most reliable

estevam · Sep 5, 2015

A ser of 3 nikon FG. If one breaks, use the other 2. They are dirty cheap and very lightweight. Bonus: no need to rewind film to switch from 100 to 400 ISO, just load one roll in each camera. Same thing to switch from BW to color. They use easy to find watch batteries for the meter only.

Two23 · Sep 5, 2015

ongakublue said:
I am thinking of buying a Nikon F3. Any experience of that? The point is that I want an slr that is not very big but reliable with a very big selection of lenses available to it and with aperture priority.

I bought a Nikon F3/T earlier this year. This is the fancy titanium version of the F3HP. I love this camera! It's very small but solid. It was built for pro use and was Nikon's best camera for almost a decade. The meter is accurate. I brought it and a D800E along on a trip to Yellowstone last month and found I was using the F3/T about half the time. I have AiS lenses 28/f2, 50/f1.2, 105/f2.5. All of this fits into a small Tamrac bag. The lenses all take 52mm filters, making for a very reliable and compact system. The quality and feel are almost equal to my Leica IIIc.

Kent in SD

Paul Howell · Sep 5, 2015

I had a F3 P, it was the press version, built in hot shoe, no self timer and basic weather seals. For not much more than a F3 you can get a LX, smaller and lighter, unlike the F3 which only had a large motor drive the LX had both a motor drive and a winder option, with an adapter you can use M42, along with KM and KA lens.

Sirius Glass · Sep 5, 2015

I prefer fully manual cameras and cameras which only use batteries for the light meters.

newtorf · Sep 5, 2015

Wouldn't recommend Leica. They are still serviceable today, but they are definitely not reliable. I've encountered all sorts of different problems with the few Leica bodies I've used, even including the latest Leica MP.

Nodda Duma · Sep 5, 2015

ongakublue said:
I am thinking of buying a Nikon F3. Any experience of that? The point is that I want an slr that is not very big but reliable with a very big selection of lenses available to it and with aperture priority.

Preferring a meter needle over LCD, I'd get a Nikon FE over an F3. Spend more and I'd say the FM3a.

Xmas · Sep 5, 2015

benjiboy said:
No machine works reliably for many decades without lubrication, adjustment and other maintenance, if you expect reliability from your requipment you have to have your cameras serviced occasionally.

Not true I have has several cameras that have been used for decades without any maintence.
But leicas snap ribbons regularly. A M2 lost a tooth of brass wind on gear.

MattKing · Sep 5, 2015

The most reliable cameras are the ones that you already own and have had checked and, where required, had serviced by competent service personnel with access to parts.

Alan Gales · Sep 6, 2015

Stereo Realists were really well made. I've got two of them that work great.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereo_Realist

ongakublue · Sep 6, 2015

Thanks for all the replies. I am getting to see there are two types of replies here. People who are open and helpful and people who answer with a slight tone of annoyance and superiority... which can also be helpful

benjiboy · Sep 6, 2015

MattKing said:
The most reliable cameras are the ones that you already own and have had checked and, where required, had serviced by competent service personnel with access to parts.

+1

narsuitus · Sep 6, 2015

ongakublue said:
hi everyone,

what do you think are the most reliable modestly-priced old cameras? give the least trouble and have stood the test of time really well and you can divide it between purely mechanical (except light meter) and more battery powered or automatic models.

The most reliable manual/mechanical film cameras I have used and loved include:

Leica M1 35mm (no rangefinder and no built-in light meter)
Nikon F 35mm SLR with a standard meterless prism
*Nikon F2 35mm SLR with a standard meterless prism or meterless action finder
*Nikon Nikonos III (35mm underwater)
*Argus C3 35mm rangefinder
*Minolta Hi-Matic 9 35mm rangefinder (has a built-in light meter)
*Canon QL17 GIII 35mm rangefinder (has a built-in light meter)
*Pentax Spotmatic 35mm SLR (has a built-in light meter)
*Fujica ST705 35mm SLR (has a built-in light meter)
Mamiya C3 6x6cm medium format
Mamiya C22 6x6cm medium format
Mamiya C220 6x6cm medium format
*Fuji 6x7cm medium format rangefinder
*Fuji 6x9cm medium format rangefinder
Graflex 4x5 inch view

Those marked with an asterisk (*), are the ones I still use to this day.

If I had to buy another manual/mechanical 35mm camera that was not on my list, I would buy the Nikon FM3a, the Leica MP, or the Leica M6.

narsuitus · Sep 6, 2015

The most reliable automatic/electronic film cameras I have used include:

Nikon F3 35mm SLR
*Nikon F4 35mm SLR
*Nikon N70/F70 35mm SLR
*Pentax ME 35mm SLR

Those marked with an asterisk (*), are the ones I still use to this day.

narsuitus · Sep 6, 2015

Least reliable camera I ever used:

Miranda Sensorex 35mm SLR

Nathan King · Sep 6, 2015

My Mamiya 645 is the only camera I have owned that ever developed an issue. It began leaving a thin strip of slightly denser negative toward the middle of the frame, but KEH fixed it right up. My Canon F1N and Leica M6 are the most well built cameras I have, so I'd think they're my most reliable. The F1N endured blizzard conditions for several hours and never missed a beat despite a complete lack of weather sealing.

fotch · Sep 6, 2015

newtorf said:
Wouldn't recommend Leica. They are still serviceable today, but they are definitely not reliable. I've encountered all sorts of different problems with the few Leica bodies I've used, even including the latest Leica MP.

I would think you experience is the exception to the rule.

4season · Sep 6, 2015

benjiboy said:
No machine works reliably for many decades without lubrication, adjustment and other maintenance, if you expect reliability from your requipment you have to have your cameras serviced occasionally.

^^^ This ^^^

Storage conditions are critical too, and clean, cool, dry, dark and dust-free would be best. Packing them in pure nitrogen probably wouldn't hurt either

I think a Nikon F would be one of the better choices what with it's titanium foil shutter which doesn't rot as rubberized silk does.

Electronic cameras: Beware of internal memory backup batteries, and consider energizing circuits regularly to keep capacitors in good shape.

MartinCrabtree · Sep 6, 2015

I still have a Canon AE-1 purchased used in the '80s. Have a seal kit waiting to be installed but it still works and has shot many frames. There are many reliable cheap 35MM cameras available.

MattKing · Sep 6, 2015

MattKing said:
The most reliable cameras are the ones that you already own and have had checked and, where required, had serviced by competent service personnel with access to parts.

ongakublue said:
Thanks for all the replies. I am getting to see there are two types of replies here. People who are open and helpful and people who answer with a slight tone of annoyance and superiority... which can also be helpful

Where do I fit .

If I did come across with that slight tone, my apologies - I didn't intend to.

My post would probably be better if I added a second paragraph:

"So it would be a good idea to make enquiries of any camera repair people near to you about which cameras can readily be maintained by them.

beegee675 · Sep 8, 2015

++++ 8008s/801s.

Christiaan Phleger · Sep 9, 2015

Ok my Nikon perspective and 2000 cents:

Pure out and out durably reliable the F2 followed closely by the F3.
F2 is very well built and can take a hit and still operate correctly. F3's were and are overbuilt and mostly hardly used even if they show wear. I know from experience how many rolls you can go thru with consistent precision. The motor is a wise option, the F3 then takes its body power from the MD-4 motor. The F may be a bit twitchy at times; but a good well operating example with stay in good tune with regular use. The F5 would be the next reliable; most people would rank it higher but I've been bricked once or twice with an F5. Less than an F4 which leads to the next on the list; The F4...widely derided for not being very durable I actually have found to be amazingly tough. I've got one or two literally kicking around in boxes completely worn out and I'd bet dollars to donuts any one of them would make an actual exposure if the batteries were not completely depleted or missing but I've been bricked by an F4 at one or two tough moments over the years. I would put the N90s and the N8008/s next; both are very tough but when they do go they are bricked and not easily fixed on the spot if at all.

benjiboy · Sep 9, 2015

4season said:
^^^ This ^^^

Storage conditions are critical too, and clean, cool, dry, dark and dust-free would be best. Packing them in pure nitrogen probably wouldn't hurt either

I think a Nikon F would be one of the better choices what with it's titanium foil shutter which doesn't rot as rubberized silk does.

Electronic cameras: Beware of internal memory backup batteries, and consider energizing circuits regularly to keep capacitors in good shape.

I don't store my cameras I use them.

CMoore · Sep 9, 2015

I have had them a ling time, and have had them all serviced. As a member said above...nothing mechanical will run forever.
Assuming they have been maintained.......
Nikon F2
Nikon FM
Canon AT-1
All 3 are great machines, and all 3 pull beautiful frames, under Excellent/Professional lenses.
good luck

most reliable

estevam

Two23

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Sirius Glass

newtorf

Nodda Duma

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fotch

4season

MartinCrabtree

MattKing

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beegee675

Christiaan Phleger

benjiboy

CMoore

most reliable

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