Your first SLR...would you buy it again?

Theo Sulphate · Jun 24, 2017

In 1971 I dearly wanted an SRT-101 with that nice 58/1.2 lens. The ads for it in the magazines made that outfit so sexy.

Alas, as a student, there was no way I could afford that. I considered the SRT-100, but I knew it would constantly remind me of the camera I really wanted.

Thus, my first camera was a new Honeywell Pentax SP500 with Super Takumar 55/2. For the next 15 years, that was my only camera and lens. I still have that camera and use it fairly often. Photos from it, from four decades ago and even last year, decorate my walls.

Would I buy it again? Given the knowledge I have today, but the finances of 1971, yes I would.

Here it sits in a place of honour, next to my truly first camera, an 8mm Kodak movie camera:

Only in the last few years did I find an acceptable SRT-101 with the 58/1.2 lens:

juan · Jun 24, 2017

Kowa seT with leaf shutter. The ability to sync flash at all speeds was great. Complex exposure system, so I don't know if I'd buy it now. I used it for three years until it was stolen.
juan

foc · Jun 25, 2017

I got my first SLR in the mid 1970's , a Praktics Supet TL. The Mayer Domiplan lens that came with it is long gone (it broke in the early 1980's) So I replaced it with a Helios from a Zenit.

The camera is still working , 42 years later. The light meter is faulty but the cloth shutter is in great condition. I hadn't used the camera in 30 years until I came across it 5 years ago in the attic. Gave it a quick clean and is worked perfectly.

Arklatexian · Jun 25, 2017

narsuitus said:
My first 35mm SLR was the Miranda Sensorex that was rated #1 by "Consumer Reports." That was a big mistake because the Sensorex broke three times within the first two years of its three-year warranty. I replaced it with a Pentax Spotmatic that I borrowed and a Nikon F that I purchased. To this day, I still use dependable Pentax and Nikon SLRs.

I think if you could go back in time, the publication that rated your first SLR #1 was rating it so because it was the best for the money spent, not because it was THE best, period. This is why they never seemed to pick cameras like Rolleiflex/Rolleicords, Leicas and such. Your experience with your SLR was not that unusual in my experience as a camera store salesman during that time. Where I worked, we tried to sell equipment that would give the customer years of trouble-free service. We were not always successful because of that magazine. Some customers insisted on buying the "crap"..........Regards!

John Wiegerink · Jun 25, 2017

Miranda Sensorex in 1969 from a PX in Vietnam. I bought it cause it looked sexy and it had a sexy name. Good marketing by Miranda on that camera they had us young guys with a high sex drive by the gonads. It was a good camera and lasted me for many years. Would I buy it again? NO! I should have listened to my friend at the time and didn't. He had worked for his towns newspaper and new a thing or two about camera. I knew nothing! He tried to get me to by a new Nikon F with the metered prism, but it just looked to clunky and not as "sexy" as the Miranda. Plus, I would have had to pay $30.00 or 40.00 more for the F. Live and learn I guess. Kind of funny since I went Nikon when I got serious.

narsuitus · Jun 25, 2017

oldtimermetoo said:
...the publication that rated your first SLR #1 was rating it so because it was the best for the money spent, not because it was THE best, period.

You are right. I do remember the publication saying that the Miranda Sensorex was best buy for the money because the camera came with a three-year warrantee, had an interchangeable viewfinder, accepted bayonet and screw-mount lenses, and cost less than anything comparable.

John Wiegerink · Jun 25, 2017

narsuitus said:
You are right. I do remember the publication saying that the Miranda Sensorex was best buy for the money because the camera came with a three-year warrantee, had an interchangeable viewfinder, accepted bayonet and screw-mount lenses, and cost less than anything comparable.

................and it looked sexy and had a sexy name! Ha! Ha!

sepiareverb · Jun 25, 2017

Pentax K-1000, purchased in 1976 or 7.

No, but I might buy my second SLR again, the LX.

John Wiegerink · Jun 25, 2017

I don't use 35mm much anymore, but I had to buy one camera and start over it would be the LX. that's coming from a Leica/Nikon guy. I never even considered the LX, but the more I learn about it I'd say Pentax had a real sleeper/winner camera when they made the LX.

sepiareverb · Jun 25, 2017

It was a great camera. Lightweight, but rugged, with a terrific meter in it. I shot a lot of bands on stage with a pair of LX bodies, they metered in A so well. The pair were showing a lot of metal when I finally traded them away.

Sirius Glass · Jun 25, 2017

oldtimermetoo said:
I think if you could go back in time, the publication that rated your first SLR #1 was rating it so because it was the best for the money spent, not because it was THE best, period. This is why they never seemed to pick cameras like Rolleiflex/Rolleicords, Leicas and such. Your experience with your SLR was not that unusual in my experience as a camera store salesman during that time. Where I worked, we tried to sell equipment that would give the customer years of trouble-free service. We were not always successful because of that magazine. Some customers insisted on buying the "crap"..........Regards!

Absolutely. I loved the Minolta SR-7 but is was used. If I had had the money I would have bought a Nikon F or perhaps a Bronica S new.

Cork · Jun 25, 2017

Fin said:
First SLR: Pentax 110 Auto Super

Would I b... Wait, what? Ah, oh. This is in the 35mm section? Yeah... OK then

Ditto. First SLR was a Pentax Auto 110 with several lenses (4?), flash unit, and winder. Given the issues with the 110 format (small size, poor film flatness) it really was a fun camera that gave fairly high quality shots as long as I stayed with slow film. I took it on a business trip to Singapore because it was so small and light, and still marvel at some of the shots from that trip. Would I buy it again knowing what I know now? Heck, no. I'd spring for a Minolta XD-11 and would still be using my original SLR.

First 35mm SLR was a Minolta 7xi. When I purchased that one, it was so far beyond anything else on the market I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

nyoung · Jun 25, 2017

Nikon FM purchased in 1981. Used it till Nikon quit supplying parts. Have replaced it a couple of times, FM2n with 28/f2.8 currently in the lightweight/street shooting bag.

vsyrek1945 · Jun 25, 2017

RichardJack said:
. . . . .

1) What was your first 35mm SLR?

2) If you could go back in time would you pick the same one?

[1] Canon FTb in 1971. A coworker in my sister's office bought it for me while on a business trip to Hong Kong, along with a 50mm f/1.4 lens and never-ready case; I later learned how early mine was - its serial number was 127xxx. Sold it and my remaining Canon FD gear to KEH in 1995 after an AE-1, some lenses [including an early FD 35mm f/2] and a flash unit were stolen; the autofocus bug was biting, and our son's wedding was approaching [I stayed with Canon, though, getting an EOS Elan].

[2] Oh, yes - a recent GAS attack prompted me to get some FD gear, then someone in the southeast put an early FTb up for bids on eBay [serial number 150xxx, and there's a Bell and Howell plate riveted in the film chamber]. I was the only bidder, and wound up sending the FTb to Garry's for a CLA after looking it over.

Thanks and regards,
Vince

RichardJack · Jun 26, 2017

Here is a photo taken by my girlfriend in 1972 of one of my first rides using my first camera. It turns up my old car still exists and was restored and auctioned for $140k and is in a museum somewhere in England. My old Minolta SRT-101 is still like new in it's original box. You'd never see that car in the snow like that and notice it has snow tires on the rear.
I wish I was in the condition of my car and camera. Time does fly, but I have great memories.
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2250/32745/478548/398093243.jpg

Fujicaman1957 · Jun 26, 2017

A Kowa H with the funky shutter advance on the bottom-died after 1 & 1/2 rolls of film. Then, a Miranda D with a 50mm-nobody had lenses for Miranda around me. Finally bought a slightly used K-Mart "Focal" TLR (actually a re-badged Petri FTX). Used it for several years and switched to Spotmatics and then to Fujicas. I bought a Focal TLR and the lens some years back just for the memories.

cb1 · Jun 26, 2017

yes, I would. I started with a SRT101 that my dad loaned me in my early days of photography. (late 1970s)
I received a Canon AE1P from Santa Claus in 1981. I used that camera all the way 'till it died in 2001. The AE1P went to repair several times until the curtain broke off and rolled up like a shade.

Last year my dad gave me his camera kit, SRT101, XG7, X700 and I found a near mint AE1P on ebay for a very good price. So yes, I have all the cameras I started with. I love that SRT101, but I luuuuuuv (barry white voice) that AE1P.

Sirius Glass · Jun 26, 2017

RichardJack said:
Here is a photo taken by my girlfriend in 1972 of one of my first rides using my first camera. It turns up my old car still exists and was restored and auctioned for $140k and is in a museum somewhere in England. My old Minolta SRT-101 is still like new in it's original box. You'd never see that car in the snow like that and notice it has snow tires on the rear.
I wish I was in the condition of my car and camera. Time does fly, but I have great memories.
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2250/32745/478548/398093243.jpg

What is the condition of the girlfriend?

Cholentpot · Jun 26, 2017

My Asahi Pentax K1000 just suffered a life ending jam I think. It was the first SLR I spent money on. I have another K1000 but it's a newer one. I don't know of any justifiable repairs locally. I'll miss the 'ol girl, she fought well for me. I'd buy again if I was starting over.

RichardJack · Jun 26, 2017

LOL She was hot in 1972, still good looking for 64 if your into oldies, but she can use a good CLA.

Cholentpot · Jun 26, 2017

RichardJack said:
LOL She was hot in 1972, still good looking for 64 if your into oldies, but she can use a good CLA.

Recommend one for me? I have a soft spot for this camera.

John Wiegerink · Jun 26, 2017

RichardJack said:
LOL She was hot in 1972, still good looking for 64 if your into oldies, but she can use a good CLA.

We all could use a CLA when we get over 64yrs. I've had two CLA's already and who knows when the next one will come. I just hope they don't take a look at me and say this is beyond a CLA or even a repair???

Cholentpot · Jun 26, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
We all could use a CLA when we get over 64yrs. I've had two CLA's already and who knows when the next one will come. I just hope they don't take a look at me and say this is beyond a CLA or even a repair???

DNR. Do Not Repair.

John Wiegerink · Jun 26, 2017

Cholentpot said:
DNR. Do Not Repair.

It will probably be DOA!

Gerald C Koch · Jun 26, 2017

Cholentpot said:
My Asahi Pentax K1000 just suffered a life ending jam I think. It was the first SLR I spent money on. I have another K1000 but it's a newer one. I don't know of any justifiable repairs locally. I'll miss the 'ol girl, she fought well for me. I'd buy again if I was starting over.

The K1000 model sometimes suffers this problem. There was an article on how to unjam one. It involves removing the baseolate and pushing on a slide IIRC.

Your first SLR...would you buy it again?

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