Best looking solid "non plastic" 35mm cameras under $150?

Bobkins · Aug 9, 2016

guys,
which ones are best looking solid metal 35mm cameras under $150?

I used to have an Olympus OM1 silver - which is great,
after that owned OM10 - didn't like and sold
OM1md black - which feels not so solid as a silver one?

Had a Yachica Electro 35 - feels good but not really like design

Had a Contax G1 - great camera, sold and regret

Olympus XA2 - prefer over next generations "plastic" Muji 1 and 2

I do like design on Nikon F - imo one of the best looking camera..
but it huge and heavy?
how to compare Nikon F vs Olympus OM1?

and what do you think about Zorki 1-2 -3 and FED 1 -2 using in real street photo?

and any cameras I missed?

mehguy · Aug 9, 2016

Ive heard Soviet era cameras arent exactly reliable but Ive never owned one so dont quote me on that. But as for my pick for a good "non plastic" camera is the Minota SRT series. Reliable and cheap.

trondsi · Aug 9, 2016

I just bought a Nikon FM. A repairs man told me that this is one of the most robust cameras ever produced (he called it "a tank"). It feels good in my hands and is not too heavy and not too big, but very sturdy. I think it is considerably lighter than the Nikon F.

John Koehrer · Aug 9, 2016

trondsi,'s right about the FM vs F. The F is both more bulky and heavier, the meters on the F may need service of a couple
of problems like jumpy meter needle or bad cell, bad resistor ring.
Mechanically they're very durable.

GarageBoy · Aug 9, 2016

Ehh - I personally never cared for what a camera looks like or feels like - just because it's heavy doesn't make it good
I don't see how a black painted body can feel less solid than a chrome one

OTOH - an F2 is as close to mechanical perfection as you can get

removed account4 · Aug 9, 2016

OLD k1000s
ive been using mine consistantly since 1980
even fell out of my pack and the base hit pavement
i put duct tape on it and used it for 10 years before
taking to my repair friends who laughed at my low budget
repair job, and fixed it as good as new for like $30.
its been IDK 36 years and only taken to the repair shop once ..

Paul Howell · Aug 9, 2016

I don't care about how good a camera looks, not a fashion statement, just how well it functions and how good the lens are. My list includes Konica T to T3, Pentax K2, Spotmatic Minolta 202, Nikon Nikormate, FE, FA, FM, FG, Canon Ftb, Topcon D, Super D, in AF Minolta 9000.

Theo Sulphate · Aug 9, 2016

Good looking metal 35mm cameras under $150 - too many to list.

All Nikkormats - they are a bargain, have good features, rugged, reliable.

Canon FTB, Canon rangefinders.

Minolta SR, SRT.

Pentax H1, H3, Spotmatic, etc.

Exaktas (I think they look good)

Olympus, Mamiya, Yashica, Konica, Miranda...

Basically - a person could find an online version of Popular or Modern Photography from 1971 or earlier and browse to the classified section.

Diapositivo · Aug 10, 2016

Voigtländer Vito C, CL, CLR are simply things of beauty, with their large viewfinder, their blue eye, the rewinder entirely disappearing in the top plate, it's a very clean, very essential and elegant design. And I bet you can find one for little money.
Find one with the leather case and problem is solved

elcabezagrande · Aug 10, 2016

Based on looks alone? My choice is this one.

macfred · Aug 10, 2016

What about a Konica III - a well made rangefinder from the 1950's with a sharp Hexanon 1:2 f=48mm ...

Konica IIIMFX - Rangefinder 1956 by Andreas, on Flickr

Ricardo Miranda · Aug 10, 2016

I'll make the case for the OM-1.
I'm sorry I can't make them look as sexy as Bob has done, I only have an idiota-phone with a lousy 2MP "camera".

WP_20160810_12_47_51_Pro by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr
In the middle are the 3 black OM-1N. On the right there are 2 black OM-1 MD and an original black OM-1. On the left are 2 silver OM-1N and one silver OM-1 MD.

WP_20160810_12_48_10_Pro by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr

WP_20160810_12_51_38_Pro by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr

WP_20160810_12_52_06_Pro by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr
My latest OM-1N with a 28mm /3.5 lens.

Ko.Fe. · Aug 10, 2016

I think Oly XA front sliding door is plastic? I don't think it is worth above $50 after I used it for everyday and it crapped out.
None of FSU made cameras worth of more than $50 if they were not recently serviced. With one exception, which is Zenit. Those are worth of nothing.
Most of mechanical metal SLRs aren't worth of $150 these days, but maybe some Nikons SLRs.
Leica IIf is disrespected by gearheads, but if you are using cameras for taking of pictures and know Leicas and clones, it is one of the best RFs bodies, by the quality of the build and elegance.
Personally, I like FED-2 for the elegance, zero plastic and easiness of DIY CLA, repairs. And this is it for cheap, metal, 135 film cameras, to be honest.
My most used cameras are Leica Ms and they are worth of every penny even if it is several times above of $150.

"...and what do you think about Zorki 1-2 -3 and FED 1 -2 using in real street photo?"
Like real street photo or walking slow like a tourist and slowly focusing by rangefinder on static objects?
Those in the quote are lovely cameras for the style of the tourist.
For real street photography they are annoying. Speed dial is not rotating, you have to manipulate it every time. 50mm lens isn't always good for the real street photography and FSU EVF are huge, plus non-universal ones are not accurate. FSU 35 and 28 lenses are cumbersome for aperture change as well. So for real street photography they are not good enough for speedy fiddling. But if you are the tourist, those are neat

TheRook · Aug 10, 2016

Bobkins said:
I used to have an Olympus OM1 silver - which is great,
after that owned OM10 - didn't like and sold
OM1md black - which feels not so solid as a silver one?

Although the OM1 is certainly not a bad looking camera, I don't think it stands out visually when compared to many other SLR cameras of its period. For example, the knobs and levers don't have unique character, but have a rather plain and simplistic appearance. The camera body shape resembles the typical SLR design. In contrast, the Pentax Spotmatic design has visual features that are quite different than other cameras and make it very unique. I'm not seeing much of that with the OM1.

AgX · Aug 10, 2016

What about the KMZ Narciss ?

http://www.sovietcams.com/sovietcams/m/m_images/wfiles/iAFAL1L0H.jpg

Ashfaque · Aug 10, 2016

I may be wrong, but this is the 1st time I've noticed Ricardo posting digicam photos.

Not exactly within your $150 target, but I bought an FM2n (in a very good condition) for $175 in June.

New Old Toys! by Analogue Ashfaque, on Flickr

I bet if one waits, then he can get one under $150 quite easily.

Bests,
Ashfaque

Alan Gales · Aug 10, 2016

How about the original Contax RTS. The body was designed by Porshe.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Contax_RTS

I don't know what their used prices are but you could pick up a 139 body which looks just as beautiful.

Paul Howell · Aug 10, 2016

Alan Gales said:
How about the original Contax RTS. The body was designed by Porshe.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Contax_RTS

I don't know what their used prices are but you could pick up a 139 body which looks just as beautiful.

Then he needs a lens, I guess he can go with Yaschica lens that take the same mount. I have seen good reviews on the Yaschica lens, but sort of sad to put a Yashica lens on a Contax.

colin wells · Aug 10, 2016

The Canon EF has to be in the running.

Theo Sulphate · Aug 10, 2016

TheRook said:
Although the OM1 is certainly not a bad looking camera, I don't think it stands out visually when compared to many other SLR cameras of its period. For example, the knobs and levers don't have unique character, but have a rather plain and simplistic appearance. The camera body shape resembles the typical SLR design. ...

Perhaps I see it a bit differently because of my age. When the OM-1 came out, it was a sensation: the small body, enormous viewfinder image, large dials, that nicely sculpted shutter release, the sharp steep angles on the prism, all making for a very attractive camera that launched Olympus into the front row of cameras to consider.

As luck would have it, I bought this perfect mint condition OM-2n with 50/1.4 all for $100 this last April:

Ricardo Miranda · Aug 10, 2016

Ashfaque said:
I may be wrong, but this is the 1st time I've noticed Ricardo posting digicam photos.

I think I posted before some pics of my cameras. I only use the phone camera for that.
BTW, thanks for the tip on RFF for the codes for Harman.

Alan Gales · Aug 10, 2016

Paul Howell said:
Then he needs a lens, I guess he can go with Yaschica lens that take the same mount. I have seen good reviews on the Yaschica lens, but sort of sad to put a Yashica lens on a Contax.

That's true but the OP asked for best solid non plastic 35mm camera for under $150. I saw no mention of a lens coming with it.

Ricardo Miranda · Aug 10, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
Perhaps I see it a bit differently because of my age. When the OM-1 came out, it was a sensation: the small body, enormous viewfinder image, large dials, that nicely sculpted shutter release, the sharp steep angles on the prism, all making for a very attractive camera that launched Olympus into the front row of cameras to consider.

As luck would have it, I bought this perfect mint condition OM-2n with 50/1.4 all for $100 this last April:

View attachment 161594

Congratulations on a fine camera.
I know of a few famous photographers that used Olympus OM, including the OM-2N like Andre Kertesz (there's a small documentary on You Tube showing him around Paris using one) or Jane Bown. It was said the OM-1 was a favourite of her, but there is a picture of her holding what looks like an OM-2.

ciniframe · Aug 10, 2016

What the OP is going to get in response to his question is a lot of opinions and personal preferences and nothing wrong about that. So here are mine.

Longtime fan of the OM-1 but even before that the Pen F system. I like the early F over the FT/FV because of the plain ground glass screen and no self timer, they look very sleek and clean.
Still have a F and several lenses. Think I'll add another F body if I find a clean one.

Another thought, my selection can press hard against the $150 limit, mostly because of the price of original Pen lenses. (or even original F mount adapters to M42, Nikon F, OM etc.)

Les Sarile · Aug 10, 2016

Bobkins said:
guys,
which ones are best looking solid metal 35mm cameras under $150?

I do like design on Nikon F - imo one of the best looking camera..

If you like the monstrous metered viewfinder on the F then you might like it better with a plain finder . . .

Best looking solid "non plastic" 35mm cameras under $150?

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