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	What camera to buy
	APS
	Some APS options
	SLR APS
	Compact or P&S
»	35mm SLR
	35mm SLR Autofocus
	35mm SLR High end
	35mm SLR used
	35mm rangefinder
	Medium Format
	Summary

The 35mm film format is the most popular and the 35mm Single Lens Reflex is not just "an extension of your eye", but the most versatile camera as proven daily by both amateur and professional photographers, from the weekend snapshooter to the working pro, from the novice to the seasoned veteran.
 

The Nikon F, introduced in 1959, revolutionizing the world of 35mm photography. ..

There are a considerable number of reasons for this preference for the 35mm SLR:  Still convenient to carry and use  Wide choice of bodies and interchangeable lenses, both prime (fixed focal length) and zoom (variable focal length), from the fish-eye and ultra wide angles to the 2000mm catadioptric (mirror) super telephoto  Ample selection and availability from over 120 different 35mm films, whether for color prints, color slides, black & white, most very well suited for publishing and/or big enlargements; or for special purpose  Highly advanced features in the high end models; plus,  Relatively moderately priced, with the exception of the flagships  You can have them manual, auto, or both  With or without a motor High top shutter speeds and so on.  For any kind of photography, a great world!

Nikon FM10		Nikon FM2N
The Nikon FM10 is the fully manual camera serving as an affordable entry level into the world of 35mm SLR. Introduced in 1998, you do select shutter speed (from 1 to 1/2000 sec.) and aperture on your own, although the center weighted light meter guides you.  It has no motor, so you manually advance the film and rewind. You focus also manually and preview depth-of-field. Intended for students or beginners with an interest to understand the basics of light and exposure. Simple, easy to use, it takes all AI and AF Nikkor lenses. .	..	The FM2N came into the market in 1983 and is still favored by many pros. It has a die cast all metal body. Center weighted TTL metering (60/40 balance). Top shutter speed 1/4000 sec. All mechanical; flash sync of 1/250 sec. Aluminum alloy shutter curtains for stable, dependable performance. Depth-of-field preview button. It uses the MD-12 Motor Drive, and has a nice MF-16 Data Back. No TTL flash. This is an outstanding upgrade of the old reliable FM2, long time favorite of the manual camera fans.
Nikon F3HP		Nikon FM3a
The manual focus Nikon F3HPis the ultimate 35mm SLR camera for those who want the full control feeling in a pro body. Durable aluminum die cast construction, Center Weighted metering (80/20 balance) and TTL flash control. The F3HP comes with the now standard DE-3 high-eyepoint viewfinder system with virtual 100% coverage for full WYSIWYG; LCD exposure information readout in viewfinder. Top shutter speed 1/2000 sec. and flash sync up to 1/80 sec. Ultra strong, ultra thin, dual titanium shutter curtains for extended usage. It has a backup mechanical shutter release in case the batteries go dead on you. Aperture Priority auto exposure mode and fully manual exposure. Exposure memory lock button for off center compositions. Exposure compensation dial. Multiple exposure lever. Mirror lockup lever. Depth-of-field preview button. Self timer with LED indicator. High speed MD-4 Motor Drive available. Interchangeable viewfinders, focusing screens, battery packs, power sources and camera backs, including the 250 exposure MF-4 Multi-Control Back. Nikon F lens mount means, for the F3HP, it can use all AI-S lenses, AF Nikkor lenses, AI and even non-AI lenses. A rugged camera, both fun and very effective; like all pro models, built for a lifetime.		The latest of the manual cameras, it incorporates the best features of the venerable FM2 and the FE2 cameras. Built in the tradition of those cameras, it has an rugged copper, silumin aluminum alloy construction chassis and metal outer body construction. It incorporates an improved light meter -with a double set of silicon photo diodes-  in the classical, well proven and reliable 60/40 Center Weighted formula of the FM2 and FE2.   The viewfinder is of the eye-level pentaprism type, with 93% of picture field coverage. Top shutter speed of 1/4000 sec. Flash TTL sync of 1/250 with hot shoe (no need for the AS-17 flash adapter like in the F3) and X-syc contact. Aperture Priority auto exposure mode and fully manual exposure. Depth of field preview button. Self timer. AE auto exposure lock for recomposition. It takes the time proven MD-12 motor drive and the MF-16 data back. It can use all of the Nikon lenses (AI, AI-S, AF, AF-D, AF-S and P) with the exception of the non-AI or pre-AI and the IX lenses for the SLR APS Pronea cameras. If you have wanted the F3 but have been weary of its age and weight, this is the camera; very light at 20 oz. (without batteries, or course). Very nice camera to have, promising the traditional reliability of the FM2/FE2 models.

35mm film SLR Recommendation: If you are really serious about photography, you are on the right track with a 35mm Single Lens Reflex, like the manual ones shown above  Or an auto focus 35mm SLR that you can also operate in manual mode Maybe even a high end 35mm SLR, the best possible tool for the task  If you don't have the budget, look into good choices for used 35mm SLRs.  Now, if you want superior negatives quality at all times, or are considering becoming a pro and/or have no serious budget constraints, go for the ...... Medium Format; just remember it is the bulkier and heavier of the still "portable" cameras.