SLR Cameras: Reviews

Updated June 2008
While many photographers have upgraded to digital SLRs, film-based SLR cameras are still available and popular with many. Experts recommend thinking about the lenses you'd like to use first, before buying a camera body. It's also worth noting that many film lenses can be mounted on digital cameras, thus extending their life and making your initial investment more valuable. Below, we discuss popular models from Canon and Nikon.
 

Best 35mm SLR camera for most users

Canon EOS Elan 7NE *Est. $460 with lens Compare Prices

Popular Photography: This review asks and answers the question of whether or not the Canon EOS Elan 7NE offers significant improvements over the older Canon EOS Elan 7.

Shutterbug.com: At the time of this review, the author had published over 1800 articles and five books.

Photo.net: This detailed single-product review by a recognized photography expert praises the predecessor to the Elan 7NE, the Canon EOS Elan 7.

Frary Photography: This well-illustrated review of the Canon EOS Elan 7NE compares and contrasts it with the Canon EOS Elan 7, which the author has used for five years.

BHPhoto.com: More than ten photography professionals and enthusiasts review the Canon EOS Elan 7NE here, giving it near-perfect ratings.

BetterPhoto.com: Nearly four dozen owners review and rate the Canon EOS Elan 7N/7NE camera here, giving it an average rating of 4.5 points out of a possible 5.

PhotoNotes.org: Part of a larger site with reviews and comparison charts for Canon film SLRs, this article compares Nikon and Canon systems, identifying some Nikon advantages but praising the Canon controls and wide selection of autofocus lenses.

Amazon.com: Only a handful of owners review the Canon EOS Elan 7NE here, but at the time of this report, they give it unanimous perfect ratings.

Family film camera

Canon EOS Rebel T2 *Est. $300 Compare Prices

Popular Photography: This review praises the Canon EOS Rebel T2 as Canon's best entry-level SLR film camera, especially for improvements over previous models - including 3 fps speed, a faster shutter speed of 1/4000 seconds and faster flash sync, plus six custom functions.

Shutterbug.net: Photography expert Peter K. Burian, who's written some of the big comparison reviews for Popular Photography, here reviews the Canon Rebel T2 in comparison with other 35mm SLR cameras.

Photo.net: This discussion is one of many at this photography enthusiasts' forum about Canon vs.

HowStuffWorks.com: This brief single-product review of the Canon Rebel T2 tests it for exposure under various lighting conditions, using the kit lens - finding exposures accurate with various lens lengths and with the popup flash, as well.

PhotographyReview.com: Just a handful of owners review the Canon T2 here, awarding it mostly positive ratings, but the reviews are detailed and useful.

BetterPhoto.com: More than 40 owners review the Canon T2 here, giving it an average of 4.5 points out of a possible 5.

Adorama.com: This review by one of the leading camera retailers recommends the Canon EOS Rebel T2 -- it's listed as one of the sites top five 35mm SLR cameras, but two have since been discontinued.

Amazon.com: About two dozen owners rate and review the Canon Rebel T2 and kit lens here, giving it near-perfect ratings.

Pro 35mm SLR camera

Nikon F6 *Est. $2,000 body-only Compare Prices

Shutterbug.com: This detailed review evaluates the Nikon F6 equipped with the optional MB-40 "Multi Power Battery Pack," which the author prefers for added comfort when shooting vertically, and for the boost in film advance speed to 8 fps.

IconicPhoto.com: This excellent review compares the Nikon F6, Canon EOS-1V and Leica R9, highlighting both the features they have in common and the differences that prove significant.

ByThom.com: A former editor of Backpacker Magazine reviews the Nikon F6 here, as well as many other Nikon cameras.

Popular Photography: This brief review summarizes the thorough Popular Photography lab tests of the Nikon F6, which show that it's extremely accurate, with fast autofocus and quiet operation.

B&H Photo: The owner-written, detailed reviews of the Nikon F6 published at this major camera retail site are written primarily mostly by very experienced photographers.

PhotographyReview.com: A dozen owners review the Nikon F6 at this website, giving it an average rating of 4.76 out of a possible 5.

BetterPhoto.com: The Nikon F6 earns a perfect rating at this website from about a dozen owners.

SLR Cameras Runners Up:

Canon EOS 1V *Est. $1,700, body only

5 picks by top review sites.

Nikon FM10 *Est. $250 with zoom lens

4 picks by top review sites.

     
 
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Nikon FM10 35mm Camera Kit
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 

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