film SLR under $150 - any recommendations?

[mfunnell]

From my personal experiences and based on my personal prejudices I would go witih one of the OM-2s for AE autoexposure, or with a Pentax MX for manual exposure. I think there are enough of those out there, and 50mm lenses for them as well, that you'd be able to fit them in your price range (unlike, say, an FM2n where I think body+lens would be more expensive). They both have good finders.

The reason I, personally, would decide between them based on exposure mode is that while I prefer the Olympus finders, I really hate the around-the-lens shutter control on the Olys. So if I were planning on exposing predominately manually I'd go with the Pentax MX.

But those are my prejudices, not yours.

...Mike

 

[Uncle Fester]

I agree with those folks who suggest deciding on the lens first. I like the 50mm ƒ2.0 AI Nikkor on a Nikon FM body. The viewfinder is fairly bright as well. I also like the 50mm ƒ1.7 SMC-Pentax M lens on the Pentax MX. The MX viewfinder is very bright and easy to focus. I think either of these would serve you well. Like you, I prefer fully mechanical cameras, since a battery is not needed to operate the shutter.

 

[Moto-Uno]

Having recently got myself an OM-1n I'd say it pretty well fills the bill,except you're
going to have to search a while to get one with a good working meter . Ask specific questions on the big site, just çuz it moves,doesn't mean it works! Peter

 

[kaiwasoyokaze]

i have a cosina CSM (m42 mount SLR with LED metering) with 55mm SMC Pentax f1.8 lens and a OM1md (matte focusing screen) with zuiko 50mm f1.8 for sale in the classifieds.......:angel:

 

[Wulfthari]

i have a cosina CSM (m42 mount SLR with LED metering) with 55mm SMC Pentax f1.8 lens and a OM1md (matte focusing screen) with zuiko 50mm f1.8 for sale in the classifieds.......:angel:

The Pentax "K" and Tak are excellent but since the OP is looking for a lightweight option I would recommend the M series with 49 mm filter and significantly smaller, especially the 40 mm pancake, the 28 mm and the 50 mm f1.7.

 

[wakarimasen]

The Pentax "K" and Tak are excellent but since the OP is looking for a lightweight option I would recommend the M series with 49 mm filter and significantly smaller, especially the 40 mm pancake, the 28 mm and the 50 mm f1.7.

When I had OM's, a camera and a set of primes were much smaller than the Canon FD and Nikon F equivalent, when packing for an outing.

 

[Pherdinand]

minolta x500/x570 with a rokkor lens.
Or pentax me super (it's tiny).

Or, there's a k1000 with an 50/1.4 in the classifieds right now..😉

 

[Addy101]

A OM-1 weighs 510 gram, the Minolta X700 is 505 gram. The Olympus 40/2 is 140 gram and the 50/1.8 is 165 gram, the Minolta 45/2 is 125 gram, the 50/2 (MD) is 150 gram. The Minolta combination is lighter then the Olympus one 😱

 

[Scrambler]

Nearly any SLR in the enthusiast (not professional) range from the late 1970's to (potentially) the late 1990's should be OK. VF brightness means ideally a pentaprism vs pentamirror but a fast lens will help most.

Contrary to the lens advice I suggest you consider the ergonomics. Do you want a shutter speed dial or PASM and control wheel/s? Shutter speed on the lens mount? Aperture on the body? Do you want AF as an option?

I think the PASM Pentaxes are probably the best value overall with full backwards and forwards compatibility. Pretty much any of the K mount lenses can have the aperture controlled by the body, or by the lens ring. As has been said early EOS cameras are good value, if they still have a lens attached. Manual focus lens options are poorer than Pentax or Nikon though. For manual focus all the brands had decent light bodies by 1980.

Any f1.4 50mm should be an adequate performer.

 

[HHPhoto]

You can get a clean Nikon F100 for under $150. Pair it with a $99 Nikon 50/1.8 AFD, and you've got a film SLR kit that is hard to beat.

+1.
Outstanding value for the money.
Further, even cheaper options:
Nikon F90X
Nikon F80.

Cheers, Jan

 

[leicapixie]

I have used and owned almost all cameras mentioned here.
Some are better, some are excellent.
If you look around you ought to do with a lot less $.
Canon AE-P, get the Program model.Lens 50mm f1.8. VG.
Fuji ST 701.M-42 thread. almost a Spotmatic. You need 3 hands to meter.
Lens on mine 50mm 1.7? Very sharp and contrasty.needs 2 watch batteries.
Minolta. have a few X-series..OK they are small light and nice.Lenses are great. Mine were Goodwill rescues.Remember Minolta was enough for Leica.
Nikon. The Nikon-F the beast that killed the German photographic industry..
It is small, unless you get Photomic head, usually not working..The body will almost always work. 50mm f2 lens a better choice than the f1.4.
Nikkormat I have not seen any used or for sale! Heavy.Great to use.
Pentax. The Spotmatic superb, the meters now old and usually over expose..
Battery not a problem! It has a "bridge circuit". The S1a and SV are not in same league. I found them unreliable as the OM..
Pentax-K. The K-1000. Try get Japanese version. Only the metal 50mm lens.
The Chinese version, sticker over "Japan" is rubbish/trash.
M series nice but too make lighter smaller, less strong.
The ME-Super OK. The MX is a great camera. I needed the winder because it is so small. Cramped my hands. I Never put batteries in the winder..
The LX is expensive and some parts not available if a problem..
The KM a better K-1000. All made in Japan.
Last but not least, a Cosina K-mount. Plastic, made by Cosina, simple fun..
Mine has a Ricoh 50mm lens, added a 80~200 Cosina Zoom, Pentax Takumar 28mm, the 40mm, 135mm.Light rig for one young.
The best camera? Hold one and feel it, see the focusing..
I think my old Nikon-F.

 

[Harryo1962]

Pentax ME Super. Very bright, and if you can get one with the 50mm f 1.4, you will be very impressed with the whole package.

 

[Chris101]

If you find the controls of an OM camera uncomfortable (the shutter speed adjustment is on a ring behind the lens) then consider a Nikon FG. It's the same size, and will use all the Nikon lenses (of course.)

 

[kaiwasoyokaze]

The Pentax "K" and Tak are excellent but since the OP is looking for a lightweight option I would recommend the M series with 49 mm filter and significantly smaller, especially the 40 mm pancake, the 28 mm and the 50 mm f1.7.

actually the cosina CSM is almost the size on the OM1 actually. not a lot of people know about this camera but it is a pretty light sized option with the 55mm SMC 1.8. https://camerajunky.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/cosina-csm/
and size comparison with om4ti:
https://camerajunky.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/olympus-om-4-ti-black/

 

[cz23]

Since you're used to using a GR, one factor you may want to consider: shutter sound. Some SLRs will be like explosions compared to your GR. Someone gave me a Nikkormat, but I have a real problem using it because of that. Just another thing to consider.

John

 

[Vics]

nobody votes for Nikon, so I have to speak up! :angel:

Nikon FM & 1.8/50.

Plus one. I have just that kit, and paid about $120 for the pair at KEH. Great shooter!

 

[Calzone]

Pro-mone,

To me shooting a SLR is for accurate framing, and the Nikon F2 and F3 you are not considering are both Pro cameras with 100% VF'ers.

Not sure if many of the camers mentioned on this thread have 100% VF'ers. I suspect that maybe the OM-1 might.

Also know that the Nikon F3HP that I recovered in goat leather I bought for $150.00 at Adorama. With a DK-17 magnifier, not only do I get a VF'er magnification over 0.90, I also get a 100% VF'er.

You don't have to rig your nikons like mine with the added bulk of grips and motordrives. Also to offset the larger body consider the 45/2.8 P AIS because its a pancake lens. Technically 43mm is the diagonal of a 24x36 negative, so technically 45mm is still a "normal" lens.

For no money I'd consider a Nikon "F" with a prism finder.

Cal

 

[GarageBoy]

$150 can buy you multiple cameras

My vote goes for a cheap Minolta X700 and a 50 1.7

That's a sweet "beater" set up and the view finder is niiice

 

[Clark.EE]

You can pick up the more modern "Elecronic" SLR's for a few £'s on ebay.
Pentax P30 springs to mind.
Auto or Manual modes.
One sold the other day for £20.00 with a SMC 50 1:1.7 lens.
Thats like the lens with a free Camera.
Newer Camera wont need new light seals either.

Yashica's have great lenses. Even cheaper.
Nikon F301. The last Manual focus F (I think).
Bargains to be had.
You can get 3 or 4 with lenses for your budget.

 

[mdarnton]

I had an OM system for years. Could never get on with it--too little to hold on to with the right hand. The second time for film I got a Nikon FG. Best camera.... ever. Small, fast, durable, light, and the OM finder didn't have enough eye relief--the FG is perfect in that regard, too. Plus it has a grip. It's what the OM should have been but wasn't.

Nikon FG, then.