Thinking about a Nikon EL2 - advice anyone?

Overheat · September 11th, 2006, 9:57 AM

I've seen this item on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130025155116

http://i12.ebayimg.com/04/i/08/0d/d2/f8_3.JPG

and it seems pretty nice - I've always wanted to have a go at film camera work now that I'm more used to photography - just wondering if this will be a good starting point and if anyone knows about this camera or this lens. Is it a good buy? What sort of price should I be paying? Any advice will be more than welcome images/smilies/smile.gif

Thanks in advance.
Overheat.

Skoshi · September 11th, 2006, 3:41 PM

Yay! Film FTW!

The camera seems nice, I'm not really familiar with Nikon models but I have the FM 35mm SLR, made in the 70's.. A real piece of art. That lens doesn't look like much, quite an odd focal range and the aperture leaves room for improvement.. I have no idea who would pay 30$ for a manual?

I'd say keep it under 80$, but what do I know?
If I were you, I'd get an FM body and some nice prime lenses, like a 28mm 2.8 and a 100mm 2.8 images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

jayjaya29 · September 12th, 2006, 5:12 AM

Film is fun but challenging as well, I've got my Dad's stuff and its fun to use, but not being able to see the pictures right away is weird.

BerserkerCatSplat · September 12th, 2006, 7:45 AM

As much as I adore old 35mm bodies, if you're going to shoot film, forget 35mm entirely and pick up a used Medium Format body. If you're going to restrict yourself to film, you'd might as well make it good. Look into mid-70's Yashica TLR's if you want to keep it cheap.

Check this one out:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=130023917220

Skoshi · September 12th, 2006, 12:34 PM

Great camera and nice format, but you'd have to start developing yourself, atleast over here no companies will develop medium format for you. Not really what I'd recommend to start the hobby with..

BerserkerCatSplat · September 12th, 2006, 3:56 PM

Nobody develops medium format in Finland? Man, that's really too bad. images/smilies/sad.gif

I can think of at least three places in Calgary that'll develop Medium or Large Format. A friend of mine switched from a 20D to a Hasselblad 501 and he just drops off his film like regular negatives. I'd do some research into local developers/printers in your area, there has to be someone that does it.

Skoshi · September 12th, 2006, 4:34 PM

Oh it's not that I couldn't get them done, I have a few friends here who develop my 35mm film too images/smilies/tongue.gif

Just thought it would be similar elsewhere.. They don't even develop 35mm B&W negs in my town.. They have to send them somewhere far far away. Guess you have it better over there images/smilies/mellow.gif

I have been bugging my brother to loan me one of his medium-format cameras for a while now.. He won't part with one! images/smilies/cry.gif

September 11th, 2006, 9:57 AM	#1
Overheat Joined: Sep 7th, 2004 Last Online: September 30th, 2008 Location: Bradford, UK Posts: 5,735 Rep Power: 29	Thinking about a Nikon EL2 - advice anyone? I've seen this item on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130025155116 and it seems pretty nice - I've always wanted to have a go at film camera work now that I'm more used to photography - just wondering if this will be a good starting point and if anyone knows about this camera or this lens. Is it a good buy? What sort of price should I be paying? Any advice will be more than welcome Thanks in advance. Overheat. __________________

September 12th, 2006, 5:12 AM	#3
jayjaya29 Joined: Mar 18th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Lindenhurst, NY Age: 21 Posts: 5,241 Car: 2000 Nissan Altima Rep Power: 36	Film is fun but challenging as well, I've got my Dad's stuff and its fun to use, but not being able to see the pictures right away is weird. __________________ Check out my Gallery. Check out my Car.

September 12th, 2006, 7:45 AM	#4
BerserkerCatSplat Hormone Induced Joined: Jun 21st, 2005 Last Online: 1:15 AM Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,890 Car: ZJ 4X4X5 Rep Power: 168	As much as I adore old 35mm bodies, if you're going to shoot film, forget 35mm entirely and pick up a used Medium Format body. If you're going to restrict yourself to film, you'd might as well make it good. Look into mid-70's Yashica TLR's if you want to keep it cheap. Check this one out: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=130023917220 __________________ OSPhoto

September 12th, 2006, 3:56 PM	#6
BerserkerCatSplat Hormone Induced Joined: Jun 21st, 2005 Last Online: 1:15 AM Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,890 Car: ZJ 4X4X5 Rep Power: 168	Nobody develops medium format in Finland? Man, that's really too bad. I can think of at least three places in Calgary that'll develop Medium or Large Format. A friend of mine switched from a 20D to a Hasselblad 501 and he just drops off his film like regular negatives. I'd do some research into local developers/printers in your area, there has to be someone that does it. __________________ OSPhoto

September 12th, 2006, 4:34 PM	#7
Skoshi Joined: Aug 15th, 2005 Last Online: July 30th, 2007 Location: Tampere, Finland Age: 24 Posts: 484 Rep Power: 0	Oh it's not that I couldn't get them done, I have a few friends here who develop my 35mm film too Just thought it would be similar elsewhere.. They don't even develop 35mm B&W negs in my town.. They have to send them somewhere far far away. Guess you have it better over there I have been bugging my brother to loan me one of his medium-format cameras for a while now.. He won't part with one!

September 11th, 2006, 3:41 PM	#2
Skoshi Joined: Aug 15th, 2005 Last Online: July 30th, 2007 Location: Tampere, Finland Age: 24 Posts: 484 Rep Power: 0	Yay! Film FTW! The camera seems nice, I'm not really familiar with Nikon models but I have the FM 35mm SLR, made in the 70's.. A real piece of art. That lens doesn't look like much, quite an odd focal range and the aperture leaves room for improvement.. I have no idea who would pay 30$ for a manual? I'd say keep it under 80$, but what do I know? If I were you, I'd get an FM body and some nice prime lenses, like a 28mm 2.8 and a 100mm 2.8

September 12th, 2006, 12:34 PM	#5
Skoshi Joined: Aug 15th, 2005 Last Online: July 30th, 2007 Location: Tampere, Finland Age: 24 Posts: 484 Rep Power: 0	Great camera and nice format, but you'd have to start developing yourself, atleast over here no companies will develop medium format for you. Not really what I'd recommend to start the hobby with..

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Welcome to the FinalGear.com Forums!