Camera purchase help: Canon vs Nikon vs Pentax Vs Olympus vs Minolta

[Bill Burk]

The OMs probably required service by a competent repairman. It's not normal that an electronic camera leaks batteries.

As you already mentioned, other electronic cameras like the ES-II can have great battery life.

Original OM-4 circuits (I was excited and bought mine soon as it hit the market) have a known current leak in the board. The “second OM-4” I bought from a friend here with full disclosure (also has original board).

I don’t mean “leaks” like battery electrolytes ruining the battery chamber. Just that they are insufficient to power the camera in most cases when I pick it up to use after a spell.

My OM-3 also has the issue but I have resigned my fate. As I always say, a half dozen spare MS-76 in your pocket will always get you by.

 

[tomatojoe]

I have a Yashica FX3 which suffers from severe light leak issues, but I’ve managed to take a few good photos out of that camera. That’s probably a fixable issue. I have an FX7, again by Yashica, I bought this one cause it is identical to an fx3, and this body has a working light meter. Shot one roll only to find light leak issues with this as well.
I have a 28mm f2.8 and a 50 f2 with me on the c/y mount.


I’ve been looking for a decent body for some time now, as I am planning to move away from the Yashica ecosystem mainly because of the expensive (although extremely capable) c/y mount lenses.

This is probably going to be ignore or get really heated but I’d like to know suggestions for the best camera maker. I have a few points I’d like to cover:

1. Cheap lenses: Very important as I am a hobbyist and not a pro, I am happy with the output from my Yashicas, apart from the light leak. Lens pricing range between $50 to $150 max.

2. Features are a nice to have. PASM modes, interesting focus modes like the ones in Contax Aria and RX systems but those cameras are extremely heavy.

3. Weight: The main reason to switch from the Yashica lens system is that, even the Contax cameras don’t look like a good option, because of weight and the lens pricing even in the second hand market.

I like the OM ecosystem, the lenses are cheap, bodies are light, and the shutter-on-lens mount is a nice touch. Any watch outs for the Olympus systems?

I am also looking at the Nikon fg and Canon A1, although the A1 is on a slightly expensive side.

Although the choice is subjective, I’d like to zero down on a camera based on the comments.


Thanks in advance for the help

I hope you were able to find a camera that suited your needs. The most important thing for any photographer is to find a piece of photographic equipment that suites their needs, that fits their life, and life-style, and that feels comfortable enough and easy enough to use that it becomes a thoughtless extension of who they are. I do not mean thoughtless as a negative thing (thoughtless has a negative connotation) I mean using with ease, without thought as an extension of one's self. I look at using a camera the same way the zen mater in "zen and archery" looked at using his bow and arrow. If one has to think and worry about "hitting the target" they will never hit the target, even if it is imaginary. I hope you make wonderful photographs.