Just got a free slr :)

[ViolentPanda]

I think it's dead. Battery in the correct way and no LEDs when set to 'check'.

Are the contacts in the battery box clean and tight?
Also, the B-series prakticas have a bit of a problem with the battery box "doors", so it may be worthwhile to make sure that it's properly secured.

Oh, well. Guess I'm gonna have to go buy one.

Any recommendations? Entry level film slr needed for beginner (pref fully manual as I need to learn.)

There are loads of corkers out there. I'll list my favourites:
Pentax K1000 (fully manual, takes Pentax K-mount lenses, which are incredibly widely and cheaply available. Also recommended are Centon's K100, and Phenix's DC303K, both of which are made on the old Pentax tooling in China).
Olympus OM10 (needs manual adaptor to be fully auto/manual, and Olympus's Zuiko lenses are excellent but expensive).
Ricoh KR5/KR10/KR10 Super (5 is fully manual, KR10 and KR10 Super are auto/manual, all take Pentax K-mount lenses).
Canon AE-1 (auto/manual, takes Canon's FD-mount lenses, excellent cameras and lenses).
Praktica B200 (auto/manual, good lenses).

Those are all "old-fashioned" metal frame cameras, so they're heavier than "modern-style" polycarbonate SLRs, but IMO if you learn on a heavy clunker, you pick up good habits that'll serve you well when you finally feel prepared to buy something lighter and with all the (usually never used ) bells and whistles.

 

[ViolentPanda]

must ... not ... buy ... more ... cameras

If only I'd managed to heed myself every time I've said that!

 

[ViolentPanda]

VP do you want the battery back?

Keep hold of it. It's a fairly common camera battery, so you might still have a use for it.
Besides, I've got a load of 'em, I always stock up on the batteries my cameras run on, because they get superceded, and if you don't have a stockpile, then you can't use your older cameras (strokes his hoard of highly-toxic mercury-cells lovingly).

 

[ViolentPanda]

I think you're missing the point... I WANT film, not digital. It's an olskool thang innit. I prefer vinyl to CD etc etc (goes all misty eyes all the thought of the good old days)

I love older Nikons, and used to have an FM2, but to be honest, Nikon glass was (and still is) ridiculously expensive, so you generally end up buying non-proprietary lenses unless you're disciplined enough to save up for months for a Nikkor.

 

[stowpirate]

I love older Nikons, and used to have an FM2, but to be honest, Nikon glass was (and still is) ridiculously expensive, so you generally end up buying non-proprietary lenses unless you're disciplined enough to save up for months for a Nikkor.

Depends on where you look. I have seen a few Nikon SLR's with Nikkor glass going in the £20-£30 range. In particular late last year I saw a mint Nikon FE with two Nikkor lenses for £30. As far as I know the seller is still trying to get rid of them as he was there every week. I think he started at £60 with no luck. I am after a Nikon FM but might buy this kit when he reaches £20!

We have a whole generation growing up who look at antiques, art and obsolete items as junk. This is a double edged sword as it means top quality cameras are going for peanuts but also there is a great danger that they will be chucked on the scrap heap when there owners die.

Didn't Oxford or Cambridge University in recent years throw loads of there film based kit into a skip including priceless Leica camera bodies and Leitz lenses

 

[tendril]

I love older Nikons, and used to have an FM2, but to be honest, Nikon glass was (and still is) ridiculously expensive, so you generally end up buying non-proprietary lenses unless you're disciplined enough to save up for months for a Nikkor.

well, if a 35mm body is going for a song, then the price of the lense will still come in under an entry level nikon dslr, I would have thought

 

[friedaweed]

I think you're missing the point... I WANT film, not digital. It's an olskool thang innit. I prefer vinyl to CD etc etc (goes all misty eyes all the thought of the good old days)

Ooops. Respect

Edit to add. You'd like lots of the shit in my shed

 

[tendril]

I'll have a look in the loft i think i have a practica you could have. I say I think. Gotta put some shit up there tmw I'll check my big box.

Otherwise you could pick up something very nice for just a few quid on ebay that will get you started. There's a guy in work has an Olympus om10 he's looking for a home for too I'll ask on Tuesday when I'm in.

Any joy in the loft? Gotta move in 3 weeks and need to keep my cash

 

[friedaweed]

Any joy in the loft? Gotta move in 3 weeks and need to keep my cash

Just been up there and no luck found some lenses though which i'd forgot i had. I'll ask my mother to see if its in hers. She's sitting my nipper tmw so i'm sure he'd like a rummages in Nans attic. I've got a feeling its there.

 

[ViolentPanda]

well, if a 35mm body is going for a song, then the price of the lense will still come in under an entry level nikon dslr, I would have thought

That depends what lens you're after!

 

[Wilson]

ive got a konica FC1 kit you can have, i could do with the cupboard space

 

[tendril]

ive got a konica FC1 kit you can have, i could do with the cupboard space

That would be ace to get me started. Do you want some cash, or a donation to the server fund?

 

[Wilson]

you can donate to the server fund if you want but youd better see if it works first, pm us your address and ill send it tomorrow

 

[tendril]

Hi Wilson

Received the camera, will get some batteries and fire it up....

many thanks, a complete kit inc macro and telephoto....

 

[Wilson]

excellent heh, It does really want a good old fashioned thorough cleaning, especially the front element of the zoom, it worked ok when i took the batteries out about four years ago....

 

[tendril]

Update:

well, after getting distracted by moving house, I now have batteries and film in the camera. I'm gonna shoot a b&w roll this weekend. Takes 10 days to get b&w developed though so may be a while before I post any pictures.


Many thanks Wilson

 

[tendril]

Update 2

Some wedding photos here. (taken from the cd they gave with the developing)

I can't believe that quality of the actual prints.... far and above what I have seen from ordinary digital cameras.

Many thanks again Wilson