Merkin
For the Weekend
WRT reliability, the Canon P is similar to the classic Leicas, maybe a bit more sturdy. But it can certainly take more than any OM (and I have four). Don't know about the FM-2n.
If you want more more robust than Leica M[234] or Canon P, I recommend a Nikon F.
Roland.
Perhaps I got two bad examples of Leicas, but the two leicas I have owned have by far been the two most fragile cameras I have ever owned.
ferider
Veteran
Like I said, don't touch an OM then. Which Leicas and what happened ?
Merkin
For the Weekend
An M4-P, and a CL. Shutters went on both, and the rangefinder went out of adjustment on the M4-P. Over the course of 2 months. Lost 100 rolls of film from a trip to Mexico.
ferider
Veteran
Merkin
For the Weekend
.............
Hahaha!
Unfortunately though, I have found that the larger a camera is, the less likely I am to carry it, which means that I miss a LOT of shots when I own a large camera.
ferider
Veteran
One more in a different direction then: the Pen F is brighter than the FT, just like the FV. And I had the 42/1.2 once, a really great lens. Once CLA'ed, they are very reliable .... you can also remove the meter and replace the mirror in an FT to a brighter one.
Merkin
For the Weekend
My only concern there is that even though I love grain, shooting fast film in low light with a half frame camera means that the images would be grainier than even I like at any sort of decent enlargement.
Pablito
coco frío
I wish the closet full of broken ones I have had been "unbreakable."
Lots of film transport & shutter problems...
Frontman
Well-known
All 4 of my Leica Ms have required service and adjustment (M3, M4 x2, M6). My Nikon S cameras are quite a bit more sturdy.
The OM cameras are certainly reliable, I have never had one fail. Compared to my Nikon FM2 or FM3A, the OM cameras are also a bit more quiet in operation. The Nikons are also very reliable. The faster shutter speeds on the Nikons is helpful if you are shooting fast lenses.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Roland is right about the low light option of an RF. I have a pretty bunged up Leitz/Brooks Veriwide finder for 21mm, which I have sometimes mounted on an OM-1 with the Zuiko 21/2. With mirror lock-up I can shoot a-la-RF. You could do the same with a 50mm finder and have a dual purpose rig as long as you don't get into parallax issues.