Forest_rain
Well-known
My current daily users are my Canon 7 rangefinder and Praktica BMS for SLR. The Praktica is quite nice, as are the Pentacon lenses, however the Canon 7 probably produces better images. The Praktica has quite a heavy mirror slap which seems to produce some vibration in the images.
Any recommendations for budget options from Nikon or Canon fro an SLR? I have some Minolta gear which I use on my A7 II but I'd like to pick up a different brand, I quite like the aesthetics and ethos of Nikon and Canon and would like to pick up a budget camera that I don't have to worry too much about.
I'd also like to pick up a few different lenses possibly to obtain a different "character" since from what I understand Minolta has a specific character to their lenses, as do the Canon LTM lenses.
The Canon AE-1 seems ubiquitous, and overpriced, and I wanted to get a Nikon F or F2 but they seem to be pretty expensive. I'm not sure why the Nikon F is so pricey - perhaps it's just the reputation of the camera or the history of it as a collector's item? I'm not sure.
I thought about picking up a Nikkormat, but there seems to be a few different types and I'm not sure how good these cameras are.
I would like metering capability if possible, but aperture and shutter priority are not necessary. However newer camera might be a better fit for me since I'd like to use the newer AI-S lenses, and I've found newer cameras to usually operate a little bit better, so I was looking at the Nikon FG which seems to be affordable. I'd like a camera that is without motor drive and has manual film advance to maintain the hands-on feel of operation.
Likely I'd use a 50mm or pancake lens on it most of the time and occasionally a 135mm lens is typical for me.
I'd also consider an Olympus body if these are appealing and budget friendly.
If someone could point me in the right direction that would be great!
Any recommendations for budget options from Nikon or Canon fro an SLR? I have some Minolta gear which I use on my A7 II but I'd like to pick up a different brand, I quite like the aesthetics and ethos of Nikon and Canon and would like to pick up a budget camera that I don't have to worry too much about.
I'd also like to pick up a few different lenses possibly to obtain a different "character" since from what I understand Minolta has a specific character to their lenses, as do the Canon LTM lenses.
The Canon AE-1 seems ubiquitous, and overpriced, and I wanted to get a Nikon F or F2 but they seem to be pretty expensive. I'm not sure why the Nikon F is so pricey - perhaps it's just the reputation of the camera or the history of it as a collector's item? I'm not sure.
I thought about picking up a Nikkormat, but there seems to be a few different types and I'm not sure how good these cameras are.
I would like metering capability if possible, but aperture and shutter priority are not necessary. However newer camera might be a better fit for me since I'd like to use the newer AI-S lenses, and I've found newer cameras to usually operate a little bit better, so I was looking at the Nikon FG which seems to be affordable. I'd like a camera that is without motor drive and has manual film advance to maintain the hands-on feel of operation.
Likely I'd use a 50mm or pancake lens on it most of the time and occasionally a 135mm lens is typical for me.
I'd also consider an Olympus body if these are appealing and budget friendly.
If someone could point me in the right direction that would be great!
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Nikkormats are good value because:
- very rugged construction; nearly equal to F, F2’s
- accepts all F mount lenses
- center weighted metering
- depth of field preview
- true mirror lockup
- self timer
- meter reading also visible on top plate
- shutter speeds visible in viewfinder
- these cameras are (were?) very inexpensive
Of the Nikkormats, I chose and have the FT2 for several reasons:
- It takes modern batteries (earlier Nikkormats do not)
- It will meter wide open with both pre-AI and AI(S) lenses (the FT3 meters wide open only with AI(S) and requires stop-down for pre-AI)
What some people might not like:
- the shutter speed ring is concentric to the lens mount
- need to use lenses with “rabbit ears” (unless FT3)
- need to set max aperture via the “Nikon twist ritual” (unless FT3)
- setting ASA/ISO is a bit fiddly
- no interchangeable prism or screens
- unless FT2 or FT3, uses obsolete batteries
- the ring resistors for the metering may have worn
Lastly, there are the electronic aperture-priority Nikkormats, EL and EL2. Fun to use, nice viewfinder displays, not much more expensive, but harder to find. I bought the EL over the EL2 in order to meter all lenses wide open (EL2 requires stop-down for pre-AI).
All that said, the Nikon FG you mention is a fun, highly capable, good-looking camera. Mine has the right-hand grip which, in my opinion, makes the camera really nice to use.
There’s the FM, FM2, FM2n, of course. Fully manual, nice to use, lasts forever. They’ve always been a bit expensive in the used market.
Then FE and FE2 - more expensive than the FG. Better build quality. They’re aperture-priority or manual in operation.
That’s just a small peek at Nikon’s offerings. Canon, Pentax, Minolta, and Olympus all had great manual cameras in the 1970’s and onwards into the late 1980’s autofocus era.
- very rugged construction; nearly equal to F, F2’s
- accepts all F mount lenses
- center weighted metering
- depth of field preview
- true mirror lockup
- self timer
- meter reading also visible on top plate
- shutter speeds visible in viewfinder
- these cameras are (were?) very inexpensive
Of the Nikkormats, I chose and have the FT2 for several reasons:
- It takes modern batteries (earlier Nikkormats do not)
- It will meter wide open with both pre-AI and AI(S) lenses (the FT3 meters wide open only with AI(S) and requires stop-down for pre-AI)
What some people might not like:
- the shutter speed ring is concentric to the lens mount
- need to use lenses with “rabbit ears” (unless FT3)
- need to set max aperture via the “Nikon twist ritual” (unless FT3)
- setting ASA/ISO is a bit fiddly
- no interchangeable prism or screens
- unless FT2 or FT3, uses obsolete batteries
- the ring resistors for the metering may have worn
Lastly, there are the electronic aperture-priority Nikkormats, EL and EL2. Fun to use, nice viewfinder displays, not much more expensive, but harder to find. I bought the EL over the EL2 in order to meter all lenses wide open (EL2 requires stop-down for pre-AI).
All that said, the Nikon FG you mention is a fun, highly capable, good-looking camera. Mine has the right-hand grip which, in my opinion, makes the camera really nice to use.
There’s the FM, FM2, FM2n, of course. Fully manual, nice to use, lasts forever. They’ve always been a bit expensive in the used market.
Then FE and FE2 - more expensive than the FG. Better build quality. They’re aperture-priority or manual in operation.
That’s just a small peek at Nikon’s offerings. Canon, Pentax, Minolta, and Olympus all had great manual cameras in the 1970’s and onwards into the late 1980’s autofocus era.
madNbad
Well-known
Nikkormat FT2. Modern battery, uses all of the Nikon lenses, good split image focusing screen and easy to have serviced. Get a Nikkor H 50 2.0 and a bunch of film. All of the reasons listed above.
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Nikon FM with a Series E 50mm f/1.8 "pancake" might check a lot of your boxes. Backwards compatibility with non-AI lenses (albeit with stop down metering). Compared to the Nikkormats, it's a bit lighter and more compact, and has the shutter speed dial on the top deck rather than around the lens.
das
Well-known
A Nikon FA or FG sounds like the ticket for you. The FA obviously being better but they are both cameras that one can grow into and it's nice to have the extra features. The FA is the better camera with its 1/4000 top speed, etc.
JeffS7444
Well-known
For whatever reason, Nikkormat / Nikomat cameras have never caught on with the trendy crowd. But they're well made things, as are the older Nikkor lenses with scalloped metal control rings. But I suppose you might say that these brass-and-chrome cameras are products of the "old" Nikon.
FG is a newer breed of Nikon: Starting in the late 1970s, the trend was towards compact, motorized and tech-heavy cameras. Stamped and machined brass parts gave way to more acrylic and composite materials. Done properly, it makes for high quality yet light weight. Acrylic top cover resists dents, but can chip or crack upon impact. Most AI-era camera bodies aren't compatible with pre-AI lenses unless lenses are modified.
FG is a newer breed of Nikon: Starting in the late 1970s, the trend was towards compact, motorized and tech-heavy cameras. Stamped and machined brass parts gave way to more acrylic and composite materials. Done properly, it makes for high quality yet light weight. Acrylic top cover resists dents, but can chip or crack upon impact. Most AI-era camera bodies aren't compatible with pre-AI lenses unless lenses are modified.
Forest_rain
Well-known
Thanks for responses, looks like FT2 seems reliable and cheap, I will begin shopping for one.
FM looks decent as well, probably comes down just to whichever I can find in a decent working condition for reasonable price.
FM looks decent as well, probably comes down just to whichever I can find in a decent working condition for reasonable price.
markjwyatt
Well-known
Exactly why you want one!
I was given a Canon FT QL. It needed some work but it's good now, I like it a lot. If stop down metering is a problem the FTb might be better. Either are cheaper than an AE and vastly better build.
Mechanical Nikkormats are very well made and very reliable. No camera is perfect—I have a quite dead FT2 here—but the Nikkormats are better than most. Even today it's possible to find examples in original untouched condition which are 100% functional. That's quite unusual. Most Japanese mechanical SLRs will work to varying degrees, but it's quite normal for speeds to have drifted out of spec or for curtains to taper at faster times. A pre-EL Nikkormat may well benefit from new mirror damping foam or light seals, but due to their use of that superb vertical Copal shutter, they can often still actually check out 100% when put across a Copal shutter tester. They are a very underrated and well featured SLR.
Mechanical Nikkormats are very well made and very reliable. No camera is perfect—I have a quite dead FT2 here—but the Nikkormats are better than most. Even today it's possible to find examples in original untouched condition which are 100% functional. That's quite unusual. Most Japanese mechanical SLRs will work to varying degrees, but it's quite normal for speeds to have drifted out of spec or for curtains to taper at faster times. A pre-EL Nikkormat may well benefit from new mirror damping foam or light seals, but due to their use of that superb vertical Copal shutter, they can often still actually check out 100% when put across a Copal shutter tester. They are a very underrated and well featured SLR.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
Pretty sure I only paid about $75US for the Nikkormat FT3 with the 50mm 2.0 lens last year...seller wasn't too sure of the battery in it or the meter but both were fine...I replaced the seals and mirror foam and it works perfectly...
Loaded it with a roll of Agfa APX 100 today...
Loaded it with a roll of Agfa APX 100 today...
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Given those two choices, here's my personal experience with the ergonomic differences between the Nikkormat series and the FM series. My gateway into 35mm film SLRs was a Nikomat FTn. Like the FT2 and other Nikkormats, it is an extremely solid camera, inexpensive but fully featured (mirror lockup, DOF preview, self-timer). Unfortunately, I did not gel with the shutter speed dial around the lens collar. That said, many people (e.g. Olympus OM series fans) love having all the controls on/around the lens, so YMMV.
About a year after getting the Nikomat FTn, I ended up with a Nikon FM2n, and never looked back.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
I'd throw in an unsolicited recommendation for Pentax, if only because folk often seem to forget they exist
Their bodies are solid and sensible, their lenses exceptional and almost universally compatible, and prices generally good.Personally, I'd recommend either the KX or MX (depending on your preference for small/large bodies), the SMC Pentax-M 50/f1.7 (compact, excellent and cheap) and the SMC Pentax-M 100/f2.8 (compact, excellent and affordable).
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I had FG-20 with some store owner 50 1.8 pancake personal copy.
Camera was cute. Pancake was no character lens. At all.
I had Nikkormat with mercury battery. Meter was slow.
Lens was old non something 50 1.4. It was awesome lens, sharp wide open.
Both Nikkormat and 50 1.4 old non something were not expensive.
But next to Art Deco or steam punk .
Camera was cute. Pancake was no character lens. At all.
I had Nikkormat with mercury battery. Meter was slow.
Lens was old non something 50 1.4. It was awesome lens, sharp wide open.
Both Nikkormat and 50 1.4 old non something were not expensive.
But next to Art Deco or steam punk
.
WJJ3
Well-known
Since you already have some Minolta lenses, how about getting a Minolta body? Are your Minolta lenses MF or AF?
I use a couple Minolta manual focus bodies and like them a lot.
DC1030
DC1030
Canon FTb, totally underrated. Best ergenonics ever, spot metering with a defined field in the middle of the finder. Lenses as good as Nikon but way cheaper to get. Get a battery adapter for 1.4 V hearing aid batteries - which are also dirt cheap.
I also ow a Nikkormat, but don't linke the ergonomics. I have a clear preference where the shutter speed wheel has to be: on top of the camera...
I also ow a Nikkormat, but don't linke the ergonomics. I have a clear preference where the shutter speed wheel has to be: on top of the camera...
paul in AZ
Member
In addition to a Nikkormat FT3 I'd suggest looking at Nikon FE and FM. Rugged build quality with fewer of them having been pounded to death. All use modern batteries.
I picked up two really clean and fully functional FEs in the last year at really good prices -under $100. I like the aperture priority.
The FM is attractive as a totally manual version but these have become somewhat pricey recently.
I picked up two really clean and fully functional FEs in the last year at really good prices -under $100. I like the aperture priority.
The FM is attractive as a totally manual version but these have become somewhat pricey recently.
Disappointed_Horse
Well-known
My favorite Nikon manual focus SLR is the FE. I own two of them. I almost never use the aperture priority function, but I very much prefer the match-needle metering system to the FM's LED lights.
International Camera Technicians has two fully serviced FEs for sale on its ebay store at around $150 each:
https://www.ebay.com/str/holmancame...55-0&campid=5336728181&customid=&toolid=10001
Well worth the money if you ask me.
I also second the recommendation for Pentax cameras. The M42 screw mount Pentax cameras are very reasonably priced, and Pentax's Takumar lenses are at least as good as comparable Nikkors at lower prices.
International Camera Technicians has two fully serviced FEs for sale on its ebay store at around $150 each:
https://www.ebay.com/str/holmancame...55-0&campid=5336728181&customid=&toolid=10001
Well worth the money if you ask me.
I also second the recommendation for Pentax cameras. The M42 screw mount Pentax cameras are very reasonably priced, and Pentax's Takumar lenses are at least as good as comparable Nikkors at lower prices.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
If you're set on Nikon, go with a mechanical camera or an F3. I've owned a few Nikkormats and never got along with them. They work but I can't abide with the lens concentric shutter speed setting. Same reason I never really liked Olympus OM cameras, just not my thing.
I'll second the vote for a Pentax. The MX is an amazing camera.
As for the FG, it has a delicate trouble-spot. The switch which essentially turns the camera on, and allows the meter to function, shutter to fire, is a couple of flexible contacts that ride on a copper sleeve which was glued to the plastic shaft under the winder lever. The sleeve's adhesive looses it's grip over 3 decades and then when you go to wind, you either get nothing, or you have a condition that will not allow you to turn the camera off. It's not too bad a fix but it's not fun either. I've had 3 FG bodies and all of them exhibited this problem. YMMV.
Phil Forrest
I'll second the vote for a Pentax. The MX is an amazing camera.
As for the FG, it has a delicate trouble-spot. The switch which essentially turns the camera on, and allows the meter to function, shutter to fire, is a couple of flexible contacts that ride on a copper sleeve which was glued to the plastic shaft under the winder lever. The sleeve's adhesive looses it's grip over 3 decades and then when you go to wind, you either get nothing, or you have a condition that will not allow you to turn the camera off. It's not too bad a fix but it's not fun either. I've had 3 FG bodies and all of them exhibited this problem. YMMV.
Phil Forrest
paul in AZ
Member
Agree with AAlfano: I don't know the seller but if these were disassembled and fully serviced they are definitely worth the money.
Quote:
International Camera Technicians has two fully serviced FEs for sale on its ebay store at around $150 each:
https://www.ebay.com/str/holmancame...55-0&campid=5336728181&customid=&toolid=10001
Well worth the money if you ask me.
Quote:
International Camera Technicians has two fully serviced FEs for sale on its ebay store at around $150 each:
https://www.ebay.com/str/holmancame...55-0&campid=5336728181&customid=&toolid=10001
Well worth the money if you ask me.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Are you only considering manual focus cameras? What about an F801s? Works decently well with MF lenses and you have the option of AF if needs be. I would also recommend the F4 but it is more expensive.