You're going to get a hundred recommendations. Nearly all used film SLRs are cheap. HOW cheap? Stay away from Canon EOS, Nikon, and Pentax because their old lenses still can be used on DSLRs, making their glass more expensive. Stay away from those in any sort of bad condition. A camera that looks nearly new probably hasn't seen much use. A camera that looks beat to hell - well, has been. Some cameras can take it, some can't.
Minolta MD, Canon FD cameras, Fujica (both AX and M42 mounts), Chinon, Mamiya, etc. are all pretty good bets if you start out with a camera in good working condition. Olympus OM cameras too, but they tend to be pricier. I have a Chinon model "SLR" (nicely confusing name) that works great and takes great photos. Got it, and a lens, for $20.
If you pay more than $50, you had a GAS attack.
__________________
Nothing worth doing is ever easy.
I wouldn't "stay away from Canon EOS, Nikon, and Pentax" just because some of their lenses work on modern dSLR bodies. It is pretty hard to beat a good Pentax MX/LX or Nikon F2/3/5/6 body and a quality prime. For example, the Pentax MX body is 100% manual so the non "A" lenses work and those would be less desirable to a K10D or K100D owner. Similar statement for Nikon and Cannon, just substitute the appropriate nomenclature for their non-auto mode manual lenses.
1. Lenses should be cheaper as they are less convenient for DSLR users (although in many cases they can still be used on DSLRs).
2. Generally, I would expect a brighter viewfinder with a split prism for easier manual focusing (over manually focusing through the viewfinder of an auto-focus camera)
Sponsored Ad. (Subscribers to APUG
have the option to remove this ad.)
I wouldn't "stay away from Canon EOS, Nikon, and Pentax" just because some of their lenses work on modern dSLR bodies. It is pretty hard to beat a good Pentax MX/LX or Nikon F2/3/5/6 body and a quality prime. For example, the Pentax MX body is 100% manual so the non "A" lenses work and those would be less desirable to a K10D or K100D owner. Similar statement for Nikon and Cannon, just substitute the appropriate nomenclature for their non-auto mode manual lenses.
Off-brand cameras go for much cheaper than the bigger brands. You need $300-400 for a Pentax LX. You may be richer than I but that ain't cheap in my book!
__________________
Nothing worth doing is ever easy.
One of those cameras that are cheap because collectors ignore them is the Yashica FR - a simplified Contax RTS. Very good lenses (made by Yashica and Zeiss, it's the Contax-Yashica bayonet), solid mechanics and dirt cheap: you might get a whole set with three lenses and some accessories for 50 bucks. Invest 10 more and you have a spare body. There is an FR-1 that lacks some features, too.
Look at flea market or garage sales or clasifieds in papers (but NOT in photo magazines). Same cameras you find in secondhand shops or photo magazine ads that cost 100 or 200 or more USD/EUROS, in flea market or garage sales you can find for 10, 20 USD/EUROS.
But, be carefull when buying on flea maket and garage sales you are buying "as it is", no warranty or money return policy I am afraid
Try former Eastern Europe or USSR makers and models (FED, ZENIT, PENTACON, etc...). You hardly can find cheaper than that, especially if you can buy in (continental) Europe, and more of if you can buy in former communist European countries. FED for example could be found in few passed years in flea market for 2,5 to 10 EUROS, those countries are full of them...
__________________
Bosnia... You don't have to be crazy to live here, but it helps...
Try former Eastern Europe or USSR makers and models (FED, ZENIT, PENTACON, etc...). You hardly can find cheaper than that, especially if you can buy in (continental) Europe, and more of if you can buy in former communist European countries. FED for example could be found in few passed years in flea market for 2,5 to 10 EUROS, those countries are full of them...
Of course, you will need to buy five cameras to find one that's working and test 10 lenses of the same make to find out which is centered - and after that, there is hope and trepidation after every roll because you never know if it worked this time...
I live in Germany, it is very easy to get FSU gear here - but many people learned their lesson and forgo that trash. The price difference between a Zorki, Fed, Zenit, Pentacon, Werra on the one hand and a good used japanese camera is VERY small today, but the difference in quality is homongous.
Recommendations for cheap SLR + 35mm lens 
Linear Mode
