[DavidPeat]

Hi Folks

Looking for a bit of advice on this. My wife has a colleague who is starting a photography course and was looking at an old SLR to "practice" on (in other words, she doesn't want to shell out £££ on a new DSLR).

Anyway, I've got an old Canon FT QL which more or less works (the meter worked once I'd replaced the battery and the mirror sticks up sometimes) along with a Canon FL 50mm 1:1:8 and Tamron 135mm 1:2.8 BBAR Multi C. Bit of TLC and a couple of hours with a dust blower required I reckon, but nothing more.

She asked how much I wanted for it and had told my wife not to be daft and she could just have it, but I am curious is this is worth anything. Fleabay doesn't offer much hope - I think the lens might be worth more than the body.

Thanks for looking.
Cheers
David

[Bobdk]

I have a couple of Canon 30E's and they are worth peanuts. I paid around £350 each for them not that long ago. Your camera may be worth something as an antique but I would imagine very little as a camera. Why don't you simply lend it for the duration of the course and the lady in question can then return it? I would imagine the course will sooon move to digital and your camera will not be required. To be honest the cost of film, developing and the complications of film (need to finish the roll, waiting for processing, costs etc) will drive your wife's colleague to digital anyway.

[DavidPeat]

Cheers mate, sounds like a good idea.

[senu]

I agree with the above. (Bobdk)
It is probably worth "not a lot" in monetary terms as a camera. Antique value..maybe
Although I dont presume to know your wife's colleagues circumstances, Even a ( thoroughly modern) entry level DSLR like the Nikon D40 will soon pay for itself in the area of instant feedback ( for learning , and retaking the object) and No cost of film development printing and no wait
IMHO this would be a more satisfactory way to get through her course as it can also be used manually
Also I imagine some PP techniques may be intergral.. fancy wating for your CD with images on it
( extra money) from Boots ASDA ect before you get to PP your images
And they are very good cameras too,

Surely it entirely depends on what type of photography she wants to do? I have both a film and digital slr and use both in equal measure. Film is by no means obsolete despite what some people think, it's just becoming a bit more niche and jumping straight to digital is not always the best thing to do.

The Canon may be an old camera but will still teach a newcomer about the basics of photography, and for much less money than buying a new digital camera.

The course may very well include darkroom work which will require a film camera, and if she intends to print her pictures rather than just look at them on a computer screen there isn't that much difference in cost between digital and film.

[senu]

Originally Posted by KidLorneRoll

Surely it entirely depends on what type of photography she wants to do? I have both a film and digital slr and use both in equal measure. Film is by no means obsolete despite what some people think, it's just becoming a bit more niche and jumping straight to digital is not always the best thing to do.

The Canon may be an old camera but will still teach a newcomer about the basics of photography, and for much less money than buying a new digital camera.

The course may very well include darkroom work which will require a film camera, and if she intends to print her pictures rather than just look at them on a computer screen there isn't that much difference in cost between digital and film.

Very valid points indeed.. especially as we dont know just what the course entails

However the whole thing about digital versus film for learning is that if you would eventually be using digital you may as well start off learning with it( that is another presumption but given the niche nature of film hopefully forgiveable)

Also Digital SLRs can be used in manual mode and are a valid way in 2008 to learn the basics of exposure with ISo shutter speed and aperture as well as framing ect

I too have a Canon EOS3 which is almost never used these days.. Not for lack of ability but its Digital brethren are simply far more convenient and by no means inferior in quality

Also if PC images ( as opposed to prints ) will form a large part of work assessment Film will prove awkward although usable

With regard to the OP though I think letting her have and use the film SLR to her hearts delight is the right thing to do
Any preferences for digital will be down to her as the course dictates

[DavidPeat]

Thanks everyone. I've told her to keep it until she outgrows it, if it even works, it has been in the loft for ~15 years.

Apparently, the course starts off with B&W and they are also to use a (proper) dark room, so hopefully she'll get some use out of it.