I have had real good luck buying used camera gear from KEH--in their Feb.
cat. they offer an excellent condition OM-1N with an inoperative meter for
$139. All the other gear mentioned is in their online
cat.--http:\\www.keh.com.
-----Original Message-----
Date: Tuesday, January 27, 1998 6:44 PM
Subject: Re: [M]: O.T. Camera Recommendations


wrote:
>>I have just been offered to purchase a Nikon FG with a 80-200mm Tokina
>>lens. Is this a good camera for Astrophotography?
>
>The FG is not Nikon's top of the line hardware, but should work well enough
>(if it doesn't get too cold). The Tokina lens series is also not top of
the
>line - I suspect you will find that the controls tend to get very stiff in
>serious cold. However, the good news is that it is the revolution in photo
>(and eyeglass) optics that has made telescope optics so affordable - thus,
>Tokina tends to be right up there with the pricier lenses in optical
>quality. I suggest you request a trial period, and give the hardware a
>workout (in the cold). Seeing is believing.
>
>>I cant seem to find a Nikon F, F1 or Olympis OM-1.
>
>Just be aware that you are buying amateur grade hardware, whereas the F,
>F1?? (I think you mean Ftn, F2, 3, or 4, and now also 5), and the Olympus
>OM-1 are all Pro bodies, sturdy (pretty heavy), and designed to function in
>adverse weather conditions. The other functional differences (high shutter
>speeds, motor drive-ready, ...) are all less important features. However,
>you will probably only get a "bulb" shutter setting (requires a locking
>cable release), and you need to be sure the shutter will function even if
>the battery "freezes" - otherwise, you may only get one shot!
>
>>Any other suggestions?
>
>Look for old Nikkormat F, Ftns whose meter is shot. These are really nice,
>well-made, manual cameras that are not dependent on batteries, and function
>well in many adverse situations. Old Pentax bodies (the kind with the
>screw-thread lens mount) are also good manual cameras. If buying used,
>steer away from the modern, highly automatic cameras. You don't need the
>automation (You don't even want it - it may even keep you from doing what
>you want!). I also tend to dis-recommend all but the pro-models of Miamyia
>and Minolta. The top of the line models are good hardware, the
>amateur-class instruments tend to be a bit shoddy.
>
>I can't tell, from your e-mail, where in the country yu live. But, I point
>out that if you go into a large city (New York, DC, what have you) and
check
>the non-chain stores that cater to professionals, you may be a ble to find
a
>reasonable piece of older equipment. Otherwise, you will just have to call
>the companies that advertise in the back of magazines like PoP.
Photography,
>Modern Photo., Peterson's, etc, and discuss used equipment. The big New
>York outfits will likely have a number of interesting pieces.
>
>Good luck. Unfortunately, you are looking for old hardware in an era when
>automation has been the vogue for too long. Bottom line - STAY AWAY from
>highly automated and originally made-for-amateurs cameras. Their shutters
>may not even open in the cold.
>
>By the way, depending on what else you are shopping for, you might want to
>get in touch with Taurus (they typically have a small ad in S&T). They
make
>a simple camera body (just transports film) with a manual shutter, not even
>a mirror and pentaprism, for use with their flip-mirror. They are about to
>come out with a new, large format camera for the Tracker III. It should be
>affordable, and use the flip-mirror system to deal with view, compose, and
>expose. The whole smear will probably be priced about the same as a new
>good camera body.
>
>Good luck and clear skies David
>
>Good luck.
> < < < < < < < < > > > > > > > > > > >
>301/975-5755 (Voice) Nat'l Inst. of Standards & Technology
>301/975-5334 (FAX !NEW#!) A215/223 (Div 852, MSEL)
> Web site: http://www.ceramics.nist.gov/staff/bonnell.htm
> & Gallery: http://www.ceramics.nist.gov/gallery/gallery.htm
>PLD Workshop: http://amp.nrl.navy.mil/code6670/workshop.html 5/12-13/1998
>
>

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