Your Favorite 35mm Camera?

[dsmccrac]

Thanks Chris. I can - probably like a lot of folks here, haha - set rules for myself about what is or is not an acceptable tool ;-) I try to challenge them but sometimes it is hard. All the stuff I love about the OM and Mainani's design theory steers me to loving what I would define as the elegance and simplicity of the OM line. (Something I am sure the non-fans would define as 'limited and simplistic' haha.) at any rate that had made me think that the OM-4 was becoming 'bloated' with features in a 'me too' race with the big boys. I will free my mind and have a look at them.

 

[RobertoMiglioli]

I like Yashica FX-2. Why? a) all-mechanical (no electronics but the meter, that doesn´t work anyway); b) no split-screen to blacken-out when you close down a few stops or preview depth-of-field (I use microprism instead; once you get used it´s much better than split-screen); c) depth-of-field preview button; d) accepts Contax lenses (this doesn´t make my photos better. I just like to say "I use Contax lenses" because it makes me feel like I know something about photography - which I don´t).

 

[Sirius Glass]

At the moment the WideLux F7 that I just bought.

It is all mechanical.

 

[okto]

Nikon F3 and F100.
The former, because it is the ultimate expression of the knob-interface SLR, and the latter because it is so, so simple. Just 5 AF points—center and the four cardinals. Big viewfinder. Fast AF. Nothing else to worry about.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Thanks Chris. I can - probably like a lot of folks here, haha - set rules for myself about what is or is not an acceptable tool ;-) I try to challenge them but sometimes it is hard. All the stuff I love about the OM and Mainani's design theory steers me to loving what I would define as the elegance and simplicity of the OM line. (Something I am sure the non-fans would define as 'limited and simplistic' haha.) at any rate that had made me think that the OM-4 was becoming 'bloated' with features in a 'me too' race with the big boys. I will free my mind and have a look at them.

Once you get used to it, the OM4's meter is just wonderful. I don't consider it "bloated with features" because, except for the metering system, it's pretty straightforward. The OM3 has the same meter, but no automation and a mechanical shutter.

Be sure you get a later 4 or a 4t, early ones ate batteries like M&Ms and were responible in large part for my switch to all-mechanical Nikons.

 

[Chris Nielsen]

Once you get used to it, the OM4's meter is just wonderful. I don't consider it "bloated with features" because, except for the metering system, it's pretty straightforward. The OM3 has the same meter, but no automation and a mechanical shutter.

Be sure you get a later 4 or a 4t, early ones ate batteries like M&Ms and were responible in large part for my switch to all-mechanical Nikons.

One of the awesome things with the 4 is the way it shows the current shutter speed in manual mode in the finder. I love that.

 

[dsmccrac]

Kk guys I will try to give a OM-4 some love when a semi affordable one is available. So a 4 (no T) is OK on batteries if it is late model? What is 'late' ?

 

[Chris Nielsen]

Kk guys I will try to give a OM-4 some love when a semi affordable one is available. So a 4 (no T) is OK on batteries if it is late model? What is 'late' ?

Switch the battery check on, if it stops buzzing after 30 seconds it is a late model circuit and you are good to go. My OM4 is great on batteries with this circuit.

 

[Les Sarile]

The OM4's meter is a fantastic addition. I just wished they had kept the viewfinder magnification the same as the OM1&2.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

The OM4's meter is a fantastic addition. I just wished they had kept the viewfinder magnification the same as the OM1&2.

Well, they added the adjustable eyepiece. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

 

[Jim Rice]

I am becoming more and more endeared to my new-to-me RTS. It is heavy for my taste (my last 35 was an OM-1). But it DOES perform.

 

[Les Sarile]

Well, they added the adjustable eyepiece. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Since I still have good eyesight, I don't need the built-in diopter adjustment and much prefer the huge HD viewfinders of the OM1&2 and Pentax MX/ME. But hey, almost 30 years later, none of this matters except enjoying them. Of course what's most important when picking up one of these classics is that they have that "PASSED" sticker . . .

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Since I still have good eyesight, I don't need the built-in diopter adjustment and much prefer the huge HD viewfinders of the OM1&2 and Pentax MX/ME. But hey, almost 30 years later, none of this matters except enjoying them. Of course what's most important when picking up one of these classics is that they have that "PASSED" sticker . . .

Well, I've never had good eyesight. One of the quibbles I had with all of the OMs was that I could not see the entire frame with my glasses on, cannot see anything clearly beyond 10~12 inches without glasses. So the adjustable diopter on the 3 and 4 meant that I could at least use them without an accessory, but alas I had to use them without glasses, meaning that my glasses were constantly going on and off - an unacceptable process. The Nikon F was a revelation the first time I looked through the finder - I could see the whole frame with glasses! This, plus the fact that with an F what you see is exactly what you get, compounded by the fact that the early 4 I had used batteries like a junkie uses heroin, meant the Olympus system was going down the road.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

One of the awesome things with the 4 is the way it shows the current shutter speed in manual mode in the finder. I love that.

'Awesome' is a horribly misused and abused word.The only thing worse is "totally awesome". Both my 40+ year old Nikons show the shutter speed in the finder. They work without batteries, too.

 

[GarageBoy]

Nikon F3/T
Everything I want (AE/built like a brick/not too big/looks gorgeous/"quiet"/smoooooth film advance/80-20 CW meter), nothing I don't
Pros choice for over a decade

 

[EASmithV]

Nikon F/F6. Either fully mechanical hewn chunk of brass that can stop a bullet, or fine tuned, refined, tank of an SLR.

 

[Les Sarile]

Nikon F/F6. Either fully mechanical hewn chunk of brass that can stop a bullet, or fine tuned, refined, tank of an SLR.

Of course the mirror box - film back is highly vulnerable, but I am not sure up to what caliber & distance can be stopped by any of these bodies. Maybe the folks at Mythbusters can test this . . .

 

[j.c.denton]

Nikon F100. Absolutely reliable, great to hold and a dial for everything. It is just a fabulous tool.

Christian

 

[NZed]

My father's(now mine) Nikon FE2.

 

[Alan Gales]

My favorite 35mm camera will always be the Contax 139. I have so many cherished memories and photographs to prove it using that camera.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Nikon F/F6. Either fully mechanical hewn chunk of brass that can stop a bullet, or fine tuned, refined, tank of an SLR.

Brass? Nowhere near. Aluminium alloy. I doubt either would stop a .22 short.

 

[marko.oja]

I kinda like my Olympus OM-2n more than my Canon 1n - on the other hand, I do seem to take most of my film pictures worth printing with a Olympus Mju-2...

 

[Red Tractors]

Pentax K1000, It's a Spotmatic with a K-mount, But I usually have a Canon EOS body along with my "modern" kit.

I have two M42 Argus/Cosina STL's in one kit, decent little cameras, especially when you can get them for $5-$10.

I still want a black Nikon FM or FM2, even though I have no Nikon gear or glass. Just a beater FM and a 50mm.

 

[lancekingphoto]

My favorite 35mm camera is my Konica Autoreflex T3. I bought it on the cheap from eBay a couple of years ago, and it works with all the lenses I bought in the 80s and 90s for my Konica TC-X. I've just sent it off to the famous Greg Weber for a battery conversion. He looked it over and recommended some other maintenance that's going to cost more than I'd originally planned. But I enjoy that old tank of a camera immensely, so it's worth the added cost to get it thoroughly updated and serviced. Can't wait to get it back and start shooting again!

 

[Renato Tonelli]

Rollei 35

I have a few of these. One of them is always loaded and ready to go with HIE. A tiny little camera with a great lens and a plasure to use.

I might have replied to this thread in the past... a search does not turn up the appropriate post, so perhaps I did not.