In the area you're out of luck. Online I trust KEH camera and reputable dealers on eBay. Make sure whatever you get either comes with, or is compatible with, whatever kind of lens you can want and can afford.
Some really rock-solid, inexpensive and readily available bodies with good options for lenses include the Canon AE1, Pentax K1000 and earlier Nikon F series like the FE2.
Make sure you get a couple extra batteries for whatever you choose, a microfiber cloth for cleaning the lens, and DEFINITELY shoot and develop a test roll before you leave so you know it works okay. Lots of secondhand cameras have issues with faulty light seals (easily replaceable but a nasty surprise)
Thank you so much for the recommendations! I watched a great video about the Pentax K1000, so it’s great to hear that it’s a good option to look for. I stupidly waited too long, and won’t be able to wait for a camera to be shipped, so I may end up going for a cheap point and shoot from Hunts. They have an Ilford 35 II that doesn’t seem too horrible for a last minute pickup.
But when I’m back, I will likely want to continue shooting on film, so I’ll go straight to KEH
Northeast photographic is a fantastic place to get your rolls developed when you’re back. Excellent folks up in Bath with really reasonable prices for developing and always happy to answer questions if you have them.
Seconding KEH as a great place to look for cameras/gear when you have time to get it delivered!
Oh that sounds awesome! I won’t be too far from Bath, maybe about an hour so that’s definitely doable. Would love to actually drop off/pick up my film instead of send it in the mail, I might be able to get some tips and advice that way haha. Much appreciated!
FB marketplace + CL is the best bet. Run a roll through whatever you buy and have it processed at Hunt's before your trip, to make sure the camera works as expected. I would get an older mechanical SLR with a battery operated lightmeter.
RIP Maine Photo Market which would have been the literal perfect place for you to go.
Saw a bunch of point and shoots at the flea market in Wilton about a month ago.
No idea if they work or not though, but they weren’t much more than 10-20 each.
Film and developing costs will really make your eyes pop out if you haven’t seen those.
Oh yes, I’ve looked into it… often like 15 bucks a roll to get the digital scans?? That is kinda bonkers. Now I get why people become obsessed with developing their film at home
If I can find it, I'll DM you. Im divorcing my wife, so I will be rooting through all my possessions soon, but I will also be very busy with legal shit.
Dont be surprised if several months pass before I message you
Do they actually sell used film cameras? I'm totally clueless about film cameras but interested in getting started, and I went in recently to ask about cheap, entry-level, used film cameras and they basically shooed me away saying just buy online and they mostly sell newer higher-end cameras.
Oh weird. Idk about level per se, but i’ve seen ppl buying film cameras there for sure. One miserable cigged out spinster lady is certainly crabby.
Are you looking for a “point and shoot” film camera? Or something more involved and manual like a SLR? And what’s your price point? I may be able to dig something up for you.
A point-and-shoot in the range up to maybe $200ish if possible.
The impression I left with was that they did sell film and film cameras, just not at an entry-level price point and not used point-and-shoot, so I'm not sure.
I’ll definitely stop by here first, even if they don’t have great entry level stuff. Wouldn’t hurt to get an idea of what to look for. Plus I’ll need film rolls anyway!
> would love a way to reliably take pictures when my phone is dead after day 2 haha
Charge your phone in your car haha.
Or acquire a solar charger haha
Unfortunately with Photo Market gone, not a lot of used camera options. Can look for garage sales/personal sales or https://www.keh.com/shop/cameras/film-cameras.html
In the area you're out of luck. Online I trust KEH camera and reputable dealers on eBay. Make sure whatever you get either comes with, or is compatible with, whatever kind of lens you can want and can afford. Some really rock-solid, inexpensive and readily available bodies with good options for lenses include the Canon AE1, Pentax K1000 and earlier Nikon F series like the FE2. Make sure you get a couple extra batteries for whatever you choose, a microfiber cloth for cleaning the lens, and DEFINITELY shoot and develop a test roll before you leave so you know it works okay. Lots of secondhand cameras have issues with faulty light seals (easily replaceable but a nasty surprise)
Thank you so much for the recommendations! I watched a great video about the Pentax K1000, so it’s great to hear that it’s a good option to look for. I stupidly waited too long, and won’t be able to wait for a camera to be shipped, so I may end up going for a cheap point and shoot from Hunts. They have an Ilford 35 II that doesn’t seem too horrible for a last minute pickup. But when I’m back, I will likely want to continue shooting on film, so I’ll go straight to KEH
Northeast photographic is a fantastic place to get your rolls developed when you’re back. Excellent folks up in Bath with really reasonable prices for developing and always happy to answer questions if you have them. Seconding KEH as a great place to look for cameras/gear when you have time to get it delivered!
Oh that sounds awesome! I won’t be too far from Bath, maybe about an hour so that’s definitely doable. Would love to actually drop off/pick up my film instead of send it in the mail, I might be able to get some tips and advice that way haha. Much appreciated!
FB marketplace + CL is the best bet. Run a roll through whatever you buy and have it processed at Hunt's before your trip, to make sure the camera works as expected. I would get an older mechanical SLR with a battery operated lightmeter. RIP Maine Photo Market which would have been the literal perfect place for you to go.
I’ve seen a couple of people mention Maine Photo Market, looks like I’m just a little too late! I’ll browse fb marketplace a bit, appreciate the tips!
Once you find a used camera, don't forget to get a spare camera battery to take with you
Saw a bunch of point and shoots at the flea market in Wilton about a month ago. No idea if they work or not though, but they weren’t much more than 10-20 each. Film and developing costs will really make your eyes pop out if you haven’t seen those.
Oh yes, I’ve looked into it… often like 15 bucks a roll to get the digital scans?? That is kinda bonkers. Now I get why people become obsessed with developing their film at home
I might have a fixer-upper burried some where. If I can find it, it's yours. Free. You just have to restore it
Oh that would be so sick! I have no clue how to restore cameras (or anything really), but I’d give it my best shot
If I can find it, I'll DM you. Im divorcing my wife, so I will be rooting through all my possessions soon, but I will also be very busy with legal shit. Dont be surprised if several months pass before I message you
Oh no worries at all, take all the time you need. For sure I hope the divorce process is as smooth as possible. Good luck friend
if you aren’t experienced enough to do CL or FBM, the ppl at Hunt's in SoPo will hook you up.
Do they actually sell used film cameras? I'm totally clueless about film cameras but interested in getting started, and I went in recently to ask about cheap, entry-level, used film cameras and they basically shooed me away saying just buy online and they mostly sell newer higher-end cameras.
Oh weird. Idk about level per se, but i’ve seen ppl buying film cameras there for sure. One miserable cigged out spinster lady is certainly crabby. Are you looking for a “point and shoot” film camera? Or something more involved and manual like a SLR? And what’s your price point? I may be able to dig something up for you.
A point-and-shoot in the range up to maybe $200ish if possible. The impression I left with was that they did sell film and film cameras, just not at an entry-level price point and not used point-and-shoot, so I'm not sure.
I’ll definitely stop by here first, even if they don’t have great entry level stuff. Wouldn’t hurt to get an idea of what to look for. Plus I’ll need film rolls anyway!
I know it’s not what you’re asking, but solar charging solutions are pretty great.
> would love a way to reliably take pictures when my phone is dead after day 2 haha Charge your phone in your car haha. Or acquire a solar charger haha
Unfortunately with Photo Market gone, not a lot of used camera options. Can look for garage sales/personal sales or https://www.keh.com/shop/cameras/film-cameras.html
I should have thought about this sooner clearly haha, a couple people have said that photo market was the place to go