"Nice camera" :)

[Vonder]

I was shooting pics at a birthday party this weekend, both with a Sony alpha 200 digital and a Minolta XD-11 with Tmax 400 (@1600). About midway through the party a gal, one of the mothers of a partygoer, turns to me, smiled, and said "nice camera" as I took a shot with my XD-11. I replied "What, this old thing?" to which she replied, "This old thing?". She seemed flabergasted when I told her the camera was from 1975 or so.



Still, classic styling and good looks DO stand out in this age of black plastic. Pentax has realized it, offering DSLRs in more than black - including a new black and chrome version of their flagship K-7.

So let's start a beauty contest poll - who gets your vote for the nicest-looking 35mm SLR ever made?

Extra points if the camera also happens to be a piece of junk!

 

[davelam]

Nice story! If only manufacturers would make digital SLR's into shapes other than a whale tale i'd be happy. I always imagined a digital variant of a camera body the size of a Pentax ME.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I always like the styling of the older cameras better than the new ones.

Jeff

 

[winger]

I used make fun of my brother's "black plastic blob" camera (Canon EOS of some type) back in the 90's. I still like my Pentax H1a for looks (what I was using then, too).

 

[Robert Hall]

I think that the Tachihara view cameras are a thing of joy and beauty.

I don't have one but I think if I did, I would display it as much as I would use it.

Dead Link Removed

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I enjoy the elegant lines of a nice rangefinder.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I work at a university art department and last year, there was a art student taking a photo class that never touched a film camera before. So with Gen Y people any film camera is old. They also never remember not having a cell phone, computer or ever buy many CDs. I met another student that is discovering the joys of analog photography. He says he "loves film".

 

[videocrew]

I suppose it might be theoretically possible to build something more beautiful than this, but it seems unlikely:
Dead Link Removed

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

In an SLR, I think the Contax RX is a solid contestant for beautiful camera. In a rangefinder, the Kodak Retina II is a great looker as well as a great user.

 

[photoncatcher]

A couple of months ago, I took my Koni-Omega Rapid to my local photo store to find a filtre for it. I got many stres, and nods as I walked in. One woman just stared a it sitting on the counter, and kept saying "that's hot". Then she looked at me and told me that she might just have to mug me in the parking lot for it. If only women would say that about me.

 

[altair]

I've gotten a few compliments from complete strangers when I took my Yashica Electro 35 GT out for a spin. Ditto with my Spotmatic SP500. Makes me feel good.

My vote for sexiest SLR is the Contax RTS, so macho..but I don't have one.

 

[Philippe-Georges]

This!

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I suppose it might be theoretically possible to build something more beautiful than this, but it seems unlikely:
Dead Link Removed

Now that is what a Leica should look like.

 

[Dan Grisez]

One woman just stared a it sitting on the counter, and kept saying "that's hot".

Paris Hilton was at your camera shop? lol

Yeah, I get looks and questions pretty much anytime I carry around one of the oldies but goodies. It's all good, though.

 

[videocrew]

Now that is what a Leica should look like.

It belonged to Elliot Erwitt, I can only wish it were mine. What're the odds we ever see an M9 that turns out that well-loved?

 

[JPD]

Other timeless cameras are the Rollei 35 and Kodak Retina Ib, IIc and IIIc.

The Steinheil Casca II from 1948 could be taken for a stylish digital camera:

http://www.lausch41.com/casca2.jpg

 

[zk-cessnaguy]

The winder arm on a Spotmatic is a thing of beauty

 

[mesh]

Hasselblad 500, Leica M3 and Pentax LX would get my votes. I've always like the Leica CL also - really neat little unit. Oh and the Olympus 35SPn... geez it's hard to narrow it down ;-)

edit - opps... supposed to be 35mm SLR only. Can I add the Nikon F to the LX then?

 

[removed account4]

graflex 1a gets my vote
its an slr, but it isn't 35mm

 

[railwayman3]

I much prefer the angular looks and black-and-chrome of most older cameras, they look like precision instruments, made to do a professional job, rather than being sci-fi plastic fashion accessories. Same with cars...real classics from the 60's to 80's.

 

[LyleB]

I like my FM2. Sentimental - my first camera, everything just feels and looks right. Also like my "new" Fe and FE2 since they are basically the same. Chrome and black, I always did think it looked better.

 

[andarc]

I think the Argus C4 was the cleanest most beautiful camera design I have ever seen. Not a great camera though.

 

[MattKing]

If you are left handed, and want to hold your camera with that hand, none of the new cameras look good.

This applies to many of the latest 35mm SLRs as well.

 

[darinwc]

I have to agree on the Pentax Spotmatic and Nikon FE/FE2.
~gorgeous cameras!~ Just holding them and firing/advancing and you can feel the wonderful craftsmanship.

I would also add the Olympus OM1/2/3/4 to the list as well as the Canon F1.

 

[Vonder]

If you are left handed, and want to hold your camera with that hand, none of the new cameras look good.

This applies to many of the latest 35mm SLRs as well.

The Mamiya ZE-X has an optional lefthand grip and release. And it's also a piece of junk camera, so it's a winner!