Looking for a light 35mm SLR

[Tim Murphy]

This one has my vote too

This one has my vote too

I use a Nikon N75 for exactly that purpose. When I purchased one, I had the following requirements:

1) Must be a cheap film SLR - the N75 cost me about $25.

2) Must be AF - I have mobility issues so I wanted to be able to shoot with one hand.

3) Must be a Nikon mount - I have a Nikon 18-55mm DX lens that I wanted to pair with the lightweight body (it works well from 24mm) and there are situations when I want to use my Sigma ART lenses on a film body.

Dear Board,

Another plus is that the N75 uses all Nikon and 3rd party AF Nikon mount lenses and it retains the full functionality of the lens. I have a Sigma 50-500 zoom with OS and it works just as well with my N75 as it does with my D300 digital.

You can also pick up a set of 4 rechargeable batteries and a charger from Amazon for less than $ 25.00 and never have to worry about buying batteries for a long time.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA 🙂

 

[Ccoppola82]

An Fm2n w 50mm 1.8 ais pancake is fairly small, light, mechanical and up to 1/4000 with a good meter. That would be my choice

 

[Ambro51]

Oh Heck just get a Diana!! The film weighs nearly as much as the camera! And, truthfully, the images are artistic and very captivating.

 

[Huss]

The probable best is a Minolta X-500/570 at 480g - better for manual metering and lighter that the X-700, auto exposure is available. Usually harder and more expensive to find than the X-700 though. The X-700 offers Program operation metering at 505g. Both Minolta X bodies have superb viewfinders, I find them better than the Olympus OM series.

An OM-1👎 Olympus is always good at 490g for the body. Although in my experience the OM-2 (530g) actually takes sharper pictures as it's shutter seems to exhibit less vibration. Plus if you are having balance issues auto exposure may be a real help.

For M42 lenses a Fujica ST-605n is cheap and light at 565g and has a good SBC meter. Completely manual operation.

The Praktica Nova 1B is again fairly light at 560g, has a selenium meter that is normally very accurate if working and the shutter is very simple to use/fix.

Another favorite is the Pentax S3 at 548g, although no meter...

The following tables may help. You might need to copy it into a text editor and reformat it. I find the internet tends to mangle my formatting...

1 oz = 28.3495231g

Camera L H D Mass

Contaflex II 126 85 60 720g
(body 45 thick)

Bessamatic 140 105 83 946g


Minolta X-500 137 89 51.5 480g

Olympus OM-1 136 83 50 490g

Minolta X-700 137 89 51.5 505g

Praktica BC-1 138 87.5 49 530g

Nikon FM2n 142 90 60 540g

Pentax S3 143 92 47 548g

Contax S 140 85 50 (32) 550g ••

Praktica Nova 1B 152 100 48 (35) 560g

Fujica ST-605n 133 86 50 565g

Pentacon F 140 85 50 (32) 570g

Praktica MTL5B 140 96 48 (32) 575g

Praktica LTL 140 96 48 (32) 580g

Minolta SR-1s 145 94.5 47.5 600g

Praktica LLC 140 96 48 (32) 605g

Praktica Super TL 152 100 48 605g •

Fujica ST-701 133 91 88 610g (585=manual)

Zenit- S, 3 135 92 50 620g

Zenit 3M 135 89 50 630g (1967)

Fujica ST-801 133 91 88 635g

Praktina 146 89 59.0 660g

PrakticaMat 152 100 48 690g

Yashica TL-Super 151 100 96 691g

Zenit TTL 135 91 50 (32) 700g (1980)

Minolta SR-T 101 145 94.5 47.5 705g••

Zenit E-FS 135 91 50 (32) 715g (1978)

Nikkormat FTn 146 95 54 745g

Praktica IVB 152 100 48 750g

Exakta VXIIA 150 90 45 755g

Leitz Leicaflex SL 148 97 57 757g ••

Nikon F+FTN 146 102 95.3 830g

Leitz Leicaflex 148 97 57 860g (w/batt+film) ••


M42 Lens Weights

Lens Mass Filter Close


4.0/20 Flektogon Zebra 320g 77.0x0.75 0.15m

2.8/20 MC Flektogon 350g 67.0x0.75 0.19m

3.5/30 Lydith 195g 49.0x0.75 0.33m

2.8/37 MIR-1 200g 49.0x0.75 0.7m

2.8/35 Flektogon Alloy 200g 49.0x0.75 0.35m

2.8/35 Flektogon Zebra 230g 49.0x0.75 0.18m

2.4/35 MC Flektogon 250g 49.0x0.75 0.20m

3.5/50 Industar-50 45g 33.0x0.5 0.65m

3.5/50 Primotar-E 180g 49.0x0.75

2.8/50 Tessar Leather 155g 49.0x0.75 0.50m

2.8/50 Tessar Exakta 170g 49.0x0.75 0.50m

2.8/50 Tessar Zebra 175g 49.0x0.75 0.35m

1.8/55 Fujinon 190g 49.0x0.75 0.45m

2/58 Biogon 200g 49.0x0.75 0.50m

1.8/50 MC Pentacon 220g 49.0x0.75 0.33m

2/58 Helios 44-2 220g 49.0x0.75 0.50m

1.7/55 Minolta Rokkor 220g 49.0x0.75 0.55m

1.8/50 Pancolar Zebra 225g 49.0x0.75 0.35m

1.8/50 MC Pancolar 225g 49.0x0.75 0.35m

1.8/50 Oreston 235g 49.0x0.75 0.33m

1.4/50 Nikkor 325g 52.0x0.75 0.60m

2/50 Summicron-R(I) 355g s.VI 0.50m

2/50 Summicron-R(II) 290g 55.0x0.75 0.50m

1.8/80 Pancolar 310g 58.0x0.75 0.83m

2/85 Jupiter-9 (Zenit) 360g 49.0x0.75 0.80m

2.5/90 Tamron SP 420g 49.0x0.75 0.39m

4.0/135 Sonnar Alloy 370g 49.0x0.75 1.2m

3.5/135 Sonnar Zebra 425g 49.0x0.75 1.0m

3.5/135 MC Sonnar 430g 49.0x0.75 1.0m

2.8/135 Pentacon Black 530g 55.0x0.75 1.5m

5.5/180 Telemegor 315g 49.0x0.75 2.0m

3.5/180 Primotar 1070g 67.0x0.75 2.2m

4.0/200 MC Pentacon 600g 58.0x0.75 2.7m

2.8/200 Sonnar 1200g 77.0x0.75 2.2m

4.5/300 Tair-3 PHs 1600g 72.0x0.75 2.2m

4.0/300 Sonnar 2070g 77.0x0.50 3.5m


SLR + Lens Combinations


Zenit 3M + 50 Industar 630+45 675g

Contaflex II 720g

Contax S + 58 Biotar 550+200 750g

Pentacon F + 50 Primotar-E 570+180 750g

Fujica ST-605n + 1.8-55mm 560+190 750g

Pentax S3 + 1.8-55mm S. Tak 548+215 763g

Praktica Super TL + 50 Tessar 605+175 780g

Praktica MTL5B + 50 MC Pentacon 575+220 795g

Fujica ST-701 + 55 Fujinon 610+190 800g

Praktica LTL + 50 Pancolar 580+225 805g

Praktica LLC + 50 Pancolar 605+225 830g

Praktica Super TL + 50 Pancolar 605+225 830g

Contaflex Super-B 840g

Zenit 3M + 58/2 Helios 44 630+220 850g

Praktina+ 58 Biotar 660+200 860g

Praktica IVB + 50f/2.8 Tessar 750+155 905g

PrakticaMat + 50f/1.8 Oreston 690+235 925g

Minolta SR-T 101 + Rokkor 55f1.7 705+220 925g

Bessamatic + 50f/2.8 Color Skopar 946g

Leicaflex SL+50 Summicron-R(II) 757+290 1047g

Leicaflex SL+50 Summicron-R(I) 757+355 1112g

Leicaflex + 50 Summicron-R 860+355 1215g

Holy cannoli how much free time do you have on your hands?!!

😉🙂

 

[creenus]

Pentax ME Super. Cheap, dependable and light with Pentax-M f 1.7.

 

[maigo]

Pentax ME Super. Cheap, dependable and light with Pentax-M f 1.7.

Pentax P30T Plus the same Pentax 50/1.7 K mount.
Super lightweight 1990's with Aperture priority. Bulletproof.
Only shortcoming is DX only. No manual ISO.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[konicaman]

When I want to spare my poor, old shoulders, I carry a Konica TC with the 40mm pancake. The 40 mm is one of the best lenses I have ever used.

 

[IlyaB]

Another lightweight and cheap SLR is Vivitar V2000, weight: 411 g (14.5 oz). Paid for mine $32 including the 50/1.9 lens. Both the lens and the body are plastic.



Mercedes Benz by Ilya, on Flickr

 

[Swift1]

Pentax ZX-L with the DA 40/2.8 Limited will weight in just under 500g for the body and lens together.

 

[Solinar]

I'll nominate from the Nikon system, the FG. Manual focus, but program, aperture preferred, and manual exposure. Ergonomic and small. Pair with a later 50mm 1.8, smaller and lighter than older Nikkors, or use one of several kit zooms. A much under-rated camera, and far lighter than the other Nikons previously suggested.

I am going cast a second vote for the Pentax MX - but the FG with a short nose 50mm, f/1.8 is very light and compact. It doesn't get much respect on camera forums.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Pentax P30T

P30T and very similar P3n can be had for little money.
Plastic covers but very nice cameras to use.

SMC Pentax-M and -A lenses are small and light.

Chris

 

[Deleted member 65559]

If I were choosing, it would be Pentax MX with a 40mm pancake or an Olympus OM with the 40mm pancake f2.

 

[Rob-F]

My Nikon FE2 with the 50mm f/1.8 pancake lens feels light to me. I also have the 45mm f/2.8 lens, which is absolutely tiny and very light. I do have the Pentax ME mentioned above, but it has the SME Pentax 50mm f/1.7, which makes it a bit bulky and not so light, so I prefer the Nikon to it. I also have the Olympus OM-1 and OM-2. They feel very solid and well built, but not particularly light with their 50mm f/1.8 lenses.

The Rollei 35 with the Tessar or Sonnar would tempt me if I were in your situation. Also, the Minox line of small 35mm cameras.

 

[JeffS7444]

The lightest combo that I found within easy reach was my Canon Rebel G with 40/2.8. With batteries and optional metal lens shade, it weighs in at around 525 grams. I suspect that other entry-level electronic cameras from very late in the film era (Pentax *Ist, Minolta Maxxum 5) might also be worth a look.

 

[newst]

If you are happy with a camera that doesn't depend on bells and whistles look up the Konica TC-X. Fully manual excepting the light meter, which is powered by a standard AAA battery. Plastic body but not 'plasticky'. Feels solid in the hand but lightweight. Combine it with the Hexanon 1.8/40 lens and you have a nice, light solid performing package.

 

[Pfreddee]

First, I want to thank all of you who took time to reply to my post with so many helpful suggestions. I think I am going to get the Rollei 35, since I've never owned one before, and I would like to try it out. The other suggestion of a fanny pack is intriguing and I might try that sometime with a larger and heavier camera. But I think I want to try the Rollei and see what it can do.

Thank you all once again.

With very best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[Richard G]

Lightness is not necessarily related to weight. Density plays a part. People are staggered how heavy a little Leica is. My M2 even with a black f2.8 lens seems heavy. My OM2n is too shallow in the grip for my liking but seems light by comparison. The Zuiko lenses are always so much lighter than I expect them to be. Absolute weight matters for walkers and climbers but even there the bulk may affect comfort more than the weight. Something small in a pack may be nothing much compared to the same thing slung around the neck. It’s good there have been so many suggestions as I suspect in the end the OP will not decide on weight alone.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Lightness is not necessarily related to weight. Density plays a part. People are staggered how heavy a little Leica is. My M2 even with a black f2.8 lens seems heavy. My OM2n is too shallow in the grip for my liking but seems light by comparison.

That’s very true. My M2 and MX are a similar size but the M2 feels much, much heavier.

 

[BillBingham2]

Any of the single-digit OMs. There are many lightweight lenses from Olympus that make the entire kit very compact.

B2 (;->

 

[raid]

There are many options available for a light 35mm camera. I would get a Pentax LX with a 50/2 to keep things light. The 50/1.4 may be better 🙂