Anyone know of an SLR with these features?

[Fuchs]

Don't worry. People who want the R-solution have their R lenses already, and the $7000 M is not going to get new buyers into the R system en masse (or give them anything that the $2000 Canon 5D hasn't been giving them for a long time, actually). If there is a price hike, I expect it to be short and not very significant.

The R line is a great system with good ergonomics, and the suggested R5 is a very nice, compact and versatile camera.

I think the biggest price increase in R lenses was when the cheap Leica R to Canon DSLRs became widely available, reaching insane rises when the original 5D came out. They seem to have stabilized in the last 3-4 years

 

[waynec]

Why not pick the lens line first and work from there. I mention that because so many adapters are now available for putting one lens on another body, an example being 4/3 rd's bodies among others, that the availability of standout lenses are often in shorter supplies. Your best bet may be going with Nikon or Canon bodies since so many lenses were made and bought and you'll see them turn around a little faster, but again at prices.

 

[davidtan]

Minolta XD-11 has shutter & aperture priority as well as manual. Top speed is 1000. The Rokkor glass is excellent and reasonable cost.

I've got an X-700. In hindsight, I should have gone with the XD-11. But then again, most of my Rokkor lenses are MC rather than MD; the XD-11 only allows shutter-priority for MD lenses.

Don't worry. People who want the R-solution have their R lenses already, and the $7000 M is not going to get new buyers into the R system en masse (or give them anything that the $2000 Canon 5D hasn't been giving them for a long time, actually). If there is a price hike, I expect it to be short and not very significant.

The R line is a great system with good ergonomics, and the suggested R5 is a very nice, compact and versatile camera.

+1 for the R5, small body and very reliable.

I will suggest an R4, if you find a late one in good working condition, as the early ones were prone to very frequent internal circuitry failures. I do not remember the SN of the beginning of the "late" R4's, but I remember that all late ones had two plastic protectors above the lugs for the strap, as late M6's and subsequent M's used to have.

If you need absolutely shutter priority, stay away from R4s and R4sP (aka R4s Mod2), as they only have manual and aperture priority, as the RE.

The R7 is in the same line, but some 5mm taller due to a taller baseplate, and prone to develop problems in the power consumption area.

I think the biggest price increase in R lenses was when the cheap Leica R to Canon DSLRs became widely available, reaching insane rises when the original 5D came out. They seem to have stabilized in the last 3-4 years

Looking through the prices of the R bodies and lenses, I recall why I never entered the R system. I'm not looking to spend much, so I'll shelve the idea for an R Leica for now.

Pentax Super Program/Super A

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/bodies/film_A/super.html

Chris

The Super Program/Super A sounds like Pentax's answer to the Canon A-1 and Nikon FA; a very attractive idea. If I go the Pentax route, I might just pick this up.

Why not pick the lens line first and work from there. I mention that because so many adapters are now available for putting one lens on another body, an example being 4/3 rd's bodies among others, that the availability of standout lenses are often in shorter supplies. Your best bet may be going with Nikon or Canon bodies since so many lenses were made and bought and you'll see them turn around a little faster, but again at prices.

I shoot film, and while many film SLRs can adapt lenses of longer flange distances, few bodies retain open-aperture metering, auto-exposure and other features when using a different mount.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Judging by ebay you can get Leica R7's and R8's for the price of the R5 etc. I loved my R5 and lenses but it broke my heart when it failed and the estimate from Leica to put it 100% right would have bought 3 or 4 later models on ebay. OTOH, should I have gone ahead anyway?

Regards, David

PS Agree re Pentax ME super and they are usually dirt cheap.

 

[rxmd]

Looking through the prices of the R bodies and lenses, I recall why I never entered the R system. I'm not looking to spend much, so I'll shelve the idea for an R Leica for now.

Yeah, I can see that. I got into it only when I inherited an R5 body.

The Pentax Super Program sounds like a good choice, the system is reasonably cheap, there is a DSLR option, also with good used and cheap DSLRs nowadays, the system has lots of great lenses and good compatibility with older Pentax lenses (and with M42!).

The T90 is a great, great camera and pretty cheap for the outstanding ergonomics that it offers, but it's also not small and doesn't have "unengaged movement of the advance lever", in fact it doesn't have an advance lever at all 😎 I'm not sure if it will fit the OP's bill, in fact I'm pretty sure it won't 😀

 

[Tom33]

The XD-11 still makes sense. It will use wonderful MC Rokkor lenses you may have, and MD lens selection is vast and reasonably priced with arguably excellent glass. The only downside I see is finding one in good enough condition to satisfy you, and top shutter speed of 1/1000 sec. Otherwise this is a knockout camera! Standard disclaimer: I have four XD-11 bodies, and none are for sale!

 

[Rico]

But having the shutter dial on the left hand side seems strange and unlikely to suit my grip. Plus, manually cocking the advance lever is a wonderful piece of therapy in itself.

Except for a couple of fringe models, the Contax RTS design has always placed the shutter speed dial to the left. However, this may be less of a problem than you think. Specifically, the Contax 159MM has this design, but the dial overhangs the body to the rear and thus allows changes with your thumb. The other fingers of the left hand remain very close to the focus ring. This body is manual focus (of course), small, and offers 1/4000s. Advance is not racheted, but locks after a full stroke - the better to rest your thumb. 🙂 The body supports Av and M exposure modes with all Zeiss lenses; with newer MM lenses, the Tv and P exposure modes are also supported.

 

[sparrow6224]

I had a T90 and sold it; my other auto-cameras (not necessarily AF, but A everything else) are the Contax 167m and the Nikon F100 and both are much more intuitive, easier to handle, lighter.

For you, the FA if you have / want Nikkor lenses; R5 if not. FA is smaller I think. The best buys (although redundant) in Leica-R glass are the 35-70 f/4 zoom ($600) and the 60mm macro ($400-450). You can get a 24mm Elmarit for $500 too. I'm not sure about the 90s and/or 135s and/or the 180. Outfitting a Nikon would be cheaper.

 

[FTography]

Olympus OM-2👎, OM-4.

Positive side effect: Iconic classic design, and - in my book - one of the most beautiful cameras every made.

 

[waynec]

I shoot film, and while many film SLRs can adapt lenses of longer flange distances, few bodies retain open-aperture metering, auto-exposure and other features when using a different mount.[/quote]

I'm not talking about putting lenses on another acquistion. I'm talking about the fact that you may not get the lenses you want if everyone else can put them on practically any body out there. That's why I mention Nikon and Canon having sold huge amounts. Case in point, buy a Pentax body, the KX was very popular, and start looking for the best Pentax lenses to use on it. Prices are high and lenses can be few and far between in good condition.

 

[davidtan]

CamerQuest: Canon T90: Best film Canon SLR Ever?

http://cameraquest.com/t90.htm

Big though. I'm looking for something that I can carry in my work bag everyday.

The XD-11 still makes sense. It will use wonderful MC Rokkor lenses you may have, and MD lens selection is vast and reasonably priced with arguably excellent glass. The only downside I see is finding one in good enough condition to satisfy you, and top shutter speed of 1/1000 sec. Otherwise this is a knockout camera! Standard disclaimer: I have four XD-11 bodies, and none are for sale!

I've noticed that many XD/XG bodies have a shrinking leatherette; is this a common problem I'd need to look out for?

Except for a couple of fringe models, the Contax RTS design has always placed the shutter speed dial to the left. However, this may be less of a problem than you think. Specifically, the Contax 159MM has this design, but the dial overhangs the body to the rear and thus allows changes with your thumb. The other fingers of the left hand remain very close to the focus ring. This body is manual focus (of course), small, and offers 1/4000s. Advance is not racheted, but locks after a full stroke - the better to rest your thumb. 🙂 The body supports Av and M exposure modes with all Zeiss lenses; with newer MM lenses, the Tv and P exposure modes are also supported.

Buying the MM lenses would be expensive. 😱

Olympus OM-2👎, OM-4.

Positive side effect: Iconic classic design, and - in my book - one of the most beautiful cameras every made.

I've seen the black OM-4Ti; a very elegant look. OM cameras are unexpectedly expensive, though, aren't they?

I'm not talking about putting lenses on another acquistion. I'm talking about the fact that you may not get the lenses you want if everyone else can put them on practically any body out there. That's why I mention Nikon and Canon having sold huge amounts. Case in point, buy a Pentax body, the KX was very popular, and start looking for the best Pentax lenses to use on it. Prices are high and lenses can be few and far between in good condition.

Oh, okay. In that case, I already have bodies and lenses for mounts that are already cheap and widely available: I have Canon FD, Konica AR and Minolta SR/MC/MD gear, which are less valued due to the fact that these mounts are shorter than the flange distances of current DSLR mounts (though they're still usable for mirrorless systems).

This reminds me of another mount that is shorter than the shortest DSLR mount (EF): Fujica-X. I actually used to want an AX-5. Being small and having shutter-priority, it might actually suit my needs now. Anyone ever handled an AX-5, or any X-mount lenses before? Are they recommendable?

 

[charjohncarter]

It's a cheapy but the Pentax ZX-5: shutter or aperture priority, 1/2000, very small and light, no advance lever as it is auto advance. I like to set my aperture and/or shutter and you can with this camera using a aperture ring on the lenses (as long as you use Pentax lenses) or the shutter dial that is analog on the camera.

The auto setting and AF works great too:

 

[FTography]

OM cameras are unexpectedly expensive, though, aren't they?

Well, you're asking a loyal OM user, here. 😉
To be fair, the OM-4 has a rather sophisticated metering system and weather sealing that differentiates it from its "small brother" OM-2.
That's why it is usually sold at higher prices than its sibling.

The OM-2 versions (original, 'n' and 's'/'sp') are much more affordable. Mint examples are in high demand, but there's plenty of opportunities for bargains.

In part, I believe, the OM system has seen a revival due to its adaptability to Canon (reg. adapter) and Nikon ('Leitax') full frame cameras and solid image quality reputation. Especially in this forum, the OM series is highly reputed (see Zuikoholic thread).
Personally, I find much join in using these cameras and lenses, so I can understand the high demand.
But I am rather happy to have bought most of my gear before the increase in prices in past years. 🙂

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I don't know if it's been mentioned but the Canon EOS 300V meets the criteria as it goes to 1/2,000th, is small and lightweight and comes fairly cheaply (in my experience) even with the useful 28-80mm zoom lens on it. The pictures it turns out are pretty good too.

Going to 1/4,000th of a second (in my experience, again) means looking at something large and heavy like the Minolta 7000i that has one big advantage which is the lenses but an expensive battery (2CR5 from memory).

Regards, David

 

[Pioneer]

Pentax is the only system that will let you select lenses from the M42 screw mount era (Spotmatics, etc.) all the way through the K mounts (current) and be able to use them on just about any K mount film body or digital body you want. Most of the bodies are relatively inexpensive and the lenses are as well. Of course, like anything else, if you decide you want a mint LX and an A 50mm f1.2 lens then prices start to go up. But any of the K series and M series bodies are very usable and the 50mm f1.7 or f2 lens is inexpensive and very, very good.

I am shooting a lot of Leica equipment right now because I enjoy using the cameras, and I can afford it. I am still learning how best to work with the rangefinder system and I expect I will get better with practice. But I have to be totally honest, some of my best work has been done with my old Pentax K1000 and that plain vanilla standard, the Pentax SMC M 50mm f1.7 lens. There is absolutely nothing automatic about that camera or lens but they will do exactly what you tell them to do.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I wish you hadn't mentioned the K1000 as I sold mine years ago and still regret it...

Regards, David