Your Favorite 35mm Camera?

Frank Dean,  Blacksmith

A
Frank Dean, Blacksmith

  • 8
  • 5
  • 73
Woman wearing shades.

Woman wearing shades.

  • 1
  • 1
  • 80
Curved Wall

A
Curved Wall

  • 6
  • 0
  • 92
Crossing beams

A
Crossing beams

  • 10
  • 1
  • 115
Shadow 2

A
Shadow 2

  • 5
  • 1
  • 86

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,842
Messages
2,781,732
Members
99,725
Latest member
saint_otrott
Recent bookmarks
0

John_Nikon_F

Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
1,963
Location
Duvall, WA,
Format
Multi Format
Still everything in my signature. Four of the cameras are shown in the pic... The two that aren't are either waiting to see Dr. Daley @ the Camera Clinic or are waiting for pickup.



-J
 

Pumalite

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Messages
1,078
Location
Here & Now
Format
Multi Format
Nikon F2 at the moment
 

BrianL

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
Messages
538
Location
Toronto ON C
Format
Medium Format
A hard question as I like different cameras for different reasons. I've not found one that is not a compromise is some way.

SLR: Never had a Pentax LX but based on my experience with the Exactas I suspect it might be a favorite if I ever put a system together. Also, as many of the features it has as to configuration ability is similar to my Bronica ETRS with the 35mm back that I would class as my favorite 35mm SLR I think the Pentax would be it. However, the Bronica has been so good that I've not in decades had any desire to put together a 35mm SLR system.

Folders: Easier; Minox ML and Voigtlander Contina II (524/24). Each folds up to a very easy pocketable unit with excellent lenses, especially with color film. Of the 2, the Minox sadly has a troble prone electronic shutter and why there are almost none around any longer. I've not tried the GT that seems to have a corrected shutter and was the last of the series so I do not know if I'd like it as much simply b/c it does not have manual metering or meter hold. So, the Contina II is the winner. I've owned mine for some 30 years and only a few years ago did the shutter finally gum up so it is awaiting a trip to the doctor. I expect it to easily run long after I'm dead.

Viewfinder: The Vito B wins hands down here. The Pronto SVS with Color-Skopar lens is a killer combination and whatever the company did to finish the camera's metal parts should be studied by every manufacturer. The parts never seem to show wear, rust, scratch, mar or anything else. Mine has not been abused but not babied in ANY way and it is in like new condition looks wise. The lens name is very appropriate as it really brings out the colors. Saturated and contrasty colors without making it look false.

Rangefinder: Yeah, an easy one, the Leica CL. Small, great standard lenses, pocketable, built as good as most though not a hammer like a M Leica or the Contina or Vito B but weighs mush less than any of them. Built in meter is as good as anything I've used. I've tried an M body from time to time as I'd really like to get one but each time even with the cash burning inmy pocket, it just did not do it for me as well as the feel o the CL. If did not have the CL, maybe then the M body would have worked for me. I had mine serviced back when I bought it in about 1987 and it has been a very reliable constant companion since. No shelf queen or sometime user but my main 35mm camera.

If I had to only select 1, discounting the possibility of the Pentax LX and accepting all the flames ( I can se them coming) that the Bronica does not count it would be difficult to choose between the 3 remaining cameras. Each is so different from the other though the Vito B and CL are basically viewfinder cameras but the CL has more options. All 3 sort lenses that are so good that for general color negative photography they are almost equal. The Vito B and Leica do better than the Contina II with slides while the Contina II and the Leica do better than the Vito I like better with slow ISO b&w, the Contina II is really nice with faster grainier higher ISO than the Vito II.

Based on the above, I think I'd have to go with the CL but if the question were to arise AND I really had to choose I'm not sure. Happily, I do not have to make a choice.
 

drumlin

Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Messages
195
Location
Chapel Hill
Format
Medium Format
Tie between Nikon F4 and FM3a. Both are fantastic and what I've settled on (after buying and selling way too many bodies). Mostly the weight dictates which one I grab. The F4 is great on a tripod and the FM3a is great around your neck...
 

RMP-NikonPro

Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2008
Messages
180
Location
Lincolnshire
Format
35mm
I've an F100,F4 & FM3a! love them all, I never know which one to use! :confused:
 

j-dogg

Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Messages
1,542
Location
Floor-it-duh
Format
Multi Format
Right now it's a tie between my Canon Elan 7e and my Nikkormat FTn, but if I had to choose one it's my Nikkormat all the way, mostly because I have 10 different lenses for it with 4 of them professional grade, while my Canon has the stocker kit lens, which actually isn't too bad but I'm limited on range.
 

gandolfi

Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Messages
1,820
Location
Denmark
Format
Large Format Pan
SO mant pages - evenmore cameras - I just skimmed the thread, and am I right, that noone has a softness for the TOPCON SUPER Dm camera?

well - it is my all time favourite 35mm camera.
as we speak, I just borrowed the very elusive 85mm 1.8 lens, and I am off to try it out.

So many lenses for it - and such good ones.

I like Nikon as well - but I can't have both, as Nikon is oriented opposite the Topcon, so I miss the right light all the time....:wink:

When does Nikon learn to do it right? :D

Topcon it is.
then it is Topcon...

then we can talk....

(I use 35mm very rarely now, by the way. but if...then...)
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,364
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Still everything in my signature. Four of the cameras are shown in the pic... The two that aren't are either waiting to see Dr. Daley @ the Camera Clinic or are waiting for pickup.



-J

I like the "35mm" camera on the left side.

That one and the Nikon F100 are my favorite 35mm cameras.

Steve
 

mckenna

Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
30
Location
Amarillo, TX
Format
Medium Format
Fav 35mm

Contax G1, superior glass, small, quiet, simple to operate, great for street shoots,
nobody even notices that I am using it, I look like a tourist. Love it!!!!!!!!!
 

photoncatcher

Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2009
Messages
173
Location
NJ
Format
Medium Format
Probably one of my FSU RFs. I love my Fed 2, but I like the thumb advance of my Zorki 4 k.
 

BrianL

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
Messages
538
Location
Toronto ON C
Format
Medium Format
The Contina II was made by Zeiss Ikon, not Voigtlander. Great little camera, however.

You are right. I have pulled out a Vioghtlander Vito B as well as the Contina II and with the cancer drugs the old mind can get a might confused from time to time.
 

John_Nikon_F

Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
1,963
Location
Duvall, WA,
Format
Multi Format
I like the "35mm" camera on the left side.

That one and the Nikon F100 are my favorite 35mm cameras.

Steve

hehehehe - said "35mm" camera received a new-style rapid wind crank today. And, a few hours before, the Nikon F4s decided to take a dump while I was trying to get a shot of the fall color here in the Seattle area. *sigh* After tomorrow, there will be one less lens in my arsenal. That being the 300mm that's standing up in the background.

-J
 

ujjwaldey8165

Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
1
Format
35mm
Contax G1 and the Leica CL.

Both small, outstanding lens, easy to use, and does not attract attention.

One with a B/W roll; the other with a colour
 

parkpy

Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
96
Format
35mm
my olympus om2n.

but I loved the spot-metering capabilities of my OM-4T.

When I had the chance to buy another om-4t, I purchased another FM-2n. The fm-2n isn't as nice to handle, is bigger, has a lousy LED display, small viewfinder, etc., but I trust it to work for a VERY long time.

Plus, when I am too lazy to shoot manually, I pick up my inherited Canon A-1.
 

Dennis S

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 16, 2008
Messages
1,761
Location
Vancouver B.C.
Format
Multi Format
A Canon (A or F or EOS body) Lenses: I have 25ish to chose from. What ever I carry for the day is my favorite.
I like to have all my cameras in operational condition.. Sometimes that is beyond my control and then I switch to plan B......
 
Last edited by a moderator:

polaski

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2006
Messages
104
Location
Philadelphia
Format
35mm
Pentax KX - the old film camera

Does everything I need from it and it's very, very useful if the mob gets out of hand.
 

Pumalite

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Messages
1,078
Location
Here & Now
Format
Multi Format
This weekend I took 3 rolls of dead Tri-X in Valparaìso with my Retina IIIc Schneider-Kreusnach Xenon F/2
 

tokengirl

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2010
Messages
37
Format
Multi Format
They are like my children, I love them all equally for different reasons. They are all special. :smile:
 
Joined
Dec 10, 2009
Messages
6,297
Format
Multi Format
Canon f1n. Built like a tank and had mine for over 20 years. know the camera like the back of my hand.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom