Mechanical Aperture-Priority AE SLR

[in2focus]

This is totally random, I will admit, but thought it'd be an interesting discussion as I thought about it. Were there any mechanical 35mm SLRs with aperture priority AE ever made? Every example of automation in a mechanical SLR I could think of was shutter speed priority:

Konica Autoreflex Series
Miranda Sensorex EE/EEII
Zeiss Contaflex Super BC
Canon EX Auto
Canon F1 (original) w/ AE Adapter

Cameras I'm not sure of:
Kowa SET/leaf shutter SLRs
Nikkorex Auto (and whatever Mamiya they were based on)
Yashica TL Electro X
Chinon/GAF automatic M42 SLRs
The only possible exception is the Electro-Spotmatic series; I know they were aperture priority, and I want to say the shutter had a couple backup mechanical speeds, but the shutter was primarily electronic as were the auto speeds wasn't it? I also don't know if the Nikon FM2N/FM3A were the same way.

I can understand why this was; aperture priority in a focal plane shutter is more complicated mechanically than shutter speed priority, I was just kind of curious if there were any exceptions.

 

[thegman]

Nikon FM3a is AE, but can do all speeds on a manual battery-less shutter.

Battery is required for AE though, for the meter. But when the battery dies, you can use it as a manual camera.

 

[oftheherd]

I don't recall that the Yashica TL Electro-X was aperture preferred. I think you had to set both shutter speed and aperture, but I would have to check one at home to be sure since I haven't used any of mine in several years. The instructions at Butkus seem to bear that out as well though.

However, The Fujica ST901, which had an electronic continuously variable shutter, and was aperture preferred, also had mechantical shutter speeds of B, 1/60 to 1/1000 if you preferred that or just had a battery that ran down.

 

[funkydog]

There was the Nikon F2AS with the EE attachment. 100% mechanical camera with stuff clapped on to make it AE.
Nikkormat EL 2, Nikon FE , Nikon EM, and Pentax ME - Aperture priority AE with 1 mechanical speed.
Fujica AZ-1. Aperture priority AE with 3 mechanical speeds.
Pentax LX had mechanical speeds from 1/75 to 1/2000.

In the late 1970s, shutter priority AE in cameras was the exception rather than the norm. The only one I could find shopping for my 2nd slr in 1977-78 was the totally battery dependant Canon AE-1.

 

[GarageBoy]

The New F1 had a limited range of mechanical shutter speeds

 

[JMQ]

Nikon has the DS-1 and DS-2 aperture control units for the F2S and F2SB and as Fundydog stated, the DS-12 for the F2AS.

 

[mfogiel]

I just wonder how you imagine an AE camera without an electric circuit? It's probably like a mechanical watch with a cukoo.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

The Nikon FE2 has aperture priority AE with an electronic shutter that goes to 1/4000 th... Without batteries it has just one single mechanical speed, but a very usable one: 1/250 th...
Cheers,
Juan

 

[DavidKKHansen]

I just wonder how you imagine an AE camera without an electric circuit? It's probably like a mechanical watch with a cukoo.

I'm guessing he means "cameras with aperture priority, but with mechanical shutter speeds if battery fails".

To the OP: The Nikon FM3a falls into the above category. Nikon FM2 does not as it doesn't have AE, it's a purely mechanical SLR with a built-in light meter.

 

[Robert Lai]

Nikon F3 also gave you a 1/60 mechanical speed if the battery died.

 

[Greyscale]

Yashica AX.

 

[in2focus]

I'm guessing he means "cameras with aperture priority, but with mechanical shutter speeds if battery fails".

To the OP: The Nikon FM3a falls into the above category. Nikon FM2 does not as it doesn't have AE, it's a purely mechanical SLR with a built-in light meter.

Hit the nail on the head, was just trying to think of cameras with a full range of mechanical speeds (or at least above 1/60th) in the event of battery failure. Just something of bored interest since I never really noticed many mechanical Aperture AE SLRs; most of the ones I think of are electronic.

However, The Fujica ST901, which had an electronic continuously variable shutter, and was aperture preferred, also had mechantical shutter speeds of B, 1/60 to 1/1000 if you preferred that or just had a battery that ran down.

Can't believe I forgot that one... the ST901 is my favorite M42 SLR I've ever come across, wish I had kept it. Also odd I forgot the various F2 attachments.

In the late 1970s, shutter priority AE in cameras was the exception rather than the norm. The only one I could find shopping for my 2nd slr in 1977-78 was the totally battery dependant Canon AE-1

Yeah, it's a shame imo. My dad and uncle sold a ton of Autoreflex cameras, and I always preferred shutter priority for everything except macro and landscapes.

Another one to the list of cameras with mechanical backup: My Contax RTS II (1/90th), though if the batteries in that go I have my 139 around my neck. 😀

 

[f16sunshine]

Nikon FM3a
Olympus OM3

Both AE and Mechanical (could operate manually at all speeds without a battery installed).
I don't know of any others.

Some others such as the Contax RTS ii had one mechanical speed if the battery died (usually the Flash sync speed).

 

[mfunnell]

The New F1 had a limited range of mechanical shutter speeds

Well, limited at the low speed end. It's mechanical shutter speeds are all speeds between 1/125th and 1/2000th.

Nikon FM3a
Olympus OM3

Both AE and Mechanical (could operate manually at all speeds without a battery installed).
I don't know of any others.

Some others such as the Contax RTS ii had one mechanical speed if the battery died (usually the Flash sync speed).

The FM3a, most certainly yes. The OM3 not so much, in that it doesn't have AE at all, being a purely manual camera (with a very nice meter, though). Actually the OM4/OM4T fits the criteria better, having both aperture priority AE and a 1/60th mechanical backup speed.

...Mike

 

[f16sunshine]

Right.. Thanks Mike. My mistake. Had it in my bean that the OM3 was a mechanical OM4.

Cheers!

 

[funkydog]

Nikon F3 also gave you a 1/60 mechanical speed if the battery died.

In the interests of accuracy, it's 1/80. Hope you don't mind the correction. 🙂

 

[ronnies]

Pentax ME-Super gives you 1/125 without batteries (I think the ME/MV/MG series were the same?).
Minolta XD7 gives you 1/100 without batteries.
Nikon EM has 1/90 mechanical speed and also allegedly gives you 1/1000 on 'Auto' without batteries.

Ronnie

 

[doolittle]

So something like an SLR version of the Olympus Trip, with selenium powered aperture? Don't know of anything, but would be intrigued if there was.

/edit: Found something that might fit the bill, Kiev-10

 

[oftheherd]

There was the Nikon F2AS with the EE attachment. 100% mechanical camera with stuff clapped on to make it AE.
Nikkormat EL 2, Nikon FE , Nikon EM, and Pentax ME - Aperture priority AE with 1 mechanical speed.
Fujica AZ-1. Aperture priority AE with 3 mechanical speeds.
Pentax LX had mechanical speeds from 1/75 to 1/2000.

In the late 1970s, shutter priority AE in cameras was the exception rather than the norm. The only one I could find shopping for my 2nd slr in 1977-78 was the totally battery dependant Canon AE-1.

Don't know how I forgot the AZ-1, other than I just never bonded with that camera. I think I have a couple, one of which I gave my daughter. Maybe the only three mechanical speeds turned me off, or the silver color rather than black. Of course, I almost never use the mechanical speeds on my Fujica ST901s. As I recall, the three speeds on the AZ-1 were 1/60, 1/250, and 1/1000.

 

[cmc850]

What you may be looking for - an slr with fully mechanical (all speeds) shutter that can also vary those speeds based on EV and f-number is rare - or even non-existent - because the need to electronically vary the shutter speed called for a shutter unit that generally did not use mechanical timing.

The few shutter-preferred autos you mention used mechanically timed shutters, and could use a galvanometer or similar to set the f-stop via a lever - and generally the user over-rides that lever for manual control. Lots of inexpensive rangefinders used that system for S-Auto and manual.

I can recall a time when no camera that needed batteries to vary shutter speed was considered pro-level - then a later period where at least one shutter speed was needed for battery-free operation - and now, where camera can do nothing (well maybe doorstop/paperweight/boat anchor) without a WHOLE LOT of battery power. There was always a fear back in the day the photographer on assignment would be caught without batteries, facing the perfect shot.