Best Vintage Camera!?

Depends on what kindof camera do you want? You could buy a lot of different 'vintage' 35mm SLRs for under $200 that are top quality cameras. The Nikon F, Olympus OM-1, Pentax Spotmatic, Minolta SRT-101...those are all 1960-1970's era SLRs that were built so well that they're still widely used and very reliable today. All of them have excellent lens systems too, and all of the more common lenses in each of those systems are available in large numbers at good prices.

If you are asking Rangefinders, I don't know. Most good rangefinder cameras cost a lot more than that, even if old and beat up...because they're collectors items to a greater degree than any of the SLRs I mentioned. I bought a nearly new looking SRT-101 on Ebay last summer for $30, and a user-grade but functionally perfect Spotmatic for $25. An OM-1 in good condition can be had for $100, and a Nikon F for $125 in nice but not collectors condition.
 
For price and performance for under $200, I agree with a Kiev and J8 combination. Other than that there are a whole host of SLR's as has already been pointed out. You need to have one eye on the future for additional lenses. In terms of value for money the FSU RF's are hard to beat.
 
All good cameras mentioned above. Readers of the thread might also want to get the last two issues of Popular Photography & Imaging, a USA publication that may or may not be sold in other countries. They have had two installments of the top 20 cameras. I don't even know of all of them, but do most.

Due to my love of Fujicas, I would put the ST 901 in the mix. They and their lenses aren't easy to find. I am guessing partly due to not as many being made, and partly as once used, nobody wants to part with them; cameras or glass.

Still I can't argue with those already mentioned.
 
Leica III with a Canon 50/1.8. That was the last combo that I picked up at a Photorama show for under $200.

You never know what bargains you come across at a camera show.
 
A few years ago, a local camera store gave me (as in free) a Ricoh TLS-401 with a 50mm lens. The previous owner didn't need it any more as he had 'graduated' to a digital thingy, and the camera store didn't want it either. Next day I bought a used wide angle lens for $ 15.00 at another shop. Shot a test roll with it and everything seemed fine. The following week I shot a job with it for a regional magazine here in Maryland. I made $ 500.00 on the job and got three shots published in the magazine.

So the Ricoh TLS-401 gets my vote!
 
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oftheherd said:
All good cameras mentioned above. Readers of the thread might also want to get the last two issues of Popular Photography & Imaging, a USA publication that may or may not be sold in other countries. They have had two installments of the top 20 cameras. I don't even know of all of them, but do most.

Due to my love of Fujicas, I would put the ST 901 in the mix. They and their lenses aren't easy to find. I am guessing partly due to not as many being made, and partly as once used, nobody wants to part with them; cameras or glass.

Still I can't argue with those already mentioned.
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Some things never change I see ... :p

Let's not forget the OM-1 or Om-2 ... my Om-2 was $50.00 with a 50mm Zuiko off eBay and it's been a gem of a camera!
 
this one... bought for 72$

as you can see it travelled around the world... 1932 Super Ikonta "for china"...

still perfecty usable, pocket size folding RF

Stephan
 

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Wow - a big question!. The best camera I have bought for less than $200 would be a Voigtlander Vitessa T with a 35mm Skoparet Lens (The one in my avatar :) although there it is wearing the 100mm dynaret)
 
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