I want to buy a film camera. I am not a "photographer" at all. But I take photos and I sometimes I want to take photos. What I feel is digital kind of makes photos expandable. I mean more than they ought to be. Also, all the bells and whistles get in the way. I would be happy to just get a FM3A (or something like this) and just shoot with it maybe couple of times a year.
Go for it! I usually shoot digital, but have a Nikon FM2 that I get out a few times a year. Sometimes I'll even just walk around the house with it snapping photos with no film. Just to feel the camera.
I sought out this feeling in a digital camera for over a decade. After trying a bunch of Fujis I finally broke down and got an M10. It feels just like my old film Leicas until it runs out of battery.
Actually I might as well end up with a FM2 or FE2 as they are more likely to be found and that too a lower price and in better condition (and a new one if I get really lucky). FM3A are simply gone now and the price has gone way up.
got an M10
You mean Leica M10-D? Isn't that a range finder and I would assume it's automatically out of my budget if a used FM3a is costly for me :)
Digital, but old school glass viewfinder, classic film type physical, controls, but also the convenience of some gorgeous film emulation if you want it.
I feel like I can operate old school like film (well obviously there isn't a darkroom here) with limited to no digital interaction while I'm photographing, and jump into the digital world when I want that convenience.
I'd recommend this too. I have a X-100F and it's a joy to use. I shoot straight to JPEG with it and everything about the process is fun and the results are great.
Try a Rolleiflex or Rolleicord, it's a very unique experience. They have pretty good resell value too. The FM3A is a collectors' item and it's too expensive. Better get a FE2 instead. It's basically the same, I've got both of them.
Rolleiflex or Rolleicord - I will get one of these if I came across them at really good prices but I am looking for a compact mechanical SLR as my main camera on trips etc, at least for some time.
And yes, I might have to get an FE2 or FM2. Because FM3a is indeed quite expensive.
Compact mechanism SLRs are not made anymore at all, are they? Nikon stopped in 2004. Nothing like that were made later? Or are there comparable cameras - like FM3a, FE2 in look, feel, build, functions, size - but more affordable and readily available?
However another camera I am looking for is an instant camera. I liked one and ordered it on Amazon. When I received - it had a LCD on the back (then I realised the product didn't have an image of the back and it was not mentioned either). It was an absolute deal breaker and the all plastic thing felt very cheap.
Market supplies what the majority wants and to be honest digitals are great and versatile.
Yes, they've stopped making them, the FM3a was the last one, sold as a backup camera to pro photographers, heh. Affordable? Old Yashicas and plasticky Minoltas, better maybe a Pentax ME. But I totally love the FE2/FM3a, they've got that mechanical feel. Maybe the Pentax ME Super comes close enough, plus nicer lenses.
Instant film camera, get a Ricoh GR1 or an Olympus XA. I have the digital GRD III, it's still great and I find myself using it all the time although it was released in 2009.
There are Rolleiflex alternatives like the Yashicamat but the lenses are just not quite as good. Zeiss has a special feel to it, I cannot describe it. Especially geat for portraits.
Comments
I want to buy a film camera. I am not a "photographer" at all. But I take photos and I sometimes I want to take photos. What I feel is digital kind of makes photos expandable. I mean more than they ought to be. Also, all the bells and whistles get in the way. I would be happy to just get a FM3A (or something like this) and just shoot with it maybe couple of times a year.
Go for it! I usually shoot digital, but have a Nikon FM2 that I get out a few times a year. Sometimes I'll even just walk around the house with it snapping photos with no film. Just to feel the camera.
I sought out this feeling in a digital camera for over a decade. After trying a bunch of Fujis I finally broke down and got an M10. It feels just like my old film Leicas until it runs out of battery.
Actually I might as well end up with a FM2 or FE2 as they are more likely to be found and that too a lower price and in better condition (and a new one if I get really lucky). FM3A are simply gone now and the price has gone way up.
You mean Leica M10-D? Isn't that a range finder and I would assume it's automatically out of my budget if a used FM3a is costly for me :)
I've shot digital and film as a hobbies.
I love the Fujifilm X100 line of cameras.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujifilm_X100#Fujifilm_X100V
Digital, but old school glass viewfinder, classic film type physical, controls, but also the convenience of some gorgeous film emulation if you want it.
I feel like I can operate old school like film (well obviously there isn't a darkroom here) with limited to no digital interaction while I'm photographing, and jump into the digital world when I want that convenience.
I'd recommend this too. I have a X-100F and it's a joy to use. I shoot straight to JPEG with it and everything about the process is fun and the results are great.
Try a Rolleiflex or Rolleicord, it's a very unique experience. They have pretty good resell value too. The FM3A is a collectors' item and it's too expensive. Better get a FE2 instead. It's basically the same, I've got both of them.
Rolleiflex or Rolleicord - I will get one of these if I came across them at really good prices but I am looking for a compact mechanical SLR as my main camera on trips etc, at least for some time.
And yes, I might have to get an FE2 or FM2. Because FM3a is indeed quite expensive.
Compact mechanism SLRs are not made anymore at all, are they? Nikon stopped in 2004. Nothing like that were made later? Or are there comparable cameras - like FM3a, FE2 in look, feel, build, functions, size - but more affordable and readily available?
However another camera I am looking for is an instant camera. I liked one and ordered it on Amazon. When I received - it had a LCD on the back (then I realised the product didn't have an image of the back and it was not mentioned either). It was an absolute deal breaker and the all plastic thing felt very cheap.
Market supplies what the majority wants and to be honest digitals are great and versatile.
Yes, they've stopped making them, the FM3a was the last one, sold as a backup camera to pro photographers, heh. Affordable? Old Yashicas and plasticky Minoltas, better maybe a Pentax ME. But I totally love the FE2/FM3a, they've got that mechanical feel. Maybe the Pentax ME Super comes close enough, plus nicer lenses.
Instant film camera, get a Ricoh GR1 or an Olympus XA. I have the digital GRD III, it's still great and I find myself using it all the time although it was released in 2009.
There are Rolleiflex alternatives like the Yashicamat but the lenses are just not quite as good. Zeiss has a special feel to it, I cannot describe it. Especially geat for portraits.