Which 35mm SLR screw mount camera (M42) has the biggest, brightest viewfinder and open aperture metering?

[runswithsizzers]

"Perhaps not necessarily brighter, but bigger? the Nikon F had a 100% viewfinder..."

I don't believe the "percent" number describes how big the image in the viewfinder appears. 100% is not the same as 100x.

The way I understand it, when the units after the number is "%" then the number describes what percentage of the film frame can be seen in the viewfinder. That is, if your viewfinder has 100% coverage, then the viewfinder shows everything that will appear on film. If the number is less than 100%, then the viewfinder shows a cropped view -- and objects that will appear at the edge of the negative may not be visible in the viewfinder.

When the specification is followed by "x" then the number describes the apparent magnification (or more likely, reduction). That is, the view through a 100x viewfinder appears to be about the same size as it would to the naked eye. And if the number is less than 100x, then the view through the viewfinder will appear smaller than life. Obviously, the focal length of the mounted lens will greatly affect magnification, so this specification is usually standardized to a 50mm lens for 135 format SLRs.

Sadly, the manufacturers never came up with a specification to describe how bright their viewfinders appear, as far as I know.

 

[GregY]

"Perhaps not necessarily brighter, but bigger? the Nikon F had a 100% viewfinder..."

I don't believe the "percent" number describes how big the image in the viewfinder appears. 100% is not the same as 100x.

The way I understand it, when the units after the number is "%" then the number describes what percentage of the film frame can be seen in the viewfinder. That is, if your viewfinder has 100% coverage, then the viewfinder shows everything that will appear on film. If the number is less than 100%, then the viewfinder shows a cropped view -- and objects that will appear at the edge of the negative may not be visible in the viewfinder.

When the specification is followed by "x" then the number describes the apparent magnification (or more likely, reduction). That is, the view through a 100x viewfinder appears to be about the same size as it would to the naked eye. And if the number is less than 100x, then the view through the viewfinder will appear smaller than life. Obviously, the focal length of the mounted lens will greatly affect magnification, so this specification is usually standardized to a 50mm lens for 135 format SLRs.

Sadly, the manufacturers never came up with a specification to describe how bright their viewfinders appear, as far as I know.

The Nikon viewfinder was described as "approximately 100%"..... that is the viewfinder showed all that ended up on the frame of the negative. It was not a magnification.... x. Even so it admit it's not M42 .....so. my mistake.... but i preferred the F to the Pentax of the era.....which like many other cameras didn't show everything that registered on the film.

 

[SilverShutter]

I have a Chinon CS4 which is a lightweight small screw mount camera, from the late 70s-early 80s (rebadged as Revueflex SDI) and has a decently big and bright viewfinder, although not as clear or contrasty as say a Minolta (but hardly anything is). However it only does stop down metering, through a switch. Then again, most M42 lenses I've ever used don't have means of transmitting aperture to the body, and those I know that can are always uncompatible to other brands (Praktica had one, Fujica did too, and Pentax of course, among others).

 

[Xylo]

I have an Argus STL 1000 / Cosina Hi-Lite.
It's not too shabby, but the ergonomics are weird and it weighs about the same as a Pentax 67.... yet it's a 35mm M42 camera.
If it wasn't for the weight, it would be fine, but every time I pick it up, I wonder what the heck they actually put in there to make it such a boat anchor! And then I just set it back on the shelf.

 

[Scott Murphy]

The Pentax MX is not an option if you want open aperture metering. It has the Pentax K bayonet mount. Though you can get a K to M42 adapter, all your lenses will be stop down metering. Your best bet is a Spotmatic F.