3M -- Metal, Manual, Mechanical

Ira Rush · Jun 23, 2009

No brainer for me....

Without a doubt... the Nikon F2, second choice the "older" brother the F.

Metal that is like a tank, and about as manual and mechanical as you can get.

Any more manual and mechanical than those... well then you might as well etch it on stone, but then it would be called hieroglyphic and not photography

Nicholas Lindan · Jun 23, 2009

Nikon F2

waynecrider · Jun 23, 2009

If you talk to a Leica repair person it's an M3, and I believe when remembering other written conversations that it's been supported elsewhere. But it is a rangefinder and certainly has it's adherents and detractors for certain usages. Another camera that set the world ablaze was the Nikon F. Usage in Vietnam by the press turned up in conversations about bodies that just wouldn't quit no matter what, but I'm sure there were others that died easily. Still it started alot of talk when it was announced, and is somewhat pricey even today for a good condition model. The FT3 mentioned above reminds me of my Dad's old 56 Oldsmobile; Heavy metal. And reminds me of the talk I've read about using a Canon F to pound your tent stakes in. All the above, and more such as the FTB(n)'s are serious mechanical cameras meant to be used, not pampered. I don't have the experience to comment on the ones already suggested but the ones I mention along with a handful of others are probably the top of the litter as already noted over the years and by various pro's.

lns · Jun 23, 2009

zenrhino said:
Batteries for the meter is just fine. I'd just like something very fail-proof and rugged with excellent glass available.

Nikon F2 or F3 (you can just ignore the F3's aperture priority). Or Leica M3, M2 or M4, if you like a rangefinder and don't mind the absence of a meter.

I love the Nikon FM2 and FE2, and have always wanted an Olympus OM-1 or OM-2, but these choices don't seem as rugged as the professional Nikons, somehow. They are more portable and convenient, I think, than rugged.

Or how about a Pentax?

Ah, the world is your oyster. You will have fun choosing.

-Laura

Ira Rush · Jun 23, 2009

waynecrider said:
.... Another camera that set the world ablaze was the Nikon F. Usage in Vietnam by the press turned up in conversations about bodies that just wouldn't quit no matter what.....

Not to keep harping on the metalness of the Nikon F series... but there was a published report of a photographer in "Nam" who was saved from injury/death when a bullet/shrapnel hit his "F" rather than him.

Talk about metal, like I said previously... metal like a tank!

Anscojohn · Jun 23, 2009

I loved my Ollie OM1n; revered my Canon F1; despised my Nikon F2.

EASmithV · Jun 23, 2009

Nikon F.

richard ide · Jun 23, 2009

Nikon F2. Only had a minor problem when temp was over 50C

marsbars · Jun 23, 2009

I would have to give my vote for the F2 or F3. I remember reading somewhere that the F2 was great for capturing pictures of the riot, beating the rioters off of you as you left and then use it to pound the nail into the wall for your pulitzer prize winning picture of afore mentioned riot.

André E.C. · Jun 23, 2009

Nikon F2 with no doubt, as previously stated, it's built like a tank!

A true legend.

Cheers

Paul Goutiere · Jun 23, 2009

Leica M2. Nikon F2. Welti 1.

jbbooks · Jun 24, 2009

zenrhino said:
What, in your opinion, is the best 35 mm camera that is metal, manual and mechanical? In camera metering is fine, but auto-exposure that can't be easily over-ridden (aperture priority, shutter priority, programmed exposure, etc) is out.

Thanks!

Clint

the best camera that exactly meets your description is the Contax S2.

steven_e007 · Jun 24, 2009

Depends what you mean by 'best'. I think the best professional gear has already been well and truly listed - but for me personally the camera that has been proved to be my own 'best' has been a humble Fuji ST705W.

It is fully manual (watch battery just for the meter), the standard lens is great but it is M42 mount so I can stick hundreds of lenses on it, it has an exceptionally bright viewfinder. It's really well made, totally reliable and hasn't missed a beat in 15 years & many hundreds of films (and I bought it second hand).

Obviously no Nikon or Leica, but I think it only cost me £25...

Jeff Kubach · Jun 24, 2009

I mention earlier the F-1, I forgot to mention the FTb which is a good metal camera.
Jeff

unohuu · Jun 24, 2009

zenrhino said:
What, in your opinion, is the best 35 mm camera that is metal, manual and mechanical? In camera metering is fine, but auto-exposure that can't be easily over-ridden (aperture priority, shutter priority, programmed exposure, etc) is out.

Thanks!

Clint

Clint, you can't go wrong with a Minolta SRT-101 or 102. Minolta glass is relatively cheap still but great quality and there are lots of bodies floating around. Ask over at Manual Minolta Free or Manual Minolta Yahoo groups.

BTW, I would be happy to let you test an old Minolta sometime since you are local. And I love your work.

Luke

Moopheus · Jun 24, 2009

I've got a Nikon F and F2--had the F for many years, the F2 a relatively recent purchase as "backup," but have come to prefer it, especially since Mr. Wong cleaned it up. It just feels and works a little better. And yeah, you can use them for self-defense, if necessary.

But I have been tempted to pick up an older Olympus M-series camera since they can be had for so little money now, but a certain spouse might complain about more cameras. My first photo teacher had an M-1, and I remember it as being a pretty nice piece of kit.

All of my cameras except the little Fuji d****l are mechanical, no auto-anything cameras.

Sirius Glass · Jun 24, 2009

unohuu said:
Clint, you can't go wrong with a Minolta SRT-101 or 102. Minolta glass is relatively cheap still but great quality and there are lots of bodies floating around.

I have been thinking of the Minolta line including the SR-1 and the SR-7 as suggestion, but held back because of the Nikon F2, F3 reputation. The early Minoltas were rugged, well built, inexpensive, and run forever. The MC and MD lenses are readily available and inexpensive too.

Steve

elekm · Jun 24, 2009

Did you know that Olympus had to change the name of the camera to "OM-1" from "M-1" after Leica complained. That's what I read a couple of years ago in an article in a photography magazine. The Olympus M-1 is now considered a collectible.

Among my favorites are the Nikon F2A, Pentax MX and KX, the Zeiss Ikon Contaflex I and II and Contarex Bullseye and Rolleiflex SL 35.

I had a Minolta SR T 202 a few years ago. It was a very well built camera, and the lenses can be bought very inexpensively.

3M -- Metal, Manual, Mechanical

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