Analog film photography and cameras

I'd start with an Olympus 35rc, really easy to find on eBay at manageable prices. Simple to use, very reliable, small and has a fantastic lens on it.

http://kenrockwell.com/olympus/35rc.htm

On that note, whilst searching I've been avoiding cameras with lenses slower than f/2 really,

although going from a crop sensor camera with a 30mm 1.4 lens, to a 35mm film camera with 42mm 2.8 such as on that olympus, the minimum depth of field possible won't be all that different right?

well it depends what size crop sensor but there won't be a huge difference either way, both will create very useable images. I'd say forget going for the widest aperture you can and buy the Olympus but if you really want that narrow DoF the the cannonet gIII ql17
Has an f 1.7 40mm lens.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Canon_Canonet_QL_17_GIII

Imo the Olympus lens is sharper and the camera a lot more user friendly.

Fwiw here's a random image from a 35mm sensor and 40mm lens at f2.8 just because I sometimes find it more useful to look at examples rather than numbers.

Background is not completely blown but it's more than adequate for most stuff, I've got lenses going down to f1.4 and on manual focus cameras I rarely use them.

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Cheers fella, all useful info :)

I'm going to keep looking for a rangefinder, but if anyone has any tips for a film noob (apart from teh array of info already out there haha) I would appreciate!

Would help to know what your price range is, and what sort of pictures you're after / how you're going to use the camera.
Also how small you need it to be (very small and very good lens will be more pricey of course) and what focal leght you'd prefer etc...

Yashica electro 35 gtn/gsn. Can be picked up for about £40 or less. Similar to the Lynx but not as expensive, great 1.7 lens. I love mine.

I did reply earlier but my phone apparently disagreed -.- and definitely should have provided more info

Price - no more than £100 maximum, i know there's value to be had way lower

Use - probs just general street photography if I'm just trying the medium out. WIll leave the specific stuff and all the myriad lenses to the dslr. I use my 30mm 1.4 on the crop sensor for all round stuff so I imagine 45-50mm would be nice.

Size - That was definitely one of the big draws of rangefinder cameras that I should look for, even though I was going to buy the Yashica Lynx 14 which is a tank...

Cheers for the input fella,
I was looking back over recent pages and I loved your ones on page 363, taken with the Yash?

Yea, there are a lot of very nice rangefinders (also below £100), most of them are tanks though.
If you don't mind this it's cool, but in the end this means you'll not just put this in your pocket, but need a bag or shoulder-strap, or you're not going to take it with you.
Are you really sure you need / want a rangefinder (as in: rangefinder-patch manual focusing) ?
Or does AF maybe make sense for what you're actually going to do with it?
There's quite a lot of nice, small, light sub-£100 point-and-shoots out there with nice lenses...

Yeah that's cool, I've still always got the s90 if I want something really portable to take along...

It sounds like a fun side project to try a whole new method of taking pictures, and I'm quite happy to give up AF along with it. (famous last words...)

Well then choose one based on lens quality within your budget range - one that you like, as in: it's important you like to pick that thing up and use it (like you immediately had an reaction to the XA series (which I would have recommended as well) - it just isn't for you apparently).

Have never owned the Yashica @nefarius mentioned, but everyone I know that used one loved it.

The Yashica Electro is a tank, but it consistently surprises me with great images and I never regret taking it out.

I think it's a great option as it's easy to get to grips with, takes great photos and isn't too expensive. The XA is great but it's a fiddle, the rangefinder window is dim and even with my less than massive hands, it can be difficult to shoot with. I love mine, and the control you get with such a small camera is never really matched at the same size by anything else but I just think the Electro is a better choice for a first foray into rangefinder cameras.

Loved the shots coming out of my electro, but using it with glasses was tricky as it has a metal eye-piece + a fairly dark rangefinder window. Can't say anything bad about the rest of the camera though

Really - my electro has a really bright viewfinder!

Luck of the draw that. Rangefinders get muggy and fog up. Bought two at one point. One from the U.K (mint externally only) and the other from Pakistan. The latter had one of the crispest windows I've ever used.

Have just posted seven rolls to Ag-Photo. Two of which are Velvia 50....

Got a couple of rolls of Portra left. Hopefully this will provide the kick up the arse I need to get shooting more.

Any suggestions for a camera to start playing with "peel-back" instant pack film, e.g. Fuji FP-100C? It seems like there is a confusing amount of Polaroid Land Camera options, and perhaps some others.

Alternatively, does anyone (in London) have one they might be willing to part with?

Any suggestions for a camera to start playing with "peel-back" instant pack film, e.g. Fuji FP-100C?

I once made a pinhole camera out of a coookie box, with a pola-back, and shot FP-100C with that.

in love with the second shot.
I need to get out of London quick time

I have one for ya bro...

Just buy this.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Konica-Hexar-AF-35mm-f-2-Rangefinder-120-Years-Classic-Film-Camera-Silver-CASE-/201223001464?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item2ed9d35578

Possibly a little retarded, more statement than art, but interesting nonetheless.
http://www.warrencariou.com/petrography/

Thanks man, they are all from DofE haha

Both with a Yashica T4.