Your favorite 'other' slr.

[MattKing]

Olympus OM is where my heart lies.

But I have been dallying with a few different Canon EOS bodies recently, due to the AF option, especially when combined with eye controlled focussing.

Not to mention the ridiculously cheap prices of the Canon EOS bodies.

 

[LJSLATER]

My main body is also a Nikon F2.

It seems weird, but I've never used or even held a single Canon, Leica, or Hassleblad. Never used a large format either.

I love my dad's Mamiya MSX 1000, I used to borrow it all the time (it's now dead, unfortunately). I want to buy another one, they're very inexpensive. It has a Pentax screw mount, a match needle meter, a fixed focusing screen with a microprism spot (no split prism), and a cloth shutter. The metering system is a little weird, sort of like a large, off-center spot meter, indicated by a little square in the viewfinder, if I'm remembering correctly. My dad's lenses all have manual diaphrams so you have to open up to focus, and then stop down to meter and shoot, which I actually enjoy.

 

[Pioneer]

Since this came out of the 35mm section I will start there. I am primarily a Pentax user. My K1000 gets more use then any of my other 35mm SLRs but my LX runs a close 2nd. If I need something with autofocus then the PZ-1p comes out to play. But I also enjoy Minolta and have several SRT models. In fact I really like the images I get from some of my Rokkor lenses. The 45/2 leaps to mind and my 200mm/2.8. And it is probably the only 35mm I have used where the teleconverter (the 300 S) returns awesome images when mated with the 200. I think that is why I like both Pentax and Minolta. Several of their lenses are very, very special pieces of glass.

If I move to medium format then I am absolutely a Pentax guy because my 645Nii SLR gets more use, by a very large margin, than any other camera I own. IMHO this is one of the best values in the medium format world today and is a very versatile camera. I don't think I have "another" SLR in medium format since all the rest are either rangefinders or TLRs. I guess I could go looking for a Pentax 67 but that probably doesn't count as "other" does it.

(No dear...I am only kidding, I do not intend to go out and buy another camera!)

 

[Ipno Tizer]

Difficult one.

I don't want to part from my Cosina CSR which I've had since I was a teenager or my other CSR which I inherited from my dad. My CSR served me well for decades - I've still go a lot of the slides and few of them hideously over or under exposed. At the moment, the CSR's haven't been used in ages and one needs new light seals.

But I've recently got the OM2 I always wanted which is about to get it's second roll of film tomorrow. And right now, that one is getting most attention.

I also have another SLR. One of those 'other' SLRs. Strange thing - you take a picture and it pops up on the back....

But If I were honest, I'd have to say, I don't want to part with any of them.

Chris B.

 

[Leigh B]

Disregarding the pile of Nikons....

Two Miranda FvT SLRs. Beautifully built solid cameras. The optics are OK, but not stellar.

- Leigh

 

[Pumalite]

I started early: Nikon F, Canon F1, by now I love them all. More than 300. All functioning; all being used. Of course I'm a Physician. My serious work is done at 7 AM all mornings. But in the afternoon I play with all my cameras. I just bought a Hasselblad Mint; never used; 3 lenses all boxes, Manual, Bellows, 3 Backs, etc

 

[ambaker]

My first real camera, was a Yashica TL Electo-X. By the time I had the money to "upgrade" it was 14 years later, Yashica was fading, and I bought a Canon A-1. Still have many fond memories of that first camera. Now, my "other" SLR is an Aires. Even with today's films, the pictures manage a 50's look.

 

[Wade D]

I bought into the Minolta system in 1984 for a trip to Europe. 2 X-700 bodies, 5 lenses and a flash. I liked them so much that I have continued to buy different models. Everything from SRTs to Maxxums and everything in between. My current favorites are the XD-11 & Maxxum 8000i.
I started out with Exakta cameras in the late 60's and used them till 1984. They are still proudly displayed in a glass fronted shelf.

 

[lxdude]

Well, I'm a Nikon gal, ever since I got my first FE, and I don't think I would ever change for 35mm. But I do use a Bronica SQAi -- does it count if it's a different format? I just love the square, and it's often hard for me to choose over one or the other when I come across different scenes that I like.

A Nikon/Bronica combo is nice, as the Bronica lenses mount counter-clockwise like Nikon lenses, with the aperture and focusing rings turning the Nikon direction, too. I wonder if that is a result of Nikon being Bronica's original lens supplier.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

^ Quite possibly.

Anyway, started out with a Pentax H3v with 55/1.8 Super-Tak (eventually that got broken, and the lens was replaced with a 55/1.8 Super-Multi-Coated Tak). In 1987, the flash sync on the H3v was erratic @ best. Camera had lived a hard life. So, since my father shot Nikon at the time, I started looking at maybe getting a Nikkormat FTn from Tall's Camera in Bellevue, WA. Saw a pretty nice one for $125. A 50/2 Nikkor-H was going to run another $50. That night, my father sat me down, and said that if I did $75 worth in chores, he'd give me his Nikomat FTn kit, also with 50/2 Nikkor-H, the BC-7 flash unit, and a Kenko Auto Teleplus 2x teleconverter. Did the chores, got the camera. In 1990, I got my own Nikkormat, an FT2, with a 50/2 Nikkor-HC. Gave my father his FTn back with the later 50/2 HC on it. Didn't need it anymore. A year later, picked up my first modern Nikon, an FM2n that had some wear on it, but nothing major. Used that camera for 13 years. Still wish I had it. Not one identical to it - have had many identical to it, some nicer, some uglier, but not the camera. Actually have kept my eyes peeled on eBait for the original Nikkormat bodies as well. Not that I need them, since I have their twins in my hands currently. Since that fateful day, I've owned too many Nikons to count.

Anyway, getting back on-topic, I've owned four more SV/H3v Pentax bodies, and three or so Spotmatics. Eventually, would like to get another Spotmatic with 50/1.4 SMC Takumar. Currently have a Pentax Super A that I picked up for a friend in Canada. Need to send it north to him sometime soon.

Also had a Canon FTb-QL in black with 50/1.4 SSC. If I could've found an adapter that would take round eyepiece diopters, or the proper -4 rectangular eyepiece diopter, I'd still own it. Another camera I've owned, was a Leica R4. Was one of the cameras in the bad serial block, but had survived the 26 years since it was built, so it was working. Felt bad that the seller was offering me his 3-cam 50/2 Summicron-R for $200, when it was worth $325. So, it went back.

Medium format-wise, I've owned three 500c's and a dead 500EL that had a good 80/2.8 T* C Planar on it. Two of the 500c's were the transitional bodies that were actually 500c/m bodies with the 500c badge.

-J

 

[RH Designs]

I started with a Zenit-E back in the early 70s. When that developed a fault I bought an OM-10 in 1978 and now have seven OM bodies. Too many, obviously, but I wouldn't part with any of them! I picked up a Contax RTSII cheap at a local auction and was surprised at how un-ergonomic it was (separate buttons for metering and shooting, a shutter release which was "tactile" rather than smooth making it harder to release without causing some shake, and whole-stop meter indications vs the 1/3 stop of the later OMs). I sold it pronto for a nice profit . Apologies to any Contax fans, but it wasn't for me!

 

[Brian C. Miller]

Main SLR camera is a Pentax 6x7, and the "other" SLR is an Olympus Pen-F.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

My non-steroidal SLR go-to camera is a long-serving (1994-) Canon EOS1N with TS-E 24 3.5L (et al).
My SLR on steroids is a Pentax 67 with 55 f4 and 165 f4 leaf shutter. Neither SLR is better than the other, just different and requiring very different skills. Mind you, if I need to make a noise I like taking the 67 shutter for a work-out.

Both toys are being primed and prettied for a wet and cold rainforest shoot this coming weekend. Can't wait............................

 

[DWThomas]

My favorite 'other' film SLR is a Canon A-1, for when I'm not using my Bronica SQ-A. I also have an AE-1 and an original F-1 body, but I have a long term acquaintance with the A-1 and like how it handles.

 

[elekm]

My Top 5 SLRs:

1) Nikon F2A - reliable, heavy, never misses a shot. Bought it new in 1979. Still works like a champ.

2) Rolleiflex SL 35 E - took about four tries to get one with working electronics. Love the Zeiss lenses and the viewfinder. Feels very solid and balanced. In fact, this has become defacto No. 1.

3) Minolta XD 11 - compact and reasonably quiet for an SLR. I always wanted one of these. Now, they're plentiful and inexpensive. Had to change the body covering. I love the handling. Very easy to use.

4) Contax 139 Quartz - compact although somewhat noisy. Excellent Zeiss lenses, of course. Feels balanced. Very bright viewfinder -- much brighter than any other camera that I've used. The Rolleiflex SL 35 E comes in second. Had to replace the body covering, which had worn/rotted away.

5) Pentax MX - This was my second SLR, and I still enjoy using it, although it's a replacement and not the original camera that I bought back in 1978. Love the softly lit red-yellow-green LEDs. The body is almost too small. It's very solid and very reliable.

 

[blockend]

I began as an Olympus OM person, but found the bodies too vulnerable to the rigors of street photography and back-packing I was doing at the time. Next stop was a Nikon F, in many ways the antithesis of the OM ethos. It was beautifully made and certainly robust, but too heavy to be touted as a constant companion. The many years since owning either have been occupied by trying to find the sweet spot between ease of use, lens resolution, cost of system, durability and so on.

Currently my two favourites are the Canon A-Series bodies, principally the A-1, and the Yashica FR. Both do the job asked in different ways. The AF era Nikons are also very usable, if rather characterless compared with their manual era brethren.

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

Leicaflex with Summicron 50 , I dont use toyota or I dont use tourist cameras.

 

[baachitraka]

Started with film about an year ago. OM first and EOS 620 next since I have some EF lenses. Mostly, I shoot with OM.

Looking forward to own heavy-metal MF or 35mm, suggestions are welcome.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

^ 35mm-wise, try a Nikon F2. Very durable cameras, just like the original F. Medium format-wise, a Hasselblad V-series camera would work well. A 500c or 500c/m.

-J

 

[Felinik]

I'm all Pentax, but I am considering a second series, Minolta, since I've found that there seems to be a fair amount of cheap good glass for those.

 

[Steve Roberts]

Nowadays I'm a Pentaxian through and through ....... but I do have a sneaking admiration for the Yashica TL Electro that dates from the time before I could afford a Spotmatic but could afford the TL Electro and got excellent results from it.
Steve

 

[darkosaric]

Favorite slr: nikon F3.
'Other' favorite slr: nikon F.

 

[cliveh]

I have two SLR cameras which I never really use, but bought them because I liked their design. One is a Zeiss Ikon Contaflex and the other is a Nikon FM2. But it’s a bit like viewing an image through the middle of a tube. A rangefinder allows you to view above below and side to side before deciding on the composition.

 

[Pioneer]

A rangefinder allows you to view above below and side to side before deciding on the composition.

And here I thought all along that my SLR viewfinder allowed me to do the same thing. Silly me.

 

[darkosaric]

And here I thought all along that my SLR viewfinder allowed me to do the same thing. Silly me.

I prefer SLR over rangefinders, but with rangefinder you do see around 120-130% of frame or even more, and with SLR 100% at best. Only way is that you have both eyes open when shooting with SLR.