Totally manual 35mm camera recommendations needed

Brian Legge · Jul 21, 2010

Instead of something that fits lenses you have already, what about exposing him to something totally different? For example, if he has been shooting all SLRs, what about trying a rangefinder, TLR, scale focus camera, etc? If he has been all 35mm, how about trying medium or large format?

Many of these options would be single shot purchases that wouldn't mean investing in a new line of lenses, etc. As someone who grew up after SLRs took over the photography world, I would have appreciated exposure to other types of cameras earlier.

Edit: What sort of subjects does he shoot?

narsuitus · Jul 21, 2010

I suggest that you allow your son to participate in the decision-making. He may surprise you with which camera he really wants for his birthday. Besides, the time you spend together in search of his new camera may be as precious to him as the camera itself.

ruilourosa · Jul 21, 2010

spotmatic is truly wonderfull

kivis · Jul 21, 2010

Can anything beat a Nikon FM3a for manual and auto?

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ruilourosa · Jul 21, 2010

the fm2?

paulfish4570 · Jul 21, 2010

+ 1 on what sirius said: let your son handle as many options as possible. His hands and eye will find one that fits best ...

Andrew Horodysky · Jul 21, 2010

Ron LarFor4X5 said:
The F1n, and The :

Sekonic L-398A Studio Deluxe III
"Classic" Analog Light Meter for Battery-Free Ambient Light Readings, Incident & Reflected !

Ron

From The Long Island Of New York, and the
Long Island @ Large Format Group, right here on APUG
.

Capital idea! I think the Sekonic Studio Deluxe is a gift to be cherished (and used) for years to come.

I have an F-1N, and love using it.

stradibarrius · Jul 21, 2010

I also think if you have an investment in Canon lenses you may be better off to stick with a Cannon body. If that is not a consideration I would say A Nikon F3 is the one with a great reputation and Nikon has designed their lenses so they will continue to mount on even the new Digital bodies.

Obtong · Jul 21, 2010

The Canon A-1 is a great camera. (I have two of them!) As long as it works, and doesn't have the annoying "squeak", you son will have a good camera to learn photography. There are also lots of great FD lenses out there which can be obtained at a good price. I would suggest sticking with the A1 and maybe looking into getting a new lens, or perhaps some darkroom equipment!

The A1 can be used in an all manual mode:
1. Set the camera to TV so you can now set the speeds manually
2. Disengage the aperture ring so you can now change the apertures manually
3. Switch off the Viewfinder Display. (See attached jpg.) Metering still takes place, but you don't see the suggested value. Also, because the camera is now in fully manual mode, you are free to set whatever exposure values you want.

Voila, a fully manual camera!

~Dom

John Koehrer · Jul 21, 2010

Canon F1 again, Where did the meter come from? It wasn't part of the original post.

If he's going pro he's likely to need a flash meter too. Get a Sekonic or Gossen combination meter.

nsurit · Jul 21, 2010

Olympus OM 1, OM 1n, OM 3 or OM3 Ti. Canon F1n. Send private message if the F1n is of interest and you want a nice one. Same for OM 1 or 1n. 3% to APUG. Bill Barber

holmburgers · Jul 26, 2010

I admit, I didn't read all the intervening post so I apologize if I'm repeating a recommendation.

But I love my Canon EF (FD body). It's based off of the original F1 and built equally well, except doesn't have all the removable/interchangeable stuff.

It's a pretty amazing camera. The shutter speeds from 1000 to 1/2" are completely mechanical, and from 1" to 30" (that's right, 30" on the dial!) are electronically controlled. The silicon meter cell is sensitive to -2 EV, mercury batteries are of no concern because of a bridge circuit, and it has shutter priority w/ FD lenses if you want it.

Multiple exposure capable, true mirror lock up, DOF, timer, etc..

It's epic!

http://www.mikegrigsby.com/html/canon_ef.html

Good rundown

dynachrome · Jul 26, 2010

Totally manual 35mm

I also have an EF and I enoy using it. It's not at all like the F-1. The F-1 has the older CdS metering. The F-1 has a horizontally traveling titanium foil shutter with a slower flash synch speed. The F-1 accepts two motors and a winder. The F-1 has interchangeable finders and focusing screens. From the outside the EF and F-1 show a resemblance but they are very different cameras.

Vincenzo Maielli · Jul 27, 2010

Nikon F2 AS, if you want a reflex change; is a pure mechanical camera, rugged and fantastic performer.
If you want continue to use the actual FD lenses, the best choice is the Canon F-1 (old or new type).
For a copernical revolution, buy a Leica M6 TTL with Summicron 50.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

benjiboy · Jul 27, 2010

dynachrome said:
I also have an EF and I enoy using it. It's not at all like the F-1. The F-1 has the older CdS metering. The F-1 has a horizontally traveling titanium foil shutter with a slower flash synch speed. The F-1 accepts two motors and a winder. The F-1 has interchangeable finders and focusing screens. From the outside the EF and F-1 show a resemblance but they are very different cameras.

That's true, I have an EF too, and the build quality is the same as as my F1-N, I used to sell these cameras at a professional dealers at the time they were current, and many pros used to buy the EF as a back up for their F1s because it had a more responsive S.P.D light metering system than their F1 and a faster flash sync speed. The EF would be a good choice for the O.P.s son but they are quite rare these days in good condition, , I own all these cameras including an A1 and I.M.O.the F1 and EF are in a different class to the A series as far as quality and durability are concerned.

Blanc · Jul 27, 2010

And why not a more exotic but still outstanding thing from East europe like a Zorki 4 or a good old zenith?
Cameras and lenses are really damn cheap to buy, they probably all need a good servicing before using them but after that they are just outstanding cameras with really good lenses (The jupiter lenses for example are just crazy!)

John_Nikon_F · Jul 29, 2010

If he wants to stick with his glass, my recommendation would be the FTb (or FTbN), the EF, or one of the F-1's, either the 1st generation F-1 or the 2nd generation F-1n. The New F-1, which some people here are calling the F-1n, is a bit limited in mechanical shutter speed range. Realize that most of the cameras use 625 style cells and may need to be converted to 1.5 volts, if you want to avoid using the Wein MB625's or the Criscam.com MR9 adapter. Also, if you're looking at an F-1, make sure that the slow speeds work. Came across one F-1 recently where 1 second was essentially "T" and 1/2 second was closer to 1 second. The other speeds worked fine.

Now, if he wants something completely mechanical with no battery, there are a few options I know of.

The Minolta SR series (not SRT)
Pentax SL and the pre-Spotmatic bodies
Nikon F eyelevel
Nikon F2 eyelevel
Nikkormat/Nikomat FS.

None of those have built-in light meters. A Gossen Luna-Pro would be a good accessory for one of those and would be less ugly than the accessory meter that Pentax sold or the selenium cell meters that Nikon sold for the F before the Photomic finders came out. Realize that he would be using two different systems then. Therefore, it's probably best to stick with Canon, if he likes (or loves) his current lenses.

jgjbowen · Jul 30, 2010

kivis said:
Can anything beat a Nikon FM3a for manual and auto?

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Not in my opinion....

Of course, LF cameras are pretty manual

Totally manual 35mm camera recommendations needed

Andrew Horodysky

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