What (film) SLR?

[hoodmeister]

I rather fancy a 35mm SLR.
Both as a backup, should my D70 fail on a job, and because I fancy having a play with film.
All of my lenses project a full 35mm image circle, so that's not a problem.
I shoot Nikon... So obviously want a camera which uses the Nikon F mount.
I don't really know much about the Nikon 35mm SLR line up, though.. So i'm after some advice.
Because I don't really know how much use i'm gonna get out of it, my budget is tight - about £100. Having said that, second hand isn't a problem - and I see quite a few 35mm Nikons going for reasonable prices you know where.

Logic dictates just to pick up something like the F55 or F65... but, tbh, (just from looking at pictures) neither look that solidly built. Are any of the (cheaper!) Nikons from yesteryear going to be a better bet?

All i'm really certain that I want are AF, Aperture priority (not fussed if I don't have shutter) full manual, both matrix & spot metering, and a DoF preview button. Beyond that i'm not too fussed - I don't need a high fps, super fast shutter speeds (or super long) nor do I need anything else particularly exciting.

So any recommendations? Or am I just best off with and F55 / F65!

oh, and if anyone recommends an EOS, I'll slap em

Apologies for dodgy typing, I burnt my finger today

 

[hoodmeister]

Been reading about the F80. It seems to suit my needs & more, and can be had within my budget (second hand).
Only downside is that I can't use IR film with it, which I thought may have been fun... Nevermind, though.

So yes.. F80.. Opinions?

 

[hoodmeister]

Officially, aye, you will get vignetting...

However, you may well find that it's quite usable at the longer focal lengths... I can't say for sure though.

Don't forget that if the lens is usable from say 35 ~ 70mm you aren't actually losing that much from the wide end, because of the FOV cropping (or lack of it).

I rather want to have a play with my Sigma 15-30mm on a full frame body