Texsport
Well-known
Nikkormat - bought in the later 60s with a Nikkor 55/1.2 lens - built like a tank + simple, dependable operation. Never failed and still my favorite camera to use.
Texsport
Texsport
Best built mechanical SLR?
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Addy101
Well-known
I had to google that Sover Wong guy and noticed he is a Nikon repair man. Hardly a good source to proof any Nikon camera is the best built camera....
The Nikon Appreciation Society is quite active on this forum, so, it doesn't surprise me a lot of folk mention a Nikon. However, how many have actually used several cameras made by several makers? Let alone, how many have actually looked inside these cameras? The outside of a camera tells you nothing about the inside.
And the best built SLR is simple: Hasselblad. They're simple and reliable. They even went to the moon!
The Nikon Appreciation Society is quite active on this forum, so, it doesn't surprise me a lot of folk mention a Nikon. However, how many have actually used several cameras made by several makers? Let alone, how many have actually looked inside these cameras? The outside of a camera tells you nothing about the inside.
And the best built SLR is simple: Hasselblad. They're simple and reliable. They even went to the moon!
A Hassy is a lot of things, but simple, is not one of them.
Addy101
Well-known
From a user perspective or from an engineers perspective?
Robert Lai
Well-known
Sover Wong
Sover Wong
Sover is self taught. He is not sponsored by Nikon in any way. He has studied the F2 (and the F) more thoroughly than anyone else outside of Nikon. He has custom made brass gears, Cds cells, and meter resistors to keep his beloved cameras working.
His tolerances for the shutter speeds are to be within 1/4 of an f/stop, and usually they are better than that.
There are few cameras better built internally than the Nikons.
The Leica M are better built in that the models from the M4 upwards allow individual adjustment of each shutter speed. The M3 and M2 allow adjustment of 1/1000, 1/500, and 1/15 individually. Needless to say, when you have such tight tolerances, this allows you to have accurate continuously variable shutter speeds. How many other mechanical cameras give you this option?
Sover will send you pictures of the inside of your cameras as he works on them, for progress reports. He will give you a shutter speed readout before he starts, and after his service. He is completely transparent, and all his statements are documented facts, not opinions.
Sover Wong
Sover is self taught. He is not sponsored by Nikon in any way. He has studied the F2 (and the F) more thoroughly than anyone else outside of Nikon. He has custom made brass gears, Cds cells, and meter resistors to keep his beloved cameras working.
His tolerances for the shutter speeds are to be within 1/4 of an f/stop, and usually they are better than that.
There are few cameras better built internally than the Nikons.
The Leica M are better built in that the models from the M4 upwards allow individual adjustment of each shutter speed. The M3 and M2 allow adjustment of 1/1000, 1/500, and 1/15 individually. Needless to say, when you have such tight tolerances, this allows you to have accurate continuously variable shutter speeds. How many other mechanical cameras give you this option?
Sover will send you pictures of the inside of your cameras as he works on them, for progress reports. He will give you a shutter speed readout before he starts, and after his service. He is completely transparent, and all his statements are documented facts, not opinions.
burancap
Veteran
Broken record: Leicaflex followed by the F2. Honorable mention to the Nikkormats.
noisycheese
Normal(ish) Human
There is some contention regarding whether or not the Nikon F3hp is a mechanical camera, given its battery powered shutter. If the F3hp is considered a mechanical camera, I would cast a vote for it.
If it is not, then I would cast a vote for the Nikon FM2n.
If it is not, then I would cast a vote for the Nikon FM2n.
jsrockit
Moderator
Some nice porn in here...
RichL
Well-known
For me it would be the Olympus Pen F or FV. They are wonderful cameras inside and out.
wakarimasen
Well-known
Thoroughly nice chap too!
nobbylon
Veteran
Judging by the responses and the habits of the press, photo journalists and fashion photographers back in the days of ALL mechanical SLR's it would appear the F2 has it. Yes there are other great cameras and these have their own loyal followers but in the end the F2 is the one all others are judged by.
My 1972 was rebuilt and I do mean rebuilt by Sover about 8 years ago and to all intents is a new camera. It's a shame i've only put around 3 rolls through it since but I preferred F3's and my F5. I now use an F6 and F100 for my slr film fix and the F2 which used to be thought of as a large camera now seems like a compact!
My 1972 was rebuilt and I do mean rebuilt by Sover about 8 years ago and to all intents is a new camera. It's a shame i've only put around 3 rolls through it since but I preferred F3's and my F5. I now use an F6 and F100 for my slr film fix and the F2 which used to be thought of as a large camera now seems like a compact!
Oscuro
He's French, I'm Italian.
Nikon F4s, my dears. Ridiculously well built. Weighs a tonne. Always works. From Orlando, in the land of the insane, Mme. O.
Edit. Terribly sorry! Misread the OP.
Nikon F2, then.
XOXO
O
Edit. Terribly sorry! Misread the OP.
Nikon F2, then.
XOXO
O
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Have you ever seen the inside of an F2? It's a very heavy duty camera and Nikon's reputation didn't just appear out of thin air. They were workhorses of the news business for decades.
PS: Sover overhauled my F2 and he did a very good job.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
The classic 60's kit. Nikon F, F35 motor and here with the "mirror or-up" Nikkor 21f4. Heavy, noisy etc - but it would and will still work. Something goes wrong - just poke at the various parts with a screwdriver and it usualyl fixed itself. If you use "self loaded cassettes - be sure to remember how many exposures you have on it. The F36 will happily tear the film off the spool and you have that dreaded "flap,flap" sound of film winding itself around the take up spool.
maggieo
More Deadly
Harry just reminded me of one of the great SLR's, the Canon F1:
maggieo
More Deadly
I'm surprised that the OM-1 hasn't been mentioned more.
airfrogusmc
Veteran
The best I have ever shot with and I still own are both the original Canon F-1 and the new Canon F-1. I have had an original F-1 since the late 1970s and a new F-1 since the 1982 IIRC and both still work and the newer F-1 has been in the shop only 1 time is over 30 years though it hasn't gotten much use in the past 15 years.
And I am not easy on my equipment
Original and 55 1.2 Aspherical
Newer model and 24L FD
And I am not easy on my equipment
Original and 55 1.2 Aspherical
Newer model and 24L FD
rbsinto
Well-known
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Really think the only people qualified to answer a question like this are camera repair people who've been up to their elbows in a wide variety of makes and models.
My experience is with virtually only with Nikons so how can I possibly speak intelligently about other brands?
My experience is with virtually only with Nikons so how can I possibly speak intelligently about other brands?
nobbylon
Veteran
GarageBoy
Well-known
Canon original F1 - all ball bearings, split and recemented glass focusing screen... The original teardown report from modern photography was very positive
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