Help me find my perfect camera please

[Sirius Glass]

Oh, I nearly forgot ...

Welcome to APUG​

 

[film_man]

I buy most of my stuff from aperture in London or ffordes. You can also go to Grays which is Nikon only, they'll give you 12 months warranty on anything you buy but they are more expensive.

In any case, the FM2 is cheap enough that I consider it ebay material, that's where I got my FM2n and that's where I sold it. Under £100.

 

[narsuitus]

When I need to use a camera that fits your criteria, I use a Pentax ME.

1. Reliable – I obtained the ME in the photo below from an owner who had dropped it from a high closet shelf. It had a big dent in the prism housing. I did not expect it to work but was surprised that not only did it work but the light meter was even accurate.

2. Fast-ish Shutter Speed – Top shutter speed of 1/1000th second and top flash sync shutter speed of 1/100th second is fast enough for me.

3. Smallish –This is the smallest SLR I own. It is smaller than a Leica M2 rangefinder and smaller than an Olympus OM-1 SLR.

4. Cost less than $200 – One in excellent condition can be found at KEH.com for a lot less than $200.

https://flic.kr/p/9r9fc2

https://flic.kr/p/8XTGJa

 

[Xmas]

I buy most of my stuff from aperture in London or ffordes. You can also go to Grays which is Nikon only, they'll give you 12 months warranty on anything you buy but they are more expensive.

In any case, the FM2 is cheap enough that I consider it ebay material, that's where I got my FM2n and that's where I sold it. Under £100.

Confirmed

 

[Charles Wass]

As others have done, I would recommend the F-1, F-1n (not New F-1) or T90 if you have FD lenses. Unfortunately none of those meets your size requirement and the F-1s are heavy.

 

[thundertwin72]

Nikon FA: Program, Aperture, Speed & Manual modes. Like the Canon A1, but faster as both shutter and flash sync.
Nikon FE2: Aperture & Manual modes.
Nikon FM2 or FM2n: Manual mode.

Regards.

 

[Rick A]

How about a rock solid small light weight fully mechanical camera that only uses batteries to operate the meter. This is as small an an OM-1 and just as solid.
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
shameless self promo.

 

[zilali]

Thanks guys I think I am set on getting a FM2 or FE2 now. Just one question, I also shoot with my nikon 3100 DLSR, if I were to invest in a few AF prime lenses for the FM2 would these transfer over to my D3100 (albeit without the autofocus)?

 

[markbarendt]

Thanks guys I think I am set on getting a FM2 or FE2 now. Just one question, I also shoot with my nikon 3100 DLSR, if I were to invest in a few AF prime lenses for the FM2 would these transfer over to my D3100 (albeit without the autofocus)?

There are a lot of AF lenses that will work fine on these cameras. The comparable ones all have aperture rings. There are places that you can find compatibility lists.

The typical complaint about using AF lenses on MF cameras is simply the feel, MF lens focus adjustment typically has a smooth gentle resistance that makes focusing manually a pleasure. AF lenses typically have little if any resistance so your fingers don't get the same feedback. May seem like a small thing but it's kinda like the difference between the feel of a toy and a tool. (Both AF and MF lenses can be focused well manually, the quality of the result is not in question.)

The FM2 is a great camera, owned one for a long time and shot a lot with it. The only reason I gave it up was that the automation on the F100 and F5, AF and Flash mostly, has become very important in how I use 35mm cameras.

The FE2 is also a great camera when working properly and actually I prefer it's meter over the FM2 but I've had two FE2s and in both the shutters failed. If I were considering an FE2 again, and needed reliability, I'd be budgeting in and sending the camera off for a CLA before I ever put it into use.

 

[Alan Gales]

If I were considering an FE2 again, and needed reliability, I'd be budgeting in and sending the camera off for a CLA before I ever put it into use.

+1

 

[trythis]

can't really say much about them yet but for very cheap you can try out the Nikon FG. Its a budget camera but if you are moving away from the A1 you may miss the grip. The FA and FG both have them.

sent from phone. excuse my typing.

 

[markaudacity]

A Canon 7e may look bulky because of its shape, but it is actually smaller than an A1.

The Elan 7 is larger than the A1 by almost a centimeter in every dimension.

 

[MattKing]

The Elan 7 is larger than the A1 by almost a centimeter in every dimension.

I checked again, and the Elan 7 is larger.

It is lighter though.