What features do you consider essential on a camera?

narsuitus · Jun 12, 2012

russkat said:
I'd like your varied opinions on what features you consider essential on a manual focus slr so I can make an informed decision on a camera purchase.

My list of desired features is probably different from your list; therefore, it is probably of no value to you. Plus, my list of desired features is way too long to post. Therefore, all I will say is that the Nikon F2 with non-metered viewfinder is the camera that has all the features I desire in a manual focus SLR except for an optional digital image back.

Two other cameras that that have most of the features that I consider essential are:
Pentax Spotmatic
Fuji ST705

Bayonet lens mount, interchangeable viewfinders, interchangeable view screens, motor drives, and interchangeable backs are essential features my Spotmatic and Fuji lack.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/6307637714/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/5184850897/

tron_ · Jun 13, 2012

Camera has to have a DOF preview and built in meter for me personally. I have to use a hand held meter for my Mamiya and it isn't a huge deal but sometimes I find it kind of fiddly.

Bill Burk · Jun 13, 2012

Forgot another important one

6) Camera has to yield excellent pictures in my hands.

This is a statistical measure intended to stop me wasting film on cameras that just don't deliver.

E. von Hoegh · Jun 13, 2012

E. von Hoegh said:
Essential features on a manual SLR:

DOF preview.
MLU.
Time AND bulb settings.
X synch with PC socket.
All metal construction,must be rugged, durable, and reliable.
Interchangeable prisms nice but not essential.

I should add "Uncluttered viewfinder".

Steve Smith · Jun 13, 2012

Bill Burk said:
Camera has to yield excellent pictures in my hands.

I think the OP was looking for real, achievable features!!!

Steve.

Steve Roberts · Jun 13, 2012

DOF preview
TTL metering
Ability to use without batteries
Manual exposure (not precluding auto as well)
Split-image focussing with microprism ring.
Non DX coding.
The above fits the Pentax LX, which you mention in the OP. However, in the horizontal cloth vs vertical metal shutter question, the LX offers a hybrid horizontal metal shutter!
Steve

Bill Burk · Jun 13, 2012

Steve Smith said:
I think the OP was looking for real, achievable features!!!

Steve.

I think I have just been recommended with no qualifications whatsoever.

blockend · Jun 13, 2012

russkat said:
I'm considering the following...
Pentax LX
Contax RTS or RTS II / Yashica FR or FR I
Minolta series = XE, XD
LeicaFlex SL / SL2 or perhaps the R3
Olympus OM-4 / OM-4ti

The Yashica FR is an excellent full manual camera that hits the right note between professional solidity and lack of fuss. The only known weakness is a suspect frame counter, though mine works perfectly. The ML lenses are superb and available more cheaply than better known brands. It has shutter and aperture readouts in the viewfinder, though neither are intrusive, and a large electromagnetic shutter button. Definitely a camera to consider. Of the various Nikons, Canons and other brands I own, the Yashica FR is my favourite handling manual body.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 13, 2012

a good view finder
autofocus
manual exposure settings
x contact!

Chris Nielsen · Jun 14, 2012

Must feel nice and smooth to use and have a nice viewfinder. If it's electronic it needs a DX override

blockend · Jun 14, 2012

One of the most important features is an exposure lock button that can be operated without taking your eye from the camera. A photographer needs to make a quick reading away from backlight and recompose without messing round with LCDs and menus or the ASA dial.

Chris Nielsen · Jun 14, 2012

blockend said:
One of the most important features is an exposure lock button that can be operated without taking your eye from the camera. A photographer needs to make a quick reading away from backlight and recompose without messing round with LCDs and menus or the ASA dial.

Don't need that if it's fully manual a la om-1

Discoman · Jun 16, 2012

Depth of field preview. I prefer an off camera meter, it gives me more flexibility. Do I want reflection? Incident? flash metering? all those can be had by renting one nice meter instead of trying to work around an in-camera meter.
Simple controls. good design of a camera puts needed functions in buttons or switches in convenient places. Poor design puts it under access wheels. Horrible design hides it in menus. Those also apply to digital cameras as well. Shutter release, as well as aperture and shutter setting should be right under a finger when you pick the camera up, or in a logical place (like on the lens for larger cameras.)
Not a big fan of autofocus, I've used some that have had issues focusing on a subject in various conditions, like under bright daylight or indoors but well within the range that the autofocus should work in. I find that one you can turn on and off is the best choice. You can do the focus most of the time, but until you have monumental skill, a good autofocus makes a rapidly moving subject easier to capture.
A good warranty, if it is new or refurbished. Seriously, if somehting happens and it would be covered under a good warranty, you want to be able to get it covered. Being able to go to the place that refurbished your camera and have them fix an issue that cropped up is very nice, and it saves you the money of sending it to a service place, if you can find one.

hugopoon · Jun 16, 2012

1) Ability to work without a battery
2) A way to turn off the meter or at least any indicators in the VF
3) Split screen, microprism(?) or plain matte focusing
4) PC socket
5) Tripod mount
6) A way to use a shutter release cable

benjiboy · Jun 19, 2012

Everything I would want and need in a 35mm S.L.R ( build quality, shutter accuracy, precision, and reliability ) would be embodied in a new Nikon F with a plain prism finder.

Steve Smith · Jun 19, 2012

benjiboy said:
a new Nikon F with a plain prism finder.

A new one would be nice. I now have my father's two Fs. One black with plain and metered finders and one chrome with metered finder only. I would like to find a chrome plain prism finder for it.

At the moment I can't imagine using any 35mm SLR other than a Nikon F - and I have quite a few others to choose from!

Steve.

E. von Hoegh · Jun 19, 2012

benjiboy said:
Everything I would want and need in a 35mm S.L.R ( build quality, shutter accuracy, precision, and reliability ) would be embodied in a new Nikon F with a plain prism finder.

You don't really need a new one. Just get a clean one and have a proper CLA done, you'll have a camera for the rest of your life.

OliMonster · Jun 19, 2012

As far as I'm concerned, essential features of a camera are a shutter of some description, light tightness (?), somewhere to put film, and if you're not into pinhole photography, a lens.

Nice features are in-camera metering, a good selection of lenses or a good zoom range if fixed lens, a split-prism screen, and manual everything else. Also, I can't stress enough how comfortable it needs to be.

I have an Exakta VX1000, it looks the dog's cojones and it has a cracking lens, but I can't get a comfy and secure hold on the triangular sides, the shutter release on the front and on the wrong side is a bit odd and I miss the split-prisms of my AE-1 and my OM-1. (Yes, I know I can change the screen, but considering how little I use it, I see very little point in spending too much on it until I have the cash to spare, and it needs a service before anything else anyway.) I can't complain 'cos I got it for a song and it's capable of some great stuff, but it's a crying shame I can't get on with it.

DrTang · Jun 21, 2012

benjiboy said:
Everything I would want and need in a 35mm S.L.R ( build quality, shutter accuracy, precision, and reliability ) would be embodied in a new Nikon F with a plain prism finder.

pretty much..although..as I get older.. Auto Focus is pretty nice

elekm · Jun 21, 2012

I think the Pentax LX is one of the nicer cameras. Decent size, sturdy and affordable. And reliable.

I'd also take a look at the Nikkormat FT3. Takes all of the AI/AIS and pre-AI lenses and is a lot like the Pentax. However, the shutter speed selector is a ring that surrounds the lens mount.

There probably are literally hundreds of cameras from which to choose.

I'd think about the lenses: Nikon, Canon, Zeiss, Pentax, Minolta, etc.

One thing about electronic cameras. When the electronics go, it's time for the camera to be binned (tossed).

Steve Smith · Jun 21, 2012

elekm said:
One thing about electronic cameras. When the electronics go, it's time for the camera to be binned (tossed).

Electronics in cameras from the 1980s and early 1990s are no more difficult to repair than the mechanical parts.

Steve.

D1v1d · Jun 28, 2012

A viewfinder, a lens and something to control aperture and focus. I quite enjoy shooting with my Olympus Trip 35. Good for street candids with pre focus (estimating distance). It's not intimidating and by no means a toy camera!

D1v1d · Sep 2, 2012

Working with an old Brownie. Kodak invented 120 roll film for this box. So the basics are a light tight box, some way of loading the film, a lens or pinhole and a shutter or lens cap. That's it- the rest is icing!

benjiboy · Sep 2, 2012

Kevin Kehler said:
I love a camera that works without batteries. I have had several occasions where I have hiked out into the middle of nowhere for several hours, or it is Christmas dinner and the batteries die or are dead. If it takes AA's, that's not a big deal but if it takes a specialized battery that needs a specialized store to buy, that is more than annoying. I can usually guess at the metering but still need the camera to fire. This of course limits you to manual cameras of the older variety but I like those kind anyways.

What's preventing you from carrying a spare set of batteries ?, this is the 21st century, I've been using a completely battery dependant Canon A1 for nearly twenty five years and it's never let me down in all that time although I always carry a spare one the current battery in it has been in for about ten years, and is only the third I've ever put in it.

What features do you consider essential on a camera?

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