Budget SLR options - Nikon or Canon

You cannot go wrong with any fully mechanical Nikon or Canon SLR...I am partial to the Canon FTb and the original F 1 for fully mechanical SLRs because their FD lenses turned in the same direction as Leica and LTM Nikkors and LTM Canon lenses....when I want to carry less weight my Olympus OM 1 is what I will choose.
 
I am a big Nikkormat fan, but the main drawback is that potentially jumpy meter. If you go that route, be very sure to get one (and yes, the FT2/FT3 are best because of the readily available 1.5V battery) with a rock solid meter.

For more money I'd go with the FM. The best choice among Nikons, I think.

For Canon, someone mentioned the FTb and I would strongly endorse that, but for the fact you need a 625 battery. There are a lot of workarounds for this, though -- you can find 625 alkalines (though you have to adjust voltage).

Same comment about the FTb applies to the Minolta SRT 101. Great camera. There are variants -- 201, 202, 100, with some minor variations in features. But best of the lot is the 101 and 202. The Rokkor lenses are first rate.
 
nickthetasmaniac said:
I'd throw in an unsolicited recommendation for Pentax, if only because folk often seem to forget they exist :)
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The exception being the K1000, heartily embraced by the aforementioned trendy crowd and usually priced accordingly. The better-featured Pentaxes are usually available at bargain prices.
 
I’ll toss in another vote for the Canon FTb as well. I bought one a few years ago at a camera show for only US$10. Works perfectly. The FTb’s are solid and reliable; their self-timer/mirror lock-up/DOF lever is a work of art. The shutter speed dial has a wonderfully soft tactile feel when you turn it.

The slightly newer FTbN gives you shutter speeds in the finder and a plastic tipped wind lever, but overall seems slightly cheapened, lacking those aforementioned elegant touches of the FTb. Maybe just my impression rather than reality.
 
As a (slightly) different viewpoint, I've travelled a lot in Asia in my time - and I hope to return again when this C-19 situation has settled down - and while I nowadays use digital Nikons, if I had to do it all again with film cameras, I would go with one of my Nikkormat FT2s and two lenses, either a 28/3.5 or 35/2.0 and an 85/1.8.

Choice of lenses is super flexible - I picked the above three as I happen to own them. If one lens was the go, it would be the 35, which can easily do all I want a lens to.

The 'mats are built like Sherman tanks and the FT2s take batteries you can buy everywhere you go except maybe the Mongolian steppes. Of course I may well be wrong on this last point...

Lots of film (B&W in my case, your choice in yours), I don't worry about airport scanners, with fresh films damage is unlikely, and anyway the world is an imperfect place, if your films get scan-fried, just return and reshoot. Double the fun!!

Also lens hoods, and a few filters. Skylights/UVs on the lenses, maybe a yellow, an orange, a polariser. That's the lot.

YMMD, of course. It all depends on what and how you photograph.
 
1. Pentax KX or KM

If in North America Eric Hendrickson can service your mechanical Pentax at very reasonable cost.

2. Nikkormat FT2 or FT3

These seldom require service, however be sure to get one with a properly working exposure meter.

Chris
 
Any of the cameras mentioned are great.... but the Nikon F3 is an exceptional one for the current money (E*ay $180+)
 
A Nikon FM, an FM2n, and an F3 were my primary camera body kit from about 1981 to 2003. Bought all,of them used, only the FM ever needed service because it got bashed when dropped ... I fell off a railroad tie. LOL! Hardly the camera's fault. It still worked fine but was ugly and the flash sync shorted, so I had a new top fitted.

The FG model was built on the lower spec chassis: mostly polycarbonate rather than alloy. I didn't like the way they felt.

The FE2 was another very sweet model. I had one for a time, sold it to my friend, she gave it back to me a dozen years later. Solid, simple, reliable... but I preferred the mechanical, match needle FM.

My last Nikon is now an early F plain prism that was abandoned in a friends basement without a lens. Given to me, overhauled for $170, and I've got two lenses for it (55 Micro and 28/2). It'll last forever...

G
 
Godfrey said:
A Nikon FM, an FM2n, and an F3 were my primary camera body kit from about 1981 to 2003. Bought all,of them used, only the FM ever needed service because it got bashed when dropped ... I fell off a railroad tie. LOL! Hardly the camera's fault. It still worked fine but was ugly and the flash sync shorted, so I had a new top fitted.

The FG model was built on the lower spec chassis: mostly polycarbonate rather than alloy. I didn't like the way they felt.

The FE2 was another very sweet model. I had one for a time, sold it to my friend, she gave it back to me a dozen years later. Solid, simple, reliable... but I preferred the mechanical, match needle FM.

My last Nikon is now an early F plain prism that was abandoned in a friends basement without a lens. Given to me, overhauled for $170, and I've got two lenses for it (55 Micro and 28/2). It'll last forever...

G
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but sadly, not you...or me.
 
Godfrey said:
It'll last forever...

G
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Godfrey, I'd choose a F or F2, black with a plain prism over all other comers. The OP did ask for a metered camera.
If one were to stretch the budget an F2 Titan would rule...which as Larry Cloetta pointed out, are selling for less than the point-and-shoot Contax T3....strange times

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[/url]https://flic.kr/p/29QFmhm
 
My Nikkormat FT3....weighs a ton . In fact, too much. However, it resonates with me, every time I press the shutter button. Don't mind the shutter speed selector or the upside down meter needle.

However, if you put it down and pick up an FM , FE, FA....it is liberating. If you need to use glasses they are all oK...although the FT3 is the only one that is glasses friendly over the entire frame...at least for me.
 
hap said:
Yes a black F2 with a plain prism is great if you need a workout.
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Hap, a
Leicaflex, RB67, Pentax 67 or a Canon DSLR might be a workout.... a plain-jane F is a piece of cake...
 
Hmm. You pique my curiosity. Out with the scale...

Nikon F plain prism + Nikkor 28/2 == 1047g
Nikon F plain prism + Micro-Nikkor 55/3.5 == 964g
Leicaflex SL + Summicron-R 50/2 == 1094g

In other words, differences so close as to be inconsequential. :)

G
 
I also weighed a few bodies...just bodies no lens.

Nikon F with plain prism = 781g (loaded with film)
Nikkormat FT3 = 720g (loaded with film)
Nikon FM = 576g (no film)
Pentax MX = 495g (no film)
Roll of 36 ex. film = 20g
 
Canon A1. It has all you need (aperture priority, shutter priority, full auto and manual) and you can switch off the leds in your finder. Imo it also looks pretty nice and isn‘t overpriced yet (unlike the worse ae1).
The best bang for the buck is the Nikon F90 - even though it is af I quite like it, it has something appealing to me and is reasonably small, takes AA batteries and its shutter goes up to 1/8000.
 
hap said:
Yes a black F2 with a plain prism is great if you need a workout.
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My plain prism F is heavy too, I often pair it with a 105/2.5 Nikkor. It's OK on short walks but if I am going to be out for a while I prefer to take the Leica IIIg with a 90/4 Elmar.
 
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