first camera to feature a central processing unit (CPU). Together with a huge advertising campaign that featured famous golf and tennis players, the AE-1 was a huge hit for Canon, selling well over a million units in its eight year lifetime.
The AE-1 was also a turning point for Canon. Until the arrival of the AE-1, Canon’s range of SLRs had attracted a predominantly amateur photographer, but the arrival of the AE-1 and its electronically controlled internals meant Canon could offer more advanced functionality that hadn’t been seen at this price point before.
Specifications
Lens mount: Canon FD
Exposure control: Manual, shutter priority
Shutter speed: Mechanical 1/1000 sec to 2 second, plus bulb
Exposure metering: Centre-weighted
Battery: 2x 1.55V SR44 / 1.5V LR44 batteries
Dimensions: 141 x 87 x 47.5mm
Weight: 590g
Key features
(Image credit: Getty Images)
As well as being the first camera to sport a CPU, the Canon AE-1 was the world’s first 35mm SLR to be equipped with a shutter speed-priority exposure mode (AE stood for Automatic Exposure Control).
Many rival brands offered an aperture-priority exposure mode on their high-end SLRs, but because of the lack of information available in the viewfinder, there was invariably the risk of the camera selecting a shutter speed lower than desired, often resulting in a wasted frame of film because it was just too blurry.
The AE-1’s shutter speed-priority mode, though, was a huge benefit to more novice photographers as you’d always know how long the exposure was going to be, while the camera adjusted the aperture.
Canon took things a step further with the launch of the AE-1 Program in 1981. The successor to the AE-1, the AE-1 Program featured a Program auto exposure mode that saw the camera set both the aperture and shutter speed.
The maximum shutter speed on the AE-1 was a little disappointing though, maxing out at a little limiting 1/1000 second, though an optional Canon Winder A provided a motorized single frame advance up to a heady 2 frames per second.
The AE-1 used Canon’s FD lens mount, accepting both FD lenses and the New FD mount (often referred to as FDn).
The earlier FD lenses feature a chrome twist-ring to the bayonet, while an FDn lens slots entirely into the camera, and then twisted to lock it.
Design and operation
With the implementation of the CPU, Canon took the opportunity to tear up the rule book and design the AE-1 from the ground up. This saw the AE-1 made up of five major units and twenty-five minor units, allowing Canon to make the whole manufacturing process highly automated.
With the implementation of the CPU, Canon took the opportunity to tear up the rule book and design the AE-1 from the ground up.
Looks can be a little deceiving though and while the AE-1 looks to be based around an all-metal chassis, Canon opted to use a decent smattering of structural plastic in a further drive to keep costs down. While the top-plate might look like metal for example, it’s actually an injection molded thermoplastic polymer that’s been finished in either a satin chrome or black enamel.
Don’t let that take the shine of it though, as the viewfinder is nice and large – it’ll certainly make many optical viewfinders in modern-day DSLRs feel quite tunnel-like.
Verdict
(Image credit: Canon)With the AE-1 proving incredibly popular, before you jump on eBay, it might be worth asking relatives if they have one – you never know what might be tucked away in a shoebox in the back of a cupboard. Otherwise, your best place to start tracking one down is eBay.
The good news is that one won’t break the bank either – an AE-1 in nice condition with a 50mm f/1.8 shouldn’t set you back more than much more than £175 / $150. Just be mindful that there can be a few issues if they haven’t been looked after, namely poor light seals and the reflex mirror returning slowly which results in a loud squeak.
The AE-1 might seem a little rudimentary now, but it helped open up more advanced features to a much wider audience. Relatively risk-free for the price, the Canon AE-1 is still a very capable SLR.
Find the Canon AE-1 on eBAY
An AE-1 in nice condition with a 50mm f/1.8 shouldn’t set you back more than much more than $150. Just be mindful that there can be a few issues if they haven’t been looked after.
Find the Canon AE-1 on eBAY.co.uk
An AE-1 in good condition with a 50mm f/1.8 will cost around £170, but you can find examples for around £75. Just be mindful that there can be issues that the seller may not even know about.
Read more:
• Best film cameras
• Best film
• Best darkroom equipment
• Best film scanners
• Best Lomography cameras
• Best student camera for studying photography
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Phil is the Managing Editor of Top Ten Reviews, and is a former Editor of Techradar's camera channel.
He is an accomplished photographer, and specializes in shooting cycling and fast cars.
Pentax K1000 review: classic film cameras revisited
Early Verdict
Selling over 3 million examples in almost 20 years of manufacture, the Pentax K1000 was a huge photographic success story. It’s simple controls, solid build and affordable price tag made it the perfect choice for those looking to get started in photography.
Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The Pentax K1000 35mm SLR was launched 1976, the same year that saw Canon release the groundbreaking AE-1. While the Canon AE-1 bought an array of technical advances, the K1000 was very much a fully mechanical SLR.
Incredibly it was still in production in 1997, though was now being made in China as opposed to Japan (while it was also made in Hong Kong for a time as well).
Over its lifetime Pentax managed to shift millions of K1000s, and while its fair to say it didn’t have any standout features, it’s popularity can be attributed to the fact that it was simple and easy to use, affordable and there was a wide range of lenses readily available for it.
Pentax K1000: Specifications
(Image credit: Alamy)
Camera type: 35mm film SLR
Lens mount: Pentax K
Exposure control: Manual
Shutter speeds: Mechanical 1/1000 sec to 1 second, plus bulb
Exposure metering: Center-weighted
Battery: 2x 1.55V SR44 / 1.5V LR44 batteries
Dimensions: 143x 91 x 48mm
Weight: 620g
Pentax kept things simple with the K1000, with it featuring a completely mechanical shutter mechanism. This meant that you could happily fire the shutter without any batteries (just like the Nikon FM2 that was released in 1982), with the K1000 only requiring a couple of SR or LR44 batteries to power the metering system.
Speaking of metering, the K1000 uses a full-scene averaging method to obtain an exposure. It’s worth noting though that the K1000’s meter does not automatically switch off - to avoid draining the battery unnecessarily, you’ll need to pop the lens cap back on first.
The maximum shutter speed possible was a pretty unremarkable 1/1000 second, while the flash sync was rated at a modest 1/60 second, while there’s a PC sync socket as well.
The Pentax K1000 features the company’s now long established K mount, which means owners have access to a large catalogue of lenses. Even some of Pentax’s newer autofocus lenses will attach to the K1000 and can be used happily in manual focus, though Pentax’s latest lenses that lack an aperture ring won’t offer any exposure control.
The later Pentax K1000 SE (Image credit: Alamy)
The Pentax K1000 started off with satin-chromed brass top and bottom plates and an aluminum and steel film rewind assembly, but the quality of materials changed throughout the camera’s life and by the end when it was being made in China, there were significantly more plastic parts being used.
This saw the overall weight drop from 620g to 525g in its lifetime.
As you can imagine, the original Japanese-made models are the sturdier and more sought after cameras. A good trick to determine if you’re looking at an earlier model is if the ‘Asahi’ branding is present on the pentaprism - something that disappeared as the production moved away from Japan.
With such a limited set of features, the K1000 is nice and straightforward to use, though its fully manual exposure mode will be a bit of a shock to those coming from cameras that automate everything. Focusing is via a microprism spot in the centre of the viewfinder that’s not the easiest to get on with, though the Pentax K1000 SE (and upgraded model) featured a split-image in the center.
Pentax K1000: Should you buy one?
(Image credit: Pentax)
How much you send on a Pentax K1000 depends on what generation of K1000 you’re after, but the more desirable earlier versions will set you back getting on for $200 with a 50mm f/2 prime lens.
It might lack some of the more sophisticated features that other cameras at the time enjoyed, but it was this stripped back and simplified approach that helped make it the success it was. An SLR that was perfect for beginners, the K1000 was responsible for millions of photographers learning the basics, and for that it should be applauded.
Find the Pentax K1000 on eBAY
An K1000 in nice condition with a 50mm f/2 should set you back more around $150 – but you can find more battered bodies from around $80.
Find the Pentax K1000 on eBAY.co.uk
A Pentax K1000 in immaculate condition with a 50mm f/2 will cost around £170, but you can find examples for around £80. Just be mindful that there can be issues that the seller may not even know about.
Read more:
• Best film cameras
• Best film
• Best darkroom equipment
• Best film scanners
• Best Lomography cameras
• Best student camera for studying photography
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Phil is the Managing Editor of Top Ten Reviews, and is a former Editor of Techradar's camera channel.
He is an accomplished photographer, and specializes in shooting cycling and fast cars.
The best film cameras of all time
March 24 2021
Despite the fact that digital photography has overshadowed analog photography, many photographers still prefer to shoot on film. This type of shooting requires patience and skill, does not tolerate haste and does not give room for error. However, many will agree with the fact that it is worth it!
The most intensive development of the photographic equipment industry took place in the last century. Many models of those years, presented in the review of film cameras, today are included in the category of rare ones.
A film camera in the hands of a photographer is a kind of portal to another era and a completely unique tool for creating masterpieces with their own unique aesthetics. And for storing photos, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with photo albums on our website.
We offer a selection of the best devices that have left their mark on the history of photography.
Pentax K1000
This model gained popularity in the 70s and held the bar for a very long time. The Japanese film camera Pentax K1000 is a perfect example of conciseness and quality. The device is equipped with a durable metal case and mechanisms that can withstand even the most severe weather conditions. From the very beginning, this model belonged to the low price segment. Due to its ease of use, the camera is still considered one of the best beginner film cameras.
Leica M6
The cameras of this German company have played a very important role in the history of photography. Leica products have always been considered the standard of excellence. It was one of the first rangefinder cameras with a built-in exposure meter that retained its compact size. Reading the meter reading was simplified as the LED arrows in the viewfinder indicated over or under exposure. The Leica M6 was produced from 1984 to 1998 in various modifications: the M6J represented a collection series of 1640 units, the M6 0.
85 featured an enlarged viewfinder eyepiece, and the M6TTL had some additional options. This camera is perfect for documentary and journalistic work.
Olympus OM-1
The Olympus OM-1 is considered the first full-frame (24x36mm) modern camera. This DSLR combines a compact design with a wealth of features for professional use. It was one of the first devices in which the function of the air damper of the mirror appeared - that is, matrix stabilization, which leveled out the shake of the shutter during the release. Ease of use, durability and a nice, concise design can be added to the treasury of the advantages of the camera.
Canon AE-1
In the mid-70s, Canon AE-1 film cameras were especially popular. For ten years, until 1985, 5 million units of goods were sold, which was a record of those years. This camera was one of the first available DSLRs on the market with TTL AE metering and a microprocessor. Canon AE-1 will be a good tool for creativity.
The camera can run on conventional batteries, in addition, many of the mechanical elements in it have been replaced by electronic modules. And yet, for this device there is a large selection of optics at reasonable prices.
Minolta X-700
This camera has been a huge hit since its inception. Minolta lens technology and lens mount was acquired by Sony and is used in today's mirrorless and translucent DSLT digital cameras. This model has all the functions necessary for film cameras, except for auto focus. In the 80s, Minolta was considered one of the best and was assembled in factories for more than 20 years. It has an aperture priority mode, as well as the ability to shoot a burst of up to 3.5 frames per second.
Nikon FM2
Another permanent leader in the list of legendary cameras. Rugged, lightweight, fast and reliable - you always know exactly what to expect from this device. Among the camera's many features is a mechanically synced vertical metal shutter that delivers a lightning fast 1/4000 second top speed and 1/200 X-sync.
Also, this camera works great with almost any Nikon lens.
Fujifilm X-T10
A new classic-styled mirrorless camera. With this camera, you can fine-tune exposure compensation and shutter speed, as well as select the shooting mode and shutter operation. You can shoot a panorama and immediately apply an effect to the frame, such as lomography or enable multiple exposure. On the top panel of the metal case there are not two tuning wheels, but three. This little helper is definitely worthy of attention!
Mamiya RZ67
This camera has become a cult favorite among studio and wedding photographers. Although the camera is not compact (with a 110 mm lens, it weighs over 2 kg), it wins with ease of use and high quality. Its modular design allows the use of various accessories that are easy to replace. The back of the camera rotates, allowing you to switch between landscape and portrait shooting without moving the camera or tripod.
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Best Travel Film Cameras
Best Travel Film Cameras | PeritoTelegram chats and channels along the borders: collected all the main ones in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Finland and Norway
PeritoInterestsGadgetsPhotography
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Published on 08/24/2016
A fun and helpful roundup of the best travel film cameras.
Anton Fasol
text
We asked photographer Anton Fasol about how to choose film cameras, what types of cameras exist and where to look for them.
It so happened in the course of technological progress that first there was a stone and a stick, then a wheel and a horse, then cast iron and steam, and now microprocessors, touch screens and gyro scooters. Accurately between the ferry and the Tesla car, between the Wright brothers and the crush in the low-cost airline, between silent cinema and virtual reality, humanity has experienced its golden age, when technology was already advanced enough for a comfortable life, but not yet so intrusive to escape from them in digital detox settlements.
This era is remembered, among other things, for the heyday of photography.
At first, the cameras were bulky and heavy, and the shutter speed when shooting on a glass plate took several minutes. Everything changed in the late 1920s, when the German company Ernst Leitz released the revolutionary Leica camera, which easily fit into the pocket of a woman's mac (it sounds crazy, but by that time women were already allowed not only to vote and drive, but also take pictures). It was from this moment that the rapid development of the era of reportage and travel photography began. Leitz cameras were reliable, convenient, consumed relatively affordable 35mm film, and made it possible to capture any moment of the surrounding fuss on silver emulsion. Unfortunately or fortunately, but over the past 90 years, a more convenient camera than a narrow-film one (for 35 mm wide film) has never been invented.
So, with the format clear, this is a narrow film. Cameras according to the principle of focusing are divided into rangefinder (rangefinder), reflex (SLR), scale (point-and-shoot) and autofocus.
The following is a selection of the most enjoyable cameras in three price ranges: “Don’t be sorry to lose” (less than $50), “It’s a pity to lose” ($50-200) and “I wish my wife had bought boots” ($200-2000). For cameras with interchangeable lenses, the recommended lens is also indicated (however, no one bothers to install any other suitable one).
Rangefinder camera
The rangefinder camera has, paradoxically, a rangefinder - two windows spaced several centimeters apart. Looking through the viewfinder, you can find the rangefinder spot, which doubles the image if the subject is out of focus. The main advantages of rangefinder cameras are compactness, reliability and often an additional (included in the price) aura of legend thanks to such names as Bresson, Rodchenko, Capa and Vinogrand.
It's not a pity to lose
Zorkiy-1 + Industar-22. An ultra-retro kit for those who are nostalgic for the glorious 195s, a domestic copy of the German Leica II.
Tiny viewfinder, inconvenient film loading, limited shutter speed range. Of the benefits - retractable lens inside. There is no built-in exposure metering, so you need to have an external exposure meter (the application on your smartphone is enough).
Kyiv-2A + Jupiter-8. A serious weighty machine that allows you to take high-quality photographs, but again you need a light meter.
"FED-Mikron-2". A compact device with a fixed lens, a Soviet copy of Japanese budget cameras. Of the benefits - there is an automatic exposure mode.
Sorry to lose
Olympus XA. The undisputed world champion in the price-size-quality category. Tiny pot-bellied chest with a very decent lens and aperture priority. Fits not just in an abstract pocket, but even in the breast pocket of a shirt. Of the minuses - sometimes it is difficult to focus due to the not too bright spot of the rangefinder. An accurate built-in exposure meter, powered by two button-cell batteries, allows you to take pictures even at night.
A definite must-have for anyone who wants to have film quality in the palm of their hand without losing their manual settings.
Japanese budget rangefinders with fixed lens . This is a whole class in which it is difficult to single out something. At Olympus, we recommend looking at the 35RD, 35RC, 35ED models, at Canon - at Canonet 28, Q17, Q19, at Yashica - at 35CC, at Minolta - at Hi-Matic 7s, F and so on (there are also Ricoh, Petri, Konica ).
All these simple boxes differ from each other only in the aperture ratio of the lens, the type of automatic mode (shutter or aperture priority) and design. A huge number of them were produced, so they are not a shortage - many models can be caught without any problems and at a price of up to $ 50.
I wish my wife bought boots
Leica M3 + Summicron-M 50mm f/2.
0. The ultimate set, already having which you can sit at home and not travel in principle. The carcass can be changed to M2/M4/M6/M7, then it will be more pleasant to work with wide-angle lenses (up to 28–35 mm) and built-in metering (for M6 TTL and M7). The most tangible (subjective) minus is film loading through one place - exactly through the bottom end of the camera.
Voigtländer Bessa-R3A + Skopar 35mm f/2.5. Like Leica, but simpler, louder, more plastic and several times cheaper. A kind of entry level for the world of rangefinder cameras, if you suddenly don’t want to start with Soviet devices.
Voigtlander Bessa-R3A Shot with a Voigtländer Bessa-R3A + Skopar 35mm f/2.5 camera. Author: Ryuki TakedaSLR cameras
The next category is SLR cameras. They are distinguished by the presence of a movable mirror that allows you to view directly through the lens. Almost all DSLRs have built-in metering and automation.
It's not a pity to lose
Zeniths. It is probably worth a warning: it is better not to mess with domestic DSLRs because of their unreliability and primitiveness, but this does not negate the fact that wonderful shots can be taken on them.
Zenith EMIt's a pity to lose
Minolta XD-7/X-700 and Olympus OM-1/OM-2. Very comfortable and reliable cameras with pleasant ergonomics and a plastic pattern of native optics (lenses of the Rokkor family for Minolta and Zuiko for Olympus). They stand out favorably against the background of even more expensive devices with a large bright viewfinder and modest dimensions.
Also worth paying attention to Canon AE-1 and Pentax ME.
It would be better if my wife bought boots
Not so few SLR cameras (as well as scale cameras) more than $200 were produced, but they do not have any radical advantages over their cheaper counterparts.
Therefore, they will not be covered separately.
Scale cameras
Scale cameras are the simplest and, as is often the case, the most reliable cameras. Due to the absence of any connection between the viewfinder and the lens, it is possible not to waste precious seconds on precise focusing, but to set the distance by eye.
It's not a pity to lose
Smena-8M. The most massive camera in the world (more than 21 million copies!). Lightweight, relatively comfortable and as simple as five (if not less) kopecks. Why write shutter speeds when you can draw the sun, a cloud and a gloomy cloud? Why use these useless meters and feet on the distance scale when there are more understandable portrait and landscape icons? Perfect.
"Smena-8M" Shot on camera Smena 8-M. Author: Emi VayLOMO Compact-Avtomat (LK-A). Another iconic camera that needs no introduction, this time with automatic exposure.
LOMO Compact-Avtomat (LK-A) Shot with a LOMO Compact-Automatic camera.
Author: shuta It's a pity to lose
Olympus XA-2/XA-3. Same as the touted XA above, but without a rangefinder. Better or worse is a matter of taste.
Autofocus cameras
Travel autofocus cameras to look out for live in the $50-200 (Olympus Mju II, Leica Mini, Yashica T4) and $200-2000 (Konica Hexar AF, Fuji Klasse S, Ricoh GR1s). Separately, I would like to highlight the Olympus Mju II, which is very popular among travelers and is still in production (!) Fuji Klasse.
Olympus Mju II Shot on an Olympus Mju II camera. Author: paramita Shot on an Olympus Mju II camera. Author: paramitaHalf frame
In addition to the most common narrow film format with a frame size of 24 x 36 mm, there is also the so-called half frame (18 x 24 mm). This format is convenient in that it allows you to take at least 72 shots on a standard 36-frame reel.
Cameras under $50: Chaika-2, Agat-18K, $50-200: Olympus Pen EED, Olympus Pen F, Konica AA-35.
"Seagull-2" "Agat-18K"Film
There are three types of film: color negative, color positive and black and white negative.
It is better not to use color positive for travel photography because of the low latitude (there is a high probability of getting failed black shadows and broken highlights on high-contrast scenes) and the high cost of both the photographic material itself and its development.
The most suitable film for travel is color negative. Its biggest advantage is the cheap, affordable C-41 development that can be found in almost any provincial town. It is undemanding to particularly high-quality scanning, so you can get nice pictures even from Noritsu minilab combines. Black and white film is developed mainly by hand, and if there is no desire to do it yourself (nothing difficult, there would be time and desire), then, most likely, you will have to look for private traders - not every photo lab provides such a service.
Where to buy
Cameras in the “It’s not a pity to lose” category are most profitable to find on the Russian secondary market: Avito, flea markets of the Rangefinder Club and the Foto.
ru forum. More expensive cameras are easier to find on global auctions: eBay.com and Japanese Yahoo through an intermediary such as Darom.jp. When buying, first of all, you should pay attention to the state of the optics and study the stated list of problems - often people sell cameras found in the attic as non-working just because they could not find the “Turn on” button.
Due to the huge number of photographic forums, you can read reviews from the owners before buying, learn about possible problems, advantages and disadvantages. Examples of shots from almost any camera are wonderfully located on the Flickr.com photo hosting. And it’s better not to mess with selenium exposure meters, which noticeably “sag” with age and lose their sensitivity to lighting. Selenium cells look like fish scales, and it is very difficult to confuse them with something else.
Selenium exposure meter Catching photographic film at auctions is quite long and tedious, so it's better to look at the German online stores Macodirect.
