Contax 167mt

[jamais]

If you plan on doing a lot of tripod work, then note that the tripod socket is not central under the lens axis on the 167MT. This could be a real pain.

The battery holder P-5 has its tripod mount not exactly but close under the optical axis. The 167MT does not have a mirror lock-up but as already mentioned a well-damped morror slap. Here is mine:

167MT by camerafred, on Flickr

The 85 Sonnar is an excellent lens and often overlooked in favor of the 85/1.4 Planar.

I am currently looking for a 2.8 Sonnar so please do not drive up the prices right now...

 

[tlitody]

The battery holder P-5 has its tripod mount not exactly but close under the optical axis. The 167MT does not have a mirror lock-up but as already mentioned a well-damped morror slap. Here is mine:

167MT by camerafred, on Flickr

I have a P5 on my 167MT but if you have ever looked for a S/H one recently you will find they are as rare as hens teeth.

If I could find a good one I think the ST model is very good or if you wnt to go really manual the an S2 with spot metering only is another option. The S2 has a manual shutter so continues to work without batteries (minus metering).

 

[jasonhupe]

139

139

I also would recommend the 139 or its little sister the yashica fx-d. A bit hard to find these in really good condition as many people beat them to death.
Ive had the 139, rts, fx-d and the RX. The Aria is small and great, the RX is a beast, only the top tier cameras feel this solid these days. What I liked best about the 139 and yashica FX-D is the viewfinders, and the film levers. For some reason for me shooting film is more pleasurable with self winding after each frame instead of the RX's motor advance. Just me. Good luck.