It really is a matter of taking the time to know what you are buying. Doing you homework before passing the plastic will save you a bunch of disappointment. Clearly define what your goals are, and what it will take to reach them. Draw up a list of specifications that must be met in the equipment you will purchase. Check on the reputation - not of the maker - but on the individual camera. A good relationship with a camera store and trusted salesperson and a camera repairman is beyond value.
At a specific price point, a simple mechanical camera is likely to be more robust than one that is totally buzzword enabled, with loads of features. However, it is also unforgiving and will only give you what you are capable of getting out of it. The shutter on the feature laden camera may wear out in 20% of the time of that in the mechanical camera, but if you are inept, you may find yourself with a whole lot more keeper pictures during that time. However, what is the point of buying a robust camera, if you shoot half a dozen rolls a year at the most?
Realize as well, that every camera maker caters to a very broad market. Nikon is keeping two of its film bodies in the channel. They could not be more different. The F6 probably represents the highest state that a professional-level film SLR will ever attain. The FM10 is built by Cosina for Nikon, and is a cheap, entry-level camera that was also the Cosina CT-1 of a quarter century back, Canon T60, Olympus2000 and parts are also in the RicohKR-5 and it even served as the base for a couple of rangefinder cameras. A generic camera that for this time being is carrying the Nikon brand and lens mount.
Now with the Internet, there is simply no excuse for buying the wrong camera. The web has many web-sites with reviews, the forums give hands on anecdotal information. If you know what you want, you can find a camera that will match your needs.
Of the dozens of cameras owned or used, all acquisitions were carefully researched and matched to the problems that needed to be solved. Never was there a disappointment - even when there was no Internet. It took more leg-work, but it always paid off. There has been camera equipment purchased from Nikon, but probably a dozen other brands too. Each fully met its intended purpose.
larry! http://www.larry-bolch.com/ ICQ 76620504
At a specific price point, a simple mechanical camera is likely to be more robust than one that is totally buzzword enabled, with loads of features. However, it is also unforgiving and will only give you what you are capable of getting out of it. The shutter on the feature laden camera may wear out in 20% of the time of that in the mechanical camera, but if you are inept, you may find yourself with a whole lot more keeper pictures during that time. However, what is the point of buying a robust camera, if you shoot half a dozen rolls a year at the most?
Realize as well, that every camera maker caters to a very broad market. Nikon is keeping two of its film bodies in the channel. They could not be more different. The F6 probably represents the highest state that a professional-level film SLR will ever attain. The FM10 is built by Cosina for Nikon, and is a cheap, entry-level camera that was also the Cosina CT-1 of a quarter century back, Canon T60, Olympus2000 and parts are also in the RicohKR-5 and it even served as the base for a couple of rangefinder cameras. A generic camera that for this time being is carrying the Nikon brand and lens mount.
Now with the Internet, there is simply no excuse for buying the wrong camera. The web has many web-sites with reviews, the forums give hands on anecdotal information. If you know what you want, you can find a camera that will match your needs.
Of the dozens of cameras owned or used, all acquisitions were carefully researched and matched to the problems that needed to be solved. Never was there a disappointment - even when there was no Internet. It took more leg-work, but it always paid off. There has been camera equipment purchased from Nikon, but probably a dozen other brands too. Each fully met its intended purpose.
larry! http://www.larry-bolch.com/ ICQ 76620504
