Canon Film Camera Advice

[Alfdude1]

I am planning on taking a couple of photography courses at the local Community College and need some advice on a Canon film camera. I currently use an EOS 20D and 40D with several lenses for them. The first photography course works with film and processing. I would like to make use of my EF lenses so which film camera would be good? I found an EOS 3000 kit camera for $50, but not being familiar with film cameras????

Thanks,
Mike

[Bonish Photo]

You should be able to buy a few used Canon 35mm EOS Rebels that will fit your lenses for under $100 all day long.

I honestly would wonder why anyone would take a course on film photography when it is becoming so outdated? I hope you dont take that the wrong way, but it's like taking a class on how to repair a car that has gone out of service 5 years ago?

But to answer your question, I see EOS 35mm Rebels all the time for next to nothing. I saw one for $20 one day and thought about buying it just to keep as a last ditch, last effort incase of a all out world war 3 or something...LOL

[Alfdude1]

The basic photography course is a prerequisite for the other courses. It covers some of the techniques, but I just need to complete it in order to take the others. I will be using my GI Bill so it won't cost me anything other than the camera. I did put batteries in my Minolta XG-1 and it seems to be operational, so I might just use it.
Mike

[gldiana]

Pat,

I think there's a lot to be learned about film camera use and processing. It's good foundations and also the artistic and historical value of the media should not be forgotten.

[Bonish Photo]

Yeah, I hear what your saying Luca, but so many of the college courses on film processing are stil teaching the same techniques that were taught 10 to 20 years ago.

Granted, you'll never go wrong with learning those fundamentals, it just seems like such a waste of time to learn how to develop film, when 90% of the camera shops dont even carry the chemicals to purchase to do it.

Heck it's getting to the point now that you almost have to order your 35mm film online from one of the big names because most shops have stopped carrying film except for one or two film speeds and then only a few of those.

Maybe I'm just so impressed with Digital, I'd rather take a class on photochop, a basic camera class and a good lighting class and be much farther ahead. But if you have the GI Bill and can do it for free, then Knowledge is Power, and no one can take that away from you.

Check out Fred Miranda, buy/sell and you might be able to find some film cameras

[Walczak Photo]

Hey Mike,
Since this seems to be only for this one class, my suggestion would be to simply get the cheapest, used EOS 35mm you can find on Ebay or elsewhere. As Pat said, I've seen them for as cheap as $20. If you decide later that you want to stick with film...even as just an experimental thing, you can always get something better later but for now I'd just get the cheapest you can find to get you through the class.

Generally speaking, most EOS lenses should work on most EOS film cameras (with the exception of EF-S lenses which are designed for the smaller digital APS-C sensors)...a used K2 or T2 or even a Rebel 2000 would probably work ideal. Just make sure you don't get something like an older AE1 or something that accepts the FD mount lenses otherwise you'll have to get lenses too (which granted are dirt cheap any more for FD mounts).

Shame you don't live near N.E. Ohio...I have an old Canon Ftb with a couple of lenses I could loan you for a couple of months! LOL!!! Great old camera but I just don't do film any more.

Anyways, good luck!
Jim

[Alfdude1]

I have seen several Elan II's on eBay and such for less than $50. It seems to have the mode controls similar to my 20D and 40D. Might be a good one to get? Might keep it around in the event that I want to play with film again someday??

Mike