Looking for the perfect mechanical SLR

[Steve York]

Relative light weight? Compared to what? These things are big heavy chunks of 35mm cameras.
I mean, I love mine so I'm not knocking them, and don't mind the weight, but relative to other 35mm cameras they are definitely husky.

Ha, ha, yes, but compared to a metered F/F2, Contarex, Leicaflex, F1, SRT, ect. Not compared to an OM1 or FM2 ect. A plain prism F/F2 is about 700g and if you can keep the camera/lens package down below 950g, then that's "relatively" light for a all metal, fully mechanical SLR. Even a classic M with a 35/2 will top 800g!

 

[Dismayed]

There is no way that I would buy a perfect camera. If I did, then how would I explain my bad photos?

 

[Huss]

There is no way that I would buy a perfect camera. If I did, then how would I explain my bad photos?

You didn't take a bad photo. You created art.

 

[Dismayed]

I compose using inspiration from chaos theory. But just the transition to disorder part.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Chaos good, order bad. Everything new is born of chaos, though chaos contains its own order. You do need to throw some disorder into the mix as (mathematically) chaos is deterministic.

 

[Huss]

I compose using inspiration from chaos theory. But just the transition to disorder part.

I just accidentally leave the lens cap on

 

[RLangham]

I just accidentally leave the lens cap on

That, to me is one of the most important advantages of an SLR. Not a skipped frame in a dozen rolls, that way.

I always hated that scene in Crocodile Dundee where the lady doesn't know that her lens cap is on, despite the fact that she has, I believe, a Canon A-1.

 

[Huss]

That, to me is one of the most important advantages of an SLR. Not a skipped frame in a dozen rolls, that way.

I always hated that scene in Crocodile Dundee where the lady doesn't know that her lens cap is on, despite the fact that she has, I believe, a Canon A-1.

Well, that's what makes metered Leica Ms superior to non metered ones. The wacky exposure readout should be a clue the lens cap is on. Should.

 

[RLangham]

Well, that's what makes metered Leica Ms superior to non metered ones. The wacky exposure readout should be a clue the lens cap is on. Should.

To me a Leica should be all-mechanical, so as to have no troublesome electronics to fail. But I will admit that the early metered ones were very technically impressive for the time.

 

[Chan Tran]

I guess it's relative - I usually shoot with a Nikon D850 most of the time and when I pick up my Nikon F2as it feels featherweight by comparison.

Here's a good review of the F2 vs F2as: https://sites.google.com/site/timrogersphoto/equipment/reviews-of-nikon-slr-cameras/nikon-f2as and another one specifically on the F2as here: https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/f2as.htm I fully concur with both reviews as they are consistent with my experience dating back to the mid-70's - and I've owned pretty much every Nikon SLR camera since.

But I think you don't have the MD-2/MB-1 motor drive and battery pack do you? If you don't then it's not a fair comparison as you don't have to cock the shutter on the D850.

 

[Huss]

To me a Leica should be all-mechanical, so as to have no troublesome electronics to fail. But I will admit that the early metered ones were very technically impressive for the time.

An M5/6/P is all mechanical. A non working meter doesn't stop you from taking pics. And if by some lucky chance the meter actually works (rare I know), well that's a bonus!

 

[RLangham]

An M5/6/P is all mechanical. A non working meter doesn't stop you from taking pics. And if by some lucky chance the meter actually works (rare I know), well that's a bonus!

A non-working meter bothers me immensely, though.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Maybe that could be a business - removing the dead meters from cameras, plugging the battery compartment, removing the wiring, blocking off the meter window. Bingo: a new camera - the M5 Meterless, made in small numbers for a most exclusive clientelle.

 

[Huss]

Maybe that could be a business - removing the dead meters from cameras, plugging the battery compartment, removing the wiring, blocking off the meter window. Bingo: a new camera - the M5 Meterless, made in small numbers for a most exclusive clientelle.

Leica should make a film M like that - no meter, only one speed of 1/1000 sec, and packaged with a Noctilux 50 .95 lens that has no aperture blades.
Think of it as the ultimate single use camera.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Leica should make a film M like that - no meter, only one speed of 1/1000 sec, and packaged with a Noctilux 50 .95 lens that has no aperture blades.

Damn, I can just see the hipster unboxing video.

 

[RLangham]

Leica should make a film M like that - no meter, only one speed of 1/1000 sec, and packaged with a Noctilux 50 .95 lens that has no aperture blades.
Think of it as the ultimate single use camera.

Early on, Leitz did come out with a single-shot "Leica" with a leaf shutter and a holder for a single frame of ~35mm cut film, for specialty (mostly scientific) purposes.

 

[Huss]

Early on, Leitz did come out with a single-shot "Leica" with a leaf shutter and a holder for a single frame of ~35mm cut film, for specialty (mostly scientific) purposes.

That would be Eminem's Leica

"Look if you had one shot.."

 

[Dismayed]

I just accidentally leave the lens cap on

I've done that. So now I use Op Tech hood hats - a bit more visible, so everyone near me knows when I've messed up. Fun hobby!

 

[flavio81]

So I thought I could combine the need for a more compact camera with the desire for a 100% mechanical one.

Pentax MX. End of search.

 

[juan]

F2

 

[Radost]

To me a Leica should be all-mechanical, so as to have no troublesome electronics to fail. But I will admit that the early metered ones were very technically impressive for the time.

Mechanical cameras have to be adjusted all the time. Electronic cameras mostly are 100 acurate. Most electronic boards will theoretically never fail. In the right enviorment they can work forever.
I have never been afraid of circuit boards failing. If they do is mostly an user error or water/humidity.

 

[RLangham]

Mechanical cameras have to be adjusted all the time. Electronic cameras mostly are 100 acurate. Most electronic boards will theoretically never fail. In the right enviorment they can work forever.
I have never been afraid of circuit boards failing. If they do is mostly an user error or water/humidity.

I live in an area where the humidity is regularly 100%... most lenses I find at thrift stores have fungus and most electronic cameras I find are caput.

 

[Chan Tran]

Mechanical cameras have to be adjusted all the time. Electronic cameras mostly are 100 acurate. Most electronic boards will theoretically never fail. In the right enviorment they can work forever.
I have never been afraid of circuit boards failing. If they do is mostly an user error or water/humidity.

Electronically controlled mechanical shutter (as we are talking about film cameras there are no true electronic shutters) do need to be adjusted. I heard that the Canon shutter powered by solenoid but Nikon shutter as I know are powered by spring and when spring tension changes so does the shutter speed especially on high speed.

 

[Radost]

Electronically controlled mechanical shutter (as we are talking about film cameras there are no true electronic shutters) do need to be adjusted. I heard that the Canon shutter powered by solenoid but Nikon shutter as I know are powered by spring and when spring tension changes so does the shutter speed especially on high speed.

Have had 10+ electronic canons and 10+ electronic minoltas and never had an issue. Timings on all electronic shutters is a lot more precise overtime compared to mechanical.Not becuase of the shutter mechanism but becuase of the timing mechanism. Its just the technology limitation. Regular CLA fixes that on mechanical cameras but I rather spend more money on film. One of the MAIN reason i use electronic camereas "appart from my 5 folders and Fujy 6x9" is I dont have to worry about wrong shutter times. I already spend a good amount on my folders CLA.

 

[Chan Tran]

Have had 10+ electronic canons and 10+ electronic minoltas and never had an issue. Timings on all electronic shutters is a lot more precise overtime compared to mechanical.Not becuase of the shutter mechanism but becuase of the timing mechanism. Its just the technology limitation. Regular CLA fixes that on mechanical cameras but I rather spend more money on film. One of the MAIN reason i use electronic camereas "appart from my 5 folders and Fujy 6x9" is I dont have to worry about wrong shutter times. I already spend a good amount on my folders CLA.

The timing of the electronic circuit can be very precise but the shutter current travel time is determined by the spring tension and thus the shutter speed can be different even if the timing is right on.