Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I have Vivitar and Tokina lenses in F mount, those are focusing Leica-wise.
tbhv55
Well-known
All of them seem tempting, really, Pan!
Well, not quite, since I've just landed an ME Super. However, I wouldn't mind that 40mm 'pancake' to adorn it. The other cameras are extremely nice too - and beautifully photographed.
tbhv55
Well-known
I agree, jsr - I was going to suggest the MX too (I have one
). However, I noticed that the OP said he'd prefer aperture priority.
oftheherd
Veteran
Looking at another thread I realized I hadn't mentioned the 167mt (as well as some other C/Y cameras) read off the film plane when using dedicated flash. It also has a spot metering feature. I would be surprised if it were out of your price range but then I haven't been keeping up with prices in the used market for several years.
One other thing if I didn't mention it before is that the difference between f/1.4 and f/1.7 or f/1.8 is not much. I am glad I have two f/1.4 lenses, but I have also found I can get most photos with the f/1.8 unless it is really dark.
I agree, jsr - I was going to suggest the MX too (I have one
Oh damn... missed that!
ray*j*gun
Veteran
Yep plus 1 on the big Nikons and some beautiful glass. Way under priced IMO.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
However, I wouldn't mind that 40mm 'pancake' to adorn it.
I wasn't really fond of it. I sold it to get the 35 f/2.8 - i like it much better really.
It has given me plenty of sharp and contrasty pictures, the 40 f/2.8 seemed to suffer from low contrast and vignetting even at f/5.6.
Here is a picture taken with the 35 f/2.8
Huss has a 40 f/2.8 and seems to like it a lot. His pictures are better than anything i got out of mine.
So many options!
FE2 with 50/1.8 Nikkor pancake.
I paid $125 for a perfect body with no marks and the pancake I bought on rff for $175 and it came with a 28/2.8 AIS
FE2 with 50/1.8 Nikkor pancake.
I paid $125 for a perfect body with no marks and the pancake I bought on rff for $175 and it came with a 28/2.8 AIS
AlexBG
Well-known
Having watched a video about the Nikon FE2 and FE the FE would be my choice over the FE2 simply because of the way the FE2 needs to be turned on. Also a mint FE with 50mm 1.4 is in budget where as the FE2 would be with a 1.8 or I'd have to shop around.
OM4Ti is also high up on the list, I used to have an OM2n and loved it. Think that is why I am more interested in the FE, never had a nikon before so would love to try one.
The Pentax range is interesting, I will have a look into them, paired with a takumar 50 1.4 would be great.
OM4Ti is also high up on the list, I used to have an OM2n and loved it. Think that is why I am more interested in the FE, never had a nikon before so would love to try one.
The Pentax range is interesting, I will have a look into them, paired with a takumar 50 1.4 would be great.
Huss
Veteran
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
Sweet deal, and a much better idea than the FE which tops out at 1/1000, and both the ones I've bought have died.
I recently bought a beautiful black OM2n, just starting to brass, with light seals done for £119, and if I'd needed a lens, a 50mm f1.8 for an extra £25.
There are so many super cameras possible for the OPs suggestion! Ultimately, if he keeps it, the choice will be determined by likely use post return of M3.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
As others commented, there is also this choice
Ste_S
Well-known
As ever, the way some forumites ignore what the OP wants in their recommendations amuses me.
The Pentax Takumar line of lenses is basically the screw-mount ones. And the only screw-mount Pentax bodies with aperture priority auto are the ES and ESII, somewhat uncommon. And for the full effect of open-aperture metering with them, only the latest SMCT lenses are suited. While those are two fine cameras, suggest there's more variety and choice in the bayonet-mount Pentaxes. ME Super is a fine choice...
retinax
Well-known
Highlight one: I don't think that's the case. Many were new designs, like the legendary 28 3.5. The bayonet Takumars have become quite rare, at least in Europe...
Highlight two: If you're ok with no shutter speed dial. It has a manual mode, but shutter speeds are selected with two little buttons.
Scrambler
Well-known
I don't know all the options here. With that kind of price there are plenty to chose from.
The Pentax ME group are slightly crippled in not having the capacity to hold the metering while repositioning the frame.
The Minolta options (like the XD-7) will tell you what speed they are selecting. You can then take that manually if you want.
The Takumar name was dropped to the base model lenses in the K mount lens era. Takumar predates Pentax as a name- Pentax was a model before it became so well known they renamed the company after it.
Why not a CLE or (maybe but you'd be lucky) a Hexar RF? Auto exposure, save on buying a new lens by sticking with what you have? The CLE will show a 40mm frameline with a 50mm lens and you need to shoot a couple of mm within that otherwise they will both behave pretty much like your M3 except a 0.6 vf. The CLE is trad controls in miniature. The Hexar RF is a 21st century RF but also capable of full manual or aperture priority with AE lock.
Colin G.
Established
Olympus OM-2n w/ 50mm 1.4(serial 1.1million+)
Archlich
Well-known
£300 won't get OP that.
Still a lot of money though. Personal favorite in the range is the FE2 plus a 50/1.8 pancake (or any 50mm lens you can get) - the most capable for the least amount of money. I grew up with Nikon so the advance lever lock doesn't bother me.
As others commented, there is also this choice
This is a sexy beast... especially with the 45mm!
Scrambler
Well-known
Wowsers. Just checked. Those things have gone up lately! I bought (and regrettably sold) one of each for well under and a little over the price point, a few years ago.
I would still suggest considering a CLE. But yes, it might come above the price point.
Functionally, the Minolta XG line match the CLE. And you might snag one at a boot sale for 1/10 of the quoted price. I bought one with lens for $5AUD a while back- about 3 pound. Got lost to a softdrink/soda poured over it. Checking the Bay, perhaps more like $30/ 20 pounds plus postage. I currently have an XD-7 (-11) which has multiple modes and tells you what it's doing- that was a hand-me-down but they aren't that much more than an XG-1.
Odd mount SLR lenses have gone up with mirrorless cameras. But basic lenses on functional bodies are still well under the 300 pound line. I have a whole MF kit with 3 lenses I bought last year for that sort of coin. That's not AE though!