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

[Bobkins]

What about the KMZ Narciss ?

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

looks cool, I like it

it uses 16mm film

1 more funny camera

 

[Bobkins]

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

I thinks I should buy Nikon

just confused with names -F, FM, FG, FE etc,

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

No confusion needs to be made. Only if people don't use the correct names.
Start here: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/htmls/slrmain5979.htm
Have a good study!

P.S. And I just found some errors with some images related to the Photomic heads.
Be careful there are different heads for the F and F2 series and at times it is just a small difference between models.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Can you get a plain prism F for under $150? I'm seeing completed (sold) auctions for them on the 'bay for over $200.

I suppose if it shows a lot of wear (not abuse), that's possible.

But they are nice:

Another vote for the wonderful Canon EF:

 

[Les Sarile]

Can you get a plain prism F for under $150? I'm seeing completed (sold) auctions for them on the 'bay for over $200.

I suppose if it shows a lot of wear (not abuse), that's possible.

He just needs the prism since he already has the body.

 

[MattKing]

For me, any of the single digit Olympus OM bodies are in the running. Right up to my latest acquisition: an OM 4T.

I expect though that a lot of the reason for that is due to the effect that my first OM-1 had on me - brand new in 1974 or so.

It was my first SLR, the first camera that I bought entirely myself and my first brand new camera since the Brownie Starmatic I received for my 8th birthday.

If you weren't around or paying attention back then, you probably don't appreciate how innovative the OM-1 really was.

 

[Les Sarile]

I thinks I should buy Nikon

just confused with names -F, FM, FG, FE etc,

Yeah don't confuse yourself with anything else, just remember F . . . F2 . . . F

You might go past your limit a little bit . . .

 

[AgX]

[KMZ Narciss] looks cool, I like it

it uses 16mm film

How embarrassing... I saw those strange proportions, but did not realize the smaller format.
There are too many soviet cameras unknown to me.
Next time I'll do my homework.

 

[Bobkins]

guys,
please check this image
on this Olympus OM-2 mirror remain locked to the top -
is something wrong with camera? or it is because there is no battery in camera?

battery removed from camera
seller has now idea if camera works or not

thanks!

 

[Theo Sulphate]

guys,
please check this image
on this Olympus OM-2 mirror remain locked to the top -
is something wrong with camera? or it is because there is no battery in camera?

The camera needs a battery for all functions. There is a mirror reset function - you can read about it here at the bottom of the page:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/om2/htmls/index.htm

 

[Bobkins]

The camera needs a battery for all functions. There is a mirror reset function - you can read about it here at the bottom of the page:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/om2/htmls/index.htm

thanks (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[miha]

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

Leica R4 looks pretty good I say:

http://www.summilux.net/documents/LeicaR4-Brochure-150dpi.pdf

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Bob,
On the master switch there is a position for Check/Reset. The mirror should drop down. Do it without batteries in it, then you can put new fresh SR44 batteries in it.
The earlier OM-2 has a different reset procedure: it is by moving the shutter speeds to B instead of on the master switch.

 

[4season]

Leica R4 looks pretty good I say:

I didn't expect to like the Leica R4S Model P very much because it seemed very "amateur" compared to my usual Nikons. But it ended up being a favorite when paired with a 35/2.8 Elmarit-R! Compact, silky-smooth controls, and IIRC the lens focused down to 0.3 M or so.

 

[miha]

I didn't expect to like the Leica R4S Model P very much because it seemed very "amateur" compared to my usual Nikons. But it ended up being a favorite when paired with a 35/2.8 Elmarit-R! Compact, silky-smooth controls, and IIRC the lens focused down to 0.3 M or so.

My favourite pair as well!! Seemingly only 5000 of Mod P / Mod. 2 were produced.

 

[cooltouch]

Okay, well the title of this thread contains the words "best looking . . . non-plastic" 35mm camera. I tend to agree with Theo -- there are too many to list. But I'll go ahead and mention a few of my favorites. I'll stick to 35mm SLRs.

Canon FD: original F-1, second version, aka F-1n. Also the EF, which closely resembles the old F-1. Yes, it's possible to pick up a reasonably clean old F-1 for under $150. I own two, one of which I paid $140 for. (paid $167 for the other) I've long felt that the old F-1 and EF are some of the most attractive cameras in the traditional style ever made.

Minolta MC/MD: XD-11, especially a black one. I own a beautiful chrome one that I paid about $80 for. I could also mention an SRT but I've never thought of them as being "best looking."

Nikon F: The F2, particularly the F2 with the non-metered prism. The A, AS, and Sb look okay, but not as pretty as the F2 with plain prism. But to stay within budget, the A, AS and Sb might not be possible. The F with plain prism looks pretty nice, but not as nice as the F2 with plain prism. Nikkormats FT2/FT3 and Nikon EL and EL2. The compact FE and FE2, FM and FM2. The FA as well.

Olympus: Any of the single numeral OM series that will fit the budget restrictions.

Pentax: The KX and MX are my favorites that meet the restrictions.

Oh, and Contaxes are too cool looking, and, thanks to the digital revolution, most are now affordable, from the 139 Quartz to the RTS III.

 

[Helios 1984]

For your consideration, the Zeiss Ikon - Voigtländer Icarex 35s TM (TM for Thread Mount).

 

[mrjr]

The Canon Demi EE28 has to be in the top 5 best looking. Half frame, but still 35mm. I don't know if that's of any interest, though. Oooo, yeah, and the Kowa SW, too.

 

[Bobkins]

The Canon Demi EE28 has to be in the top 5 best looking. Half frame, but still 35mm. I don't know if that's of any interest, though. Oooo, yeah, and the Kowa SW, too.

wow, really great looking cameras
stylish 60's Canon Demi EE28
and minimalistic Kowa - never seen before

 

[JimCee]

The Nikon FE, as other commenters have stated, is a nice looking "non-plastic" 35mm camera. It's also widely available for prices under $150.00 on the big auction site. Many of those sold will need to have their seals replaced as they do age. It's something that be done by the buyer, or most camera repair businesses can handle that job quite easily. The photos here are a very clean Nikon FE that I purchased, and I did have the seals replaced.

Jim

 

[AgX]

Is the top cover from brass?

 

[trythis]

The FE is brass, top and bottom. I think the FA has a plastic top.

 

[mshchem]

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

Absolutely love the plain prism! I have an "Apollo" F with plain, it's like wearing jewelry. I have F2 variants as well. Plain prisms for the F2 are hard to find. If you want to look like the real thing get a F with a plain prism that's all chewed up but still works.
Best Mike

 

[nick_clark]

From a purely industrial design perspective, I think the Agfa Optima Sensor 1035/1535 series are fantastic - uniquely handsome in a very Bauhaus design (I can also see how people might thing they're hideous...).

Going along with the OP, the body is actually metal, and is surprisingly solid in the hand.

(not my image!)

The Alpa 10d/11d is another body that really strikes me whenever I see them pop up, which is rarely. Unfortunately I doubt they'd go for under $150...
Dead Link Removed
(also not my image!)

 

[onre]

To my eye, Zenit-S is the best looking SLR.