Which SLR would you use most?

[Pumalite]

Pentax S1a with Asahi Pentax 55 1.2

 

[Diapositivo]

IIRC, both Minolta cameras were developed by Minolta alone.
For their cameras, Leica redesigned/changed the mirrorbox and shutter as well as a number of other things. Definitely *not* the same camera, though based on the same platform.

That's also what I knew. Leica was in search of a partner for two fields in which they did not have sufficient technology: zoom lenses and camera electronics. They partnered with Minolta and acquired the technology they lacked. It's Leitz buying technology from Minolta not the other way round.

The R3 and R4 were based on Minolta designs, and so all the zooms in the Leitz catalogue. It goes without saying that Leitz derivations were manufactured to more exacting standards.

Fabrizio

 

[Aristophanes]

The XD-11 still doesn't doesn't "get it all" as it does not have MLU. Only the XK/X1/XM and SRT101/102 have MLU.

My bad. I meant the X1. My love affair with cameras started at the same as the term "X-Wing" came into the vernacular.


Sent from my iPhone 4 using Tapatalk

 

[guitstik]

That's also what I knew. Leica was in search of a partner for two fields in which they did not have sufficient technology: zoom lenses and camera electronics. They partnered with Minolta and acquired the technology they lacked. It's Leitz buying technology from Minolta not the other way round.

The R3 and R4 were based on Minolta designs, and so all the zooms in the Leitz catalogue. It goes without saying that Leitz derivations were manufactured to more exacting standards.

Fabrizio

Hmmmm, sounds like a Leicaphil defending Leica. That must explain why the R4 had so many electrical problems compared to the XD.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Hmmmm, sounds like a Leicaphil defending Leica. That must explain why the R4 had so many electrical problems compared to the XD.

Good and true point, though...

What Leica put into the R4 was what it had excelled at with the Leicaflex series: an excellent viewfinder, a spot meter and a well-dampened shutter & mirror.

While there were notorious electronic problems, they got pretty quickly sorted out. My R4 has one of the supposedly *bad* serial numbers, but works like a dream (whether it got repaired/upgraded before I got my hands on it is an open question).

Leica (AFAIK) didn't *share* optical knowledge with Minolta, but rather simply had Minolta build some of their existing wides and zooms to higher specs (a compliment to Minolta designs, though also reportedly a source of trouble). It was a long time before Leica turned out their own zooms and lenses wider than 28mm (other wides were built by Schneider & Zeiss).

 

[lxdude]

This statement was in the Minolta brochures . . .

Larger version -> Minolta Brochure

But that's Minolta saying that.

 

[bwfans]

I would pick Pentax S1a with Asahi Pentax 55mm F2.0 to use.

I like the metal shutter sound, especially when it is in 1s.

I like camera that does not need a battery to operate (the shutter).

I would suggest not to use on (old) camera meter at all. If you really need to use a meter, you have the Canon 5D which meter is the better than everything here.

People uses old cameras for fun and image making; they use digital cameras for image making and fun. The priority of the two processes is different.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

I would suggest not to use on (old) camera meter at all. If you really need to use a meter, you have the Canon 5D which meter is the better than everything here.

Just wondering *in which way* a Canon 5D meter is better than all the rest....
:munch:

 

[Les Sarile]

But that's Minolta saying that.

That's a fact that Minolta (Chiyoda Kogaku) did but understand the Nikon (Nippon Kogaku) did too but I haven't seen where they published this as much as Minolta did have you?

Of course whatever advantage that may have been, apparently didn't help Minolta.

 

[rycm]

Hmm.. just got back to film. Hard to choose. But I would use my Nikon FE2 with 3 accompanying lens, 24mm f2.0, 50mm f1.2, 105mm f3.5.

For longer telephoto, the Nikon 180mm f2.8.

Carrying my Leica M7 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a risky affair. Too many snatch thieves... :-(

 

[Diapositivo]

Of course whatever advantage that may have been, apparently didn't help Minolta.

KonicaMinolta is still in business, they did not "fail" they just sold the SLR business to Sony which happened to wanting to enter that market and which chose to market with the Sony brand.

According to Wikipedia, KonicaMinolta still has 38.310 employees worldwide.
As a Comparison, Nikon had less than 17.000 employees in 2005. I mean, KonicaMinolta remains a big healthy firm also after they sold the SLR division to Sony and the lightmeter division to Kenko. The SLR division was probably a relatively small part of the overall operation, and it is still with us, just with a different name(s).

Fabrizio

 

[GraemeMitchell]

Hmm.. just got back to film. Hard to choose. But I would use my Nikon FE2 with 3 accompanying lens, 24mm f2.0, 50mm f1.2, 105mm f3.5.

Yep. FE2. Then the 28mm 2.8 ais, 35mm 1.4 ais, 50mm 1.4 ais. The 28 and 35 are as fine of glass as you'll find ime.

Throw in a small flash, and a few cases of Tri-x and that's it, leaves no excuses.

 

[lxdude]

That's a fact that Minolta (Chiyoda Kogaku) did but understand the Nikon (Nippon Kogaku) did too but I haven't seen where they published this as much as Minolta did have you?

Not for a long time. Back in the 70's they did; I've forgotten if it was brochures or Nikkormat ads where I saw it.
But my point really is that there were three at least, Fuji also said that they made their own glass.

 

[yulia_s_rey]

Pentax. I have taken mine thru very harsh conditions. hasn't failed me ever. meter hasn't worked in ages as well but that doesn't deter me, i love handheld light meters!

 

[j-dogg]

Elan 7e, hands down. Uses all my L lenses from my 5D and has Eye Control.

 

[bighilt]

Minolta, without doubt. I recently got an X300 with that lens-- and other Rokkors-- and though I've used Nikons professionally for over 30 years I was blown away by the image quality and metering accuracy.

 

[wootsk]

I used Nikon SLR system till the day I got hold of canon new F-1, it seems that the Nikon system isn't that great after all and I sold it.

The Nikon SLR system feels a bit overrated. Due to most older lens still being able to use on Nikon DSLR, the price of those lens are still so expensive. I have seem some shooters who promote it base on brand loyalty (Fan boy) rather than logical reasons, when I ask them about what is so good about their camera to promote to others, they gave reasons like "don't you think my shutter sounds better and quieter?"

 

[ArtTwisted]

AE-1 , its a classic, although id sell them all and get a FM2N , FE2, or FA, but hey canons are alright too

 

[Sirius Glass]

Sight seeing => Nikon N75 and F100
Serious work => Hasselblads
Playing around => 4"x5" Graflex Model D

Steve

 

[BrianL]

Until recently, I'd not have voted for the Pentax S1a other than because of some great classic lenses being available at almost bargain prices. However, I recently picked up a S2a that also does not have the meter and wow! While we talk about some cameras as being a tank, this one I do believe I could hammer nails with. Yeah, no meter but using the Sunny 16 rule or picking up a light meter easily overcomes that. As an all mechanical camera, it will only become obsolete when the last roll of film is sold off.

I had a X-300 and X700 and these were the only cameras I've ever owned that literally fell apart in my hands. A Yashica FX-3 or FX-3 Super would be better as well as having the availablility of the Contax lenses.