Camera that has aperture priority and all manual speed when battery die

darkosaric · Dec 28, 2010

Hi,

Is Nikon FM3A only one? I know that Leica M7 has only 2 speeds without batteries, Nikon F3 also only one speed I am missing some camera(s) ?

Regards,

Q.G. · Dec 28, 2010

Olympus OM-1.

Though its AP is manual too.

wotalegend · Dec 28, 2010

Although I don't have a Nikon FM3A, I believe that it has only manual speeds without battery, not aperture priority. Perhaps an owner of one could verify.

darkosaric · Dec 28, 2010

FM3A: without battery - all manual speed without AP, and with battery aperture priority also. But usually cameras that have AP with battery has only one, two manual speeds when battery dies.

elekm · Dec 28, 2010

If you really want manual speeds, you probably should skip autoexposure and get an all-manual camera with a match-needle system. I do this, even though I like having autoexposure.

I think that you're right in that most cameras with aperture-priority autoexposure have a very limited range of shutter speeds (sometimes none) if the battery dies.

Rick A · Dec 28, 2010

Grab yourself an Olympus OM-3t and a couple of prime lenses. You wont want to shoot anything else after that. You dont need AP mode, that only gives auto-mediocrity, take control of your shots.

darkosaric · Dec 28, 2010

I am not looking what to buy/get - I already have F3 and M6 - I was just curious about cameras that have AP and full manual speeds when battery dies - because couple of days ago I was with my F3 in cold weather (-15C) for couple of hours and on the end I had only M80 speed (battery was ok - but it was just too cold for long time - when I was back in warm - battery was ok). I had to use F3, not M6 because I needed 105mm lens

perkeleellinen · Dec 28, 2010

I think the Canon New F-1 might fit the bill.

elekm · Dec 28, 2010

I've been trying to think of some but can't seem to recall any.

The Rolleiflex SL 35 ME offers a limited set of manual speeds if the battery dies. But your bigger challenge will be finding one that is still working correctly today.

Aside from that, I think that you're down to some of the cameras with selenium meters that use the old tried-and-true trap-needle autoexposure systems. And they're mostly fixed-lens cameras, and even those usually only offered a flash-synch speed plus B.

Les Sarile · Dec 28, 2010

You can use the Nikon Anti-cold Battery Pack DB-2.

With the Canon New F-1, all shutter speeds are available when battery is exhausted but you have to remove it from the camera.
The Pentax LX has 1/2000 sec to X 1/75 sec and "B", while the Pentax K2, ESII and ES have most of their shutter speeds available when battery is dead.

BTW, the F3 has B, X (1/80), T and 1/60 when using the backup mechanical release lever available when battery is dead.

CGW · Dec 28, 2010

darkosaric said:
I am not looking what to buy/get - I already have F3 and M6 - I was just curious about cameras that have AP and full manual speeds when battery dies - because couple of days ago I was with my F3 in cold weather (-15C) for couple of hours and on the end I had only M80 speed (battery was ok - but it was just too cold for long time - when I was back in warm - battery was ok). I had to use F3, not M6 because I needed 105mm lens

As Les sez, just get the Nikon anti-freeze kit. I use one for my FEs+F3s, as well as an extra MS-3 battery tray for the MD-4. AE? No problem.

benjiboy · Dec 28, 2010

The Canon F1N- AE has a hybrid dimpled Titanium shutter that works without batteries at speeds from 1/90sec to 1/2000sec, and only requires batteries for the slower speeds.

perkeleellinen · Dec 28, 2010

I just checked on ebay and a DB-2 sold for £1000!

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Nikon-DB-2-Anti-Cold-Battery-Pack-Rare-New-/260699795582

RH Designs · Dec 28, 2010

Olympus OM4/4ti has mechanical speeds of 1/60th and B without batteries.

BetterSense · Dec 28, 2010

My Canonet QL17GIII works on all speeds without batteries, and I believe that it works in aperture priority mode, although I've never bothered to put a battery in mine.

Les Sarile · Dec 28, 2010

Canonet QL17GIII has Shutter speed priority. I believe this was the more common form of automatic exposure mode available until Pentax ES introduced aperture priority mode.

Aja B · Dec 28, 2010

Consider a lithium battery (CR-1/3N) for your F3. Lithium, unlike silver oxide or alkaline batteries, will take you deep into inhospitable temps. The LED of the F3 may not like such temps. I use the Nikon DB-2 (anti-cold, AA battery holder) occasionally but am afraid of breaking the connector/wire at the screw-in plug when temporarily storing the camera between shooting sessions, e.g. in a pack, etc. I can attest to the FM3a's reliability with and without batteries in temps well-below 0F. Fantastic camera in so many ways...except low-light meter reading.

Les Sarile · Dec 28, 2010

Aja, I believe you meant LCD instead of LED of the F3. BTW, what did you find lacking with the FM3A in terms of its low light metering?

elcabezagrande · Dec 28, 2010

Fujica AZ-1 has manual shutters speeds of 1000, 250, and 60 without batteries.

wotalegend · Dec 28, 2010

I've been thinking further about this (my brain is in holiday mode). Aperture priority needs a working exposure meter, and meters need batteries to work, other than the long outmoded selenium type. Therefore there should be no camera on which aperture priority works without a battery. I have had cameras with built-in selenium meters - still have a Rollei 2.8F and a FED 5 - and they are all manual match-needle systems.

On the subject of battery choice: although cold is never a problem here in Oz, I have always used the lithium CR1/3N (aka 2L76, etc) where possible simply because they usually have a much longer life than silver or alkaline. And I always carry a spare - why do some people get hung up on the prospect of their battery dying during a shoot?

dehk · Dec 28, 2010

Niko FE, FE2, EM (M90) FM FM2 (all mechanical), and the list goes on and on and on.

Aja B · Dec 29, 2010

Les, right you are about the F3 having an LCD meter display, not LED. As for my comment re: FM3a, 'Fantastic camera in so many ways...except low-light meter reading', I was referring to the general inability of anyone to read the meter in low light since the meter is not illuminated. The meter, itself, has no problems metering low light.

I'm unsure what to make of Derek's cryptic response. The original question asked which cameras offer both of the following features: 1) aperture priority, with batteries, of course and 2) the full range of all shutter speeds without batteries. Thus, none of the bodies Derek mentioned meet the criteria.

Les Sarile · Dec 30, 2010

How about a solar powered SLR like the Dead Link Removed

benjiboy · Jan 2, 2011

Could somebody explain why in the twenty first century so many people most of whom are amateurs are so afraid of battery dependant cameras and light meters letting them down ? why can't they carry spare batteries ?

Les Sarile · Jan 2, 2011

Afraid to carry spare batteries . . . hardly.

Here are some casual observations after years of ownership . . .

Low battery can cause unpredictable behavior until they die completely.
Shelf life of spares are unpredictable.
Different batteries are not always available in a lot of places.
Not everyone has one camera or uses one type of batteries.
Batteries get discontinued.
Need a coin to open the battery compartment in most cameras.
Batteries left in can cause corrosion.
Cold weather affects battery.
One less thing to worry about.

As already listed, some have designed minimal or no battery dependence which is a very good design accomplishment that not everyone has done.

It is great to be able to say your camera can do without it but even better if you can properly expose film using the sunny 16 rule . . . ;-)

Camera that has aperture priority and all manual speed when battery die

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