And Bud Powell too.
In your opinion, what are the best modern 35mm film SLRs ever built?
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And Bud Powell too.
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Pinetop
I would assume the best camera for the purpose stated, would be the one with the best matrix metering system. Couple that with the best array of lenses that will work with that camera and you should have your answer.
I think you already know which one it is!
I think you already know which one it is!
Best 35mm SLR ever built ? That's easy, the thing in the antique store given away by Time Magazine, or a humble Argus AF.
Best matrix metering system is when you use the (matrix metering) algorithm in your brain.
For purely mechanical there is a long list of Minolta, Pentax, Nikon and Canon cameras & lenses.
I have long preferred manual, mechanical cameras. So I have a pretty short list, but at the top of it is the original Canon F-1, second version, aka F-1n, and the Nikon F2. I like the F2A the best because of its practicality for mounting all F-mount lenses (except G, of course), but I wouldn't turn my nose up at an F2AS. One thing I like about the F2S, F2SB, and F2AS is they all have that low-light slow speed metering capability, which can come in handy from time to time.
Welcome back dear friend.
I have a F2SB but consider the low-light-long-speed metering feature something of a gimmick, since if i were in such low light levels and wanted to do a long exposure, i'd better use a handheld meter instead and use incident metering instead of reflected metering. It would give far more reliable results.
Of course the F2 cameras, all of them, have more sensitive meters than the one in the original F-1. (But the one in the F-1 is far more reliable than most of them)
I too prefer mechanical manual cameras and I use them, but 35mm is for light traveling without spending a lot of time one each photograph so I use the N75 for color prints, and the F100 for black and white with contrast filters as useful and necessary.
A sensible, unpretentious man.
Flavio, I would agree that the low-light, slow-speed capability with the F2 is something of a gimmick, and yes, I also agree that a handheld meter would be much preferred for best results. But I have always marveled at the way Nikon incorporated the self-timer with the shutter and even tied the meter into this wonderful bit of mechanical kit.
Oh, something else about the F2 I like, which I think is unique to the F2 -- could be wrong about this -- but it is possible to shoot at speeds between those that are shown on the shutter speed dial. This isn't a feature I can say that I've ever used, but ever since finding out about this, again I marveled at the creativity involved.
I still prefer the Canon F-1n, though. Those things are just about indestructible, and the meters don't quit. Being CDs meters, they may be slow, but they still work, some 45 years later, with the two I own., and they are still dead-nuts accurate.
Oh, something else about the F2 I like, which I think is unique to the F2 -- could be wrong about this -- but it is possible to shoot at speeds between those that are shown on the shutter speed dial. This isn't a feature I can say that I've ever used, but ever since finding out about this, again I marveled at the creativity involved.
I still prefer the Canon F-1n, though. Those things are just about indestructible, and the meters don't quit. Being CDs meters, they may be slow, but they still work, some 45 years later, with the two I own., and they are still dead-nuts accurate.
After all this talk about music, I’m guessing the best modern camera is a smartphone. You can shoot photos and listen to all that great music with only one device.
Too bad smartphones are mirrorless, so no SLR.
(Sorry, guys… don’t take my post seriously. I just couldn’t help myself…)
Too bad smartphones are mirrorless, so no SLR.
(Sorry, guys… don’t take my post seriously. I just couldn’t help myself…)
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I agree with you from a general photography aspect. People will ask my opinion of what camera to buy and I tell them they have a $1,000 camera in their pocket.
Are instant cameras considered modern? They'd get a vote as one of the best modern cameras ever made.
Such threads due to this never lead to any wisdom.
See here too:
Since the OP mentioned handholding in low light, an absolute must is image stabilized lenses. That probably narrows the choices to late model EOS or the F6 when considering the range of lenses available. I'd probably give the nod to Canon, simply because of the greater choice of stabilized prime lenses.
Both have excellent metering capabilities, I shot slides with a F6 and the matrix meter nails the exposure every time.
Both have excellent metering capabilities, I shot slides with a F6 and the matrix meter nails the exposure every time.
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Unless the image is back lit. I have an F6 and find the matrix metering just behaves like an avg meter. Back light your subject, then switch between matrix, center and spot and watch the results change. And this is with a D or G lens that is meant to take into account what is being focused on as the subject that needs to be exposed for.
That is one of the few things on any camera that truly pissed me off. The first time I tried it, I said, "This is on a Nikon?" That was after marveling that the meter readout was the best they could come up with.
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Nikon F2.
Cost less than beer drinking. More rewarding than fighting with ones spouse or partner. Yet more useful than tetraplyoctomy.
I have noticed the matrix meters in the F4 and F100 are biased for negative film (Portra, TriX etc) while the matrix meter in the F6 is biased for reversal type films which is why it emphasizes not blowing out highlights - thus the issue w backlit scenes.
I prefer the negative film bias as that is how I look at scenes.
I prefer the negative film bias as that is how I look at scenes.
Interesting. I have both an F4 and F6 and I haven't noticed that difference.
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