Drago
Established
Olympus OM-1. No electronics to fall apart. Big, bright VF, Really low mirror vibration. It's i think very well build. Probably not so well as Leica, but still wont fall apart 
And the dimensions is same like Leica M2. Side by side the only difference is the prism vs viewfinder on the leica .. And i wouldn't say Leica R or Leicaflex SL. They are amazing and quality is ofc leica, but most of them are big and heavy
And the dimensions is same like Leica M2. Side by side the only difference is the prism vs viewfinder on the leica .. And i wouldn't say Leica R or Leicaflex SL. They are amazing and quality is ofc leica, but most of them are big and heavy
dave lackey
Veteran
Leica R, of course! My last documentary was done with my M3 and the R4 using black and white film. They work seamlessly together!
NLewis
Established
It sounds like the consensus is OM-1 or OM-2, or Leicaflex, SL, etc. I'd go with small and compact, thus the OM over the Leica SLRs.
How about OM-1/2 vs. OM-3/4? I really like that 1960s all-metal mechanical goodness, did that not translate into the later models?
How about OM-1/2 vs. OM-3/4? I really like that 1960s all-metal mechanical goodness, did that not translate into the later models?
Harry Lime
Practitioner
The original Nikon F. Basically it's a Nikon rangefinder with a mirror box grafted on to it.
dave lackey
Veteran
The R4-7 cameras are no larger than than my OM10 and are built like a tank. The focusing even works in the same direction and about the same throw as the M system lenses.
I don't even use my Nikons along with the M3 because they are different enough to confuse me whilst working. A lot to be said sticking with a brand and/or system.
Beemermark
Veteran
OM-1 or OM-2. Maitani was a big fan of Leica RF and designed the original OM-1 physical form factor on the M camera size. The OM-1 was originally designate M-1, and was re-badged after leica objected. The Om-1 and 2 fit in a Leica M case perfectly.
dave lackey
Veteran
That is interesting! My R4 fits the original M3 case as well.
dave lackey
Veteran
Expensive lenses? Not really. I paid $300 for a cron 50. A lot of good lenses available for under $400.
FrankS
Registered User
Minolta XD-11 is pretty cool.
NLewis
Established
My Canon is an FT with a 50/1.4 FL lens. A bit of a beast, but beautifully made. Needs a CLA.
Bingley
Veteran
+1. And some of the Rokkor lenses made concurrently w/ the XD-11 and later X700 series were influenced by Leica designs.
David Hughes
David Hughes
I'll second that and add that I've both Minolta X-300 and OM-1/2/10 outfits and cannot chose between them but for different reasons. That's a pita btw as I need only one film SLR outfit...
But the crucial question is what aspect of the M series are we talking about? The old Pentax K1000 came near enough in many ways.
Regards, David
dave lackey
Veteran
My very first SLR was a Minolta XD ll and it was terrific. Lenses are superb as well and quite reasonably priced!!!! Five stars recommendation.:angel: BTW, the Leica R system is a kissing cousin to the XD-11.
al1966
Feed Your Head
The nicest feeling slr I have is the OM1 and the 50 1.4 is a superb lens. But I have a Konica with a 50mm 1.7 the lens is good. But a someone else has said Fuji makes lenses that take a backseat to none, I have the 50mm f1.6 in X mount and its great. If you can get a good AX3 its a smooth camera, the STX1 is not so smooth.
Teuthida
Well-known
The Leicaflex SL 'feels' the most like an M camera to me. You pick it up, advance the film a few times, and you know its a Leica.
The Nikon F with plain prism seems to embody the same design philosophy, but doesnt have the feel of the M.
The Nikon F with plain prism seems to embody the same design philosophy, but doesnt have the feel of the M.
emraphoto
Veteran
Panasonic DMC-L1
It has the same layout as a Leica M if it used SLR lenses.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2006/2/26/panasonicdmcl1
i really wish panasonic would have continued this line of cameras. the lc1 and l1 were great ideas and i would be on board with a 2012 version
Johann Espiritu
Lawyer / Ninja
Nikon FM series?
peterm1
Veteran
When I was shooting film I loved using the early pentax "pre" spotmatic cameras -s1, s1a etc (also known as H1, H1a etc in the USA). These lovely little cameras feel something like a Leica Screw Mount in the hand as apart from the pentaprism they have a similar size and shape. When combined with the excellent takumar lenses they produce nice images. They also do not have metering - very Leica like :^)
http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Pentax_Main.html
http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Pentax_K_engl.html
http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Pentax_Main.html
http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Pentax_K_engl.html
Pablito
coco frío
yeah, that is what I thought too.
The Leica SLRs may be made by Leica but they are too big for this comparison, IMO, they don't feel like M cameras. I think the FM because i'ts simple and intuitive, you just use it.
jack_to
Member
The original Spotmatic. Very agile camera, smaller than its competition, a tad quieter too. Underrated.