Which film camera should I buy?

Can you still buy film and have it developed? Do you have an old-fashioned dark room where you can do your own developing? Can you still purchase the materials for a dark room?

@gailcalled I can, if it is 35mm.

Pentax K1000
It’s heavier than the fixed-lens cameras you linked to. But it’s a really great camera. It was THE beginner/student camera for 20+ years, so there are tons of them out there and so price is low.

If that is too big, I would add “Canonet” to your search list. Similar to the Minolta and Yashica you found, and plentiful.

For example, Canon Canonet G III QL17

Another good camera in that style is the Olympus 35 RC

I think the Canons are more popular, but the Olympus is just as good, so you may find a better price.

@jaytkay Thanks, I am about 120 lbs, so heaviness is always bad for me :D
I’ll take a look at Canonet.
Also, cameras that are 1.7 and 1.8 are prefered.

I used an Olympus OM-PC for many years. It was quite good, with automatic exposure. See eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l2736&_nkw=olympus+OM-pc

I just noticed the Yashica TL Electro is an SLR

It’s probably bigger than a K1000. It can’t be much different. The Pentax will have lots more lenses available.

I just noticed the Yashica TL Electro is an SLR. I was focused on the Minolta because of the small size.

The Yashica is probably bigger than a K1000. It can’t be much different. The Pentax will have lots more lenses available.

Also, sub-f2.0 lenses are rare on cheap rangefinders. That Minolta is kinda special.

Highly recommend the Pentax K1000, it is not as light as you might want, but it is easy to use, and the camera I learned photography on. Additionally, the Pentax, has a large array of different lenses you can use (K-mount). I still have my Pentax K1000, as well as a Pentax ME Super. The other camera I think is really good is the Nikon FM-10. I have one of those as well. Both Great cameras, both are SLRs, both have a wide variety of interchangeable lenses. Keep us posted.

Pentax K1000. It’s used by most police agencies.

I hope you want an SLR if you are going to the trouble to work with film/developing/printing…
+1 vote for the K1000, they are built like a rock, and since the battery only powers the meter you can still take a pic if that dies. But they are heavy.
The Pentax ZX-M is nearly as solid but has a lot of the metal replaced by plastic so it is a Lot lighter.

For size/weight the Olympus cameras always seem to be best in class. If that’s really a concern look around for those.
If you are foregoing the SLR clarity and lens options and want a point and shoot, take a look at the olympus stylus cameras which always seemed to be the best camera available for the size.