grouchos_tash
Well-known
I had a Chinon CE4 which I found very easy and natural to use, they're K mount so there are plenty of lenses around and they're cheap 🙂
Favorite Underappreciated Under Priced Cameras?
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hellomikmik
Well-known
Nikkormats (best film partners for Zeiss ZF lenses with rabbit ears)
zuiko85
Veteran
Sometimes re-badged Ricoh's can be a real bargain. I bought a Sears KS 500 (a Ricoh KR5) for $5, even had good meter batteries. Shutter speeds limited to B and 1/8 through 1/500 but all the range one usually needs. Very low weight with the standard 'K' mount 50 f2 but not cheap feeling. Nice smooth wind on too.
charjohncarter
Veteran
I have one of these and it has the BEST set-up of any AF 35mm camera. In short shutter speed dial and easy DX over-ride. The minimal screen is really not needed. The pop-up flash spring on mine went south.
Bar8barian
Established
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Kent
Finally at home...
Kodak Retina IIIc, the one with the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon.
Sym101
Established
The Contax tvs series seems to be always underappreciated when compared side by side to the Contax T2 & T3.
I had the Contax tvs iii and it took wonderful pictures when I was on holiday during autumn in South Korea. Sadly it was stolen last year.
I had the Contax tvs iii and it took wonderful pictures when I was on holiday during autumn in South Korea. Sadly it was stolen last year.
Scapevision
Well-known
Bronica SQ-A system. It's essentially an improved Hasslebald that can be had for $250 for the set (body, lens, wlf and film back). System is much newer than 500c/m, doesn't have any issues that 500c/m has. Lenses are great and cost under 200 for the most part. I got a 150mm PS for $75. 80mm PS for $100.
You can run 120 film through 220 backs with zero issues. 220 backs cost under $25!!!!
Yes, it don't got the looks, but only hipsters care. 😀
You can run 120 film through 220 backs with zero issues. 220 backs cost under $25!!!!
Yes, it don't got the looks, but only hipsters care. 😀
jsrockit
Moderator
Olympus XA for me... I'd love a digital version.
what 500 c/m issues are you referring to?
I've been told of reliability problems from the leaf shutter SLR Bronicas.
Stephen
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Leica R8, AKA "The Hutchback of Solms." LOL.
Basically less than half the price of a R9, where I consider the R9 a R8.2 version because it is basically the same camera functionally as a R8.
Is the lock on the mode switch and a third frame counter define a new model? I actually like the less busy version (R8). Who needs a third film counter?
All the data illuminated by LED's is a marvel. Huge shutter speed dial just in the right place. Ergonomics at its best. I love that some people hate the styling.
Cal
Basically less than half the price of a R9, where I consider the R9 a R8.2 version because it is basically the same camera functionally as a R8.
Is the lock on the mode switch and a third frame counter define a new model? I actually like the less busy version (R8). Who needs a third film counter?
All the data illuminated by LED's is a marvel. Huge shutter speed dial just in the right place. Ergonomics at its best. I love that some people hate the styling.
Cal
Huss
Veteran
Maybe underpriced compared to an R9, but not in the scheme of things when u can get an mint condition Nikon F5 for $250.
brennanphotoguy
Well-known
Yeah, I think he has that backwards haha. All the repair guys I work with said the Bronica systems were nightmares haha.
Huss
Veteran
Nikkormats have been mentioned several times now on this thread, and they get the vote from me too.
I picked up a perfect FT-2 for under $20.
In it's day it was a pro camera, the only difference compared to my Nikon Fs was not in build but in accessories.
I had two, kept the black one, gave the chrome one (with a lens) to my nephew to replace his just died Canon A1. He loves it.
brennanphotoguy
Well-known
I think a lot of the Canon FD equipment is underrated. I think the Olympus XA isn't necessarily undervalued or underrated. A ton of people love those cameras and they aren't over or under priced for what they are. I'm a fan of the Konica BigMini cameras and if I ever get another point and shoot aside from my Yashica T4 then it would probably be a Contax TVS III. Those little cameras are so cool and definitely overlooked.
Mackinaw
Think Different
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Maybe not underpriced, but under-appreciated, the Rollei 6000-series medium-format cameras. They always seemed to play second fiddle to the Hasselblad, but offered many more features at a competitive price. Excellent Zeiss lenses too. The only caveat was that it was 100% battery powered. No battery, no camera.
Jim B.
Jim B.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Huss,
F5's I've seen go for even less. Certainly the Nikon Pro film camera better fits the bill for being underpriced, but the R8 surely is underappreciated. It has many haters. LOL.
Anyways that's one of the reasons I love mine.
Cal
Addy101
Well-known
What is so funny? Hasselblads are known to get jammed, Bronicas don't. I hadn't thought about the SQ-A - I have one, it is a great camera and it is underrated.
The camera I wanted to mention is the Minolta Dynax/Maxxum/Alpha 800si - the ugly duckling. It has everything you can expect from a 1997 camera and it has the strongest flash in any camera. It doesn't have the interface of the 600si, but, like the Canon 1-series, the button oriented interface works (at least for my kind of photography). It is nicer then the comparable 700si because it has everything built in and you don't need a bunch of cards. Highly recommended!
brennanphotoguy
Well-known
The Bronica system is laughable in terms of ease of repair and calling them reliable is quite the joke. That's what is so funny. But hey, I guess we've all had different experiences.
mike rosenlof
Insufficient information
You could almost say "Any film camera" almost.
But the first thing I thought of is
Mamiya TLR
especially the 220, it's the economy little brother to the fancier 330 but takes the same lenses that generate so much controversy over if they're great or so-so; single, multi, or un-coated.
But the first thing I thought of is
Mamiya TLR
especially the 220, it's the economy little brother to the fancier 330 but takes the same lenses that generate so much controversy over if they're great or so-so; single, multi, or un-coated.
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