Looking for recommendations for my next camera

[eliya]

Right now I'm shooting with a Canon A-1 with 50mm f1.4 and 35mm f2.8 lenses. I like the A-1 and it's been serving me well, especially after getting the 50mm calibrated and taking sharper photos. However, I'm looking for something sharper yet. I also wish the A-1 had the ability to spot meter and a quieter shutter/mirror slap (it draws so much attention every time it goes off). I've been looking at rangefinders because they're different beasts than SLRs, quieter, and I can probably take pictures at lower shutter speeds with less shake. Also considering medium format because pretty much everything I've seen that was shot on medium format cameras is beautiful and with very minimal grain.

My main requirements are these:
1) Have a wide range of lenses available. I'm not looking to collect, nor am I going to get a lens in every focal length. But I would like to, for instance, try different types of 50mm lenses and stick with the one I like the most.
2) Be somewhat compact. I don't mind something bigger and heavier than the A-1, but I take my camera with me in all types of situations. I ride my bike with it strapped to my shoulder, ride the train, etc. I've seen some medium format SLRs that are just way too big to lug around and want to avoid those.
3) under $1000 for the body, preferably the body + a lens.
4) built-in meter, but I wouldn't mind getting one of those attachment meters for the right camera.

The Leicas immediately come to mind, but the bodies are just too expensive. I know the M3 can be had for around or sometimes less than $1k, but that's really stretching my budget. Having to prep the film by cutting a longer leader is also a major turn off.

Are there cameras made with the M3 mount so they can accept different Leica lenses? I know there are several that were made with LTM, but I'm a bit hesitant. It's "last year's model" and to be fair, I don't know just how many lenses are available with that mount, or how many are affordable...

Another options is a Nikon F3. Very affordable and has a lot of lenses available! But an SLR still.

Like I mentioned earlier, I like the look of medium format cameras. The Fuji ones seem loved and appreciated by many. I heard that the Plaubel Makina 67 has a really great lens. I wouldn't mind getting medium format camera with a fixed fantastic lens.

I feel like there are a lot of options and opinions I'm not even aware of, and I would like to hear them all. Thank you!

 

[Steven Lee]

See if you could find a Konica Hexar RF (not AF!) or Minolta CLE. Those two would be my choice under $1K. They both will give you access to the incredible world of M-mount lenses. Other options include Zeiss Ikon ZM (almost as expensive as a Leica now) or Voigltander Bessa rangefinders, but those have a love-or-hate reputation for some reason.

 

[xkaes]

You've outlined the questions you have to answer -- and only you can.

If you want quiet, go with a rangefinder.

If you want the best results, go with medium format, but they are larger and heavier -- especially if you want interchangeable lenses. Which is more important?

You tell us -- or get BOTH.

 

[Dustin McAmera]

I read (including other threads on photrio) that 35mm T-grain film will do as good a job for you on fine grain as using old-school medium-format film. Certainly, I wouldn't want to carry a big MF camera on a bike. An old folder maybe; old cameras are my thing mostly. Fixed lens though.

Myself, I wouldn't swap the advantages of an SLR for a quieter shutter.

The Olympus OM2-SP has a spot meter, and is small for a 35mm SLR, like all the OMs.

 

[grain elevator]

If these lenses aren't sharp enough for you, my first suspicion is that your negative scans or prints are the problem, not the lenses. What have you been doing with your negatives? Second suspicion is camera shake. The rangefinder idea may have some merit there, but proper technique is also very important, and not all SLRs are equal either.

 

[L Gebhardt]

Within your budget, biking, and interchangeable lens constraints I don’t see medium format being feasible. Olympus OM 1 has a relatively quiet shutter and mirror, it’s small and so are the lenses. The lenses are nice, but in my testing they are not extremely sharp. I’ll be curious if anyone has better SLR suggestions.

Rangefinders generally have more primitive metering, but you could get an external spot meter. Rangefinder framing is also a bit loose, especially as you get closer to the subject. But despite all that a Leica is probably your best bet if you can find a good deal on one.

Check if your A1 is in need of new mirror damping foam. That can make the mirror slap worse.

 

[Dustin McAmera]

You could adapt your FD lenses to an EOS 3, which has partial and spot metering. But it also has motor film advance, which will make it louder not quieter than your A-1. You could then replace with EF lenses as and when you can/want to.

 

[guangong]

Taking a completely different direction, how about a Minox 8x11? Only one lens with one f stop, but extremely sharp with amazing resolution. An extremely robust take everywhere camera.
As already noted, only you can determine what camera appeals to you. Everybody is different. However, Sirius’ tag is true for all cameras, not just Hassies.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

The Leicas immediately come to mind, but the bodies are just too expensive. I know the M3 can be had for around or sometimes less than $1k, but that's really stretching my budget. Having to prep the film by cutting a longer leader is also a major turn off.

Are there cameras made with the M3 mount so they can accept different Leica lenses? I know there are several that were made with LTM, but I'm a bit hesitant. It's "last year's model" and to be fair, I don't know just how many lenses are available with that mount, or how many are affordable...

Some additional information:

Leica M bodies don't need trimming the film leader strip.

Voigtlander, Rollei, and others made cameras with the Leica M mount. You can buy vintage and new M lenses.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_M_mount

Many companies made cameras with the Leica thread mount (LTM). Many companies made lenses that fit. Some are recent (last decade or so). The Canon ltm lenses are excellent performers.

 

[Nitroplait]

The "not sharp enough" for the Canon 50/1.4 does not sound quite right unless you shoot wide open or there are still calibration problems, or your expectations are very high.
I can't say which from your post.

Regarding less sound:
One option is a late AF SLR - For example, the sound from my Nikon F80/N80 (including the build in motor) is much more inconspicuous compared to my older MF SLR's like my F3 or FE2 without motor (but it is admittedly less sexy).
Other brands may have similar options when it comes to new'ish and more quiet AF SLR's. It will also give you access to more recent optical designs which is where you'll get optimal sharpness - if that's an important goal.

Rangefinders are generally quiet and visually inconspicuous, but there is no free lunch and you can't have everything; the demand for these cameras have driven the price up - and if that is where you are drawn, then stop mulling over budget and avoid anything that looks cheap, because in that world cheap is cheap for a reason.
As current owner of 3xM bodies and 4xLTM bodies (and many more over the last 20 years) - I can tell you that they suck money out of your wallet like a vintage car - All Leica bodies I have owned over the years have needed service at least once.
In any case you will want to avoid LTM;
1. They are not really quiet - the shutter itself probably sounds like an M but the rotating shutter dial is quite noisy to my ears.
2. Sharp lenses (in the modern contrasty sense) are far between. The LTM world is dominated by vintage character lenses.

If going Rangefinder, you are probably best served with M compatibility. You can get affordable current M compatible Voigtlander lenses that are as sharp and contrasty as any new Leica lens at 3-4 times more.

 

[xkaes]

Within your budget, biking, and interchangeable lens constraints I don’t see medium format being feasible. Olympus OM 1 has a relatively quiet shutter and mirror, it’s small and so are the lenses. The lenses are nice, but in my testing they are not extremely sharp. I’ll be curious if anyone has better SLR suggestions.

If eliya wants small and light with interchangeable lenses -- with full features, the Minolta Maxxum 5 can not be beat. The smallest, lightest, most full featured FILM SLR ever made. Can be set for AUTO everything or AUTO nothing. Not as quiet as a rangefinder though, but certainly not as noisy as a mechanical SLR -- although it is one, and has auto-film advance (THAT can't be set to manual).

And did I mention you can get them in MINT condition for under $20 --WITH a zoom lens???

 

[Sirius Glass]

Some additional information:

Leica M bodies don't need trimming the film leader strip.

Voigtlander, Rollei, and others made cameras with the Leica M mount. You can buy vintage and new M lenses.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_M_mount

Many companies made cameras with the Leica thread mount (LTM). Many companies made lenses that fit. Some are recent (last decade or so). The Canon ltm lenses are excellent performers.

There is no need to trim the film leader for a Hasselblad either.

 

[Paul Howell]

Canon 7s with working meter, meter is not great but works within it's design, 28mm are within reason. For MF, Mamiya Press or Universal, you do need an external finder for a wide angle, a Pentax or Mamiya 645, good lens, meters are fine. then the Pentax 67.

 

[GregY]

You won't find a Plaubel Makina 67/670 for under $1k. A Leica CL would be a fine option as it's relatively low cost, Don Goldberg has repair parts, & you have access to a variety of both screw mount and M lenses.....even fine modern ones from Voigtlander and other manufacturers. & it the meter is approximately a spotmeter.


As far as small size, I also use a Rolleiflex or a Perkeo ll folder.....both have great lenses. While Tgrain films are sharp, medium format films advantage is in the negative size. Once you start talking interchangeable lenses.....medium format cameras are either expensive (e.g. Mamiya 6) or bulky (Pentax & Mamiya 645). You can't have it all.

 

[GregY]

Canon 7s with working meter, meter is not great but works within it's design, 28mm are within reason. For MF, Mamiya Press or Universal, you do need an external finder for a wide angle, a Pentax or Mamiya 645, good lens, meters are fine. then the Pentax 67.

"2) Be somewhat compact. I don't mind something bigger and heavier than the A-1, but I take my camera with me in all types of situations. I ride my bike with it strapped to my shoulder, ride the train, etc. I've seen some medium format SLRs that are just way too big to lug around and want to avoid those." ...... so much for the Pentax 67....

 

[4season]

@Nitroplait makes a good point about the lens: Canon FD 50/1.4 ought to be very good already, so unless something about the hardware is faulty, I wonder if the problem lies elsewhere.

 

[Les Sarile]

I'm not much of a rangefinder shooter but my first vintage camera acquisition was a Minolta Hi-Matic 9 with a fixed lens.

Minolta Hi-Matic 9 by Les DMess, on Flickr

It is so quiet that even in a library I can barely hear it fire!

 

[Paul Howell]

"2) Be somewhat compact. I don't mind something bigger and heavier than the A-1, but I take my camera with me in all types of situations. I ride my bike with it strapped to my shoulder, ride the train, etc. I've seen some medium format SLRs that are just way too big to lug around and want to avoid those." ...... so much for the Pentax 67....

The Mamiya 645 is within reason, but your right the Mamiya Press and Pentax 6x7 are way to big. Thinking about, as OP has a set of Canon FD mount lens, how about a T 70?

 

[Hassasin]

Leica R6 (or 6.2) or R7, and I prefer R7. The SL2 is another choice and great viewfinder, but in my house it collects dust now after R7 and R6 joined in. Can find any of these bodies with at least one lens, with luck & patience maybe even 3, for under 1K.

Just be sure lenses are always 3-cam type, much better resale value if they end up back on market again.

 

[Hassasin]

In MF department, Pentax 645 (the original one) as first choice or Mamiya M645 (again, the original one).

 

[GregY]

The Mamiya 645 is within reason, but your right the Mamiya Press and Pentax 6x7 are way to big. Thinking about, as OP has a set of Canon FD mount lens, how about a T 70?

He wants something compact and sharper than the Canon he has.... Another Canon won't do that.... i don't think he's in L glass....

 

[GregY]

I'm not much of a rangefinder shooter but my first vintage camera acquisition was a Minolta Hi-Matic 9 with a fixed lens.

Minolta Hi-Matic 9 by Les DMess, on Flickr

It is so quiet that even in a library I can barely hear it fire!

But no interchangeable lenses. & likely not sharper than what he has..... both criteria he's after.

 

[GregY]

The Mamiya 645 is within reason, but your right the Mamiya Press and Pentax 6x7 are way to big. Thinking about, as OP has a set of Canon FD mount lens, how about a T 70?

....but he's saying he wants something 'sharper'...... How would a T-70 provide different than his A-1 ?

 

[Les Sarile]

But no interchangeable lenses. & likely not sharper than what he has..... both criteria he's after.

I am addressing the OP's initial concerns. The OP postulated a quieter rangefinder could allow for lower shutter speeds with less shake therefore providing sharper results.

However, I'm looking for something sharper yet. I also wish the A-1 had the ability to spot meter and a quieter shutter/mirror slap (it draws so much attention every time it goes off). I've been looking at rangefinders because they're different beasts than SLRs, quieter, and I can probably take pictures at lower shutter speeds with less shake.

 

[GregY]

I am addressing the OP's initial concerns. The OP postulated a quieter rangefinder could allow for lower shutter speeds with less shake therefore providing sharper results.

My main requirements are these:
1) Have a wide range of lenses available. I'm not looking to collect, nor am I going to get a lens in every focal length. But I would like to, for instance, try different types of 50mm lenses and stick with the one I like the most.
2) Be somewhat compact. I don't mind something bigger and heavier than the A-1, but I take my camera with me in all types of situations. I ride my bike with it strapped to my shoulder, ride the train, etc. I've seen some medium format SLRs that are just way too big to lug around and want to avoid those.
3) under $1000 for the body, preferably the body + a lens.
4) built-in meter, but I wouldn't mind getting one of those attachment meters for the right camera.