Found an interesting offer on photomalaysia.com. Nikon F80d selling for RM550, 2 years old.

Been talking with a few friends regarding film slr. They don't really think it's a good idea getting film slr nowadays. I would like to hear all your opinion.

I'm interested in a film slr because I would like to start from the real basic and also at the same time it's relatively cheaper. Wouldn't want to spend so much to get a DSLR yet.

Thanks!

well, to me, it's better if u could start on Film slr first as it would definitely train you on composing better picture, this is because each frame is precious and you would think twice before pressing the shutter release.

Secondly, u'll get to imagine the outcome of the photos in your head after sometime rather than relying on the LCD screen.

well, pros is u'll get very solid basics. cons is u'll spend pretty much in the long run ( film and developing + printing ). as for lens wise... if u're determined that u're gonna continue with Nikon if you're going to upgrade to DSLR, then u need not have to worry much about your purchase on the F80d. if not.. think before do u want a nikon or canon as changing systems ( between nikon n canon ) is pretty costly once u're attached to it..

Im not sure whether i'll stick to nikon or canon in the long run. currently im interested in the alpha D and the upcomin pentax K100D.

Dont plan to invest in any lens yet. Just want to master the basic skills of handling a SLR. Using right shutter speed, exposure etc...

well, i would say it's easier to get lenses and accessories for canon and nikon... it's pretty hard to find lenses for Minolta ( sony using Minolta lenses in Alpha D) ,Pentax , and other brands.

and most probably u'll have to hunt ard KL for it.

Im not interested in getting any DSLR yet for the time being. If possible, i would like more feedbacks whether I should get this F80D or not. Thanks guys.

F80D is a pretty solid and good camera. Used it before and pretty much love it.
If you're serious in photography, i would say it will serve you for a long time. ( and be used as backup camera in future )

This post has been edited by exkay: Jul 23 2006, 02:53 AM

But is it true that film photography is getting outdated? Will i face any difficulty in buying good films? As im overseas most of the time.

It depends on your preference. Outdate of course but i still believe you still can get the film easily locally or oversea. I heard some people said pro film camera is still better than DC.

I see.. but some ppl also mentioned that learning photography using SLR is much harder compared to using DSLR as there is no preview. and also the amount of money which will go to film developing.

I need more opinions ppl. Thanks!

rm 550 for a nikon f80d is a good deal. i would go for it. unless you are looking for a fully manual camera (fm2) which can be in similar price range.

anything higher, for nikon at least will be the f100 (better built quality and faster af motor and better focal plane shutter, etc). i remember seeing it for rm 1500 only.

true, film is going obsolete, at least the 35mm format... the normal films you see and use is call 35mm format. some call it 135mm. dont ask. long history.

and i dont believe that by starting in dslr, you will miss out in alot of things. what you saved in purchasing films and processing, you make it up in expensive dslr and computer. i would go for a minimum 1gb ram if i want good quality images (RAW files). and good printers. both inkjet (epson 2400 is a god buy btw... or the 4800 pro... damn syiok) and c-type... both digital and analogue. c-type means chemical prints.

doing digital, you will have other stuffs to learn which is different from film photography. you will need to know what is JPEG, TIFF, RAW and what softwares gives best quality for RAW and colour calibration, monitor screen... what TFT, LCD and all stuffs... 14 bits, 16 bits colours. colour balance/white balance.

inkjet printer, c-type photos, dyed based, lamba, frontier.

you will be learning alot of stuffs.

in film... you will be concentrating more on the process itself. if it's colour... nothing much to learn unless you have the time and money to explore the processing yourself. tempreture of the chemicals, different films will give you different results. warmth film, tungsten film, slides, colour negatives, black and white... fuji film, kodak film, konica film... they all give different result. different 'model of films' will give different result as well... e.g. fuji provia 100F is different from fuji astia 100F is different from fuji velvia 100F.

black and white is another chapter in itself. i can explain it 3 days 3 nights on black and white to you. chemicals (film developers, paper developers, warm developer, cool developer, lith, high contrast), films (panchromatic, orthochromatic, lith), papers (fiber based, resin coated), enlargers (printers) (diffuser head, etc) all give different results

it's not a simple process, especially black and white.

hope i didnt scare you away

This post has been edited by ifer: Jul 23 2006, 03:52 PM

No you didn't. Thank you for providing such a good insight.

I think i've mentioned earlier on the main purpose of me getting a film SLR is because of the lower cost and also it's sort of more classic. I would definitely get a DSLR but not so soon.

I would like to master the basic skills of film photography first. Since u mentioned that 35mm films are going absolute, I dont see any point in getting the F80d. What do u think?

If im getting this F80d , i expect myself using it for another 2-3 years before upgrading to a DSLR.

film will never go obsolete... my point of obsolete is it's not popular anymore.

true, nikon and canon had stopped their production of film SLR except their highest end cameras but believe me, films will never go obsolete yet.

there are loads of professional films still in production. even the normal films like kodak gold and fuji superia will still find customers around the world...

as for lenses... you can practically use every single nikon lenses had ever produced, except the non-ai which was produced before the 1960s if i am not mistaken. so no problem in upgrading to better lenses in the future.

if fully manual is not a problem with you, get yourself an fm2. a fully manual camera and built like a tank. that one lagi classic. i have one which was made in 1984 and it's still alive and kicking and i am still using it and lovin' it.