Years ago I had a cheap Russian (Zenit) SLR Camera which gave good results for the price but I was always jealous of the pictures people got with top end gear, especially when filming at motor racing events.

Now I have a reasonable digital point & shoot which is fine for most things but I’d really like an SLR for those occasions such as motor racing where the results from my digital are really not good enough.

I can’t afford / justify the cost of a digital SLR but with old film cameras such as Pentax, Cannon, even Nikon going for just a few pounds on ebay was wondering about buying one. I appreciate there’s the cost of film etc but I wouldn’t be using it very often.

What do you think, is it worth it?

If so what models should I be looking out for and are there any hidden expenses involved (batteries perhaps?)

John.

PS. I've still got a couple of lenses from the Zenit, think they're 42mm screw mount.

I have a Canon EOS 300 (35mm) with 2 lenses (~22-85 & 100-300) which I would happliy take an offer on. It takes stunning photos, and is very similar to use to the new digital versions, so a great way to test the water to see if you want to move to a more expensive digital version in the future.

Batteris last a long time, so I dont see that as an issue. It is the cost and availability of processing the photos that I would be considering...

Dont bother with a film based camera... There are loads of earlier DSLRs going for next to nothing nowadays. The previously mentioned Canon 300d is a good example.

All the new/old EOS lens fit so no worrys there, and battery's etc are still available.

a decent example: Canon EOS 300D & Accessories (8714574926544) | eBay

i still have a hardly used zenit with a tele lense gathering dust,u2u me if your interested

Ihave a Nikon with lenses, A full Bronica ETRS kit with multiple film backs etc,etc a Linhof 6x9(cm) and a Linhof 5x4 (inch).
I love film but alas it's a very expensive and very small and exclusive market.
WARNING brief moment of reminiscing....
3 location photographers ( I was one) 20 back room processing and printing staff.

I am soon to be the remainder of a department of 2, all digital and I do everything including video, couldn't do it Old Skool now has to be digital.

Bought my first digital DSLR for the £200 mark a sony Alpha a200 ( stilll have it ) have since upgraded to a sony A580 which has video the a200 still gives excellent results at 3 frames per second. Worth looking at second hand cameras I also managed to pick up cheap lenses for the camera whhich I still use on my new camera as well. film is good and reproduces colour very well but when you add it all up limits what you capture and can be costly as you have to pay for all exposures to be developed. Digital is a pick and printplus you can edit to your taste.