Q:

SLR cameras for a beginners?

I'm a student that has a photography experience of 5 years on my DSLR Canon XSi and t4i. I can really see the difference every time I see my pictures 5 years ago. I want to learn more about photography from the very beginning that's why I'm planning to buy a SLR camera within a budget of $50-$70. I don't mind spending money on films and on getting them develop and print, but I might even do the the developing and printing myself.
I want to have a SLR camera because I want a 100% manual camera. I can use the M mode in my camera but somehow I always switch it back to AV or TV mode. With a SLR I can take my time adjusting the settings. Right now I have SMC Pentax-M 50mm 1:2 lens.
What SLR do you guys recommend for a beginner?
What do you think about Canon AE-1, Nikon FM10 and a Pentax K1000?

A:

It is my opinion that for film photography it does not matter which camera body you buy. Naturally it has to be in good working order, but that's all there is about the body really. What does matter is the lens you mount on that body, and the film you put in the body.
For your learning experience I'd suggest using manual settings only. There is not many: shutter speed, aperture and focusing. Can't be too hard, but in reality that is already plenty enough to keep in mind when your background is in DSLR photography. And I think it would be a waste to invest into more advanced SLR body when any simple model can do what you need done.
Asking for a good camera body makes much more sense when buying a digital camera, for then you are effectively buying the film (sensor) and electronics too - not just a simple body. In a film camera all you get in the body is shutter release button and a dial to set shutter speed, plus an exposure meter of course. Aperture setting is done with a rotating ring on the lens and focusing is done with another ring on the lens. Now, of course there are those fancier film cameras that work aperture from a dial on the body and they have auto-focus and bells and whistles. You don't need those, you already have it all on your DSLR body. Keep it simple when your aim is in learning photography basics with film.

A:

I would not advice any old camera that has electronics (like the Nikon FE) for the simple reason that it is really hard to find the batteries for them nowadays.
A purely mechanical one (like the Nikon FM) is more convenient, as they only rely on batteries only for light metering (and you can guesstimate it, use an external light meter, or use your DSLR built in light meter for that).
Another option that is typically advised for photography students is the Pentax K-1000. Simple, purely mechanical and sturdy (the MX is a lighter and more compact one, albeit more expensive). Plus, any lens for the K-mount that you get for it you can use in the newer Pentax DSLRs.

