Here's my $400 recommendation: 1. Nikon FM2N: $150 if you know where you're looking 2. 50mm F/1.8 AI-S lens: $60 - again, look around 3. Vivitar 283: $15 5. 10 rolls of Kodak Gold 400: $30 6. Batteries: $10 7. 52mm UV filter: $15 8. Lens Pen for cleaning: $10 Total cost: $290 Which leaves you $20 to cover shipping charges; $50 for film, scan, and print processing; and $35 for soda, popcorn, and tickets to take your significant other to the movies for 2 excruciating hours of "Sex and the City 2." Also, you got $5 to spare. If you drop this camera, no worries - the thing is better built than anything on the market today. Since you got a flash and a fast lens, you won't have to throw away $50 on a plastic tripod you'll never use anyway, and also you'll be getting better tonality and dynamic range because it's "full frame."