I Still Shoot Film

For this week’s Sunday Ebay Film Camera Deals, I’m featuring cameras that I own personally plus light meters (by special request). Obviously, these are not my cameras, since I would sooner die before selling my babies, but rather the same make and model. Either of the models I’m posting are great for amateurs and professionals.

Let’s start with: The Nikon FM2- behold the glory that is the Nikon FM2… this baby is rugged and chic and built to last. Personally I have had my Nikon FM2 for 18 years; I have never had a single malfunction or need for repair and the light meter battery needs changing once every 8 years if even…

The fact that I can even post “deals” on the Nikon FM2 makes me cry inside:

• Nikon FM2 (UK): current bid 26 pounds, ends in 7 days, comes with 35-70mm Nikkor lens http://tinyurl.com/23rtfe2

• Nikon FM2(UK): current bid 50 pounds, ends in 7 days, comes with 35-135mm Nikkor lens http://tinyurl.com/3and3tb

• Nikon FM2: current bid $77, ends in 2 days, comes with 50mm lens http://tinyurl.com/368vfuv

• Nikon FM2 (KIT): current bid $100, ends in 1 day, 50mm and 35-135mm lenses, 2 flashes, cable release, filters http://tinyurl.com/2uf6txa

Moving on to: The Mamiya Sekor (1000DTL) - ahhh yes my coveted grandfather’s camera. I watched from afar for many, many years and then the moment I saw my grandfather bust out his digital camera 2 years in a row at Christmas (which is funny because I’m a Jew, interesting story…) I pounced on that shit like a hungry lion.

First of all, let me just say that the way many photographers feel about Hasselblad and Leica (hello, not everyone loves a rangefinder) is the way that I feel about Mamiya. And lot of other photographers agree with me. When you buy a Mamiya, any Mamiya, you are buying top quality. My dream camera is an RZ67 (possibly w/ a digital back for work, hello bank breaker) but even the lowly Sekor takes magnificent photographs…. and on Ebay they are practically giving them away:

• Mamiya Sekor 500DTL: minimum bid 1 cent (yes, really), ends in 5 days, comes with 50mm lens, case, and instruction manual. This is the brother to my 1000 DTL http://tinyurl.com/2dosggp

• Mamiya Sekor: starting bid $4.95, ends in 4 days, not sure what model and lens appears to be a 50mm http://tinyurl.com/39u9llv

• Mamiya Sekor 1000DTL:  starting bid $8, ends in 6 days comes with what appears to be a 50mm lens and instruction booklet http://tinyurl.com/2wj8q5w

• Mamiya Sekor 1000DTL: current bid $9.99, ends in 2 days, comes with 28mm and 80-205mm lenses http://tinyurl.com/2c28e7f

• Mamiya Sekor 500DTL: starting bid $14.95, ends in 5 days, comes with 50mm Mamiya Sekor lens http://tinyurl.com/24c4uqe

• Mamiya Sekor 1000DTL: starting bid $19.99, ends in 4 days, comes with what appears to be a 50mm lens http://tinyurl.com/244qqo6

• Mamiya ZE (UK): minimum bid 29 pounds or buy it now for 35 pounds, ends in 6 days, comes with 50mm Mamiya Sekor lens. I do not have this particular model, but it’s still a Mamiya in great condition http://tinyurl.com/387ajol

And last but not least: Sekonic Light Meters - investing in a great light meter is never a bad idea… but even now they are not cheap, considering they still have application in the digital era. I got my light meter (a Sekonic Zoom Master L-508) in college with a HUGE student discount and still use it today. The equivalent (since mine is no longer manufactured) is the DigitalMaster L-758DR, and sells for $500-$600 (which is actually way less than the original price of my light meter in 2000.)

• Sekonic L-508 Zoom Master: starting bid $200 (I paid more than this with a big student discount 8 years ago), ends in 6 days, incident & reflective + flash sync and zoom http://tinyurl.com/3xme2jx

• Sekonic L-358: current bid $76, ends in 3 days, incident & reflective + flash sync (no zoom) http://tinyurl.com/39dlwvf

• Sekonic L-558: current bid $127.50, ends in 2 days, incident & reflective + flash sync with zoom http://tinyurl.com/255prgc