Best 35mm Camera. Ever.

[bigeye]

35mm to me is about compactness and flexibility. I would want the best range, quality and selection of lenses: leica or nikon. I like RF for wide to normal and SLRs for tele/macro.

Pick any M-mount. Choosing between most Ms seems to be splitting hairs. If I had to choose, I'd like a M2 for it's simplicity or a ZI or M7 to add AE.

Nikon, I'd go with an FM/FE or descendant. I like their control simplicity, size and quality and they do whatever the 'pro' rigs do, in a lot more compact, lighter package.

- Charlie

 

[Jimbot]

Leica MP (flexibility with lenses and classic feel)
Leica CL (flexibility with lenses but compact)
Canon P (vehicle for some Canon lenses I love - 50/1.4 and 35/1.8)

 

[keytarjunkie]

I would imagine the "best" 35mm camera ever would be something like the Leica MP, Nikon F5, or Rolleiflex SL2000f (never used one though). Personally I think those are all overkill for such a small format, and my personal favorite is the Olympus Stylus Epic which fits in my pocket. I think the Contax T3 would be my favorite if I could afford it.

 

[Roger Hicks]

...they are not built to the same standard of ruggedness as the Nikon F.

I wouldn't argue with that, but I'd still say you've been seriously unlucky with your Ms.

Cheers,

R.

 

[unixrevolution]

There are so many really outstanding 35mm cameras... The Pentax LX has to be near or at the top. And the M2 of course. 🙂

I have both, and they are fantastic indeed 🙂. I would say, without hesitation, that the LX is the best manual focus 35mm SLR ever made. Nothing does what an LX does.

My M2 is wonderful, but sorely needs a 35mm lens. The 50 and the 85 I have for it are great, but I really want that slight-wide awesomeness that a 35mm lens on 35mm film has.

 

[iandiam]

The one you have with you, if you are unlucky enough to have left your MF at home.

HAH. Yes indeed.

My only pocketable MF is a Bencini Koroll, though, and it is waiting for the last piece of green NaugaLizard skin...

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

The cameras I consider the best or my favorite ones for changing lenses are the Nikon FE2 and the Bessas R4M/R3A. Of course other models/brands are great for that too...

But the best camera designs, the ones that can't, IMO, be replaced by any other model, get my vote: Hexar AF and Olympus XA. Those get the job done in difficult situations.

Cheers,

Juan

 

[chathaway]

Black MP.....