Which system should I choose?

TheSohnly · Jun 8, 2010

Hi APUG, I'm trying to figure out what camera system to use on my secondary 35mm film system.
My primary is and always will be Nikon. Digital and Film, etc.

My secondary system is what I use when I just want to take a camera and use it for street shooting and just having fun with friends and stuff (having the bulky F100/Dx series digital + grip + huge lenses makes me think of my job and is tiring to carry around when i am just out having fun).

It pretty much all comes down to lens systems right now.

I found a hell of a deal on some equipment recently.
In the end, I got a Minolta X700, Minolta SRT200, Olympus OM-G (OM-20), and a Yashica Electro X ITS (all 4 with a plethora of lenses) for about $30.
All have working meters, function well, and are in beautiful condition.

* I love the shutter sound, features, and Rokkor glass on the X700.
* I love the size of the Olympus OM system body. I don't know of the quality of lenses, but I'm sure Zuiko lenses are sweet. If i go with this, i'll trade-up to a better camera body for this system.
* I love the huge number of lens possibilities if I were to use the Yashica Electro X ITS (it's got the M42 screwmount system).

So what should I do? I'm really at a loss here

elekm · Jun 8, 2010

Why don't you just add an FM/2/3 or FE/FE2 body. They're small and lightweight and you can continue with your Nikon line.

Christopher Walrath · Jun 8, 2010

If this is primarily a sreet setup, why not go with a rangefinder? Lightwight (Mamiya 7ii and others excepting), fast, easy to use. Some with interchangeable lenses. 35mm or MF. Well worth looking into. My personal advice regarding a second 35mm SLR setup would be the Minolta due to personal experience. But you name good systems and seem to have a head for it. Go with what is affordable.

TheSohnly · Jun 8, 2010

elekm said:
Why don't you just add an FM/2/3 or FE/FE2 body. They're small and lightweight and you can continue with your Nikon line.

All I have are heavy autofocus zoom lenses for my Nikon systems. Would be kinda funny to see a FM2 with a 24-70 f/2.8 or a 70-200 VR-II latched on.

Christopher Walrath said:
If this is primarily a street setup, why not go with a rangefinder? Lightweight (Mamiya 7ii and others excepting), fast, easy to use. Some with interchangeable lenses. 35mm or MF. Well worth looking into. My personal advice regarding a second 35mm SLR setup would be the Minolta due to personal experience. But you name good systems and seem to have a head for it. Go with what is affordable.

Rangefinder? I really hadn't thought of that. I've really never used one beyond a QL17 I had years ago (for a brief time).
I think the word Leica is dirty because you are (more or less) paying for a brand name. I'd have to get something halfway cheap with decent lenses for me to consider

MattKing · Jun 8, 2010

I use two OMGs as my lightweight bodies, and an OM1n or OM2n or OM2Sp as my main cameras. I get lots of use out of the OMGs. Don't replace your OMG too quickly.

If I were you, I'd agree with Mike, and get another, smaller Nikon body (Edit) and some smaller Nikon lenses that would work with your other camera.

christom · Jun 8, 2010

A Nikon FM2a with 50mm 1.8 short barrel is great, small and quick!

TheSohnly · Jun 8, 2010

christom said:
A Nikon FM2a with 50mm 1.8 short barrel is great, small and quick!

I'd probably end up getting a 24/28mm lens.

The rangefinder idea is getting better and better, though. I *might* pursue that option further.

What are the differences between the Nikon FE series and the Nikon FM series?

elekm · Jun 8, 2010

The FE is automatic + manual exposure and is battery dependent. The FM is manual exposure only, and the battery runs only the meter.

I bought my FE in 1980, and it's never let me down. I shot it side by side with an F2A for years. Still have both cameras.

I only suggest this, because if you're used to Nikon gear, then it's an easy step. Plus, you can always use your manual focus lenses with the F100 and Nikon digital bodies.

The Olympus cameras are very nice as well. I can also recommend the Pentax MX and the Minolta XD11 with the f/2.0 45mm lens (a nice little package).

Keep in mind that if you buy into any Japanese camera from the 1980s or earlier, you're probably going to have to replace the foam light seals. Plus, the camera might need to be overhauled (cleaned, etc.). You might want to look for a camera that's been serviced.

christom · Jun 8, 2010

I meant to say FM3A. In a nut shell... The FM2n, FM2 & FM have all manual settings with meter built in. The FE & FE2 have auto meter with aperture priority or manual settings but battery dependent. The FM3A has a hybrid shutter, all manual with or with out batteries or with auto metering with aperture priority... You can still have all of them repaired although I have an FE I bought new in 1980 that has been to hell and back... I sent it for a tune up recently and all it needed was a cleaning and new seals for the back and mirror.

I love the Leica M's but out of my cost frame. Not sure this was mentioned but the Bessa rangefinders are a great buy. I had one and love it but it didn't do well with heavy use. If your not shooting many rolls per-day or whatever, it would serve you well...

christom · Jun 9, 2010

elekm said:
The FE is automatic + manual exposure and is battery dependent. The FM is manual exposure only, and the battery runs only the meter.

I bought my FE in 1980, and it's never let me down. I shot it side by side with an F2A for years. Still have both cameras.

I only suggest this, because if you're used to Nikon gear, then it's an easy step. Plus, you can always use your manual focus lenses with the F100 and Nikon digital bodies.

The Olympus cameras are very nice as well. I can also recommend the Pentax MX and the Minolta XD11 with the f/2.0 45mm lens (a nice little package).

Keep in mind that if you buy into any Japanese camera from the 1980s or earlier, you're probably going to have to replace the foam light seals. Plus, the camera might need to be overhauled (cleaned, etc.). You might want to look for a camera that's been serviced.

Yes, well said... A great place for refurbished or repair is CameraRepair http://www.camerarepair.com/

olleorama · Jun 9, 2010

Rangefinder! A Konica Hexar RF with voigtländer lenses and your free from leica.

Q.G. · Jun 9, 2010

Olympus OM (get two OM2n cameras), and a clutch of Zuiko lenses (don't worry about Zuikos. They're the best!).

IloveTLRs · Jun 9, 2010

TheSohnly said:
* I love the size of the Olympus OM system body. I don't know of the quality of lenses, but I'm sure Zuiko lenses are sweet.

They are indeed. I picked up an OM-2 a while ago for peanuts, and it's a great camera (this coming from someone who dislikes SLRs.) If you get an OM-1, make sure the meter is still working. Some broken ones out there ...

TheSohnly · Jun 9, 2010

elekm said:
The Olympus cameras are very nice as well. I can also recommend the Pentax MX and the Minolta XD11 with the f/2.0 45mm lens (a nice little package).

The Minolta X700 that I bought (said in my original post) actually came with the 45mm f/2.0 lens that you recommend already on it. Sweet.
I did a quick search of the XD11. It looks to have what I would need (metered manual).
Does the shutter sound the same as the X700? I love that sound. It's like a controlled "swish-click" and not just a "klunk-clap" like so many other slr's.

olleorama said:
Rangefinder! A Konica Hexar RF with voigtländer lenses and your free from leica.

Aren't most interchangeable rangefinders upwards of $500 or more? I did a quick search for this Konica Hexar RF (and a few others like the Minolta CLE and a few Bessa's) and I didn't find ANYTHING for less than $500. That's body only and that is way more than I want to spend on a camera that I'm just gonna use to play around with.

I'd TRADE like 4-5 working slr's and lenses for one. I'm sure I can find lenses for cheap or for trade.

Jeff Kubach · Jun 9, 2010

You might want to check out some of the Canon rangefinders.

Jeff

totalmotard · Jun 9, 2010

I've got a Nikon D700 which is my working camera, and I was in the same situation. It's a beast to take anywhere casual. I picked up a Nikon N80 super cheap and it's my favorite for walking around. Has all the control of your F100 and none of the weight. Put a 50 1.8 AF-D or 24 2.8 AF-D and some Tri-X and you've got yourself a great combo.

I also just picked up an FE and a 24 2.8 AI. It's a nice combo too, but a lot heavier than the N80 although smaller. I'm using it for slides.

Christopher Walrath · Jun 9, 2010

Look for an older ZI, like the Zeiss Ikon Contina series rangefinders. I have two of the III's, they're light, they have photocell lightmeters with an ISO dial EV indicator. Easy to use and dirty too. I picked each of mine up through sleezebay for less than $30 USD each over the span of a couple years.

olleorama · Jun 9, 2010

TheSohnly said:
Aren't most interchangeable rangefinders upwards of $500 or more? I did a quick search for this Konica Hexar RF (and a few others like the Minolta CLE and a few Bessa's) and I didn't find ANYTHING for less than $500. That's body only and that is way more than I want to spend on a camera that I'm just gonna use to play around with.

I'd TRADE like 4-5 working slr's and lenses for one. I'm sure I can find lenses for cheap or for trade.

I'm very sorry sir, didn't see that criteria. Although the Hexar RF is a very nice camera indeed.

TheSohnly · Jun 9, 2010

Jeff Kubach said:
You might want to check out some of the Canon rangefinders

I'll look into 'em, thanks.

Christopher Walrath said:
Look for an older ZI, like the Zeiss Ikon Contina series rangefinders. I have two of the III's, they're light, they have photocell lightmeters with an ISO dial EV indicator. Easy to use and dirty too. I picked each of mine up through sleezebay for less than $30 USD each over the span of a couple years.

No interchangeable lenses and they are ugly...no thanks.

For right now, I'll probably use the X700 and the 45 f/2 until I can trade up to some kind of decent rangefinder (with a lens).
If anyone wants to trade me a good interchangeable lens rangefinder (with lens), I'm open for a PM.

Christopher Walrath · Jun 9, 2010

Aw, see now. I was on a roll until I had to open my big mouth about the Zeiss . . .

Hey wait a minute. Who's ugly? ;p

Naw, messin'.

Which system should I choose?

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