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Yay for estHer!  There are lots of good ones and they've never been cheaper.

For my money (not necessarily in order of preference):

(1) One of the 35mm Voightlander rangefinders like Colman sports.  Not exactly cheap, but the interchangeable lens options are top notch and there are several varieties of the camera with different mounts.  Cons: a bit slow when compared to modern styled cameras with manual everything - but highly flexible for creativity.  Some of the best remembered street photographers used this type of camera/lenses (Leicas).

(2) A good, used modern 35mm SLR like a Nikon F100 or F90. (a used F100  goes for about $329 at B&H).  Others like the F70/80 can be found for much less. A brand new F75 goes for under $170 w/o lens. (Maybe she could borrow dad's lenses!)

(3) A manual 35mm SLR like the Nikon FM10.  ($249 new at B&H with a 35-70mm AIS lens). Advantage is that it is all manual and there are lots of used lens options for manual focus Nikons. This camera also has multiple exposure, mirror lockup and depth of field preview. Many higher end cameras don't have this anymore.

(4) If you want better B&W images, also think about medium format.  Used SLR kits are even more competitively priced now than 35mms.  I saw a used Mamiya 645 Pro on e-Bay the other day that went for about $600 and included a metered prism viewer, 80mm lens, case and film back. This was Mamiya's top of the line manual focus 645 format camera for years and the same kit purchased new was about $3K. Today, the manual focus lenses for this camera are widely available for good prices. I believe the new AF versions (camera body) can also use digital backs (not inexpensive) and can be found used.

Hope this helps.
 

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 01:39:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]
The three pictures below are with the Voightlander R3A and a 50mm lens on C41 process B&W film - the type you can take to a lab to get developed.
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 01:42:26 PM EST
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Were those shot wide open? Nice shallow depth of field, and in doors.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears
by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 01:48:29 PM EST
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Yup. Hexanon 50/2 (or CV40/1.4 for the first two, maybe??) on something rated at ISO800 - don't remember if it was the Neopan or the Kodak BW400CN, and the film is filed away now.
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 01:50:40 PM EST
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Very nice!

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears
by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 01:56:35 PM EST
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For esther, there's a pile of other options - I'm thinking some of the 50s or 60s fixed lens RFs or maybe even a folding 6x6 like my Zeiss Mess Ikonta. Fully manual, good lenses, small, fun to use, cute in a retro sort of way.
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 01:53:50 PM EST
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Oh, and pretty cheap.
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 01:54:28 PM EST
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Maybe even a TLR!
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 01:54:55 PM EST
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I was going to mention Rolleiflex's TLRs, but seems they are getting a bit pricey.  I've been following e-bay bids for several weeks.  However, Yashica's and Mamiyas are pretty reasonable.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears
by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 02:36:57 PM EST
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In Wales likes her Yashica, I think.
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 02:43:47 PM EST
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Indeed I do!
by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 03:23:18 PM EST
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I love my Chinese made Seagull 109, but I've heard complaints about build quality.  Mine has been perfect for 6 years but I'm hesitant about recommending the brand.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears
by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 03:42:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I would go to a camera store and get a used Nikon or Canon SLR. An older one would be pretty cheap and also more or less compatible with a digital camera of the same brand...
by asdf on Fri Oct 31st, 2008 at 10:30:21 PM EST
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