Film cameras from the 1990's are better than you think !

[@pedrodellatorre7020]

There's only one catch about 90s cameras: many of them have miscalibrated autofocus, I tried 3 of them in the past and they were all back focusing. To fix that, you would need specialized software and hardware that no repair shop has anymore, so you're stuck with it. And many times those issues are invisible until you develop your pictures, so you may test it and feel like it's ok, buy it, and then have a bad surprise when you develop your first film roll took on it. I was lucky to get a very skilled technician fetch me a nikon f5 in perfect working condition, he knew how to test this, and at the end the camera just needed some cleaning. But yes, if you manage to get one of those in good condition, you're up to a very serious camera that will work like a charm for many years to come, hopefully.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

@@pedrodellatorre7020 that's a tricky situation because this issue also varies with your lens. I had a zoom that was back focusing all the time on my f100.

[@d.r.martin6301]

Many great film cameras from that era. It was my decade of travel writing and photography, and 90% of the photos I shot were on an 8008s (801s). Total workhorse that never let me down. I teamed it with the 24-50 zoom (not considered a great lens, but it worked for me); the Series E 75-150, an underrated gem; and an SB-24. I carried an FM2 for backup. In 55 years of shooting, the only camera I loved more than that 8008s was my M3. I still have it and shoot with occasionally, because why sell it for peanuts?

[@MrAnalogDan12]

These n8008s were so good and so reliable, i'm not surprised.

[@howardblakley713]

I was given a Nikon F6 brand new! The autofocus is amazing! I'm still grateful!

[@MrAnalogDan12]

The F6 is the GOAT....

[@nevillewatkins4997]

They are forgotten. Which is good for us, who actually know something about them. 😄

[@MrAnalogDan12]

You're definitely right

[@donball9777]

i just got Nikon f601 for £15. great little camera.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

@@donball9777 indeed. Be very careful when closing the film door. The locking lug is fragile.

[@davidbraun6568]

Just got an F801 fo £22, with box and instruction book. Cost me £35 for a Nikor 28 70 to go with.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

Excellent camera

[@kawarps]

1990s cameras are the great secret of film photography that have been hiding in plain sight for years.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

Totally true !

[@ALFarrell-kv6ok]

At around the time of the widespread introduction of digital cameras, SLR cameras and film were reaching perfection. That was the 1990s.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

And then people got digicams and stored their film SLR. Lots of these were barely used.

[@ALFarrell-kv6ok]

@@MrAnalogDan12 I remember buying a scanner to convert and feed my old negative films and slides into digital format for storage, viewing and emailing on my laptop. But I'm guessing that most folks didn't do that, so there must be millions or billions of old films and slides lying around in boxes, cupboards and attics. It is good to see that such scanners are still available on Amazon and other online outlets.

[@northof-62]

Even better were the very latest models released in the early 2000s as they featured viewfinders with adjustable diopters. The only manual camera I can think of that had this is Minolta's XD-S from 1978, released in Japan only.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

I had no idea about this. Thanks for the info !

[@photography_jsk]

Been buying Rebel and Elan bodies because they're so cheap. Haven't gotten to Canon's pro film bodies yet -- though I did pick up the original 5D for about $100, so this principle extends to 2000s DSLRs, as well.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

I found a 5D MKII for 250 like a month ago.

[@comfortablyblind6853]

The only real drawback of the EOS Rebel is the 2000th shutter speed. But if you keep the ISO low, it's fine. The A2 is reasonable and has a 4000th shutter speed. Elans are still reasonable. The 7ne has a wrinkle finish.

[@photography_jsk]

@@comfortablyblind6853 I'm not really shooting anything that moves too fast so the shutter speeds on the Rebel are fine for me.

[@comfortablyblind6853]

I have almost all the Canon EOS film cameras and almost all the FD mount Canons. If I'm going to shoot seriously, I grab the 1n and 3. Fun shooting, I really like the AL-1. I've started collecting Nikon. I have quite a few so far. Not enough to say, which is my favorite. Love film.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

Oh yeah, the EOS 3, aka the camera that I regret selling...

[@comfortablyblind6853]

@MrAnalogDan12 hope I never have to imagine.

[@timwickens7043]

Thank you for an excellent video. You can buy these 90's cameras for the cost of a few rolls of film. They are easier and faster to use than the older cameras. A great deal of photographers who own Leica cameras will leave them at home fearing loss or damage, thereby missing photo opportunities. I don't worry about my Nikon F801s when it is bouncing around in my truck or tractor.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

The Photography company I worked for had some F801 for us to work. in the early 2000 they bought F80s cameras. When they switched to full digital in 2006, most F801 were still working while most F80's were broken already.

[@leonarddaneman810]

The Nikon N90, 2008s, F801 (Euro Mdl) were very fine cameras. The plastic was very high quality and metering perfect. The Pro F models were, and still are, very expensive.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

@@leonarddaneman810 I almost bought a Nikon F4 in excellent condition. It was sold for 350 euros in a Brussels shop. With 1 year warranty.

[@jasongomez5344]

I still have my F-801s but when I tried it with some slide film a few years ago they came out underexposed. I don't know if the light meter needs servicing or something.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

I heard about that once. Seems the batteries are the culprit.

[@quite1enough]

I bought Nikon F4s with 35-70 lens for $180 and prior to that Nikon F-301 body for $20

[@MrAnalogDan12]

That F4 is a good deal !

[@hamish5214]

My first analog camera was the Nikon F50 with a Tokina 28+210 zoomlens. It still is a great camera (although the lens is rubbish). My father gave it to me about 4 years ago and works fine. I do prefer my Nikon F801 over the F50 but reliability is not an issue with these 90s SLRs.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

The F50 is better than a F60.

[@Polydeukes68]

Hi again, I pretty much agree on what you said. I too would never sell my old cameras. The old good quality film cameras are still quite affordable but they are indeed getting more expensive now as they are coming back to fashion. The F90X is a nice camera. I already had for example bunch of FE's, a F3HP and couple of F4's but then I wanted something a bit smaller to carry around, with autofocus - enter the F90X which is perfect for that role! Its not tiny but compared to F4 its fine and quite advanced for a film camera. Highly recommended.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

Same story. I love the FE2 for the looks and coolness, but the N90s for performance !

[@MrAnalogDan12]

My N90s is my go-to camera for performance.

[@vintagevantics]

Nice video Dan. Picked up a Nikon F 501 on eBay for £2.99. Fixed the contacts and it takes great exposures!

[@MrAnalogDan12]

there you go ! I always found these to look cool !

[@markgoostree6334]

At this stage of the game.... I have 16 film cameras. Some were given to me, some I paid very little for...ten to forty dollars. I need to be shooting more and enjoy what is sitting here.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

you should !

[@euroyank860]

Welcome at the house any time Dan 🙂I could have some nice stuff for you to show on the Tube ^^

[@MrAnalogDan12]

Mybe some Tasma or Svema films to trade ? I'll call you !

[@HikingwiththeBlindBoomer]

I’m so glad to know I’m cool, not just an old fart playing with my old stuff

[@MrAnalogDan12]

Haha !

[@mkaestn]

Classical cameras are over rated. Went back a bought the F3, FE , FM2, FG... My N90s that I have owned since new blows them all away for film. A good N100, would be best, as it supports VR lenses, If i am correct. AFD lens are a great choice as the work on D200, D700 D3, 4.. Buy the old pro-lenses, as they are 25% of the original cost.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

Funny story: I own an old folder front 1999 advertising cameras and they were still selling the Nikon FM2. This camera is selling for something around 500 euros now but back then the price was the same as the Nikon N70 ! They are now definitely overpriced.

[@CalumetVideo]

I think the 1990’s were the years of the best SLR’s! I have the Nikon F5 and it’s feature packed like a DSLR. I have the F2 and F3 and while they are good mechanical cameras, they come at a higher price point. The best deal is these 1990’s SLR’s they are usually available at a low price and are feature packed. I think the only mechanical camera that has parts being made is the Leica’s, but they are so expensive!

[@Martin_Siegel]

These cameras were top product in the time. Helmut Newton used a Canon EOS 1 - it is exhibited in the Berlin Newton Museum. So they could not have been all that bad. The pop up flash is funny. Minolta was ridiculed for by photojournalists of the time for putting one on an otherwise professional camera, the did not realize that you could trigger your studio setup with it. Amateurs who bought expensive gear to be "better" photogs - they were the majority of buyers for that segement then and now - joined in and a great brand became the laughing stock.

[@michaelsherck5099]

In some ways I'm grateful to Minolta critics. Their performance is excellent and because of the critics they're very affordable. I have a pair of Minolta 7xi bodies but my go-to is a Maxxum 800si. The 7xi is an excellent camera but the 800si is even better. The 800si cost me $64 and both of the 7xi bodies together cost me less than that! And Minolta lenses are outstanding: there was a reason Leica chose to partner with Minolta.

[@MrAnalogDan12]

Well Canon had an integrated flash on the EOS5 / A2 camera. This one is also a marvel of technology

[@Martin_Siegel]

@@michaelsherck5099 So am I. I have a few Dynax/Maxxum models and I use them not enough. All those cameras were top product, TBH.