Anyone know of an SLR with these features?

[davidtan]

I'm thinking of getting into a new SLR system. A camera with the following features would be nice:

• Shutter-priority auto-exposure available.
• Top speed faster than 1/1000th of a second.
• Small and light body.
• Unengaged movement of the advance lever out of the body, so that my thumb can rest behind it.

Anyone know of any cameras that fit the bill?

 

[MarcoVenturiniAutier]

Many really. For example Nikon FM3a (probably FE2 too).

 

[davidtan]

Many really. For example Nikon FM3a (probably FE2 too).

Those are aperture-priority cameras rather than shutter-priority.

However, you did remind me that the FA is one of the few manual-focus Nikons that has shutter-priority.

 

[kxl]

In essence, you can shoot shutter priority with any SLR - just set the shutter speed manually and adjust the aperture as desired. That's how I shoot fully manual cameras.

Are you set on a manual focus camera? If you primarily shoot shutter priority, I would guess that you shoot things that are moving? In which case, why not get an AF SLR? If that works for you, then I would suggest the Nikon F100 -- probably the best value in AF film SLR's these days...

 

[davidtan]

In essence, you can shoot shutter priority with any SLR - just set the shutter speed manually and adjust the aperture as desired. That's how I shoot fully manual cameras.

Are you set on a manual focus camera? If you primarily shoot shutter priority, I would guess that you shoot things that are moving? In which case, why not get an AF SLR? If that works for you, then I would suggest the Nikon F100 -- probably the best value in AF film SLR's these days...

I'm set on a manual focus camera.

I prefer shutter priority to aperture priority since I find it more comfortable manipulating focus with one hand, and the shutter dial with the other. Usually with aperture priority cameras, I'd need to adjust both the aperture ring around the lens and the focus ring with my left hand, which is difficult to do at the same time.

 

[farlymac]

The Nikon FA then, and if you want to use it like a manual focusing P&S, put it in Program mode.

PF

 

[bugmenot]

If you want a really small one, then the Pentax ME Super is for you. Small, has 1/2000 top speed, very good aperture priority mode, and the out of body film advance lever you are looking for ... but no the shutter priority ...

 

[venchka]

The Canon FD system models: EF & A-1, allow shutter priority (the A-1 adds aperture priority for those of us who prefer it). However, the shutter speeds stop at 1//1000. They do extend to 30 seconds.
The EF shutter speed wheel is concentric with the shutter button. Like the Leica M5. You change shutter speeds with your index finger. Focus with your left land. The A-1 has a similar wheel that changes either shutter or aperture depending on which mode is selected.

Wayne

 

[bwcolor]

Contax Aria qualifies, except that it is a motor drive... but really small camera.

 

[davidtan]

If you want a really small one, then the Pentax ME Super is for you. Small, has 1/2000 top speed, very good aperture priority mode, and the out of body film advance lever you are looking for ... but no the shutter priority ...

I've seen the ME Super and it looks astonishingly small. Even with the aperture-priority, it looks like a great carry-around camera.

The Canon FD system models: EF & A-1, allow shutter priority (the A-1 adds aperture priority for those of us who prefer it). However, the shutter speeds stop at 1//1000. They do extend to 30 seconds.
The EF shutter speed wheel is concentric with the shutter button. Like the Leica M5. You change shutter speeds with your index finger. Focus with your left land. The A-1 has a similar wheel that changes either shutter or aperture depending on which mode is selected.

Wayne

I guess I should have listed the SLRs that I already have. I own both the EF and the A-1. Both are fantastic cameras. I love how both cameras have a shutter wheel that hangs over the top plate. The A-1 is pretty small and compact, but the EF is a hefty beast.

Contax Aria qualifies, except that it is a motor drive... but really small camera.

I'm surprised by how small it is for a motordrive body. 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.

 

[zuiko85]

No personal experience but...didn't Konica build shutter priority auto exposure cameras? I think the T3n is reported to have the best build quality but the T4 is the smallest and lightest. Konica Hexanon lenses are reputed to be at least as good as any of the other big name brands. Of course if you already have Canon FD mount lenses then another A1 would make more sense, even if it does not meet your criteria for size. Some time when you have a list of several very specific requirements you will find that meeting all of them perfectly is almost impossible.

For myself the OM-1 checks most of the boxes but is not perfect. It's good enough for my use though.

 

[Greyscale]

The Konica Autoreflex TC fits all of your criteria except for shutter speed.

 

[leicapixie]

in my experience, i've found that i prefer to set the aperture, for the depth of field/image look that i want and allow the camera to choose speed! I know opposite of what you want.. The speed can be seen on most cameras, i've used most cameras..! Preferences are Canon AV-1, Pentax Me-Super, Nikon F3. One can be sure of what you are including in frame, the amount of sharpness being a SLR. The image more important than the speed used unless action stopping required.

 

[matt_mcg2]

The Contax Aria would be no good for the OP if he wants to change shutter speed and focus with different hands, as the shutter speeds are on the left. Also, only shutter priority with newer 'MM' lenses. Older lenses, it's aperture priority or manual only.

That said, I think the Aria is a fantastic camera. I got one recently and I love the ergonomics. The exposure compensation dial being on the left, and the shutter speeds on the right suits me perfectly. In fact, I think the Contax SLR design makes more sense than the standard speeds-on-the-right.

 

[mfogiel]

Leica R5, I have one to sell if you are interested.

 

[MarcoVenturiniAutier]

Those are aperture-priority cameras rather than shutter-priority.

However, you did remind me that the FA is one of the few manual-focus Nikons that has shutter-priority.

My wrong, I confused AP with SP. :bang:
What about the Pentax LX then?

 

[davidtan]

No personal experience but...didn't Konica build shutter priority auto exposure cameras? I think the T3n is reported to have the best build quality but the T4 is the smallest and lightest. Konica Hexanon lenses are reputed to be at least as good as any of the other big name brands. Of course if you already have Canon FD mount lenses then another A1 would make more sense, even if it does not meet your criteria for size. Some time when you have a list of several very specific requirements you will find that meeting all of them perfectly is almost impossible.

For myself the OM-1 checks most of the boxes but is not perfect. It's good enough for my use though.

The Konica Autoreflex TC fits all of your criteria except for shutter speed.

I got a Konica Autoreflex T3n and an FC-1 actually. Hexanon lenses are among my favorite.

in my experience, i've found that i prefer to set the aperture, for the depth of field/image look that i want and allow the camera to choose speed! I know opposite of what you want.. The speed can be seen on most cameras, i've used most cameras..! Preferences are Canon AV-1, Pentax Me-Super, Nikon F3. One can be sure of what you are including in frame, the amount of sharpness being a SLR. The image more important than the speed used unless action stopping required.

Aperture, and therefore DOF, is easy to control using either aperture priority or shutter priority, provided the viewfinder has the right amount of information displayed on it. I simply prefer the ergonomics of shutter priority.

Leica R5, I have one to sell if you are interested.

I've always been mighty interested in the R line, but I'm assuming that lens prices are going to get out of my range now that the M is looking to be the R-solution.

My wrong, I confused AP with SP. :bang:
What about the Pentax LX then?

The LX is also an aperture priority camera, no? Plus, being the pro model, it seems rather expensive.

 

[Austintatious]

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

 

[rxmd]

I've always been mighty interested in the R line, but I'm assuming that lens prices are going to get out of my range now that the M is looking to be the R-solution.

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.

 

[Fuchs]

+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.