Best 35mm SLR?

In the '80's I worked in a camera store, and heard a customer ask one of my fellow salespersons, "What's the best tripod?" His answer: "The one you are willing to carry with you."

I wonder if there isn't a corollary here?

I started out with a Nikkormat a friend loaned me years ago, and have been shooting Nikon ever since. The Nikon folk have made some wonderful bodies that almost disappear in your hands -- they just become an extension of your eye, it seems like. But Nikon has made some less-desirable bodies as well -- EM, anyone? Having said that, though, you can mount up nice Nikon glass on any of them.

Now I own more cameras than I would care to admit: SLR, RF and P&S. Some get looked at more than anything, some get shot. But for me, the "best" one is the one I have with me when a photo needs to be made.

I know that doesn't really answer your question, but I think it's close to correct. A body that holds your nice glass, that you can find your way around without fumbling, that's The One.
 
rover said:
It has been all down hill since the Minolta SRT 101.
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Amen to that! I bought an SRT101 in the exchange at Andrews AFB in January 1974.................still have it. Great camera. Has been overhauled once after being doused by a pepsi cola about twenty five odd years ago. I also have an XD11 and a collection of MD lens which work great on the 101. If I had to limit myself to one camera (other than an RF) it would be the 101. Gig em Aggies beat LSU!!!
 
Just had a Leicaflex SL for a couple of days. I don't think its really worth lusting after if you've already got the F. I have an F2, and FE2, and a F90s. These are all just as nice and if you have Nikkor glass, stick with it. No reason to go chasing a bunch of Leica-R lenses. Of if you do want some of that Leica 'dust', get it and an adapter from Leitax for your F.
 
A few more pluses for the FG: Its significantly smaller than cameras like the F, F3, etc.; it has a great little grip (similar to the F3); a lighted shutter speed read-out making it much easier to use in low light; and I think the FG has the quietest shutter/mirror sound of all the manual focus Nikon cameras. A great little tool.
 
digitalintrigue said:
Contax Aria. As small as an OM-1, but with matrix metering, and motor. Huge bright viewfinder.
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Agree about the Aria (I also have the RTS III, 139Q, 159MM and mechanical S2). The Aria VF is superb (just short of the RTS III), and the weight makes it a delight to carry. I just received the data back which prints exposure to frames 1&2 - cool trick. 🙂
 
bgb said:
The Best ! don't think there is any such thing ... if you have the time and money I suggest you try them all and see which one suits YOU.

If I had to start from scratch i would move past 35mm and find a nice medium format camera, Hasselblads aren't that big 🙂

I will add that my first SLR was a Canon Ftb and it did everything i needed then and would be just fine now, add a couple of lenses and a pocket full of film ...

I can see this thread producing some major GAS not that some of us needed any help :bang:
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No, but all the lenses other than 80mm are.

Cheers,

R.
 
I would think that the OP is getting the message by now i.e. no such thing as the best, that is why companies continue their R&D and bring out 'better' and 'best-so-far' (love that one!)

You can produce the best photo now for very little or a lot. Unless you do it today, then today has gone and all the opportunities with it and you'll wait for yet another day. Today I have been out with a 1959 Pentax S1a and the original lens Super Takumar 55mm F2 - such an enjoyable experience. Lens hood (in leather zipped pouch £0.99 + £2.35 postage) and Tri-X and as meter...

Oh yes the S1a cost £19.00 a year ago.

Get to it - the generation following on is growing and hoping to discover your legacy of negatives in a house clearance sale. It should knock their socks off.

Al
 
This thread has been really great. I knew prior to posting that my best move is to purchase based on the fact that I have many lenses setup for my 1DMKIII. The EOS 1-V makes the most sense there since it is basically setup the same as the camera that I own. That said, I always got the sense that there was more passion within the Nikon film community over the 'F' series than Canon 'EOS'. Also, I was a Nikon person in my previous film days. Now, I will continue to shoot mostly with my rangefinders, but my kids sports and rangefinders don't go together. I want to sell the 1DMKII and most of what I do is in film these days.

That said, this post has me looking at the Contax Aria and Zeiss lenses. This isn't rational in that the 1-V much better suits my purposes. So, my guess is that some day I'll also pickup an Aria. Rodger's suggestion of Alpa was certainly the most oblique of recommendations. I vaguely remember the brand, but can't say that I've ever seen one. I love their new offering... not same company really and not for those that drive BMW rather than Maseratti.
 
Minolta srT-101, and then Olympus OM-1n, which I still use. Small, great lenses (I have a 28/2, a 50/1.4 and 100/2.8).
 
Maybe, subjectively, the best SLR camera would be:

- the one that we have in our hands right now,
- we use the most,
- we believe is the best,
- or, just because we don't have another SLR camera!
- until we buy a better one.
So, according to this, mine choice is Minolta SRT 101 🙂
 
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