The perfect beginners camera? Does it exist?

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AMAT0R
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Post by AMAT0R »

Muckymuck wrote:and would expose Kodachrome 40 1/3 stop under Ektachrome 64T 1/3 stop over which is within acceptable limits?

What button batteries does this camera need?
I've shoot many Kodachromes with Quarz with auto exposure (set on "0") and the results were perfect. I didn't try with E64T.

This camera needs 2 old PX625 1,35 V batterys, but the new 1,50 V should be also good (or maybe even better to meter 64 ASA).

I'm not a great fan of this camera, but I think, that every moviemaker should have it as a second camera "for the darkest hour". It's built like a tank and is able to work "unplugged" - the apperture can be set manually even without batterys. I used it once at -29 degrees Celsius - the whole left side of the camera was covered with ice from my breath! The motor worked normally and the results were also good.

Regards

Jan
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vidwerk
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Post by vidwerk »

Just picked up a set of the radioshack LR44 type batteries.
357/23-009. I'll test them out tonight and see how the cameras light meter hold up to my handheld.

vidwerk.
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vidwerk
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Post by vidwerk »

Loaded the batteries and nothing.
Light meter is definitely dead.
I'll be saving this one for the arctic with the sunny 16 rule.

vidwerk.
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Rollef
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Post by Rollef »

I'm thinking one of the Elmo cameras would be great as a beginner camera.

Either the 106/108/110.
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audadvnc
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Post by audadvnc »

vidwerk wrote: I'll be saving this one for the arctic with the sunny 16 rule.
vidwerk.
A handy reminder - Sunny 16 still works, even if your meter doesn't.

I've been shooting stills in the Washington DC subway system recently. Light levels are so low my Sekonic meter doesn't register. So I shoot f5.6 for a second or three, and it works fine.
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Post by Shanec8mm »

How about the Minolta Autopak-8 D6 ? This camera will meter 64T properly. Also you are able to lock the automatic exposure. You only need 4 AA batteries which power the motor and the light meter. Time lapse is also possible with adding a intervalometer accessory. It also features microprism focusing which I haven't had any problems using. This camera also has a sync terminal. The speeds include 18, 32, and single frame. Also you can zoom manually or use the power zoom feature. There is some debate as whether or not this camera will meter 100D properly, I have not tryed this. These are the speeds according to the camera manual. "Daylight filming- ASA 25 thru 100. Artificial light - ASA 40 - 160.
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Post by dsam7 »

vidwerk wrote:Loaded the batteries and nothing.
Light meter is definitely dead.
I'll be saving this one for the arctic with the sunny 16 rule.

vidwerk.
Vidwerk - I no longer own a Quarz ( I regret selling it now), but I made a mistake when I loaded the batteries for the first time and incorrectly assumed that the meter was dead. Just make sure that the batteries are loaded the right way up. Fiddle about with them. Also, if you choose the wrong voltage that can destroy the meter.
super8er
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Post by super8er »

the elmo c-200 or "dual-filmatic" is a great beginer camera. i got mine of ebay about a year ago and it came complete with a case, original instructions, camera strap, lens hood, and four roles of out of date original tri-x. i shot that tri-x with that very camera and it came out beautiful. did i mention i got it for a total of $10? anyway, it is an exellent camera. will meter automatically for tri-x plus-x ekta64t ekta100d velva50d and even k40 if you have any left. it is non xl but has 18 and 24 frames per second plus single frame, it also has a nice zoom lens that is sharp and easy to focus via split image,plus manual exsposure when you need it(works well for fades too i might add). the one dowside is it needs a special cell for the meter,but you can buy them brand new on ebay.
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