Looking for the perfect mechanical SLR

[Radost]

Does anyone have a digital Leica M that you can donate to this spectacle of putting these monstrosities to good use?

The leica range finder will get out of alighment when you sneeze on it.

 

[Huss]

The leica range finder will get out of alighment when you sneeze on it.

You've obviously never used one.

 

[Radost]

You've obviously never used one.

I use to have a m9 for 2 days that I returned. And a m3 before i found Minolta CLE.

 

[Huss]

I use to have a m9 for 2 days that I returned. And a m3 before i found Minolta CLE.

Sure you did.

 

[Down Under]

I am so sorry if this pricks your bubble, but 'perfect' does not exist.

Go for 95% and get a Nikkormat FT2. They last forever and can be used without batteries. The 50/2.0 is all you will ever need, but there are gazllions of other good lenses on the secondhand market, Nikkors and other brands. Light and easily carried. Good looking with an original Nikon F strap and a light yellow filter for B&W for a UV for color, again Nikons of course.

Go forth, shoot, never look back.

 

[George Mann]

Go for 95% and get a Nikkormat FT2. They last forever and can be used without batteries.

The majority of them need service by now. The Praktica MTL series is a foolproof option for less money.

The 50/2.0 is all you will ever need,

One of the best lenses ever made. I have been using mine for over 45 years.

 

[Radost]

Sure you did.

Not interested in high school talk.

 

[Huss]

Not interested in high school talk.

That's not what I heard.

 

[Huss]

I am so sorry if this pricks your bubble, but 'perfect' does not exist.

Go for 95% and get a Nikkormat FT2. They last forever and can be used without batteries. The 50/2.0 is all you will ever need, but there are gazllions of other good lenses on the secondhand market, Nikkors and other brands. Light and easily carried. Good looking with an original Nikon F strap and a light yellow filter for B&W for a UV for color, again Nikons of course.

Go forth, shoot, never look back.

YES!! THIS!!!!
ahem, I happen to be selling a gorgeous black FT2. Best camera ever.

 

[Radost]

That's not what I heard.

What is your next line? "That's what she said?
Grow up.

 

[Huss]

What is your next line? "That's what she said?
Grow up.

Who says that? Let's get this back on track. You don't like Leicas even though you've never used one. Continue.

And please mention that a Nikon FT2 is much better. I will agree with you.

 

[Radost]

Who says that? Let's get this back on track. You don't like Leicas even though you've never used one. Continue.

And please mention that a Nikon FT2 is much better. I will agree with you.

Never said I dont like leicas. They are just too big and heavy. Not a pocket camera and not good 28mm solution. If minolta CLE did not exist I would probobly still have the m3. But honestly Voighlander R4m comes before the leica for the ability to use 28mm.
Never had a Nikon. Always wanted to have an autofocus F4. Was never able to buy one.
I have Canon AE1, Ae1Program. Minolta SRT100 and XD11.
Overtime I realized that a small camera in the pocket is better than backpacks full of lenses and heavy cameras.
I do it for fun.

 

[zanxion72]

Nikon FM series are simply the best. Lightweight, accurate, very durable and of the best looking mechanical cameras ever made.
Nikkormat Ft2 weights 800g. It is a wonderful camera, I love that all can be controlled with one hand without taking the eye off the viewfinder, but for me it is ultra heavy. I like much better the tinny FM for being smaller and lighter.
If you don't mind the weight, go for an FT2.

 

[Horatio]

Anyone know if the OP has made a choice?

 

[Craig75]

I think it's all about radost's mind Gardens now rather than op

 

[removed account4]

Never said I dont like leicas.

nope you said that plastic bodied electronic run battery run cameras are more durable than a metal bodied camera
I'm still trying to figure that out, because it doesn't make any sense, even after thinking about it for 2 weeks.
can you please explain to me how this is true, im not talking about electronic metering systems and shutters that go to 1/20,000second because none of that really matters in the end. I would even venture to say that a Pentax k1000 that I have been using since 1980 is more durable than the cameras you mentioned.
it works without batteries too.

 

[George Mann]

YES!! THIS!!!!
ahem, I happen to be selling a gorgeous black FT2. Best camera ever.

I am finding that I prefer the simple meter needle in the FT series over the one in my EL.

My current FT2 is a train wreck however.

 

[PerTulip]

Nikon FM series are simply the best. .....

I tried to like the FM2. If it had the metering display of the FE2, it would be perfect. Faced with the decision: a) FM2 and hate the metering display or b) FE2, not being fully mechanical but with a metering display I love, I went for the FE2.

 

[Huss]

I tried to like the FM2. If it had the metering display of the FE2, it would be perfect. Faced with the decision: a) FM2 and hate the metering display or b) FE2, not being fully mechanical but with a metering display I love, I went for the FE2.

The meter display in the FE2 is so good. Shame mine started developing electrical issues (random shutter timings).

 

[markjwyatt]

The meter display in the FE2 is so good. Shame mine started developing electrical issues (random shutter timings).

Shhh!.... Radost is not going to want to hear that

 

[flavio81]

The meter display in the FE2 is so good. Shame mine started developing electrical issues (random shutter timings).

It just needs service. The timing depends on some switches around the mirror box. These switches need to be cleaned and the position adjusted.

Once serviced, it's a very reliable machine, as are many electronic cameras, like the Pentax ME, Canon A-series, and some others.

 

[Horatio]

It just needs service. The timing depends on some switches around the mirror box. These switches need to be cleaned and the position adjusted.

Once serviced, it's a very reliable machine, as are many electronic cameras, like the Pentax ME, Canon A-series, and some others.

I have a very nice FE2, but the film door is difficult to close. I have to really push it into place. There are no obvious signs of deformity of the door or body, or the latch mechanism. Is this typical of the FE2 series?

 

[Moose22]

The meter display in the FE2 is so good. Shame mine started developing electrical issues (random shutter timings).

I LOVE the needle meters. They just work for how I shoot, and it's the #1 feature of the FM3A over the F3 and FA I have. It's super easy to see how much over and under everything is, know what's going to blow out, etc without thinking too hard.

 

[flavio81]

I have a very nice FE2, but the film door is difficult to close. I have to really push it into place. There are no obvious signs of deformity of the door or body, or the latch mechanism. Is this typical of the FE2 series?

No but it might be some rust around the mechanisms. A little bit of cleaning and lubrication of the door latch system should help.

 

[Horatio]

No but it might be some rust around the mechanisms. A little bit of cleaning and lubrication of the door latch system should help.

Thanks. No rust, but after a little trial and error I discovered the door latch prong was ever so slightly misaligned, so I coaxed it into better alignment. It now closes quite easily with only slight pressure. It also opens more easily.