Recommending Film Cameras

Which Manual Film SLR to Buy?

Q.

I've recently become interested in photography and I’m looking to buy an old manual SLR camera to get me started. Are there any particular manual cameras that you could recommend to me?

A.

Thanks for your email and wow, what a question. I assume you mean "film" manual SLR's?

I now use all Canon digital gear in a professional capacity, but in the film days I was a big Nikon fan.

If you can get a deal on a Nikon F3, F4 or F5, go for any of those. They are amazing cameras and a bargain nowadays! They all have manual capabilities but also have the auto features such as aperture or shutter priority as well as program modes. The lenses are pin sharp too.

If you want to go back further still, the old Olympus OM-1, OM-2 or OM-10 were beauties. They were also solid as a rock, as was the Canon A1!

I hope this helps and that you did mean film cameras. If you meant digital SLR's, try the older Canon EOS 10D/20D. Great cameras with 6.3/8MP and still compatible with all the new lenses out now.

Again, you can go fully manual or opt for any of the auto modes, plus you can get a bargain online if you shop around.