Auto Focus, Film SLR Recommendations...

[Bobfrance]

Heresy I hear you cry! 😱

But never-the-less I've been wondering what is the optimum film SLR.
Obviously all the entries are now in, given nobody will ever release a new high-tec 35mm film body again.

The Canon EOS 1v (or 1n) seems to come out tops in all departments (speed, metering, weatherproofing etc.), however (although I've never used them) I'm not sure about the Canon glass.

I'd be looking to shoot primes as I don't care for zooms and would like a fairly fast lens such as a 50mm/1.4.

Enter the Contax N1.
Now I do like Zeiss Contax Glass (well I do on film) and they Contqax N glass seems to have some nice lenses in the range. However they appear to be rare as hens teeth and mega-bucks. Are they worth it?

From what I hear the Contax N body is very well made but a bit dated in it's operation. The main thing that concerns me is the speed of the autofocus compared to the Canon.

Now I wonder if there's any other contenders I've missed, so for all those who are willing to stand up and admit they have had dalliance with the dark side, I'd like to know what is your preferred autofocus film SLR.

Cheers!

Bob.

 

[Sparrow]

What about the F6?

 

[chrishayton]

Nikon F100 is a good bet, Its very well made, Fast , Good AF and takes all Nikon AI and AF lenses.

Or

Canon EOS 3. Super Fast AF, FPS and weather sealed. Pretty cheap too usually

 

[Harry S.]

+1 EOS-3. A real bargain compaired to the Contax and the Nikons.

 

[ChipMcD]

I have an F5, which is built like a tank. I bought it from Keh for $450 a year ago, and it was in excellent condition. I'm not sure where it was on Keh's scale; EXC, I think. The downsides over the F6 are poorer (but still good) compatibility as far as all of the metering systems with older AI and AIS Nikon glass and bigger, heavier size. The upside is that a camera with most of the F6's functionality is available for a small fraction of the F6's price. I have heard good things about the F6 though. I have no experience with Canon products other than digital point and shoots, so I can't be of any help there.

 

[illuminati_02]

I loved my Minolta Maxxum 7 & 9.
The bodies are cheap now, and some true gems in the lens lineup.
I have had and really liked the 28/2, 35/1.4 G, 35/2, 50/1.4, 85/1.4 G, 100/2, 100 Macro, 100 SF, 135 STF, 200/2.8, and 300/2.8. The 35 G, 85 G, 135 STF, and 200 are special. 50/1.4 is pretty cheap, and the only lens I used for a long time.

 

[Bobfrance]

Hmm, good info guys - cheers!

Nikon looks nice and I like the large viewfinder they have.
I think I prefer the F6 to the bulky F5, but the F6's seem rare in the UK and sure aren't cheap!

What about Nikon glass? I get the impression there are perhaps more lenses available. I notice you can get Nikon F fit Zeiss ZF lenses, but as far as I can tell they're all manual focus.

 

[Fraser]

I've got a couple of Canon 1vs and an Eos 3 (still in the box) bought off of that big auction site cheap as chips for a fraction of the price of a Nikon F6, I dont know if you can do it on the Nikons but there are a couple of buttons on the Iv that displays how many rolls of film they have shot which is quite useful when buying.

 

[Bobfrance]

Good tip Fraser - thanks. I'll download a manual or two and check it out.

Does anyone know if any other auto focus Nikons apart from the F5 had removable prism? I notice you can get a TLR style finder, which is something I'd really like.

 

[gavinlg]

I can whole heartedly recommend the EOS 1v and 3. Both are rugged, ergonomically great and have super fast and super reliable AF.

I'll also add that if you're willing to spend money to get the good stuff (the L primes), Canon lenses are fantastic.

The 24 f1.4L, 35 f1.4L, 85 f1.2L, 135 f2L are all lenses that have been around for a while so you can find them second hand at reasonable prices. All are superb optically.
If you're keen on a good 50mm, the 50mm f1.2L is the best SLR 50 I've ever used by a long shot.

 

[tlitody]

Hmm, good info guys - cheers!

Nikon looks nice and I like the large viewfinder they have.
I think I prefer the F6 to the bulky F5, but the F6's seem rare in the UK and sure aren't cheap!

What about Nikon glass? I get the impression there are perhaps more lenses available. I notice you can get Nikon F fit Zeiss ZF lenses, but as far as I can tell they're all manual focus.

As far as I know the only autofocus zeiss lenses (for 135 format) are those for the sony alpha and there there are only two primes. 85/1.4 and a 24/2. There may be a new 35/1.4 in future but that is uncertain.

And there are of course the hasselblad and Mamiya (cos you didn't say 135 format) but if the price of a new F6 is expensive then I guess they are out too.

 

[Keith]

The F6 seems expensive I guess .. but really?

We'll happily pay over a grand for a twenty year old Leica M6 with a very basic metering system and 1/1000 fastest shutter speed but balk at paying similar for what is probably the greatest SLR ever made!

I'd have one in a heartbeat if funds permitted.

 

[nobbylon]

Bob,
F4 had interchangeable prisms. I found it just too heavy and big. Autofocus was slow. I had an F100 a couple of years ago and due to my eyesight have just bought another.
The F100 is basically an F5 but smaller and lighter. Same autofocus and a good meter.
I'm going to use it with an Afd 50 1.4 which is a cracking lens for the money. I sold off my other prime AF lenses when I bought a 24-70 2.8.

 

[unixrevolution]

I loved my Minolta Maxxum 7 & 9.
The bodies are cheap now, and some true gems in the lens lineup.
I have had and really liked the 28/2, 35/1.4 G, 35/2, 50/1.4, 85/1.4 G, 100/2, 100 Macro, 100 SF, 135 STF, 200/2.8, and 300/2.8. The 35 G, 85 G, 135 STF, and 200 are special. 50/1.4 is pretty cheap, and the only lens I used for a long time.

Wow, there's some true speed demons in there!

 

[illuminati_02]

As far as I know the only autofocus zeiss lenses (for 135 format) are those for the sony alpha and there there are only two primes. 85/1.4 and a 24/2. There may be a new 35/1.4 in future but that is uncertain.

And there are of course the hasselblad and Mamiya (cos you didn't say 135 format) but if the price of a new F6 is expensive then I guess they are out too.

Alpha system (Sony/Minolta) has a Zeiss 135/1.8 AF prime as well.

 

[nobbylon]

The F6 seems expensive I guess .. but really?

We'll happily pay over a grand for a twenty year old Leica M6 with a very basic metering system and 1/1000 fastest shutter speed but balk at paying similar for what is probably the greatest SLR ever made!

I'd have one in a heartbeat if funds permitted.

Keith,
I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday while debating the price of s/h F6's. Ffordes have a choice of 3 for 800 quid each.
Ithink it's time for another sell off!

 

[tlitody]

Alpha system (Sony/Minolta) has a Zeiss 135/1.8 AF prime as well.

So it does, I missed that one. I wonder how well the focus works on the old minoltas?

 

[gavinlg]

The 24 f1.4L, 35 f1.4L, 85 f1.2L, 135 f2L are all lenses that have been around for a while so you can find them second hand at reasonable prices. All are superb optically.
If you're keen on a good 50mm, the 50mm f1.2L is the best SLR 50 I've ever used by a long shot.

I'll add there are good cheaper and lighter lenses in the canon lineup too:

28mm f1.8, 35mm f2, 85mm f1.8 and 100mm f2 are all particularly good, and very cheap.

 

[illuminati_02]

So it does, I missed that one. I wonder how well the focus works on the old minoltas?

I have been out of everything AF for the last few years, and this is the first that I have seen of the Zeiss 24/2. Looks fantastic, and priced at $999, a comparable steal. I could trade in my 21 SA for it. 😉

The Maxxum 7 was/is fully compatible with all the new lenses, and the Maxxum 9 had an upgrade (free when Minolta was around) to the ROM that provided SSM support.

 

[dogberryjr]

If you can swing the cost of the F6, by all means, do so. If the budget does not allow, go for the F100—it's sort of an F6(-). Both are wonderful cameras.