Underrated film cameras

Paul Howell · Mar 8, 2022

Marcelo Paniagua said:
Agree on that. It now appears that Olympus OM1 is cheaper than the K1000 which seems absurb. OM1 has pro functionalities that K1000 lacks like mirror look. Haven't used Pentax glasses that much so not sure I can compare them to the Zuiko.

Marcelo

I think Pentax and Zuiko glass will resolve at 200L/MM which is Tmax 200, the later M42 and K mounts are well coated, Olympus lens were in the same price ball park as M42 and K, might have edged up as folks are looking for cheap lens for digital mirrorless.

Javier González · Mar 8, 2022

I don't know whether it is underrated or no, but the Flexaret has a very nice lens. I think the belar is as sharp if not sharper than the xenar in the rolleicord. I have used several incarnations of these cameras, and the belar consistently outperforms (slightly) the xenar. The mechanics and construction of the rolleicord are far better though

abruzzi · Mar 11, 2022

MarkVII88 said:
I specifically bought the FT2 because I thought it provided the same shooting experience of a Nikkormat, but offered all the upgrades of a later model Nikon 35mm SLR. Those upgrades include the nicer K2 focusing screen with split image focusing aid, the improved film ISO selector with lock, and the fact that the camera takes modern 1.5v batteries that you can find anywhere. The hot shoe could also be considered an improvement, but it's certainly an extra feature. I think the FT2 is the best Nikkormat.

yeah, the battery thing is annoying, but I've opened up all my FTns and put in a diode to fix it. I actually prefer the all-microprism focusing screen of the FTn over the mixed screen of the FT2, and I've never had issues with the film speed selector on the FTn. (and my dislike of the flash shoe is purely aesthetic, but I never use flash, so it is an unnecessary upgrade.) But both are great cameras that will run forever.

Underrated film cameras

Paul Howell

Javier González

abruzzi

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