Most practical 35mm film camera 2016

blockend · Dec 7, 2016

Sure to be controversial, but with the holiday season just round the corner the question might raise some fun answers, and even a few intelligent ones! For someone primarily or exclusively shooting 35mm film, which camera would you recommend today? Can be new or second hand, SLR, rangefinder or other, but no delicate shelf queens - practical cameras capable of taking a few hundred films in their stride only!

DF · Dec 7, 2016

Without question - the Minolta X700, as well as the whole cadre of Minolta MD & MD Rokkor lenses. It's the ONLY camera I've used for 31 years now, and of course being in the dig---- age now, the price has come way down from it's original $400 or so $$ which I paid for my 1st one back in '84 at Shutan Camera Chicago.
Ten's of Thousands are out there on Ebay, as well as thrift shops.

flavio81 · Dec 7, 2016

blockend said:
Sure to be controversial, but with the holiday season just round the corner the question might raise some fun answers, and even a few intelligent ones! For someone primarily or exclusively shooting 35mm film, which camera would you recommend today? Can be new or second hand, SLR, rangefinder or other, but no delicate shelf queens - practical cameras capable of taking a few hundred films in their stride only!

There are many many cameras that are good / useful / great / and practical. Manymanymany.

So i'll give just a few names:

Nikon :
F2, F3, F4, FE, Nikkormat (any model), FM, FG, FA

Canon:
F-1, F-1N, EF, A-1, AE-1, AT-1, AV-1, T70, T90

Minolta:
SRT-101 and similar, X700, X500, X370, XE series, XD series, XK

Pentax:
Spotmatic, KX, KM, MX, ME, LX

...

Paul Howell · Dec 7, 2016

For cost, availability of lens, features, ease of use, and camera that can develop into a system Canon Rebel. Unlike Nikon almost all EOS lens will work on all film bodies. I shoot with Minolta A mount, which I like, but the new Sony A mounts bodies no longer have a screw drive, older Konica Minolta lens will only work with focus confirmation. My second choice would be a Pentax, although not all bodies will work with legacy lens and newer Pentax lens are motor driven, the SF1 and later high end models will work in crippled mode with K and M 42.

blockend · Dec 7, 2016

flavio81 said:
There are many many cameras that are good / useful / great / and practical. Manymanymany

That may be true, but in the interests of brevity I'd invite poster's to contribute one (maybe with an alternative for different reasons).

DREW WILEY · Dec 7, 2016

Gosh, the camera store down the street has a whole shelf of clean tested classic Nikon F-series cameras and barely used lenses at bargain pricing,
apparently as trade-ins for new digi cameras. Too bad that I already have one too many Nikons myself. But there are all kinds of good ones. The
old Pentax H-1's and then MX's were also wonderfully dependable. The main problem with older cameras is that you want to make sure all the dust seals are in good condition. Over time they tend to get gummy or decompose and need replacement. That's why its good to look at your potential purchase in person if possible, rather than just on a web auction site. In the latter case, it's important to ask. Sometimes I actually prefer the "look"
or rendering of older lenses rather than the very contrasty hard-sharp look of newer ones.

Theo Sulphate · Dec 7, 2016

My selection here is based on affordability, ease of maintenance or repair, a reasonable set of features, plus lack of proprietary electronics where a failure would render the camera unusable.

Rather than my usual habit of picking a series of cameras for various categories (e.g. rangefinder, SLR, 35mm, medium format, etc.), I'm going to pick just one camera from my vast collection:

Nikon FM

I also heartily agree that the Canon Rebel (specifically the Rebel G - also called 500N) is an amazing bargain and a very good camera. With an inexpensive 50/1.8 lens, it's even better. If you have older Canon FD lenses, choose a Canon FTb.

Prest_400 · Dec 7, 2016

Paul Howell said:
For cost, availability of lens, features, ease of use, and camera that can develop into a system Canon Rebel.

Second that, under a few conditions.
Midrange AF SLRs from the 90s (even 2000's) can go for quite low prices and are IMO a bargain.
Plus adds automation which makes it more practical, for some. I have a Fuji 6x9 which is unmetered and manual so appreciate an additional layer of convenience on the 35mm.

In my case, the local classifields seem to have higher prices on the EOS plus I do not know the lineup very well so I decided to just go for a Nikon F80. The thing came with a kit zoom, under $50... Lived in my beach backpack and entered into the sea, inches from water. Thanks to that carefree feeling I really got some nice shots out of it. Then wanted a 50mm f1.8 just to keep it kicking more seriously and I even saw a F90 coming as a "lenscap" for one.
So: Cheap to get, modern, Automation, ease of replacement (but not repair) are the strengths of AF SLRs. The modern design is inconspicuous in a way.

In the classic domain I do second the advice for Classic Nikon F, FM. I have an OM-1 but it locked up and decided to fork out towards an AF SLR awaiting more funds for the CLA.

OptiKen · Dec 7, 2016

I can see that this is creating a list of each of our favorite 35mm's.
Personally, I like Olympus and find them very durable, easy to use, with excellent optics. I especially like the way Zuiko lenses reproduce color.

I'd say pick up an Olympus OM - whatever your budget will allow. I love my OM-1n and OM-2s but even the lowly OM10 - OM40 are excellent cameras using the same glass.
Quick, easy, and a no-brainer shooter is the Olympus 105 Zoom or Trip or Stylist.
Older with fewer whistles are the Olympus 35RC or 35S.
Of course if you want to take lots of pictures on a limited budget, take a look at some of the half frame offerings. I love my Pen FT and it has never left me down.

Huss · Dec 7, 2016

The closest fitting the title description would be any from Praktica.

Barring that I would say the Nikon F6.

Alan Gales · Dec 7, 2016

I see two ways of going with this. A late model camera with Matrix metering or an early model that isn't battery dependent for camera operation. You can always use a separate meter.

As far as brand or SLR versus rangefinder, pick what you like.

neilt3 · Dec 7, 2016

Paul Howell said:
I shoot with Minolta A mount, which I like, but the new Sony A mounts bodies no longer have a screw drive, older Konica Minolta lens will only work with focus confirmation.

Where did you hear that one ?

Every single Sony alpha A-mount body is 100% compatible with every single Minolta and Sony alpha "A" mount lens .
All of the Sony DSLR and DSLT bodies have the mechanical screw drive to drive the focus the lenses from the very first ones sold with the Minolta 7000AF and 9000AF cameras from 1985 , to the latest SSM and SAM lenses being produced today .
Screw driven lenses are still in current production .

I think you might be thinking of the the mirror-less cameras they sell with the "E" mount .
These are much thinner cameras and use an all electronic lens that have no mechanical couplings for either aperture of focus drive .
Minolta and Sony "A" mount lenses can be used on an "E" mount body via an adapter ( needed due to the difference in lens flange distance ) , two types are available , one with the SLT mirror (LA-EA2/4) for the AF unit and a motor to drive screw driven lenses as well as SSM/SAM lenses .
And one without any AF unit (LA-EA1/3) , that relies on the cameras AF and can only focus lenses with a built in motor (SSM/SAM) .

Both Sony "A" mount and "E" mount cameras are sold under the "alpha" branding which does cause confusion .

I started off with Minolta film bodies with a 7000AF and bought Sony DSLR's to be able to continue using my Minolta AF lenses .
Main digital cameras now are the Sony a900 and a77ii .

With regards to the OP ,
My main 35mm film cameras are just as practical to use as digital , using the same lenses , and are just as familiar to use .
These are the Minolta Dynax 7 , Dynax 9 , Dynax 5 and Maxxum 70 ( the European one was sold as a Dynax 60 and having all the "7"s I had to get one from over the pond !) .
Apart from the Dynax 9 ( and earlier models ) the other are fully compatible with the new SSM and SAM lenses .

I also have a large selection of the Minolta SR mount manual focus cameras and lenses .
The two I use most are the X700 and XD7 , again both very practical to use .

If I'm doing something where image stabilization is an advantage , I will use some of my Canon EOS gear .
A Canon EOS ELAN 7NE or 50E mainly .

I have more 35mm and 120 SLR's , rangefinders , scale focus cameras and point and shoot ones to play with , but the above ones are the most practical for daily use .

Sirius Glass · Dec 7, 2016

flavio81 said:
There are many many cameras that are good / useful / great / and practical. Many many many.

So i'll give just a few names:

Nikon :
F2, F3, F4, FE, Nikkormat (any model), FM, FG, FA

Canon:
F-1, F-1N, EF, A-1, AE-1, AT-1, AV-1, T70, T90

Minolta:
SRT-101 and similar, X700, X500, X370, XE series, XD series, XK

Pentax:
Spotmatic, KX, KM, MX, ME, LX

...

What he said.

Move up in size and one can choose Hasselblad, Rollei and Mamiya.

Army35mm · Dec 7, 2016

I really like my Minolta X370S. Don't have much experience with 35mm cameras, but of the two I have (yashica tl Electro x, and the minolta) the 370s is definitely the more practical one in terms of weight, features, and lens availability/price.

NortheastPhotographic · Dec 7, 2016

Nikon F100, FMx, or Leica M3-6.

None will figuratively break the bank, few will literally break.

Helinophoto · Dec 7, 2016

Leica m6 and a good fifty!

AgX · Dec 7, 2016

Most practical?

A single-use one.

Paul Howell · Dec 7, 2016

neilt3 said:
Where did you hear that one ?

From Sony, specs on the A77ii

ENS COMPATIBILITY
Sony A-mount lenses, operation with Minolta/Konica Minolta lenses confirmed

I emailed Sony, so far to response.

tomfrh · Dec 7, 2016

Canon EOS, in particular EOS 30v, which I find more practical than the top of the line models. Much better size than say a canon 1v, which is as big as my pentax 645n.

pthornto · Dec 7, 2016

I agree with a lot of the posters...its hard to go too wrong with most of the major brands out there. I think it is mostly down to personal taste and application. If you like the convenience of modern zooms and automatic winding/exposure/focusing then there is a lot to recommend with the EOS and AF Nikon systems. The EOS rebels will do it all and if yours dies there lots out there and you can replace it for under 30 bucks. I second the recommendation for the EOS 30v which is a seriously nice body for not much money.

If you like the feel of an all metal manual focus machine then probably any of Nikon, Oly, Pentax, Minolta, Canon FD offer what you want- you may want to base practicality of the system on the availability and affordability of the lenses you want to use. I like the Olympus OM bodies but lenses are more difficult to come by (but not more expensive typically) than those for Nikon...they just made a lot more MF lenses over a longer history.

This is just talking 35mm SLRs...lots of great rangefinders out there (leica, canon) with lots of legacy lenses. Oh and lots of compact 35mm! Too much choice really....

pthornto · Dec 7, 2016

Prest_400 said:
Second that, under a few conditions.
Midrange AF SLRs from the 90s (even 2000's) can go for quite low prices and are IMO a bargain.
Plus adds automation which makes it more practical, for some. I have a Fuji 6x9 which is unmetered and manual so appreciate an additional layer of convenience on the 35mm.

In my case, the local classifields seem to have higher prices on the EOS plus I do not know the lineup very well so I decided to just go for a Nikon F80. The thing came with a kit zoom, under $50... Lived in my beach backpack and entered into the sea, inches from water. Thanks to that carefree feeling I really got some nice shots out of it. Then wanted a 50mm f1.8 just to keep it kicking more seriously and I even saw a F90 coming as a "lenscap" for one.
So: Cheap to get, modern, Automation, ease of replacement (but not repair) are the strengths of AF SLRs. The modern design is inconspicuous in a way.

In the classic domain I do second the advice for Classic Nikon F, FM. I have an OM-1 but it locked up and decided to fork out towards an AF SLR awaiting more funds for the CLA.

I agree with the idea of the modern AF cameras looking inconspicuous... it just looks like some other person (or tourist!) with a DSLR.....not a bad thing. The classic metal cameras usually draw more attention....

flavio81 · Dec 7, 2016

Paul Howell said:
For cost, availability of lens, features, ease of use, and camera that can develop into a system Canon Rebel. Unlike Nikon almost all EOS lens will work on all film bodies.

In this case I suggest a real sleeper, the EOS 650 or 620.

It is really well built, easy to use, much better viewfinder than most of the EOS cameras that came later, and tough. Probably cheaper than the Rebels as well.

flavio81 · Dec 7, 2016

OptiKen said:
Personally, I like Olympus and find them very durable, easy to use, with excellent optics.(...)
Older with fewer whistles are the Olympus 35RC or 35S.

I would say that the OM-s (1 and 2) are pretty, easy to use, and elegant, but I would not consider them to be equally tough and durable than a Nikkormat, Nikon F/F2/F3, Canon F-1/FT-series, or Minolta SRT-series. Quite the opposite i would dare to say that from all the cameras labelled as "professional" by Canon/Nikon/Minolta/Pentax/Olympus, the OM series are clearly the least favored in the "durable" or "tough" category.

Still a good choice, of course.

The Olympus 35RC is an excellent camera and a great option. As are all the "Olympus Pen" compacts, which I feel were the best cameras Olympus ever released. I am a huge fan of the Olympus Pen S.

OptiKen said:
I can see that this is creating a list of each of our favorite 35mm's.

Correct. My favorite is the Canon New F-1, followed by the F-1 and Nikon F2 (tie). I would never ever consider trading any of those for any OM camera, even the coveted OM-3 or -4. And I wouldn't trade my mint Canon New F-1 for any Leicaflex. The Canon stays. The F-1N is a dream to use, as it is as well the Nikon F2.

On the other hand i would never trade my Olympus Pen S or Pen W for any similar camera -- certainly will not trade it for a Rollei 35 camera! Been there, the Olympus was a better product.

flavio81 · Dec 7, 2016

DF said:
Without question - the Minolta X700, as well as the whole cadre of Minolta MD & MD Rokkor lenses. It's the ONLY camera I've used for 31 years now

A friend of mine has lots of medium format cameras (Mamiya 7, two Hasselblads) but had no 35mm machine. He saw a X700 with 50/1.4 for a good price and asked me what I thought. He originally wanted a Nikon F3. I told him to forget the F3 and go for the Minolta, that it was a much better camera than what its ugly looks would suggest.

He bought it and he is extremely happy. Minolta made really, really good cameras. I would say that of the japanese 35mm makers, usually Minolta made the best cameras, Canon and Pentax made the best lenses, and Nikon gave you the almost-perfect camera with the almost-perfect lenses.

MartinCrabtree · Dec 7, 2016

Nikon FM2n and a 50MM f1.8 Ais.

Most practical 35mm film camera 2016

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