Best mechanical 35mm analog SLR

[baachitraka]

In general, Olympus gear is pretty reasonably priced, but you may find that the faster lenses carry a hefty premium. I got a 28/2.8 for my Om-1n, and the 2.0 version goes for 4 times as much!

Yeah, it bothers me too. I'm planning some low-light experiments with black-and-white film. Hope there will be some f=35mm with F <= 2.0.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

For low light that extra stop or two is worth a lot!

I've used Pentax all my life, and have a 35mm f/3.5. The lens is fabulous, but I can't use it in low light photography very well, even with super fast film. So I'm getting the f/2 model, and that extra one and a half stops gives me a lot more flexibility. I dream of the Noctilux and a Leica, though... Talk about pricey.

 

[baachitraka]

For low light that extra stop or two is worth a lot!

I've used Pentax all my life, and have a 35mm f/3.5. The lens is fabulous, but I can't use it in low light photography very well, even with super fast film. So I'm getting the f/2 model, and that extra one and a half stops gives me a lot more flexibility. I dream of the Noctilux and a Leica, though... Talk about pricey.

I recently saw one nikkon f=35mm F2.0 lens sold together with Nikon FM2. But, I have no idea about the lens performance.

 

[Moopheus]

I recently saw one nikkon f=35mm F2.0 lens sold together with Nikon FM2. But, I have no idea about the lens performance.

I have one that's become my favorite Nikon lens. It's a pretty nice lens. The older pre-AI versions can be had at a reasonable price.

 

[PentaxBronica]

In answer to the original question: Pentax KX or MX. They're both updated versions of the Spotmatic with K mounts which can use any Pentax lens made from 1975 through to the late 1990s (basically if it has an aperture ring it'll work). They're all manual and the batteries only power the light meter. Both display aperture and shutter speed in the viewfinder, have DOF preview and shutter speeds from 1/1000 to 1 sec and B.

Main differences? The KX, apart from being bigger, has mirror lockup and a match needle meter (you adjust aperture and shutter speed until the two needles line up) which can be hard to see in low light. The MX is smaller and uses LEDs for metering which are easier to see, but doesn't have MLU. It can have the winder and/or databack fitted however. An MX with the 40mm "pancake" lens is a brilliant pocket SLR and there are loads of gem-like Pentax primes about to use with it.

 

[costigaj]

If you are looking for the most flexibility and availability, look for a K-Mount SLR. There are a wide variety of lenses available and they fit many of the older popular mechanical SLR's. It was created by Pentax and many of the 70's/80's SLR makers used the standard. For a simple low cost combo try a Pentax K1000 with your choice of lens. If you want a classic Canon combo, look for Canon FD lenses and some of the older A Series cameras (AE-1, A-1, etc.) If someone new to the analogue film SLR world asks me where to start I tell them get a Canon AE-1 with 50mm Canon FD lens and work up from there. You won't go wrong.

 

[rycm]

I have fond memories of my dad's Yashica FX3 and Pentax K1000. Fully mechanical? Gee, I have a Leica MP (hammertone), but have not used it. The M7 if not 100% mechanical. So I gues the Nikon FM3a probably is the most sophicticated manual mechanical analog SLR. Sigh.. dont have it..

 

[DaveO]

Hello there,

I am very new to analog SLR and looking around to find a best mechanical 35mm analog SLR camera preferably that takes EF lenses from Canon.

I had a Pentax SP500 that worked for about 20 years before it developed a light leak. It cost $125 new with a 50mm lens. That's a little over $ 6.00 a year to own it. Of course it was a screw mount camera so when Pentax changed lens mounts I replaced it with a Nikon FM2n which can use lenses from back in the sixties or so. Of course this camera cost $ 500 refurbished and I have only had it for about 15 years. Neither the Pentax nor the Nikon were ever sent in to be serviced. If it weren't for the lens mount change, I would still probably be using Pentaxes. I was very happy with the quality of the camera and the few lenses I owned. Of course it had a mercury battery which is not available anymore so it was not worth getting the light leaks fixed.

DaveO

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Just repeating again: there are several good solutions for cameras originally using mercury batteries.

That really isn't a problem.

 

[j-dogg]

Nikkormat FT line.

that. I have the FTN from about the late 60's era. pre-AI Nikkor glass, especially single coat glass, is a splendid wonder to behold, or to keep in your bag. lenses are cheap since most do not work on digital Nikons except for the most upper echelon bodies, and a couple of the consumer bodies. The most expensive lens I have in my bag is on its way to my doorstep, it's a 105mm f2.5 and I paid 125 bucks for it.

if you have an AF EOS, you can get adapters to use old Nikkor glass, I have one for my 5D. But my Elan 7e and 650 wont meter those lenses properly. You're on your own for adapting Nikkor lenses.

 

[MSOKAL]

I vote for the Nikon FM2 and Canon F1, two workhorse.

 

[MikePenn]

I've used over a dozen and I keep going back to the Olympus OM-1 and the Minolta SRT 201.

 

[blockend]

I've never understood why battery manufacturers can't design a cell to a similar size and voltage to old mercury batteries.

 

[Pumalite]

Canon F-1
Canon FTb
Nikon FM
Nikon FMN
Olympus OM-1
And a Gossen Hand Held Meter

 

[dhosten]

I used the Olympus OM-1 and Pentax K-1000 extensively when I started, and match needle metering is as simple as it gets. Both have great lenses and are very reliable. In the end I chose Olympus, while my brother chose the Pentax line. Not that much between them. They are both smaller than the comparable Minoltas, Nikons and Canons of that era.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Canon F-1
Canon FTb
Nikon FM
Nikon FMN
Olympus OM-1
And a Gossen Hand Held Meter

Great group of cameras, I wish I and them!

Jeff