New film SLR camera

[wh0128]

My buddy is looking for a brand new film slr camera. He has looked on amazon.com and found a Nikon N55 35mm SLR Camera with 28-80mm Zoom Lens for 199.95 and he also found a Canon EOS Rebel K2 35mm SLR Camera with EF 28 to 90mm II USM Lens for 179.99. He is on a budget within these price ranges and doesn't know which one is of better quality if there is any, or if this is just a personal opinion choice between camera brands. I told him to get the Nikon cuz I prefer nikon quality over canon. Could I get some opinions on both of these cameras, or maybe not as much as the cameras but the lenses as well? Thanks.

[David Metsky]

This is a DIGITAL camera message board, not film.

-dave-

[pcrj]

It sounds like he is a novice and I think either camera would suit his needs just fine. Neither of the lenses included are top of the line within either company’s' line up of products but would most likely be fine for what he'd be doing. The age old debate is why put a lesser quality lens on your camera when it's the most important link in the imaging process. I abide by this but I've seen a lot of people over the years spend top dollar on a system and then after the novelty wears off have it sit in the closet for years unused.

As an entry level SLR photographer he can learn on the lenses included with the cameras and the benefit of being an SLR user is that you can easily upgrade to better glass when you have the cash to do so. Canon and Nikon both make exceptional products and I've always owned Nikon but would never hesitate to endorse a Canon as I've seen beautiful images from their products as well. Your friend may want to also consider features and ease of use.

I'm not as familiar with Canon lenses but I think most of the newer ones will also work on Canon's digital camera bodies and the same is true with Nikon should your friend decide in the future to purchase a digital body. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong on the Canon lens comment.

Good luck and I hope another photography enthusiast is born.

[wh0128]

yeah sorry about posting this film thread on a digital camera forum, but there was no where else to get personal opinion, like on this forum, and I'd assume that people that knew about digital, must know something about film slr. I am not a beginner so I think pretty much said what was in the responce of pcrj. I just need maybe a couple more opinions. thanks for you reply, i won't do it again.

[EdGreene]

Originally Posted by wh0128

yeah sorry about posting this film thread on a digital camera forum, but there was no where else to get personal opinion, like on this forum, and I'd assume that people that knew about digital, must know something about film slr.

Wrong. There are tens, going on hundreds of millions of digital camera owners who never owned a film camera of any type. Worse, most of them (99%) don't know diddly about photography, the craft.
And you did not step into a holy shrine wherein your footprints would have besmirched the holy temple grounds. Relax.

I am not a beginner so I think pretty much said what was in the responce of pcrj. I just need maybe a couple more opinions. thanks for you reply, i won't do it again.

"S'all right"!
Next, the very best system for a beginner in film photography is the PENTAX breed, Pentax owners having the utter joy of shooting Pentax SMC multicoated leanses. Best of all, they're cheap.
Even better, Pentax owners can shoot every lens Pentax ever made, all the way abck to 42mm screw mounts -no exceptions.

Pentax makes a full manual body w/kit lens for under $200. Your friend will love the ergonomics.

[K1W1]

FWIW there are several places on the Internet that are dedicated to Nikon camera products in general (film and digital). If you do some searching they are easy to find and you may get a better reponse.

[wh0128]

thanks, i'll will search a lot harder, and thanks for the pentax consideration.

[K1W1]

Nikonians is a word that springs to mind.

[wh0128]

yes, I went over to google and found the Nikonians website, and need to check it out a little bit more. But for a question about only digital on this forum, is the Leica section for their digital camera coming out, cuz last time I checked those rangefinders took film.