Autocord, Leica III, USSR Leica Copy, Rollei 35, Nikon SLR OR something else?

[Gabriel M.A.]

If your budget is $300 ea., I think a Canonet or Yashica would be cooler...and statistically-speaking more reliable.

[jwicaksana]

I think pre-war Leica and Nikon FE/FM would be best for under $300.
P.S. Any room for one more groomsman?
Jonathan - Shoots film, will definitely enjoy any film photography related gift )

[msbarnes]

Rollei 35 without engraving. I'd imagine that most people would think they are cool-looking, easy to operate, and a bit one-of-a kind.
A Nikon FM and 70s RFs, while most useful are a bit run of the mill to me.
A Leica, while cool looking, is probably the least useful for a lay person and an FSU lens would be less authentic ( but I understand your budget concerns)
A holga/diana are a bit trendy and not really classics IMO.

[Adanac]

Originally Posted by richardhkirkando

Kind of feels like Homer Simpson buying Marge a bowling ball.

^^ What he said.

Myself, I dislike getting something as a gift that I'll never use because I hate waste and also would feel bad if the host realized the gift wasn't useful to me.

Let's say your party is not replete with film buffs or even serious photographers, and imagine what they are thinking. No doubt they'll be gracious and all, but at the end of the day when they are headed home, do you really want their first thought to be WTF were you thinking when you decided it would be a good idea to give some... antique... film cameras to everyone. WTF is film anyway?

But if your party is full of retro-hipster film addicts, go for it. Maybe pick a model that sports a working meter.

[batey_1020]

Originally Posted by Adanac

^^ What he said.

Myself, I dislike getting something as a gift that I'll never use because I hate waste and also would feel bad if the host realized the gift wasn't useful to me.

Do gifts have to be useful though?

Ive had plenty of useful gifts over the years but ultimantly its the cool odd ones i remember.
I like the idea of gift showing your personality and having sentamental value in the futre. That being said i would be looking for gitfs that have a connection between you and each person. Whats your connection with each one? find something creative around your person connection.

Just a thought. Its a really cool idea in the first place!

[jkrumsick]

Originally Posted by Adanac

^^ What he said.

Myself, I dislike getting something as a gift that I'll never use because I hate waste and also would feel bad if the host realized the gift wasn't useful to me.

Let's say your party is not replete with film buffs or even serious photographers, and imagine what they are thinking. No doubt they'll be gracious and all, but at the end of the day when they are headed home, do you really want their first thought to be WTF were you thinking when you decided it would be a good idea to give some... antique... film cameras to everyone. WTF is film anyway?

But if your party is full of retro-hipster film addicts, go for it. Maybe pick a model that sports a working meter.

Check out my earlier post about my groomsmen - I think two out of the 7 may put it on the shelf...

[Adanac]

Sorry, I missed the earlier comment about your groomsmen. Hey, you know your buddies - do what feels right to you.

One thing is certain, it's an unusual gift idea and hopefully will be remembered fondly by all.

I have a Rollei 35 TE which I used to carry around all the time - the thing looks pristine. No, I'm not selling it. I love how it fits together mechanically and its so small that it is something of a marvel to behold. Probably many "guys" would find it interesting.

As was suggested by another including a roll of high speed film for the celebrations would be a great way of getting everyone to use it straight away.

[maxwell1295]

Rollei 35 for sure.

ixnay on the engraving though....

[bitfeng]

Fully agree. I have quite a few 35/35S which probabaly will outlive me although I am only in my 30s - a little melancholy - never mind ...
Portra 400/800 for your wedding?

Originally Posted by Adanac

Sorry, I missed the earlier comment about your groomsmen. Hey, you know your buddies - do what feels right to you.

One thing is certain, it's an unusual gift idea and hopefully will be remembered fondly by all.

I have a Rollei 35 TE which I used to carry around all the time - the thing looks pristine. No, I'm not selling it. I love how it fits together mechanically and its so small that it is something of a marvel to behold. Probably many "guys" would find it interesting.

As was suggested by another including a roll of high speed film for the celebrations would be a great way of getting everyone to use it straight away.

[jkrumsick]

I would be happy to load all of them with Portra 800 for the wedding.

A lot of guys mentioned an Xnay on the engraving. I definitely want to add something that connects it to the wedding. Maybe nothing as crazy as I mentioned earlier (changing the name on the front). There's not a lot of room on that camera body for engraving so I will have to be creative... I think I want to hide some engraving underneath the winder so it's only viewed when winding the film.

Anyway my first Rollei 35S is on its way so I will finally have it in my hands and I can think of some different ideas.

Anyone second the idea about the camera leathers? I was thinking different colors... Mahogany, walnut, cobalt, spring green etc...

[farlymac]

Whatever you get them, have the engraving placed on a stick-on placard, so it doesn't ruin the value of the camera. It can always be removed later by a future owner without destroying anything.

PF

[bitfeng]

just a reminder: you may want to test shoot every one before you give them out - some Rollei 35s suffer misfocusing because laymen have adjusted focusing improperly.

[bitfeng]

maybe each groomsman gets a different color. compared to engraving, I think changing the leathertte affects the camera much less ...

Originally Posted by jkrumsick

I would be happy to load all of them with Portra 800 for the wedding.

A lot of guys mentioned an Xnay on the engraving. I definitely want to add something that connects it to the wedding. Maybe nothing as crazy as I mentioned earlier (changing the name on the front). There's not a lot of room on that camera body for engraving so I will have to be creative... I think I want to hide some engraving underneath the winder so it's only viewed when winding the film.

Anyway my first Rollei 35S is on its way so I will finally have it in my hands and I can think of some different ideas.

Anyone second the idea about the camera leathers? I was thinking different colors... Mahogany, walnut, cobalt, spring green etc...

[NeeZee]

Can anyone tell me why they object to engraving a camera? I don't get it. If anything it will drop the resale value (they shouldn't sell a weeding gift anyway) and make it uninteresting for collectors. So, if they sell it, it will be most likely bought by someone who wants to use it and not put it on a shelf. Kind of a win-win situation if you ask me.

[Jack Conrad]

Amazon has screw-in metal caps that fit the Rollei 35S. http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Ra.../dp/B003GRQQYS

[Dralowid]

I would buy them something else...if you have seven classic camera freaks at your wedding it is going to be one hell of an affair!

[Dralowid]

Maybe some very good bottles of malt with a use by date only 24 hours away...

[Spicy]

Originally Posted by NeeZee

Can anyone tell me why they object to engraving a camera? I don't get it. If anything it will drop the resale value (they shouldn't sell a weeding gift anyway) and make it uninteresting for collectors. So, if they sell it, it will be most likely bought by someone who wants to use it and not put it on a shelf. Kind of a win-win situation if you ask me.

It is like buying a cherry mid 70s Porsche 911 and then slapping a turbo and a wing on it and giving it a paintjob. It can a) never be undone, b) everyone who ever owns it in the future will know someone screwed with it, and c) people in the future will not get to enjoy it do the same degree that we have.

Thinking "well, it's a gift, it shouldn't be sold anyway" means virtually nothing. I doubt the groomsmen are planning on outlasting the cameras, which means likely 50-60 years down the road, they will be owned by someone else. Film is already in a precarious position. I don't think it needs beautiful jewel-like cameras with JERRY LOVES MARY carved into the sides.

Doing it to a Canonet is one thing, but doing it to the Rolleis and doing it to Leicas equate to fairly similar violations in my book.

[NeeZee]

Originally Posted by Spicy

Film is already in a precarious position. I don't think it needs beautiful jewel-like cameras with JERRY LOVES MARY carved into the sides.

Oh come on, it's not like he wants to put a Hello Kitty stamp on the the Blue Mauritius. The Rollei 35 is by no means a rare camera...

[bitfeng]

Agree. I feel good every time I bought and fixed a part Rollei 35 which otherwise would be salvaged by NEX lovers. I don't really need that many though. To me Rollei 35 is a timeless piece deserving more care than engraving.

Originally Posted by Spicy

It is like buying a cherry mid 70s Porsche 911 and then slapping a turbo and a wing on it and giving it a paintjob. It can a) never be undone, b) everyone who ever owns it in the future will know someone screwed with it, and c) people in the future will not get to enjoy it do the same degree that we have.

Thinking "well, it's a gift, it shouldn't be sold anyway" means virtually nothing. I doubt the groomsmen are planning on outlasting the cameras, which means likely 50-60 years down the road, they will be owned by someone else. Film is already in a precarious position. I don't think it needs beautiful jewel-like cameras with JERRY LOVES MARY carved into the sides.

Doing it to a Canonet is one thing, but doing it to the Rolleis and doing it to Leicas equate to fairly similar violations in my book.

[jkrumsick]

Originally Posted by Spicy

It is like buying a cherry mid 70s Porsche 911 and then slapping a turbo and a wing on it and giving it a paintjob. It can a) never be undone, b) everyone who ever owns it in the future will know someone screwed with it, and c) people in the future will not get to enjoy it do the same degree that we have.

Thinking "well, it's a gift, it shouldn't be sold anyway" means virtually nothing. I doubt the groomsmen are planning on outlasting the cameras, which means likely 50-60 years down the road, they will be owned by someone else. Film is already in a precarious position. I don't think it needs beautiful jewel-like cameras with JERRY LOVES MARY carved into the sides.

Doing it to a Canonet is one thing, but doing it to the Rolleis and doing it to Leicas equate to fairly similar violations in my book.

It would be one thing to engrave a Leica for sure... but the Rollei 35's had productions in the millions. So instead of it being a cherry Porsche... I would prefer to compare it to a cherry Volkswagen Beetle.

That said, I can appreciate how people wouldn't want me to engrave the outside. But I still want to add a mark on it that makes it my wedding cameras... maybe something on the inside?

[NeeZee]

Originally Posted by jkrumsick

It would be one thing to engrave a Leica for sure... but the Rollei 35's had productions in the millions. So instead of it being a cherry Porsche... I would prefer to compare it to a cherry Volkswagen Beetle.

That said, I can appreciate how people wouldn't want me to engrave the outside. But I still want to add a mark on it that makes it my wedding cameras... maybe something on the inside?

Wasn't one poster hinting at the metal screw in lens caps for the Rolleis? Would be a good compromise to engrave them if you can find 7 of them...

[Davids]

Your groomsmen are lucky to have such a thoughtful friend! I like the camera idea and the Rollei, though I prefer the Autocord because for me a TLR is more symbolic of marriage. Would it be possible to get leather carrying straps and have those engraved? Engraving a lens cap is a great idea also if you can get the caps.

[uberjuan]

I like the idea, especially if it represents you and your future wife well.

Maybe embossed leather straps with the groomsmen's initials?