Camera type
A single-lens reflex shows you the picture through the same lens that takes it. A mirror sends the image up to the viewfinder and flips out of the way when you press the shutter, so what you frame is what you get with any lens you mount, wide, macro or telephoto. Lenses swap freely within each mount, which makes it the easiest system to grow. A fully mechanical body like the Pentax K1000 fires at every speed without a battery. Expect more bulk and a louder shutter than a rangefinder.
28 cameras we cover.

Canon · 35mm SLR
Battery neededCanon FD mount · 1976–1984
$150–$220 typical ask
209 on eBay

Canon · 35mm SLR
Battery neededCanon FD mount · From 1981
$160–$240 typical ask
175 on eBay

Canon · 35mm SLR
Battery neededCanon FD mount · 1978–1985
$170–$310 typical ask
214 on eBay

Canon · 35mm SLR
Battery neededCanon FD mount · From December 1976
$110–$200 typical ask
94 on eBay

Canon · 35mm SLR
Meter onlyCanon FD mount · 1971–1981
$230–$410 typical ask
124 on eBay

Canon · 35mm SLR
Meter onlyCanon FD mount · 1971–1976
$85–$180 typical ask
185 on eBay

Nikon · 35mm SLR
Backup speedsNikon F mount · 1978–1983
$130–$270 typical ask
211 on eBay

Nikon · 35mm SLR
Meter onlyNikon F mount · 1977–1982
$190–$320 typical ask
203 on eBay

Nikon · 35mm SLR
Meter onlyNikon F mount · 1982–2001
$500–$650 typical ask
222 on eBay

Nikon · 35mm SLR
Meter onlyNikon F mount · 1971–1980
$270–$450 typical ask
210 on eBay

Nikon · 35mm SLR
Backup speedsNikon F mount · 1983–1987
$340–$550 typical ask
202 on eBay

Nikon · 35mm SLR
Meter onlyNikon F mount · 2001–2006
$1,250–$1,725 typical ask
115 on eBay

Nikon · 35mm SLR
Backup speedsNikon F mount · 1980–2001
$525–$775 typical ask
230 on eBay

Nikon · 35mm SLR
Backup speedsNikon F mount · 1982–1984
$110–$180 typical ask
200 on eBay

Nikon · 35mm SLR
Backup speedsNikon F mount · 1979–1982
$55–$130 typical ask
204 on eBay

Pentax · 35mm SLR
Meter onlyPentax K mount · 1976–1997
$150–$250 typical ask
224 on eBay

Pentax · 35mm SLR
Meter onlyM42 screw mount · 1964 to the mid 1970s
$80–$200 typical ask
173 on eBay

Pentax · 35mm SLR
Backup speedsPentax K mount · About 1980 to the mid 1980s
$80–$130 typical ask
140 on eBay

Pentax · 35mm SLR
Meter onlyPentax K mount · 1976 to the mid 1980s
$230–$350 typical ask
171 on eBay
Pentax · 35mm SLR
Battery neededPentax K mount · From 1985
$55–$140 typical ask
197 on eBay

Olympus · 35mm SLR
Meter onlyOlympus OM mount · 1972–late 1980s
$140–$230 typical ask
210 on eBay

Olympus · 35mm SLR
Battery neededOlympus OM mount · 1979–1987
$90–$170 typical ask
210 on eBay

Olympus · 35mm SLR
Battery neededOlympus OM mount · 1975–late 1980s
$160–$290 typical ask
185 on eBay

Minolta · 35mm SLR
Battery neededMinolta SR (MC / MD) mount · 1981–1999
$120–$240 typical ask
226 on eBay

Minolta · 35mm SLR
Backup speedsMinolta SR (MC / MD) mount · 1977–1984
$180–$330 typical ask
160 on eBay

Minolta · 35mm SLR
Meter onlyMinolta SR (MC / MD) mount · 1966–mid 1970s
$75–$160 typical ask
129 on eBay

Minolta · 35mm SLR
Battery neededMinolta SR (MC / MD) mount · 1984–1990
$65–$120 typical ask
178 on eBay

Contax · 35mm SLR
Battery neededContax/Yashica (C/Y) mount · 1979–1987
$120–$250 typical ask
44 on eBay