Manual focus SLR with AP mode but no DX coding? Good options?

CHX · Mar 17, 2014

I could really benefit from some advice here. I've had a nightmare of a time deciding on what to go for. I'm currently using a Zenit 11 and Pentax P30, but I really would like something that has consistent build quality, with a solid aperture priority mode, a decent flash sync speed, but either no DX coding or over-ridable DX coding. I've current got a Zenit 18 which is beautiful but has some issue with the electronics that renders it a nice ornament at the moment.

I'm tossing up between:
* Praktica BX20 - A good option? Reliable?
* Minolta X500 - Can't find information on wether or not DX coding can be over-ridden.
* Zenit APK - Hard to find, but Pentax K mount great for choice of affordable lenses.

Are there any other good candidates? My budget is fairly tight (£50 odd for body only).

wilper · Mar 17, 2014

How about Pentax ME?

No manual shutter speed selection, but it does aperture priority like you requested.
It uses ordinary LR44 batteries. Uses Pentax K-mount lenses.

wilper · Mar 17, 2014

Or a Chinon CE-4?

Manual shutter speed or aperture priority. LR44 batteries, Pentax K-mount lenses. My favorite 35mm camera, liked it so much that I bought a replacement when the first one died (it was worn smooth, I don't suspect issues with bad quality or anything like that.)

David Allen · Mar 17, 2014

Most cameras with DX coding can be over-ridden by using either the dedicated DX over-ride or, if there isn't one, by using the exposure over-ride.

Bests,

David.
www.dsallen.de

Peltigera · Mar 17, 2014

Any Canon EOS camera. They have a DX system but you can manually input the film speed if you want to. You can pick up a 3-digit model for around £5.00 and a EOS 50e for about £25.00

Rick A · Mar 17, 2014

Olympus OM-2 or OM-4(my preference).

Xmas · Mar 17, 2014

Nikon small chassis EM/FG/FG-20 offer a range of automation and should be cheap with a series E lens.

drkhalsa · Mar 17, 2014

The Nikon FG and the Minolta X-370 both have Aperture Priority and manual setting of the film speed.

Either should fit your budget.

onepuff · Mar 17, 2014

The Olympus OM-2 or OM-2n should fall within your budget for a very good but not mint one. These have centre-weighted off-the-film metering and are reliable as they were designed for professional use. The things to watch for are sticky foam seals (not a worry as they are pretty easy to diy replace), pinholed shutter curtains (obvious if you old it to the light) and sticking meter needle (it can stick on the end stop and this would require a full service effectively to fix). The flash sync is 1/60th which is normal for fp shutters of this period of manufacture. The OM-2SP also fits the bill if you can find a good one but they can eat batteries and there are more electronics to go wrong. The OM-4ti will flash sync at any speed when used with the F-280 flash and has the fantastic multi-spot metering but will be out of your budget.

elekm · Mar 17, 2014

The Nikon FE is aperture priority with a 1/90 flash-synch speed.

Also, there is the Ricoh KR10 Super, although I find the shutter to be too loud.

The Minolta XG7 is aperture priority, although I would opt for the XD-11, which offers both and is a beautiful camera. You probably will have to re-cover it.

Also, the Yashica FX-D Quartz and its sibling, the Contax 139 Quartz. Don't recall the synch speed, but it should be higher, because it's a vertical metal blade shutter.

And the Rolleiflex SL35 E, 2000F and 3003/3001, which have an excellent offering of Zeiss, Schneider and Rolleinar (made by Mamiya) lenses. However, these bodies have a reputation for faulty electronics - the 3003/3001 less so than the others.

Jeff Kubach · Mar 17, 2014

You might the Canon T-90 and one of the FD lenses. `Should be inexpensive.

Jeff

Nick Merritt · Mar 17, 2014

I second (or third) the suggestion of a Nikon FE.

pbromaghin · Mar 17, 2014

The X-700 is a great camera. I have the twin x-570 and it is my favorite. It does not have DX coding. Oh, and well within your budget.

CHX · Mar 17, 2014

Loads of options! Thanks, everyone

elcabezagrande · Mar 17, 2014

I would consider the Canon A-1.

Kyle M. · Mar 17, 2014

A Nikon F3 would be my recomendation, aperture priority and full manual with no DX coding. Having aperture and shutter speed both displayed in the viewfinder is nice as well.

BMbikerider · Mar 17, 2014

CHX said:
I could really benefit from some advice here. I've had a nightmare of a time deciding on what to go for. I'm currently using a Zenit 11 and Pentax P30, but I really would like something that has consistent build quality, with a solid aperture priority mode, a decent flash sync speed, but either no DX coding or over-ridable DX coding. I've current got a Zenit 18 which is beautiful but has some issue with the electronics that renders it a nice ornament at the moment.

I'm tossing up between:
* Praktica BX20 - A good option? Reliable?
* Minolta X500 - Can't find information on wether or not DX coding can be over-ridden.
* Zenit APK - Hard to find, but Pentax K mount great for choice of affordable lenses.

Are there any other good candidates? My budget is fairly tight (£50 odd for body only).

The BX20 had a mixed reputation and as it was not top of the buyers list when it was made, there are very few good examples around now. The Zenit, made in the USSR was a basic manual brick of a camera which had very little going for it, again they have been out of production for quite a while and not easily found. Another one to stay away from. Well I would not buy one!.

Th Minolta X500 is much better than either of the two above. Not as popular as the X700 and not as many made but in my view a better camera. It does not have DX coding, all film speeds are set manually. A good buy if you can find one. The lenses are reasonably priced too and all are available from 20mm (quite rare) up to 300 also quite rare, but anything else including zooms are easy to find. As a starter the 35/70 zoom was absolute cracker and can be picked up for around £30 or so.

You could also look at the Olympus OM10/20/30/40, Pentax ME/ME Super/MV models all quite reasonably priced now. Non of these had DX coding for film speed, but that is something less to go wrong!

blockend · Mar 17, 2014

wilper said:
Or a Chinon CE-4?

Manual shutter speed or aperture priority. LR44 batteries, Pentax K-mount lenses. My favorite 35mm camera, liked it so much that I bought a replacement when the first one died (it was worn smooth, I don't suspect issues with bad quality or anything like that.)

Good shout. The OP is in England and Chinon sold exclusively through Dixons, a high street chain. There are zillions around, and they frequently come with extra lenses, flash, a bag and an easy past life in mature and caring hands. Unlike some cameras, Chinons are rarely thrashed to death.

blockend · Mar 17, 2014

Kyle M. said:
A Nikon F3 would be my recomendation, aperture priority and full manual with no DX coding. Having aperture and shutter speed both displayed in the viewfinder is nice as well.

For £50 an F3 would be the living dead. Or possibly the dead dead.

Ricardo Miranda · Mar 18, 2014

CHX,
As you have already a Pentax, how about a ME Super or the Super A? If you want the latest manual focus with DX and override, how about a MZ-M?
They are all within your budget.

Ap507b · Mar 18, 2014

Nikon F301 perhaps? Aperture priority & DX override & a flash sync of 1/125. Only real downer is no Aperture indication in the viewfinder. As for cost, I paid £12.99 for a body on ebay recently.

Copyhat · Mar 18, 2014

Konica Autoreflex T3; solid, shutter priority automatic fully mechanical camera from before the days of DX. Depth of field preview, timer release, shutter speed ranging 1/1000 - 1 second + bulb and 1/125 flash synch. Meter is powered by two 1.35v cells that can last for years. Konica Hexanon glass is some of the best out there for 35mm SLR's, the 50mm f/1.7 being just as sharp as the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8.

Nikon FE/FG/FG20; just as small as the Konica, but with fully electronic shutter. It's an entry level camera in my eyes, but one served my Uncle well back in the 80's.

lxdude · Mar 18, 2014

wilper said:
How about Pentax ME?

No manual shutter speed selection, but it does aperture priority like you requested.
It uses ordinary LR44 batteries. Uses Pentax K-mount lenses.

Or better, the ME Super instead. Manual shutter speeds 4 seconds to 1/2000, 1/125 flash sync, ASA 12 to 1600.

Inexpensive, easy to find.

Paul Howell · Mar 18, 2014

Copyhat said:
Konica Autoreflex T3; solid, shutter priority automatic fully mechanical camera from before the days of DX. Depth of field preview, timer release, shutter speed ranging 1/1000 - 1 second + bulb and 1/125 flash synch. Meter is powered by two 1.35v cells that can last for years. Konica Hexanon glass is some of the best out there for 35mm SLR's, the 50mm f/1.7 being just as sharp as the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8.

Nikon FE/FG/FG20; just as small as the Konica, but with fully electronic shutter. It's an entry level camera in my eyes, but one served my Uncle well back in the 80's.

Konica TC or FT 1 motor, the FT 1 motor uses AAA batteries, no DX at all, but as with the T3, it is shutter speed priority rather than apature priority. FT has a built in winder, about 2 FPS, manual rewind. A standard kit of glass 28, 50, 135 and 200 easy to find and not too expensive, other Konica glass can be pricy.

Chan Tran · Mar 18, 2014

There are so many good ones out there and almost all of them are very affordable.

Manual focus SLR with AP mode but no DX coding? Good options?

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