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Short answer - it doesn't really matter too much. All of the major Japanese companies made great SLRs and glass.
Long answer- do you want mechanical, electronic manual focus or electronic auto focus ?
Mechanical cameras don't have auto exposure modes, and some will need an external meter (iPhone app is fine). They're often old and even the shop bought ones may need a service. Slow shutter speeds are a common problem. Having sad that they're often the most beautiful cameras, from an age were everything was made from metal, and there's something quite satisfying about using a mechanical camera. Examples:
https://www.ffordes.com/p/COM-IV47BQ60948/pentax-m42/spotmatic-50mm-f14
https://www.harrisoncameras.co.uk/pd/used-minolta-srt101-35mm-film-camera-with-55mm-f17-lens_used-2641906-2740847Electronic manual focus cameras are battery powered, normally with centre weighted metering and some form of auto exposure. Some of the cheaper cameras are auto exposure only and don't allow you to shoot in manual. These are the classic film SLRs. Examples:
https://wycameras.com/collections/nikon-mf-cameras/products/nikon-fg-w-50mm-f-1-8-exc-1
https://wycameras.com/collections/minolta-md-cameras/products/minolta-xg-1-w-50mm-f-2-excElectronic auto-focus cameras are what DSLRs are based on. These are the most modern cameras and have the classic PASM modes, matrix metering, TTL flash (often built in), built in motor drives and modern glass. They are for the most part a lot cheaper than the other types as they're not as collectable/fashionable. They also mostly come with a zoom lens rather than a prime.
Examples:
https://www.ffordes.com/p/SH-18-026812/minolta-af/dynax-5-28-80mm
https://www.ffordes.com/p/SH-18-029953/canon-eos/eos-300v-28-90mmPersonally I'd plump for the Nikon FG with 50 1.8 series E at WYC for £75.
Ste_S-
https://www.ffordes.com/p/SH-18-026812/minolta-af/dynax-5-28-80mm
I have this, its a great camera, it occasionally overexposed in bright sun if left fully auto. The lens mount system was purchased by Sony and became the Alpha series, so any manual focus lens that fits the full frame sonys works on this as well. I guess it would work vice versa as well.
Its not collectable but was part of a successful system so second hand glass is easy (ish) to come by. The kit zoom is good enough for most people, but I found it really shines with a 35/50 prime and some Kodak Ultra 200 film. I also used to have a big 100-200 zoom, but passed it on to my brother in law as it works on his Alpha 7ii.
AWu-Tang
Relatively new to this photography malarkey but not new to “here” - a sabbatical was needed to sort my head out about a few things and photography really helped out.
I’d always been interested in photography as a creative medium, but had never really taken any sort of significant financial plunge into it - n+1 bicycles always seemed to (in)conveniently eat into any budget I’d set aside for camera kit.
On my return from the Middle East, I took some time out and worked out where I was going in life and built the Porklyn and started to ride bicycles again. I found a job (which I’m still in) for a company that give us £100 a month on a prepaid card for coffees/lunches etc. Given my terminally jangled lifestyle, I managed to mislay this card. I knew it was at home and would pop up at some point so didn’t really give it much thought. When I found it a little under a year later, it had amassed £1000 so I took the opportunity to spend a proportion of it on some camera kit.
I bought a Canon 750D (which came with a couple of lenses) as well as a Sigma flash and zoom lens and another really short Canon lens.
I’ve been out and about and photographed all manner of buildings and places since those initial purchases back in 2017 and am genuinely enjoying learning about the various functions available - as well as the techniques needed to get the best out of an albeit basic/entry level but complex-to-me piece of kit.
Only now am I switching to “M” on the dial in an attempt to learn more about my abilities as well as those of the camera.
Now, I find a hankering for film and following a few conversations with some of the kids at work who don’t use an iPhone 11 Pro for taking photos, they ALL recommend finding a Canon AE1 to cut my teeth on.
What does the hive mind here think?