I would recommend two cameras, both Nikon since I'm a Nikon guy since my dad handed me his F4 when I was 12 or so. First is a FA, fully mechanical and a nice c

I would recommend two cameras, both Nikon since I'm a Nikon guy since my dad handed me his F4 when I was 12 or so. First is a FA, fully mechanical and a nice camera. Not sure about availability so. The second, and already sporting stuff you also find on modern DSLRs, is a Nikon F4. At least over here more or less available, industructible (even half submerged in rain water pictures are great and the camera did not suffer). Benefit of both is that they work with every F-mount lense Nikon ever made. Not sure about the latest G series without aperture rings, could be the F4 accepts those. And those lenses, if you get the good ones, all work great on Nikon's DSLRs up to the recent D780 and D850. And those lenses are available cheap used since everybody goes mirrorless. With a F4 and a decent set of lenses it is easy to go didgital on a budget, e.g. with a used good condition D700. Full format, feels a lot like a F4, both are professional bodies, and not too expensive. Invest the difference to mirrorless into travelling to nice places where you can take nice pictures. Oh, and using film helps improve your photography, if a picture takes time and money to develop you are much more concious about what you shoot. Damn, now I'm motivated to break out the afore mentioned F4 again and some B+W film... Edit: If you can get your hands on a Canon EOS1 your good too. It's Canon's F4 equivalant and Canon lenses are great. Canon does have less lens downward conpatability so. Nikon cameras are hefty, you feel what you handle, Canons are lighter and feel, well, not flimsy in comparison but you get the drift. I like hefty, solid cameras, others don't, so ouck your poison.