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

GRHazelton · Jun 26, 2017

My first SLR was a Komaflex S, which used 127 film. I used it with great pleasure until the shutter/auto diaphragm gave troubles; the diaphragm wouldn't close down. I set it aside and did little photography for some years.

My first 35mm SLR was a Praktica LTL. I used it for many years. A good camera, not a beauty queen, but rugged and reliable, with an excellent implementation of stop-down metering. I still have it and it still works.

Would I buy again? The Komaflex yes, assuming a good selection of film at reasonable prices! Roughly $12 for a roll of BW is absurd. The LTL? Given the alternatives when I bought it I probably would. Cheap, tough, with a fine lens. Who could ask for more?

Cholentpot · Jun 26, 2017

Gerald C Koch said:
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.

I tried, although it freed up the shutter and advance it only works for one shot and jams again. I have no fear of fixing but this problem seems to be beyond my skill.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 26, 2017

Cholentpot said:
I tried, although it freed up the shutter and advance it only works for one shot and jams again. I have no fear of fixing but this problem seems to be beyond my skill.

Usually once that particular issue is "fixed", it stays fixed for a while (Pentax eventually changed the shape of the arm as a permanent fix).

Anyway, the arm which holds the spring-loaded lever may be loose, causing the lever to trip prematurely. Check that the arm has not become loose.

Cholentpot · Jun 26, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
Usually once that particular issue is "fixed", it stays fixed for a while (Pentax eventually changed the shape of the arm as a permanent fix).

Anyway, the arm which holds the spring-loaded lever may be loose, causing the lever to trip prematurely. Check that the arm has not become loose.

Can you link/post picture or diagram of which lever?

aparat · Jun 26, 2017

Mine was a Zenit XP back in 1989. I later traded it for a Pentacon Six Tl, which I still have and use nearly every day. I would probably not buy the Zenit today, but, back then, it was a dream come true, and a nice upgrade from the Smena 8m. I got the Smena for my 7th birthday, and I still have it, including the box and instructions. And it still works perfectly!

I needed the Zenit for making technical photographs in college and for making slides for research presentations.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 26, 2017

Cholentpot said:
Can you link/post picture or diagram of which lever?

You've probably seen this:

In this photo (not mine),

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4972193911_fe03479cf6.jpg

the lever I'm referring to is labelled H. There is a clip spring (J) which may be loose, but there's also a spring under (H) [you can see the end of it just above the label "J"] which may have come loose or bent as well.

Cholentpot · Jun 26, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
You've probably seen this:

In this photo (not mine),

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4972193911_fe03479cf6.jpg

the lever I'm referring to is labelled H. There is a clip spring (J) which may be loose, but there's also a spring under (H) [you can see the end of it just above the label "J"] which may have come loose or bent as well.

Thanks! well...now H is jammed and won't fall. Shutter has give though and dot is red. Advance won't move. I did find a loose screw on F though.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 26, 2017

Cholentpot said:
Thanks! well...now H is jammed and won't fall. Shutter has give though and dot is red. Advance won't move. I did find a loose screw on F though.

When cocked indicator is red, the advance should not move, but the shutter should release (yes, I know I'm stating the obvious).

H simply moves aside to let I fall under spring tension from K.

In the video, when the camera is cocked, note that not only does I rest on top of H, but there is a little cylindrical "nub" on the top gear that's rotating: that's what kicks H aside after it makes almost a full rotation clockwise. In the photo you can see it positioned just to the left of G. Does the arrangement of parts in your K1000 match the video at time 1:14?

mshchem · Jun 26, 2017

Just bought a SP500 that was my first real camera, found a mint Super Takumar 8 element 50 1.4 . It's nicer than what I got used in 1971. I think I had the f2 lens on my original, it sure wasn't a stud f1.4.

Sirius Glass · 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???

I am tired of piece part replacement. Next time I want a complete body replacement with an eighteen to twenty-one year old male hard body. That way there will be only one recovery and only one rehabilitation.

Cholentpot · Jun 26, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
When cocked indicator is red, the advance should not move, but the shutter should release (yes, I know I'm stating the obvious).

H simply moves aside to let I fall under spring tension from K.

In the video, when the camera is cocked, note that not only does I rest on top of H, but there is a little cylindrical "nub" on the top gear that's rotating: that's what kicks H aside after it makes almost a full rotation clockwise. In the photo you can see it positioned just to the left of G. Does the arrangement of parts in your K1000 match the video at time 1:14?

It matches 2:02 but H and K won't budge.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 27, 2017

Cholentpot said:
It matches 2:02 but H and K won't budge.

The video ends at 1:44. Did you mean 1:02?

Wish I could see it, as the K1000's are generally an easy fix. If you have photos, it may make more sense to continue this in the repair forum. I've got a K1000 disassembled now, but I might be able to re-create the state yours is in & therefore discover the problem.

Cholentpot · Jun 27, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
The video ends at 1:44. Did you mean 1:02?

Wish I could see it, as the K1000's are generally an easy fix. If you have photos, it may make more sense to continue this in the repair forum. I've got a K1000 disassembled now, but I might be able to re-create the state yours is in & therefore discover the problem.

Great I'll head over there. I'll get some photos later on today.

RichardJack · Jun 27, 2017

I'm FUBR

RichardJack · Jun 27, 2017

My dad had a Exatka marked USSR, Vladimir must of been a kid but I wonder what Khrushchev shot. Probably a Leica but most likely had someone doing the shooting for him (both with camera and guns).

E. von Hoegh · Jun 27, 2017

Nikon F/Ftn, used.

What do you think?

Kawaiithulhu · Jun 28, 2017

First SLR I ever bought with my own money was one that I had saved up for over a period of time, Nikon F4. Without the extra grip thing, I didn't want the bulk or ever use the higher speed FPS.

I'm almost considering buying one again, it was a tank that survived many adventures but lost the war to buying my first digital. On the other hand, I have an F3 that does well so that remains an "almost considering" until I find a compelling reason.

John_Nikon_F · Jun 28, 2017

First camera was a Honeywell Pentax H3v that had been my aunt's camera. She bought it from a guy who had a hook for his left hand. When it worked, it produced good photos, considering I was 9 when I got it and 11 when I retired it. It went in for repairs twice, once in 1985, and once again in early 1987. If I'd been given money to buy a camera back in late '84, I probably would've picked up a used Nikkormat FTn, that way, both my father and I would've been able to share lenses, etc. Instead, after the second repair visit for the H3v, I wound up doing $75 worth of chores and getting my father's 1969 vintage Nikomat FTn with 50/2 Nikkor-H. In 1990, I received an FT2 as a birthday gift and gave the FTn back to him.

The first camera I bought with my own money was a beat black FM off eBay when it first came into existence (after the old AuctionWeb site was closed down) in 1997. I probably would've saved some more and just bought a good working copy, instead of doing that when the FM was deemed uneconomical to repair.

In 2005, I did wind up getting another H3v. If I decide to get another (probably won't, since I have a Spotmatic II that is waiting for some film to be run through it), it'll be a black SV.

-J

Ronix18 · Jan 6, 2018

alanrockwood said:
Today I would probably probably buy something like a a Canon Rebel T2, but I already have one (more than one in fact.) However, I did buy a VX iia for sentimental reasons.

Hi!
I just bought one of these, after considering several small light AF SLRs for me. I've been shooting Olympus OM-2n and 35 RC for several years now and I wanted something like a p&s with controls. I hope I made a good choice! I'm thinking about getting a 40mm 2.8 STM or a 50mm 1.8 STM, haven't decided yet.
Would you share some of your experiences with this camera, please? Metering, viewfinder, seize and weight?

Thanks a lot!

R.Gould · Jan 6, 2018

A Zenit, built like a brick outhouse, but could produce the goods and yes, I would buy another today, this was closely followed by an old praktica, screw mount, and again yes I would get another one if it ever came up, lovely camera and Zeiss glass, difference between zenit and Pratica, chalk and cheese,so I would buy a zenit for the shelf, brings back some happy memories, but to use the Praktica lots of lovely memories from a misspent youth and the great negatives, many of which I still have, and all taken

Ces1um · Jan 6, 2018

Pentax K2. No- I wouldn't buy it again. I actually prefer my k1000 to the k2 even though they are remarkably similar. In fact, out of all my cameras my k1000 would be the one I'd grab if the house was on fire and I only had the chance to get one camera out alive.

Martin Rickards · Jan 6, 2018

My first was a Topcon Unirex with a Topcor 50 mm f2 lens, which had some unusual features, especially a leaf shutter behind the lens.

TheRook · Jan 6, 2018

Ces1um said:
Pentax K2. No- I wouldn't buy it again. I actually prefer my k1000 to the k2 even though they are remarkably similar. In fact, out of all my cameras my k1000 would be the one I'd grab if the house was on fire and I only had the chance to get one camera out alive.

I'm curious... why the k1000 over the k2? The body design seems to be nearly identical, but the k2 has several features that the k1000 does not possess. Perhaps some of these additional features on the k2 (the multiple sockets, the self-timer lever, etc.) are simply getting in the way?

Chan Tran · Jan 6, 2018

Ces1um said:
Pentax K2. No- I wouldn't buy it again. I actually prefer my k1000 to the k2 even though they are remarkably similar. In fact, out of all my cameras my k1000 would be the one I'd grab if the house was on fire and I only had the chance to get one camera out alive.

I don't want my house one fire but if it does the good thing about it that my 2 K1000's would get burned and I could collect some insurance whichever it may be is worth more to me than the 3 K1000's. I had 2 and never would use it. I use the KX a lot and I love the KX. As for the K2 it was something I wish I have but I never have one so I can't say anything about it.

Ces1um · Jan 6, 2018

TheRook said:
I'm curious... why the k1000 over the k2? The body design seems to be nearly identical, but the k2 has several features that the k1000 does not possess. Perhaps some of these additional features on the k2 (the multiple sockets, the self-timer lever, etc.) are simply getting in the way?

The k2's exposure meter is activated by a half press of the shutter button - but it's fiddly. Sometimes it activates and sometimes it doesn't. It was just one more bell/whistle that wasn't important to me and I didn't like how it worked. The mirror lock up was nice though. I just find the k1000 works the way I want a camera to work. I greatly prefer the "always ready" light meter on the k1000. our mileage may vary- it's more of a personal preference than anything. Otherwise the cameras are nearly identical.

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

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