Looking for the perfect mechanical SLR

Crantz · Jul 12, 2021

reddesert said:
Yashica TL Electro X (not the regular TL Electro) and Vivitar 220/SL both have an M42 mount and a vertical travel metal shutter, mechanical.

I looked at the TL Electro X when I got into film last year. Therefore I know that it was the very first camera with an electronic not mechanical shutter. Besides it's heavy as a brick. Also looked at the Vivitar 220 already, unfortunately it needs mercury cells.

Bazza D said:
I have a Cosina C1. It is as modern and as you can get and simple.

Now this is what I was looking for! I mean it looks rather... interesting? But searching for specs I came across the Cosina CT-1A and CT-1 Super which sounds like everything I need so far. Mechanical metal shutter, modern batteries. Haven't found anything regarding size but doesn't seem to be big and bulky. Can anyone tell me something specific about these models?

Bazza D · Jul 12, 2021

I don't know if you will find many detailed specs. But my Cosina C1 is 13.5 oz/380 g without a lens. 5.25 inches/133 mm long. 3 inches/ 76 mm tall. and 2 inches/ 51 mm deep from lens mount to back.I found one source listed the CT-1 as 420 g/14 ozs. So still less than a pound. I bought my C1 because it was small, light, inexpensive and more modern than most cameras. I also liked the idea of a Cosina badged camera because they are usually sold under other names. The CT-1 Super is mostly the same as the C1. The C1 was restyled and eventually moved the ISO dial. Maybe someone has a CT-1 that can give you better specs. I have a Nikon FM and I like my Cosina C1 just as much. I wouldn't part with either.

There are many cameras in the CT-1 family to choose from.
Link below is to list of cameras descended from CT-1, it is a substantial list.
http://manilacamerastyle.com/post/1427156173/sent-in-ricoh-kr-5-super-ii

jimjm · Jul 12, 2021

Here's some specs on the Cosina C1s, which is more or less the same as the C1. (Not to be confused with the older CS-1, which had a cloth shutter). Might meet all the requirements you're looking for. Most likely not as rugged as something like the Nikon FM, but that may not be a concern for you.
Cosina also used metal shutters on their Voigtlander rangefinder cameras, which were very popular.
I've had one FM body for over 20 years now, as well as the FE, FE2 and FM2n, and they've all worked flawlessly. The Nikon FM can be used with virtually any Nikkor lens from 1959 onwards, as well as any AF lenses that have an aperture ring.
The big advantage with the Nikon is that it would most likely be easier to repair, if needed. A lot lighter than the pro-level bodies, but still very durable.

hashtagquack · Jul 12, 2021

Crantz said:
Thanks so far but as I said, I don't want a cloth shutter. In fact I already have a Fujica ST 801 on my shelf - with a faulty shutter. Getting the Fujica repaired is something I thought about, because apart from the shutter it's in perfect condition. But I definitely prefer looking explicitly for a metal shutter at this point.

Unfortunatly the Bessaflex is horribly expensive in Germany and I don't want to fiddle around with importing one from Japan. Otherwise it would be a no-brainer in my situation.

Ah my mistake. I didnt have it to hand but I can see now that you are indeed correct. I am an avid user of the m42 system and find myself switching between the Fuji ST801, Pentax SV and Spotmatic for bodies. Unfortunately all cloth shuttered cameras...

BradS · Jul 12, 2021

There is no perfect SLR (nor perfect anything for that matter). Good enough is perfect.

what’s wrong with a cloth shutter?

Paul Howell · Jul 12, 2021

I need to look for a Cosian C1s, I have a Chinon CM and CE3, but the Cosina version is a bit lighter and I like the looks of it. Maybe hard to find.

Alan Gales · Jul 12, 2021

BradS said:
There is no perfect SLR (nor perfect anything for that matter). Good enough is perfect.

what’s wrong with a cloth shutter?

There is nothing wrong with cloth shutters as long as they are not old and rotted with plenty of pinholes.

I agree with you on no perfect SLR or any other camera or lens for that matter.

Of course saying there is nothing perfect in this world would be wrong. You forgot about me!

grain elevator · Jul 12, 2021

Right I, like apparently most, apparently missed that you're willing to move away from m42. If there are no other constraints, why look further than a Nikon FM (-something)? Fulfills all requirements.

BradS · Jul 12, 2021

Treat yourself to a Leica MP and a 50mm Summicron.

grat · Jul 12, 2021

Konica AutoReflex. The meter is frequently non-functional, and takes mercury batteries. Both are fixable. Lenses range from light to massive, an M42 adapter is available, and all the lenses are quality-- and relatively inexpensive.

Auer · Jul 12, 2021

Pentax Spotmatic, Canon FT/FTb

Absolutely love my FT, with the fast Canon FL glass. (yes I like FL glass more than FD glass)

drkhalsa · Jul 12, 2021

Crantz said:
I looked at the TL Electro X when I got into film last year. Therefore I know that it was the very first camera with an electronic not mechanical shutter. Besides it's heavy as a brick.

I have a TL Electro X and have thought the camera is pretty light. It's the Yashinon lenses that are heavy. With the Pentax SMC 55mm f1.8 mounted, it seems quite light and manageable.

markjwyatt · Jul 12, 2021

For M42 AND metal shutter, look for a good Praktica (LTL or MTL) series. One of my main metal shutter M42 cameras is an MTL5. I also have an LTL3. For cloth shutters I use Fujica 705W, 605N, plus a few Spotmatics (with couple of odd cameras in the mix).

BradS · Jul 12, 2021

Although not nearly as elegant as the Pentax Spotmatics, the Vivitar 220/SL, 250/SL, 400/SL, 420/SL and 450/SLD are all mechanical, M42 mount, and have Copal square (vertical travel, metal) shutters.

BobD · Jul 12, 2021

Yashica TL Super (not the Electro models) has M42 mount, uses modern battery and is not too heavy (but has a cloth shutter).

Les Sarile · Jul 13, 2021

Crantz said:
I looked at the TL Electro X when I got into film last year. Therefore I know that it was the very first camera with an electronic not mechanical shutter. Besides it's heavy as a brick. Also looked at the Vivitar 220 already, unfortunately it needs mercury cells.

Now this is what I was looking for! I mean it looks rather... interesting? But searching for specs I came across the Cosina CT-1A and CT-1 Super which sounds like everything I need so far. Mechanical metal shutter, modern batteries. Haven't found anything regarding size but doesn't seem to be big and bulky. Can anyone tell me something specific about these models?

Side by side and weights of some of the bodies you've used for reference as well as some of the recommendations.

Selection 66 by Les DMess, on Flickr

Never had a Cosina but looking at the manual for the CT-1A shows a weight of 450grams. Makes me think less material was incorporated. This writeup seems to confirm that stating, "The plates are plastic and the body feels rather cheap." Article at https://www.35mmc.com/11/10/2019/cosina-ct-1-and-its-lengthy-legacy-by-ben-okeeffe/

The only other Pentax I know with metal - titanium horizontal shutters, is the Pentax LX. However, it is a hybrid electronic/manual camera so when batteries die, you only have shutters from sync speed (1/75) to 1/2000 and bulb available. With batteries, it is aperture priority capable. I was just shooting last week in daylight hours when the batteries died and was still able to continue just fine.

Of course the Pentax MX is the tiniest and fully manual. With the 40mm pancake, it is practically jacket pocketable.

Size Lineup by Les DMess, on Flickr

reddesert · Jul 13, 2021

Crantz said:
I looked at the TL Electro X when I got into film last year. Therefore I know that it was the very first camera with an electronic not mechanical shutter. Besides it's heavy as a brick. Also looked at the Vivitar 220 already, unfortunately it needs mercury cells.

You are correct, the TL Electro has a mechanical horizontal/cloth shutter and the TL Electro X has an electronic vertical metal shutter. I don't really think the batteries are a big problem, but if metering is important, the open-aperture metering on a Nikon/Pentax K/Olympus/whatever is superior in usability to the stop-down and meter switches on most M42 cameras.

The thing is, it's possible to come up with a set of specs that paints you into a corner or narrows your choice down to roughly one camera, regardless of whether that one is actually the most usable or reliable choice. M42 + mechanical + metal shutter + modern battery + small body corners you into a small niche of time, since M42 was going out around the time some of the other criteria were coming in. Electronic shutters actually aren't so bad, since the batteries typically have low current drain and last a very long time, unlike the batteries in a digital camera. Or you could stick with the cloth shutter and get one that has a reliable reputation, like a Nikkormat, Konica, or Olympus OM-1. Or abandon the M42 mount and there are a few cameras that meet all the other criteria (Nikon FM, maybe some Pentax, Yashica FX-3).

RalphLambrecht · Jul 13, 2021

Crantz said:
Hi,

A year and a half ago I asked for advice on which camera to use for my collection of M42 lenses. Some time has passed, I found the then perfect camera for me in the Revue 5005 (a rebadged Chinon CE II). After countless rolls over the summer and winter and really getting into film it's now time for change.

The major problem I have with my 5005 is its weight and bulk. It's too heavy for me to use as an everyday camera and it doesn't fit into my little camera bag. I always have to use my big one which I don't want when I'm just walking around taking photos.

So I thought I could combine the need for a more compact camera with the desire for a 100% mechanical one. Not that I really need a mechanical one, I'm perfectly fine with my 5005's electronic shutter, I just want to have one, you probably know that feeling.

I did some research and came up with two models, the Yashica FX-3 and the Nikon FM/FM2. I have only M42 lenses so the Yashica would have the advantage of being able to use my existing lenses with a simple adapter. The Nikons however are arguably the nicer to use cameras and I really only use 28 and 50mm when walking around so I don't need the whole range of focal lenghts. I could just get two Nikkor lenses and be fine.

But those two models can't be everything so my question is what other cameras should I look at? Another requirement is a metal shutter. I had my problems with cloth, I don't want it. So I am explicitly looking for cameras with a mechanical metal shutter. They have to have a meter and use modern batteries, I can't guess exposure well. They must be light and compact. At best they have a mount I could adapt M42 to (Pentax, C/Y, Minolta) or M42 itself but that's not a dealbraker if not. And last but not least it shouldn't be a Praktica, I don't like them.

Thanks in advance.

I bet you'd never regret getting a Nikon FE.

tokam · Jul 13, 2021

Another consideration in selecting any of these older mechanical cameras is the type of metering cells it uses - CDS or silicon photocells.

For example I have a Spotmatic and a Fujica ST605N. The Spotmatic uses CDS and it's response is lamentably slow compared to the silicon cell meter in the ST605N. Additionally, older cameras like the Spotmatic usually require 1.35V batteries, (excepting the Spotmatic amongst a few others.) The ST605N uses 1.5V cells which are currently available as either alkaline or silver oxide.

Both meters are similar in accuracy but the responsiveness of the match needle metering in both cameras is day and night by comparison. Having said this the build quality on the Spotmatic is far better than the Fujica. The Fujica button for metering and stop down is more convenient than the switch on the Spotmatic. It's all swings and roundabouts.

In the end I would be looking for a mechanical camera with silicon cell metering that uses 1.5V batteries. Plenty of M42 mount options noted above.

choiliefan · Jul 13, 2021

Mamiya 1000 DTL is an impressive M42 body.
Bright viewfinder and has a spot meter. Original lenses are available as well.
The even older Olympus FTL is a bit lighter in weight but pretty bare-boned.

Michael Firstlight · Jul 13, 2021

To me, the pinnacle of all-mechanical SLRs is the Nikon F2as. I still have mine in addition to a Pentax MX and a Canon FTb - thee of the best, but the F2as wins hands down of the three.

Mike

Ko.Fe. · Jul 13, 2021

I have tried different SLRs. But never Pentax, M42. To me best everyday, everywhere SLR was Nikon EM. Small, simple and accurate. I have bunch of Vivitar lenses for it and they are not expensive, but good lenses.
The whole mechanical thing only makes sense during long walking under -20 C. Batteries craps out withing half-hour.

I have no idea whats the buzz about Canon FTn here. Heavy, not elegant and nothing special. With odd mount. Got it for free, fixed it and gave it for free.

Rick A · Jul 13, 2021

Olympus FTL.

Ko.Fe. · Jul 13, 2021

BradS said:
Treat yourself to a Leica MP and a 50mm Summicron.

IIIc with collapsible Cron and SBOOI is more compact and reliable.

Chan Tran · Jul 13, 2021

RalphLambrecht said:
I bet you'd never regret getting a Nikon FE.

I have a few FE's and they are OK but none are as good condition as my FM's. I don't know if the people who used the FE didn't treat them well or the FE isn't as tough as the FM.

Looking for the perfect mechanical SLR

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