HELP - Need a Good 35mm Camera for a gift

[DES630 10]

This is for all the photo people here on this site. I need help. My wife wants a nice 35mm camera for Christmas. So I am asking for advise. Which brand, model should I buy. She has a Digital camera already but she likes the old fashion way. Seth I know you have some knowledge in this area.

Thanks to all.

Edited December 11, 2006 by DES630

[Guest]

Go with Cannon. They are great. I have the power shot A95. I chose the onne with the flipy screen (A95) for reaching over crowds and taking low angle shots and what not.

Edited December 11, 2006 by NRFDTL11Buff

[HFD201 0]

Canon's are definately good cameras...The Canon Rebel is also a good camera...I got one for class that was reasonably priced as well and I've had no complaints with it.

[DCurtis 1]

Personally I'd go with a nikon, for a 35mm camera, they are great, their lenses are better and they are usually well priced.

[HFD750 6]

I have the cannon rebel XT and I love it. It has a manual setting for that "old fashion way",which I like also,comes in handy sometimes,otherwise put it on automatic and your good to go. I had to go and buy the flash and a bigger lens for those nice up close shots. Let me know what you end up deciding,my girlfriends parents own and run a camra shop.

[Guest paramedico987]

AHHHHH! You've come to the right place!

I'm a hardcore Nikon man myself, so that's my area of expertise.

If she's interested in a top of the line, all electronic, bells & whistles 35mm there's no topping the new NIKON F6... but that'll set you back a couple of G's and is filled with features that virtually nobody will ever use or need.

Next in line is the Nikon F100 which is a supurb compromise between cost and features [i own one, but it's out for repair after I dropped it in a river ] This is a favorite of advanced amatures and professionals alike. with a cost of about $1000.00

If she likes all manual stuff Nikon's FM10 or FM3A are both good with the FM10 offering more features, priced around $350.00

If she'd be more interested in something that's kind of a fancy point and shoot then the N75 or F80 [both very similar] are great. I'm shooting now with my N75 until the F100's back and the image quality is still there. These run around $300.00

However, if she already has a DIGITAL SLR you would then be best to get her a film camera which is of the same brand and therefore compatable with any lenses she already owns.

In terms of lenses to get for general 35mm use I HIGHLY RECCOMEND the SIGMA 28mm-135mm f/3.8-5.6 which I use for about 90% of my work and is available for any camera body.

I prefer to do my camera buying from B&H... they're extremely dependable and usaully ship so fast that it's practially at your front door before you log off!

If money's an issue, everybody's selling off their film cameras on e-bay as they switch over to digital, so you might be able to find a great bargain!

Happy Hunting!

[DES630 10]

First let me Thank everyone for the advise. I bought the Canon Rebel T2 from Best Buy. I also bought the Canon EF 75-300mm zoom lens. Now for the funny part of the story. Best Buy will match others price so with that I found it cheaper on line printed it and brought it with me. Well not realizing it until after I bought every thing I had printed the wrong camera, In the end I paid more for the extra lens then I did the Camera. The kid at Best Buy either didn't care or was just dumb. . Thanks Again