Best 35mm camera design - or rather - which is your favorite?

faisalj · Jun 3, 2013

I own 2 olympus 35mm slrs.

The OM1 and the OM2n. And I love them. Along with the zuiko lenses, it fits really well with how i use it. Add in the robust built and sexy design, you cant go wrong.

What I would like to have, an OM4Ti. I dunno why but it calls me everytime I come across it in shops. One day perhaps.

Another would be the Nikon FM2 or FE and perhaps a Contax 139.

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benjiboy · Jun 3, 2013

schewct said:
I would take the Canon New F1.

+1, I like them so much I have three of them, Iv'e owned Nikon F's F2's and F3s, but to me it's the ultimate manual focus professional S.L.R.

vintageslrs · Jun 3, 2013

My current favorites (and they do change all the time) include:

Minolta SRT-101
Nikkormat FTn
Fujica ST 801
Konica T3

Jeff Kubach · Jun 3, 2013

schewct said:
I would take the Canon New F1.

I have an old F-1, a great camera.

Jeff

Lamar · Jun 4, 2013

The best 35mm design / favorite?? It has to be the Nikon F4. The F4 works with all F mount lenses Nikon has made from 1959 to today with a few limitations on the pre-AI and G lenses. It has a great grip and a very rugged build. I have the MB-20 and MB-21 grips so I can go small or I can go big with a vertical grip and 6 fps. It takes AA batteries that can be bought just about anywhere. Nice big viewfinder with lots of focus screen options. Matrix, center weighted, and spot metering. P,A,S, & M modes with a an extra P mode that keeps shutter speed high. All manual controls with dials and buttons, no menu settings that require referencing a handbook to tell what you are setting. And in my opinion it's a great looking design. You can shoot program exposure mode and autofocus or switch just as easily to manual focus and manual exposure with out incurring a disadvantage because the auto functionality exists on the camera.

F100 and F6 are contenders here and more advanced, but to me if you take into account the ability to shoot pre-AI lenses unmodified and the whole menu thing from the F100........ I've never shot an F6 so I can't compare but I know it uses a non-standard type battery and can't shoot pre-Ai without modification. They have the control wheels too and I prefer the dial controls on the F4. I have to say overall the F4 wins it for me.

elekm · Jun 4, 2013

You wouldn't think so, but this is a very easy camera to use. It is heavy and somewhat large, but the design is excellent. Because of the location of the shutter release, it is easy to take a portrait with it, although it does take a few extra moments.

Jeff Kubach · Jun 4, 2013

elekm said:
You wouldn't think so, but this is a very easy camera to use. It is heavy and somewhat large, but the design is excellent. Because of the location of the shutter release, it is easy to take a portrait with it, although it does take a few extra moments.

That is great I love those TLRs!

Jeff

Ed Bray · Jun 4, 2013

I have three favourites all of which I no longer have:

Nikon F no metering but just felt like a real camera
Olympus OM4Ti best metering of any camera I have owned
Contax 159MM I loved the feel of this camera in use

chip j · Jun 5, 2013

Nikon N2000. Cheap & ugly, but with a useful, easy-to-read meter display, built-in winder, and it takes 4 AAAs. Took me 8 yrs to wear a used one out, so I bought another used one(shooting 100 rolls/yr).

Fast14riot · Jun 5, 2013

F100 and/or FE. Both are superb for what I need. Although my Miranda F is a very fun, very predictable, stable workhorse that has taken its beatings and keeps on tuckin.

But I do think that my all time favorite camera across all formats, brands, types and styles has to be the loaded one in my hand at the moment I want it.

-X

j.ponakmo · Jun 5, 2013

For what I find myself doing I love the Ricoh GR1V, and the best part it's always with me when a photo needs to be taken. Sharp lens, great AE, manual features. Second place in the point and shoot realm easily goes to the olympus infinity stylus. I learned on the nikon FG and then found myself with a nikon N90s which I seldom find myself using though I should get into the habit of using it more.

MartinCrabtree · Jun 5, 2013

It's a beast but I've become rather attached to my Nikon F5. What a wonderful piece of work it is. When used the precision becomes apparent and while very technically sophisticated it can still be operated manually and access to the large amount of Nikon F mount lenses is a huge plus. Besides it makes a great personal defense weapon should the need arise.

drkhalsa · Jun 6, 2013

MartinCrabtree said:
It's a beast but I've become rather attached to my Nikon F5. What a wonderful piece of work it is. When used the precision becomes apparent and while very technically sophisticated it can still be operated manually and access to the large amount of Nikon F mount lenses is a huge plus. Besides it makes a great personal defense weapon should the need arise.

+1

ambaker · Jun 6, 2013

Canon A-1. I've had one since 1981.

Also enjoy the Canon élan 7e. Am I the only one who likes the eye control function?

jeffreyg · Jun 6, 2013

I rarely use 35mm but my favorite is my Nikon FM2. Simple, compact, unimposing clean lines and accepts a wide variety of Nikon lenses. My first slr was a Voigtlander Bessamatic that I bought in a pawn shop with two lenses in 1963 for $50. all in mint condition. I should have kept it but sold it a few years later because of the need for a macro (1:1) lens capability.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

MattKing · Jun 6, 2013

ambaker said:
Canon A-1. I've had one since 1981.

Also enjoy the Canon élan 7e. Am I the only one who likes the eye control function?

I too really like the eye control focus function - on both my 7e and IIe.

It is my understanding, however, that it doesn't work for everyone, and was thus a nightmare for retailers.

benjiboy · Jun 7, 2013

MattKing said:
I too really like the eye control focus function - on both my 7e and IIe.

It is my understanding, however, that it doesn't work for everyone, and was thus a nightmare for retailers.

That's very true Matt, I used to sell them and some customers just couldn't use them, I understand that in fact they were a development of the sight switches that helicopter gunship pilots used to aim and fire their guns in Vietnam.

jimmybuzaid · Jun 10, 2013

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but I like how the 110's pocket's look.

jspillane · Jun 10, 2013

Hasselblad X-Pan (I wish I could afford to own one- shot some of my favorite pictures of all time with a borrowed copy).

Joel_L · Jun 10, 2013

My "modern" film camera is an EOS-3. I enjoy using it, the eye control focus works well for me. I also like the eye controlled DOF. The drawback is that ready to go, its a bit heavy. My best lenses are for this camera. For a light weight camera I enjoy using, probably my OM-1, there is something about this camera that keeps me fond of it. I recently picked up an FE2 which I'm finding I also like using. I find its metering system interesting to use. All will take images as good as the effort I choose to put into it.

trojancast · Jun 10, 2013

EOS-1V. It has everything

Henning Serger · Jun 11, 2013

The answer is very simple for me:
My Nikon F6 (with MB-40 and MV-1 data reader).
This camera is just perfect: Perfect performance, perfect ergonomics, perfect build quality.
No other 35mm camera has been so well designed, so well-thought by the engineers.
Even the smallest details are so clever in their design. It is amazing.
It is 'build into the hand' of the photographer. A pure joy to use.
The Nikon engineers and designers have created a real jewel, a technical masterpiece with the F6.
I am so satisfied with my F6 that I am going for another brand new one (luckily the F6 is still in production): Then I have one loaded with color reversal film, the other one loaded with BW .

Best regards,
Henning

cobbu2 · Jun 11, 2013

I have to put in a vote for the Yashica TL-Electro; as strong as a tank with a unique (when it was introduced) electronic LED metering system that would survive harsh punishment that a moving needle would not. That combined with a mechanical cloth shutter not needing a battery for operation. I also like its large size, fitting in my hands better.

It also has the ubiquitous M42 mount accepting Pentax and other lenses, although the vastly underrated Yashinons can hold their own against almost anything.

lxdude · Jun 12, 2013

cobbu2 said:
I have to put in a vote for the Yashica TL-Electro; as strong as a tank with a unique (when it was introduced) electronic LED metering system that would survive harsh punishment that a moving needle would not. That combined with a mechanical cloth shutter not needing a battery for operation. I also like its large size, fitting in my hands better.

It also has the ubiquitous M42 mount accepting Pentax and other lenses, although the vastly underrated Yashinons can hold their own against almost anything.

Actually, not LEDs. Miniature light bulbs.

LEDs first came out in a camera in the Fujica ST801.

E. von Hoegh · Jun 12, 2013

lxdude said:

Actually, not LEDs. Miniature light bulbs

Click to expand...

lxdude said:
.

LEDs first came out in a camera in the Fujica ST801.

Yes, they were using the lightbulbs on the rangefinder cameras in the early 60s.

Best 35mm camera design - or rather - which is your favorite?

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