Attn: Photographers

[Diablo]

I want to get a new 35mm SLR. What brand and model do you recomend and why. Im by no means a pro, so I don't need pro. stuff. I was kind of looking at the Nikon N70 and the Minolta Maxxum 70. Let me know what you guys think. Any suggestions would be great.

THANKS

[natedoggSXE]

I like the nikon stuff. The N70 is alright, but the N80 has a stronger body. Stronger body may come in helpful in the field.

[John_White]

I've used the N70 in the field for 7-8 years and have never had any problems with it.

[Diablo]

thanks for the input guys. Anyone else have any input on Minolta.

[JuliusSqueezer]

I've tinkered with them all. Canon, Minolta, Pentax, Nikon-Nikkormat, Mamiya, Yashica, Contax, Rollei-Rolleiflex, Hasselblad, Bronica, Graflex...and many more probably fairly obscure makes and I won't even go into the many different models of each of these makes I have used, traded, collected, etc over the years...Just listing the Nikons/Nikkormats would fill a couple of pages lol...I love them all. But they all seem to have certain limitations except Nikon. While Nikon may seem a bit more expensive than some, they last forever if cared for properly even under extreme heavy use. I can't say that for many others. I used Canon A and F series cameras for years. When I went professional and started shooting 2-3000 frames a day, they all crumbled within weeks. The shutters were just not made for that kind of use. I have never yet worn out a Nikon body and have only ever had to send 2 to a shop for minor repair caused by my own carlessness. They are forever expanding lenses and other attachment technology and they never seem to forget the old models and make most everything compatible with all models past and present at least to some degree. For instance, I can use most of my new autofocus lenses on any old Nikkormat camera in manual focus/aperature mode. Some now come with no manual aperature ring but have manual electronic control that really only work with the latest models...always an exception I guess. Nikon also holds it's value well. Lenses especially will always bring top dollar and attract a flurry of bids on ebay or any place else you ever decide to sell them. While some Nikon models may lack certain specialty features that only a pro may care about or ever even have a use for...Everything they make is top quality. My favorite Nikon 35mm is still the old FM2n or FM3. It is all Manual and a steel bodied clunker...but I dare anyone to try and wear one out lol. Even if the battery dies, all you lose is the meter. All shutterspeeds are Mechanical and requires no battery power. I kept using mine for years and years after everyone else was using F4s and F5s. I had an n8008s, N90 and an F4 but kept them at home for home studio work and continued shooting fashion and glamour with FM series bodies. Mainly because when doing studio work, autofocus drives me bonkers. I guess what I am saying is, Nikon Rocks! For any level, beginner to Pro...Nikon is always going to be your best bet for 35mm photography. I'm happy with my Nikon Digital too but I have had great experiences with other digitals as well and am highly impressed with so many different models of digital cameras out there that depending on your own needs, I can't really be so diehard hardcore Nikon. In fact, I got my sights set on a Kodak for my next digital camera...unless something comes along that's better. I feel like I'm betraying Nikon but sheesh that Kodak DCS Pro 14n is sweet! Almost 14 megapixels and uses Nikon lenses...smart move LOL. Read the stats on that bad boy.

[Diablo]

Wow you are right JS. That camera is sweet. Now if only I can talk the wife into that price tag. LOL. Thanks for all the info. It helped a lot. Ive been seeing that Nikon gets great reviews. I think I have my mind set on either the N75 or N80. Also where is the best place to buy one. I see a lot of fly-by-night websights on the net with great prices. But they scare me. But some of the big stores have fat prices, but you know you are getting what you purchased. Any info would be great. Thanks again.

[Diablo]

BUMP

[Stormyva]

Diablo, I have purchased items from all of theses places and had great luck with them KEH Cameras, B&H Photo, 17th Street Photo, and more expensive but still good Ritz Camera.
KEH is pretty cool because they will broker a lot of used equipment and have an excellent rating system so that you can count on getting exactly what is described on the site.

[Diablo]

Thanks for the great info Stromy.

[JuliusSqueezer]

I've been inside KEH which is cool because they are not open to the public and will not sell anything to anyone unless it's a phone or online order. They are based here in Atlanta. I have bought thousands...maybe even tens of thousands of dollars worth of stuff from them and have never been the least bit dissatisfied. I have bought a lot from Ritz aka Wolf Camera too. They have free shipping which can sometimes make a difference even if the price is a bit higher. I don't like the guys that work in the Atlanta Main Pro Showroom much. They all seem to be annoyed that anyone would bother them to want to buy something lol...They have all been there a really long time and they have always been that way. My bloodpressure always seems to stay managable if I order from Ritz online and avoid walking in. Plus, they fill online orders for backstocked items long before they send it to the stores. When I bought my D100, I was told they were on 2-3 month back order. I ordered mine and was told 3-4 week backorder but got it in a little over a week. When I took it in to buy some accessories, the salesman I talked to before flipped his lid. He was pretty upset that I got mine when he ordered one for the store that he planned to buy almost 2 months ealier and still didn't even have a confirmation lol. I've bought a ton of used lighting equipment from B&H and have no complaints. I have also bought something I'm sure from 17th street in NY but I think I may have walked in there and I can't remember what I bought but if it was a bad experience I'm sure I would have remembered. One thing to watch for is Gray Market cameras. These are Cameras meant for sales overseas that get back to our market. Usually the model number is different but the camera is the same. All documents will be in a language other than English and there is no manufacturer warranty. They may claim a warranty but you are dealing with Joe Blow's Camera store, not Nikon. All of these stores mentioned above offer deals on EBay too. The only advice I have to offer on Ebay is to be alert for shadey deals. Ads where it sounds like the person found the camera in an estate sale or something and have no idea if it works but it seems to...assume it doesn't work and bid accordingly. Avoid Pawn Shops selling camera stuff all together. Read feedback and look for ads where every detail of the camera is properly represented. I've never been ripped by an avid Nikon collecter/dealer on Ebay and in fact usually get much cleaner stuff than I bargained for....same with KEH...KEH is by far their worst own critic. They call some things bargain or ugly that are actually quite nice.

[Diablo]

Great info JS, Thanks.