Who's the Greatest

ColColt · Jul 8, 2015

Over the past month I've looked at Leica M and R cameras and after reading much from owners and other threads here and there I've come to the conclusion the best 35mm film camera, all things considered, is with little doubt the Nikon F2AS. I've never read nor experienced anything about shutter lag as I have in the Leica R cameras. I've not read anywhere about the problems some of the others have with the F2 series and I have myself the F2A but it suffers from the old Cds cells which are not 30+ years old. Mine isn't giving any problem but if and when it does I have an advocate that can replace those old cells with new ones-Sover Wong.

Notwithstanding the Canon F-1 is another great camera but, I got started with Nikon in 1977 and think that's where I'll stay.

Les Sarile · Jul 8, 2015

ColColt said:
I got started with Nikon in 1977 and think that's where I'll stay.

Good so you can stay focused on using it!

Paul Howell · Jul 8, 2015

I owned a F, F2AS, F3J or press, the F2 is very strong, no issues with shooting without batteries, but the F3 has additional features, better motor drive. The Konica T and T3 have higher flash sync at 125th, a great line up lens, The Pentax LX and Olympus OM4 both excellent systems cameras with great lens. The Topcon SuperD, another great camera, the meter was in the body so all viewfinders were metered. And as stated the F1 new another great camera. Not to mention the Minolta XK, and the overlooked Alpa 11E, odd camera with perhaps the best standard lens in the Swiss Kern 50 1.9 Macro.

I don't think there is a greatest camera, just good cameras and lens in the hands of great photographers.

miha · Jul 8, 2015

Contax AX or Canon EOS 1 RS. I never owned either of them.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Jul 8, 2015

I researched ever automobile including Ferrari and Lamborghini and I read every users opinion and found best car is isuzu hahhahaha

Sirius Glass · Jul 8, 2015

Nikon F-100

Let the flame wars begin!

Ken Nadvornick · Jul 8, 2015

Who's The Greatest

Muhammad Ali, of course...

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Jul 8, 2015

OptiKen · Jul 8, 2015

The word "Best" is a chameleon. It changes with everyone you ask; for every situation you encounter; and often each time you ask it.
There is no 'best'.
Best for you? Possibly.
Best for you for all situations? Doubtful.
But like Les Sarile said earlier, "Good so you can stay focused on using it!"
The one you are most familiar with and can get to perform for you rather than constrain you to it's limitations is the Best

Theo Sulphate · Jul 8, 2015

Ken Nadvornick said:
Who's The Greatest

Muhammad Ali, of course...

Beat me to it.

But look at this! He's using a Nikon F with an older TN finder:

http://blackartinamerica.com/profiles/blogs/the-african-american-love-affair-with-the-camera

These photos are amazing.

removed account4 · Jul 8, 2015

ColColt said:
Over the past month I've looked at Leica M and R cameras and after reading much from owners and other threads here and there I've come to the conclusion the best 35mm film camera, all things considered, is with little doubt the Nikon F2AS. I've never read nor experienced anything about shutter lag as I have in the Leica R cameras. I've not read anywhere about the problems some of the others have with the F2 series and I have myself the F2A but it suffers from the old Cds cells which are not 30+ years old. Mine isn't giving any problem but if and when it does I have an advocate that can replace those old cells with new ones-Sover Wong.

Notwithstanding the Canon F-1 is another great camera but, I got started with Nikon in 1977 and think that's where I'll stay.

i think the greatest is what you have and like and / or what might be with you at the time.
pretty much any camera from a piece of plastic to a machined piece of metal is capable
of producing beautiful photographs.

if you have nothing with you its the worst

gzinsel · Jul 8, 2015

Ken ++++1, I wish I would have beat you to the punch!!! ( pun intended)

cuthbert · Jul 8, 2015

Best for what?

According to different situation, the best camera can be a tiny Leica III, a M5, a Canon F-1N in full metal armour, a F2AS, a LX...for instance for sport I would immediately choose the F-1N with motordrive, AE finder, a tripod and a L zoom lens, but of course for street photography even a simple K1000 would be a better choice for the job.

The F2AS is one of my favourite cameras and it's optimised for night photography, but for instance for me the viewfinder is a little dark and sometimes I have problems seeing the LEDs, in daytime I prefer my F2A even if the needle display is also very small and if the eye is not aligned correctly might disappear.

In short, there's not really the Greatest, ma many greatest cameras for something.

rthollenbeck · Jul 8, 2015

jnanian said:
i think the greatest is what you have and like and / or what might be with you at the time.
pretty much any camera from a piece of plastic to a machined piece of metal is capable
of producing beautiful photographs.

I couldn't agree more. The camera is just a tool and it's all about what's best for you to make pictures with. What camera is best is just a mater of opinion. But the discusion does serve a purpose. There are a lot of fine picture taking machines out there, I'm sure when you find the right flavor it will make you happy.

chip j · Jul 8, 2015

KEN ROCKWELL (!!!) says the Leica M3 was the GREAtEST!!!

cuthbert · Jul 8, 2015

chip j said:
KEN ROCKWELL (!!!) says the Leica M3 was the GREAtEST!!!

In another review he says the greatest is the F2AS. In another the F5, In another...whatever.

ColColt · Jul 8, 2015

You have to take what ol' Ken says with a large dose of salt but he may be close in his assumptions about the M3. I wish I had a good one but would have to second mortgage my home for the lens.

Alan Gales · Jul 8, 2015

cuthbert said:
In another review he says the greatest is the F2AS. In another the F5, In another...whatever.

Good ole Ken is consistently inconsistent!

Alan Gales · Jul 8, 2015

ColColt said:
You have to take what ol' Ken says with a large dose of salt but he may be close in his assumptions about the M3. I wish I had a good one but would have to second mortgage my home for the lens.

He likes Mamiya 7's too. Nice cameras with great glass but expensive!

A lot of what Ken says is tongue in cheek. He likes to stir the pot to get people talking. I hear he does pretty well with his website and doesn't need a regular job while we play with cameras and write on APUG for free.

summicron1 · Jul 8, 2015

ColColt said:
Over the past month I've looked at Leica M and R cameras and after reading much from owners and other threads here and there I've come to the conclusion the best 35mm film camera, all things considered, is with little doubt the Nikon F2AS. I've never read nor experienced anything about shutter lag as I have in the Leica R cameras. I've not read anywhere about the problems some of the others have with the F2 series and I have myself the F2A but it suffers from the old Cds cells which are not 30+ years old. Mine isn't giving any problem but if and when it does I have an advocate that can replace those old cells with new ones-Sover Wong.

Notwithstanding the Canon F-1 is another great camera but, I got started with Nikon in 1977 and think that's where I'll stay.

to each his own. I have an F2 with the meter that has little LEDs -- is that the AS? -- and I have both a Leica M and a Leica SL2 -- the M is the quietest and smoothest camera you will ever use and the SL2 is not far behind.

Compared to those, when I pick up that Nikon, it always feels like someone dropped a garbage can onto a tin roof.

Your results may vary. Batteries not included, Some assembly required.

summicron1 · Jul 8, 2015

chip j said:
KEN ROCKWELL (!!!) says the Leica M3 was the GREAtEST!!!

i have both an M3 and an M4 and find myself drawn to the M4 just because the viewfinder has the right frames AND the quick loading option.

But either is a gem to use. I really would not differentiate.

chip j · Jul 8, 2015

But really, folks, the best-built film camera EVER was the Rolleiflex (better than any Leica).

Sirius Glass · Jul 9, 2015

chip j said:
But really, folks, the best-built film camera EVER was the Rolleiflex (better than any Leica).

Only in your dreams, in the real world it is Hasselblad. Hasselblad is a real camera and a real camera system. If you want to have a MF format with wide angle, normal and telephoto capability only requires one Habody and three Zeiss lenses, but with Rolleiflex TLRs you would need three cameras hanging from your neck and a truss to keep you from having a hernia.

Jes' sayin'

Theo Sulphate · Jul 9, 2015

chip j said:
But really, folks, the best-built film camera EVER was the Rolleiflex (better than any Leica).

I wouldn't be surprised if build quality was first class. But, if I have to look at a reversed image, it'd better be through the taking lens, à la Hasselblad.

Cool that Sammy is using one:

http://blackartinamerica.com/profiles/blogs/the-african-american-love-affair-with-the-camera

film_man · Jul 9, 2015

ColColt said:
Over the past month I've looked at Leica M and R cameras and after reading much from owners and other threads here and there I've come to the conclusion the best 35mm film camera, all things considered, is with little doubt the Nikon F2AS. I've never read nor experienced anything about shutter lag as I have in the Leica R cameras.

Well I haven't just read what others though about something, I bought and tried things myself and I found that the R8 is a magnificent camera and I really have no idea what this shutter lag people talk about is, ok it is not as fast as a EOS 1V (which I have also owned) but the R8 is by far the nicest and smoothest camera I have ever used. Worth getting one just for the shutter sound. The viewfinder is certainly the best of what I ever used. The FM2n was almost as nice to use.

By the way, if you want to know what I have owned/own in 35mm here it is:
Canon EOS 300, 30, 3, 1N, 1V
Voigtlander R3A
Nikon FM2n, F100
Olympus OM-1MD, OM-4Ti
Leica R8
Nikonos V

But is the R8 the best? No. No camera is the best. Because if there was a "best" everyone would just buy that and the rest would be junked. Tell you what, all the above cameras are junk when I'm in the water. For that, my Nikonos V is the best. it is even pretty good on land. And lots of fun. In fact, my Nikonos is the one I have the most fun with, it is just cool.

Who's the Greatest

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