FM3a + Voigtlander SL or .. ?

Nikon Bob said:
Don't discount the Nikon FE2 because it doesn't lock exposure with a half press of the shutter which is the usual way on most camera. It does have an exposure lock via the self timer button, This link explains how http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfeseries/fe2/basic6.htm. I can attest that it does work.

Bob
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Hi, Bob.

Thank you. I was aware that the 'lock' feature is there. I just don't like how it's implemented. It's awkward for me to reach it with my long fingers. As well, it's just not something i think about when i'm using the FE2, as every other camera i've ever used had an AE lock coupled with the shutter release button... even the Hasselblad 203FE. I guess i just need to get used to it. I don't see myself ponying up the bread for an FM3a anytime soon.

Thanks again.
 
FE does the same thing. You just press the lever and AE lock is on. I have no idea why they chose to do it that way but it works.
 
Thanks guys for all your replies. Really more helpful than I hoped for.

- Ade-oh -
You are pushing where it hurts, but you are actually right. I need to keep focused - I actually want to look for a camera + lenses that work well enough - after all I want to project the slides and not pixel peep them. I have 4x5" for that purpose 😛


- SteveM -
Yes - I though of projecting 6x6 slides, but apart from large and rather rare 6x6 projectors (I have seen very nice automatic Hasselbald for some 1400 euro 😱 , though I know that there are cheaper) the point here is that I do not tend to shoot "travel" pictures to show to my family or friends with my Mamiya 6. As this camera takes a bit more time to make the shot (the metering is PITA to he honest, I tend to use hand hold meter recently) I would not really be able to put a slide show. I would proably have to go for 645 SLR to do so and then the camera gets large and heavy and less pleasant to carry (but as I said - the soft spot for Contax 645 is there - but that would mean to sell the Mamiya). So for now I consider only the small format option. I actually tried to find some 6x6 slide viewer, but there is one old Patterson model that that's it.

The OM2n are really cheap, have the best viewfinder (even larger than OM-4 Ti), but the faster wide lenses are rather rare and not cheap at all. On the other hand FE2 is priced reasonably, the finder is size vise comparable to my wife's Minolta 7 (which I plan to use with 28/2.0 and 50/1.4 in the next days to get better idea which lenses I want) - which is nice enough, so to say. But I want manual focus and AE.

I am surprised to hear that VC did the 40/2.0 in OM mount too. Actually - is there any difference between SL and SL II lenses?

FM3a would be nice, but costs more. The same is true for the new VC lenses. If I were to go Nikon I would consider the 35/2.0 AF D wich reportedly is a better performer than the AI-S version (which is older).

I had a look at Contax but the lenses are really on the large heavy and pricey side. So maybe next time.
 
CK Dexter Haven said:
Hi, Bob.

Thank you. I was aware that the 'lock' feature is there. I just don't like how it's implemented. It's awkward for me to reach it with my long fingers. As well, it's just not something i think about when i'm using the FE2, as every other camera i've ever used had an AE lock coupled with the shutter release button... even the Hasselblad 203FE. I guess i just need to get used to it. I don't see myself ponying up the bread for an FM3a anytime soon.

Thanks again.
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I bought a used FE2 20 years ago with no manual and was not even aware that it had an AE lock until a friend pointed it out to me. Yea, it is a little awkward to use and if you have other cameras you tend to forget it is there. Been there and done that too. I have come to the same conclusion wrt the FM3a and will stick with my FE2s and FN2ns. If the price comes down on the FM3a that would be another matter.

Bob
 
I've been mulling over the same sort of purchase since I had the chance to hold and look through a mint F3HP at a store here. Goodness! that is a nice camera. And prices on all this stuff are very good.

My thoughts:

Having owned a G2 kit and a T3, a Contax is very tempting. Especially the Aria. But the glass is expensive and you do not have the selection that you would with Nikon. To me, the Contax defeats the purpose of the "cheap MF slr." It gets pricey quickly.

I've also owned a Leica R4. I can't speak for the R8/R9 (those are getting bulky and expensive), but the Leica R-system runs behind everything else and is nothing to get excited about. Obviously you are buying it to use the lenses but what I said about Contax applies here.

I'm leaning towards an FE2 or F3HP and a few primes. Great value and I don't think I'll miss the Zeiss or Leica lenses at all.
 
I have an FM3a and Voigt SL 40mm and it's certainly an awesome and very compact combo. However, I'm going to chip in here for Minolta. An SRT or X700 plus 50mm f1.7 can be had for practically pennies. I still have a Minolta body and a few lenses. I've shot Nikon, Minolta and OM in SLR and I just can't quit the Minolta for the beautfiul rendering of their lenses.
 
- Paddy C -
thanks. I have to admit that I noticed the F3 / F3HP too. The prices for nice ones are more than say FE2, but still very reasonable. It seems that everybody who ever used that camera loves it. Indeed it is larger and heavier than FE2. I agree about the Contax - I have checked the prices and while Aria is priced rather reasonably (it is still rather new compared to FE2)., but a lens kid composed of 25/2.8, 35/2.8 and 85/2.8 + Aria would come at around 1000 euro - not cheap indeed. And not the smallest or lightest either (well, not fighting for 100g here). And than there are all the guys who keep telling you how nice the FM3a with the VC 40/2.0 is (not to mention those who keep bugging about the OM2n 😉 )

- Riverman -
I stopped counting how many keep liking the FM3a + VC SL 40/2.0 - makes me wanting one. You mention Minolta MF cameras - I do not have an overview there (yet). But which lenses did you find to your likings? What would be the best camera bodies to look at? How is the reliability? How would the Minolta MD compare (in general) to sa Olympus OM or Nikon systems?
 
FM3 is nice theoretically but it's still lot of money compared to FE. In practice the difference is no so big (there are couple of details that can be decisive or not - depending what you can live with). I use sometimes Ultron 40 SL2 on D700 so just for fun I got FE to try it on film. Really nice lightweight combination - very smooth camera in my opinion. I also got a FM as I'll be probably shooting in very cold weather soon. The only details I'm missing sometimes is the backdoor window (I don't use that camera so often) and AE lock button (I'm used to it from Zeiss Ikon).
 
I had a brief look at Pentax LX - a nice camera indeed, but it seems that it is a hard to find camera and the lenses are not too abundant either. I have yet to look at Minolta.

For some reason I feel an attraction to Nikon F3. Hmmm. Bigger and heavier than FM3a, but a bit cheaper. Somehow just looks right.

For the next few days I plan to shoot my wife's Minolta Dynax 7 with 28, 50 and 100 lenses to see that it is indeed slr that I am after.
 
Matus. Despite my enjoyment of the FM3a and 40mm, I would heartily echo the OM2 and zuiko camp - just fantastic.
The Minoltas and their rokkors also have a fabulous signature see The Rokkor Files to keep you very happily researching for hours.

And here is a great view of leitz vs zeiss vs minolta lens design philosophy.
 
jmilkins said:
Matus. Despite my enjoyment of the FM3a and 40mm, I would heartily echo the OM2 and zuiko camp - just fantastic.
The Minoltas and their rokkors also have a fabulous signature see The Rokkor Files to keep you very happily researching for hours.

And here is a great view of leitz vs zeiss vs minolta lens design philosophy.
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thanks. The second link was really interesting reading. I am wondering what was the philosophy of Olympus though. But it really makes me wanting to try out older Minolta Glass too 🙂

OM2 is definitely a candidate. After all - I do not really need super fast lenses - to have one 35/2.0 would do the trick for low light - the rest could be f/2.8 or even more for very wides.
 
To summarize my experience with OM lenses (pretty much all of the ones I used): beautiful, smooth OOF rendering, contrast on the lower side with neutral color, some distortion (but never an issue), very sharp, peak resolution typically at f5.6 or so. Then very sharp.

With some exceptions (for example the 35/2 is bigger than the 28/2), OM Zuikos are also all pretty small.

Roland.
 
that all sounds good ... with the exception of the low contrast. My experience is that the lower contrast of the capture the more it needs to be boosted after scanning in post processing what boosts also the grain (in particular in BW). But I definitely not a show stopper.
 
Matus said:
Thanks. I read a bit on the OM lenses and got surprised by not too flattering comments about the 32/2.0 which would probably be my main lens (my most used focal length). It seems that every camera producer has at least one great 50 lens, but what about the 35?

So - what system would you choose if 35/2.0 (or faster, 40mm woud be OK too) lens would be the most important one in the line for you?
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Again??!! :bang:

Please, do yourself a favor, get one and decide for yourself. OM 35/2 is a great lens.

(feeling very tired mentally...)
 
A regular OM4 shooter here, recently I came across a Nikon FE2 which is not bad, but I can't think of anything it gives me over the OM which I prefer being the smaller. But alas, there are the Leica SLR - particularly Leicaflex SL. It is a hefty piece of steel, mind you, but that shouldn't be a problem for MF/LF shooter. The sturdiness, the handling and the lenses are really superb and worth considering, I think it has something over the lot of other SLRs.
 
shadowfox said:
Again??!! :bang:

Please, do yourself a favor, get one and decide for yourself. OM 35/2 is a great lens.

(feeling very tired mentally...)
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Sorry, I did not intend to become a burden - I did not join too many SLR discussions yet so did not know that some lenses get too much unearned criticism. OM system is a candidate and so is the 35/2.0. I am just looking at the prices what takes a while as this lens is not so common.

Right now, for a reason unknown, I feel quite a strong attraction towards Nikon F3 and Contax Aria. Will see how this develops 🙂
 
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