Searching for a pro manual focus SLR

[RMP-NikonPro]

My answer to this is best summed up with the following: 105mm f/2.5 Nikkor

Lovely Lens!! Must admit I sold mine and bought a 105mm f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor!

Still why put it on a Canon body? Er! FM3a? F3? F100? etc.....
:munch:

 

[John_Nikon_F]

The EOS 5D Mk II is actually a Canon that I wouldn't mind owning. It's off-topic for this site, but, why not use a Nikkor-H 50f2 on one? Heck, I did, to try it out. Seemed fine.

With respect to the older Nikkors, there are some formulations that are not available in the AI or AIS versions, like the lovely 85f1.8 Nikkor, which wasn't reintroduced until the AF lens came out. There's also the 20f3.5 Nikkor-UD, which, is actually a pretty nice lens. I like mine more than I liked my 20f2.8 AIS. The only early Nikkor that I replaced recently with an AI version, was my 50f1.4 Nikkor-S. Wanted something lighter. So, I got a factory AI 50f1.4 Nikkor. Isn't as heavy as the S version is, but has the same performance, unlike the SC version, which seemed a little low on contrast. If you haven't tried any of the pre-AI glass, find some single coated Nikkors, like the 85f1.8 H, the 24f2.8 N, 35f2 O, etc, with the AI conversion rings, and pop them onto your FM3a. You'll be pleasantly surprised as to how well the 40 year old glass performs and how the lenses feel, compared to the AIS and AF/AF-D Nikkors of today.

-J

 

[gkanai]

Another vote for the F3 here.

 

[2F/2F]

[nice new avatar]2F/2F

Or am I wrong?

rhmimac

Just noticed your post.

Yes, it's new. Got to take a look at a friend's digital trip pix from a cross-country drive last January. This is a clipping from a pic of us goofing around at White Sands, New Mexico.

 

[robscomputer]

Hi everyone,

Just an update, I ordered a F3HP from KEH and recieved it yesterday. It's a EX condition but the only thing wrong that I see is some dust in the view finder and one of the strap rings has the plastic missing. Overall the viewfinder is much larger than the Canon AE-1, also I like the shutter speed control as it feels easier to adjust. I need to buy the battery for the camera but so far I'm really impressed and finally have a Nikon, after so many years.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Pumal]

It will be with you for many years if you take good care of it.

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

T-90 Great Camera, BUT...

I wanted an F1N for years.
Finally gave up and bought a T90. It's excellent. Has all the features you could want (spot metering, 4.5 frame per second motor drive, flash synch at 1/250, exposure compensation, etc.) and the added advantage of using the same FD lenses as your AE-1. It's built like a tank, reliable as a cold chisel, and current prices are very reasonable.

Larry

Canon T-90​

Pros
First, It's the first Canon camera with TTL flash.
Second, It also Canon's second camera with a Laser Focusing Screen.
Third, 3 Different Metering Patterns, ( push a button & turn a dial ).
Fourth, Because of the digital readout has the ability to adjust either
shutter speed, or aperture in 1/2 stop increments.
A huge advantage over using a conventional dial. Set aperture dial
to " A " to do this.
Fifth, Uses EOS Camera Logic with regards to operation.
Sixth, It runs on 4 AA batteries & is very lightweight body.
Seventh, Plus everything mentioned above.

For a flash system, get a Quantum to get the upgraded module that will
work with the Canon T-90.

Cons
First, Just have someone check the shutter, it can go bad from non-use, like mine.
Second, the Rt strap lug was plastic, something Canon did their best to fix
after the fact. So, watch your systems overall weight.
Third NO separate Flash Exposure Comp Control Dial.
Fourth, No Vertical Grip.

All in all, if you find an operational one, you will really enjoy this camera.

 

[Nikon Collector]

A Nikon F2 with a little brassing, loaded with Plus-X, a 50mm f1.4 lens and a neck strap that looks like a decomposing band-aid is de rigueur for the seasoned photographer.

A camera like this is a babe magnet and it has been known to take pictures.

I cannot understand why anyone would want anything else.

I agree, though due to my diabetes affecting my eyesight depending on my sugar level, I'm using my F60 with AF and built in diopter ajustment more lately!

 

[Paul Goutiere]

I agree, though due to my diabetes affecting my eyesight depending on my sugar level, I'm using my F60 with AF and built in diopter ajustment more lately!

This will undoubtedly have the effect of attracting younger babes.

 

[GRHazelton]

You might consider the Pentax LX too. The body, a very rugged, of a refined design and ahead for its time, could be a little expensive even used. But the lenses, really good glass, are so cheap and plenty to find on the used market, one should be stupid not to consider.
I have three of them and enjoyed a lot shooting with. The LX is a surprisingly large developed 35 mm pro system camera and accessories, of any kind, are easy to find.
When you buy one check for the „sticky mirror syndrome”, like all camera brands, the LX has a flaw too.
Have a look : http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/pentaxlx/index.htm

Philippe

I have an LX; a delightful camera. The only design flaw I've encountered is the lack of an exposure lock in the auto-exposure mode. The sticky mirror can be fixed, unlike the lack of an exposure lock.

 

[Philippe-Georges]

I have an LX; a delightful camera. The only design flaw I've encountered is the lack of an exposure lock in the auto-exposure mode. The sticky mirror can be fixed, unlike the lack of an exposure lock.

Actually, an exposure lock on a LX is not necessarily because of the exposure metering system. The LX measures the reflected light from the film surface and does it DURING exposure and ADAPTS the exposure rate at the same time, by this it is the neck plus ultra of real time exposure and metering. Why should you want an other exposure if the one that the camera uses is accurate on the very real moment of the exposure? When compensation is needed then there is an exposure compensating device that works perfectly. Exposure lock? Never needed that on my, indeed, delightful LX, sorry…

Philippe

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Actually, an exposure lock on a LX is not necessarily because of the exposure metering system. The LX measures the reflected light from the film surface and does it DURING exposure and ADAPTS the exposure rate at the same time, by this it is the neck plus ultra of real time exposure and metering. Why should you want an other exposure if the one that the camera uses is accurate on the very real moment of the exposure? When compensation is needed then there is an exposure compensating device that works perfectly. Exposure lock? Never needed that on my, indeed, delightful LX, sorry…

Philippe

Exposure lock is an absolute must for me when using an AE camera.

Imagine photographing someone standing on a heap of coal in a snowy landscape: Real time reading off the film isn't going to stop the camera from possibly metering off the snow or the coal....

Yes, I could compose and then see what's in the area covered by the meter, then guess what the compensation may be, then dial in the compensation (in the case of most cameras taking my eye away from the viewfinder) and finally remember to turn it off afterwards. With AE lock, you can meter off a middle tone (or the coal or the snow, if you prefer) and lock it in an instant.