This was my 2nd SLR and my main camera before I went digital, and I still use it today for black-and-white or as a secondary camera. It opened up new options for me with exposure adjustment, multiple-exposures, and shutter priority and manual modes. This was my main camera as I was fine-tuning my exposure control, learning low-light photography, and how film reacts to long exposures. And the best thing about it was that it had G-mount lenses, which not only meant I could get lenses cheaper (because G lenses do not have aperture rings), I could use my lenses with newer camera bodies as well! More savings!