When buying a film camera, there are several areas that need to be explained or researched prior to your bidding or purchasing a camera. Without full knowledge of these topics, you may be getting what you paid for, but NOT what you need or expect. First of all, you need to assess the needs of the camera you are looking at. Do you want to be a daytime, outdoor photographer? If so, you may not need a strong on-camera flash or acceptibility of an additional flash. If nighttime or indoor photography is your goal, you need to make sure the on-camera flash will be strong enough for your needs, or you can "add on" an additional flash. When thinking about the various needs for your camera, will you need to do "macro" photography (extremely close up, such as flowers or insects)? Will you want to shoot panarama photos of landscapes or architecture? Are sporting events your baliwick? People (groups, portraits, events, etc)? In determining your needs, you may or may not need additional equipment (zoom lens, wide angle lens, filters, flashes, tripods, etc). Make sure if you need additional equipment, it is not only available, but within your price range. Cameras range from fully manual (you control everything with your knowledge and skill of the equipment) to fully automatic (the camera does all the work, but you lose some creativity), to a mixture of both. Only you can best decide your needs. When purchasing cameras and camera equipment, if the advertisement does not satisfactorily explain your needs, wants and desires in the piece of equipment, then ask the seller to further explain what it is you need to know. If the seller simply says "I know very little about this", you may want to wait till another seller of piece of equipment comes available. Photography is one of the most enjoyable hobbies or professions available, and with the correct and functionable equipment for your needs, you will find many, many enjoyable hours "behing the shutter". With the wrong or malfunctioning equipment, you will soon find frustration and seek other venues for a hobby or a profession. Understand your wants and needs, seek the proper equipment, ask the correct questions and enjoy one of the best avenues and expressions of art available. PHOTOGRAPHY!!!