Which cameras are set to become "classics"?

rolleiman · May 11, 2012

Was discussing with colleagues recently, which of the still available (albeit secondhand) film cameras are set to become regarded as "classics" of their time? We only discussed film cameras, since the digital stuff comes with built in obsolesance.

We disregarded Leica M series, since they have already achieved the "classic" status, and are priced accordingly.
The Nikon F and FM2n were immediate contenders, both being "pure" mechanical models that leave all the technical decisions to the photographer; if those decisions of composition, exposure, lens choice, film development are all perfect, then these two cameras are so well engineered, they will translate these actions into superb pictures and last a lifetime.. The old Pentax Spotmatic was also mentioned, a straigforward mechanical camera that fitted the hand beautifully, and I for one, still remember the superb quality of those Super Takumar lenses.

These cameras can still be had for reasonable prices, but for how much longer. Any more ideas for tomorrow's "classics"?

JeremyB · May 11, 2012

The nobel and majestic Holga.....

zsas · May 11, 2012

K1000

CGW · May 11, 2012

rolleiman said:
Was discussing with colleagues recently, which of the still available (albeit secondhand) film cameras are set to become regarded as "classics" of their time? We only discussed film cameras, since the digital stuff comes with built in obsolesance.

We disregarded Leica M series, since they have already achieved the "classic" status, and are priced accordingly.
The Nikon F and FM2n were immediate contenders, both being "pure" mechanical models that leave all the technical decisions to the photographer; if those decisions of composition, exposure, lens choice, film development are all perfect, then these two cameras are so well engineered, they will translate these actions into superb pictures and last a lifetime.. The old Pentax Spotmatic was also mentioned, a straigforward mechanical camera that fitted the hand beautifully, and I for one, still remember the superb quality of those Super Takumar lenses.

These cameras can still be had for reasonable prices, but for how much longer. Any more ideas for tomorrow's "classics"?

Seems like you've answered your own question by limiting the game to "mechanical" models(BTW, where's the F2?). They still produce gas for classic cars. Film for classic cameras? Who knows?

Not a big fan of holy relics/celebrity worship.

Gerald C Koch · May 11, 2012

Any of the Voigtlander Bessa series.

Alan W · May 11, 2012

Bessa r,k 1000,om 1,om 2,and on..

cliveh · May 11, 2012

Leica II
Leica IIIg
Voigtlander Vitomatic IIb
Voigtlander Vitomatic IIa
Zeiss Contax IIa
Zeiss Ikon Contaflex
Werra
Voigtlander Vitomatic IIICS
Voigtlander Prominent

narsuitus · May 11, 2012

Classic 35mm cameras:
Nikon F2 Titanium
Argus C3
Canon F1
Canon QL17 GIII
Pentax Spotmatic
Minolta SRT101
Olympus OM1
Leica MP

rolleiman · May 11, 2012

The Bessa series is an intersting choice, I've not used them, but I've heard that there's not that much diffence in the quality of the lenses when compared with those from Leica, yet Leica are still able
to maintain the very high price levels for the M lenses. As for the suggestion re. the OM1 & 2, I'm less convinced. I've had experience of these in professional use, I'm of the opinion Olympus didn't develop these over a period of time.......the OM1 suffered through the limitation of a 1/60th flash sync.....and was generally found by professionals to be not "tough" enough for heavy use........I recall the OM2 had battery drain problems.
The Zuiko lenses though, particularly the fixed focal length ones, are excellent.

jumbosilverette · May 11, 2012

another vote for the Minolta SRT and Argus C3

rolleiman · May 11, 2012

jumbosilverette said:
another vote for the Minolta SRT and Argus C3

Yes..the old Minolta MC lenses were excellent, pity that the bodies....i.e. SRT101, SR7, SR1, seem to be so difficult to find, compared with Nikon bodies. The X700 is fairly common, but not of the same standard of construction as the earlier Minolta bodies, also the later MD lenses appear to be more "plasticky" than the earlier MC series.

Poisson Du Jour · May 11, 2012

Olympus XA, Pentax K1000, Canon F1, EOS1N, Olympus OM1N, OM2N, OM4 ... in fact, virtually every film camera that is now out of production and more than 20 years old is a classic by definition.

wblynch · May 11, 2012

Brownie Hawkeye Flash

Kodak Instamatic 100-104

removed account4 · May 11, 2012

anything ...

anything that anyone suggests
is "significant' in design or appearance
or built / designed / used by someone
who is "famous"

Old-N-Feeble · May 11, 2012

Chamonix LF cameras... the current versions.

Too old to care · May 11, 2012

Rollei, any version of the 35. I just ran a roll of one of my last Plus - X through my SE today.

Bill Burk · May 11, 2012

I'll also vote "anything" - but it would be nice to be able to shoot at all its shutter speeds....

Jeff Kubach · May 12, 2012

I'll go for the Canon F-1.

Jeff

ME Super · May 12, 2012

If we're going to include electronic cameras, how about these Pentax beauties...

ME Super
Super Program/Program A
Program Plus

OddE · May 12, 2012

-I'd argue for the Nikon FM3a - its hybrid shutter control makes it both a fully mechanical camera not reliant on batteries to do its thing AND a modern AE-equipped, electronic shutter control MF camera.

That aside, the build quality is terrific, handling is great and the built-in center-weighted meter works very well.

Yup, the FM3a is likely to become a classic somewhere down the line. (I guess one can argue that it already IS a classic, albeit a very recent one!)

wonderlustking · May 12, 2012

YASHICA FX3!

Slixtiesix · May 12, 2012

I think all Rollei TLRs and Rollei SL66. Prices of good SL66 stuff are already going up. Used Hasselblad V cameras can be had for very reasonable money today, but they are destined to become classics without a doubt. Canon EOS 30/Elan 7 is one of the most sought after EOS cameras. I think they will become classics too.

Newt_on_Swings · May 12, 2012

Fuji folders and large 6x9 rangefinders. As they are still making the smaller mf folders the big rangefinders are unique and only dated from the 80s.

Any Chinese camera, as that economy is steaming on, over time there maybe a large market of collectors who would want Chinese made cameras because of national heritage, or the handwork that goes into some of them. The large format cameras and medium format slr's and tlrs such as from seagull.

There is already a large collectors market in china for art and luxury goods, outside of china strong national brands such as seagull have a small market of collectors for other items such as watches of the higher calibers or kitsch design . This could be the same for cameras in time such as Russian cameras.

mikebarger · May 12, 2012

With the trend in the way people capture and print images, if a camera isn't already considered a classic I doubt it will obtain that status in the future.

benjiboy · May 12, 2012

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Canon T90 that although only manufacture for a short time it was the design and concept that nearly all the subsequent modern 35mm S.L.R.s both film and digital ones are based on. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_T90 Before 1986 S.L.R.s didn't look like that.

Which cameras are set to become "classics"?

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