Affordable analog
Battles rage over whether digital or analog is the better medium. But those shouting on both sides are missing out on the simple truth that the two compliment each other beautifully.With digital photography, there is an ability and sometimes a desire to achieve something precise, while happy surprises can be a big part of the analog draw. Keen photographers realize that shooting with both mediums keeps one creatively-focused and balanced: aware that perfection exists, but open to creative serendipity. Moreover, film gives the user a chance to slow down and be decisive, and digital allows the user to quickly see results and learn.
Of course, many of the readers of our site are digital diehards. But let`s pretend for a moment that we`ve convinced you to dabble a bit in analog. What would be a good camera to run a roll through? What follows is a list of 10 cameras, all of which are easy to find, technically capable, and reasonably priced. These are cameras known for holding up mechanically and don`t require obscure or discontinued batteries, like mercury cells.
Of course, this list is far from complete - there are many excellent film cameras available that fit our criteria. Which is why we`ll be looking to add more periodically. So if there are any you feel particularly strongly about, let us know in the comments. Happy shooting!
Canon AE-1
History: The Canon AE-1 was produced from 1976-1984 and in that time more than a million units were sold. One of the first affordable SLRs on the market to feature TTL auto exposure metering, the AE-1 was also the first SLR to use a microprocessor. It is constructed mostly of injection molded plastic to keep costs down. However, this leads to a comparably lighter body than most metal SLRs of the day.
`From 1976-1984...more than a million units were sold.`
Why we like it: This camera is a solid choice for beginners, offering both a shutter priority and a manual mode (thoug ...
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