Need some advice on my first SLR

[knodd]

Hi guys,

I've got a couple of rangefinders and a TLR, and now i'm looking to get my first film SLR 🙂 thing is, i know absolutely nothing about SLRs, so i was hoping to get some advice from you guys here. I want to get an affordable SLR that would give me decent results, i don't have to get something dirt cheap, but i want something i won't feel like upgrading immediately. I've heard good things about FMs and OMs but i really have no idea where to start!

I will probably be getting it with a 50 1.4 or 1.8 as well, lens recommendations are definitely welcome too! 🙂

cheers,
shaun

 

[ChrisN]

I've been very happy with my Olympus OM gear. The 50/1.4 OM lens is a classic - and a good OM2 (or OM2n) body to go with it would serve you very well. Allow for an overhaul of any OM body - they deserve it. You could consider buying one already serviced - http://www.zuiko.com/index_018.htm.

 

[whitecat]

I agree with Chris. The OM system is a good system to get involved with. Plenty available on Ebay.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Many people into rangefinder cameras choose Olympus OM (single digit) SLR's.

There's a certain affinity there.

Use only Zuiko lenses, not third party, that's not difficult as the whole system is so inexpensive these days.

Enjoy yourself whatever you decide.

 

[Parkes Owen]

I`ve had my nikon fm2n for over a decade, simple ,well designed, tough, and with a staggering amount of nice glass available, new and used, you cant go wrong, just my 2 cents! cheers.😀

 

[Mablo]

Either Oly OM single digits or Nikon FM2, both are excellent choices. I think that FM2 is propably the easiest manual SLR to operate.

 

[EcoLeica]

I am in full agreement with the OMs and FM2 but I would also vouch for the Nikon FE. I have one as my main shooter and it is rock solid and the extra function of aperture priority helps in some situations. Also for glass I would suggest nikon e series..cheap but oh so good!

 

[mnmleung]

An FM or an F2 will let you use non-AI Nikkors. This may be a cheaper way to build a collection of lenses.

 

[Muggins]

Why not try an OM10? As the consumer-level OM-system camera they're fairly cheap to buy, though if you are going to explore the possibilities you definitely want to get one with a functional manual adapter (they sell for the same price as a body!).

That way if you don't like it you've not lost a huge sum, and you can always sell it on again. If you do like the OM system, you can upgrade to a single-digit OM and still use any glass you've accumulated for the OM10.

Adrian

(incidentally, FWIW, I own two OM10s, a Nikon F3 and a Nikkormat ELW. All of which are capable of taking far better pictures than I am...)

 

[direwolf101]

FWIW, I have an OM-1 with the following lenses, 24/2.8, 35/2.8, 50/1.8, 50/3.5,100/2.8 and I'm really happy with this setup. It was quite affordable and excellent quality.

 

[Nikon Bob]

I have used quite a few different brands of film SLRs and all gave me as good a result as I am capable of producing. Having said that, the film SLR that I have used the most is a Nikon FM2n. It is simple to operate, not too large and has been very reliable. I find it easy to recommend it.

Bob

 

[peter_n]

Nikon FM and a 50/1.8. Sturdy, reliable, and light. 🙂 The 50/1.8 is a stellar little lens, here's what Bjørn Rørslett thinks of it:

A small, cheap and unobtrusive lens with an outstanding optical performance - can anyone wish for more? This petite Nikkor delivers the goods with a snap and clarity many lenses could - or better - should, envy. Wide open there is a trace of softness into the corners that disappears by stopping down to f/2.8. From f/4 to f/8 its performance hardly can be improved. I have obtained decent results even at f/22. The multi-coating layers on this lens gives it much better contrast and colour saturation than the E-series derivative.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Om-2 (Om-1 needs battery converter for meter). Lenses expensive and hard to find as compared to a Nikon F-3HP. F-3HP is bigger but lenses cheaper. F-3HP has removable pentaprism which can be helpful. Om-2 lighter and smaller. F-3HP has benefit of inexpensive motor drive. For those two IMHO it is a toss-up.

 

[Yammerman]

Nikon FM and a 50/1.8. Sturdy, reliable, and light. 🙂 The 50/1.8 is a stellar little lens, here's what Bjørn Rørslett thinks of it:

I love that combination and it was the first manual camera and lens I used 5 years ago. Still one of my faourites which they'll have to bury me with

 

[rpsawin]

Shaun,

You have lots of options available to you. If you just narrowed your search to Canon, Nikon and Olympus you would be looking at some of the finest 35mm gear ever made. I personally use Nikon 35mm slr gear and am very happy with it. I have a freind who uses only Canon 35mm slr gear and swears by it.

If there is a store near you that sells used gear take some time to go in and handle different bodies and lenses. How the camera feels in your hands is very important.

Best of luck,

Bob

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

If you want a manual SLR, take your pick between Pentax, Olympus, Nikon and Canon. They all made plenty of fine cameras.

If you want an experience that's significantly different from RF, try one of the later film SLRs (e.g. Nikon F100 or F90, Canon EOS 3).

 

[BillBingham2]

I would recommend a OM-1n as the smallest best place to start. Figure on a CLA with new light seals and a battery mod for new voltage/style. The OMs are a great place to start with some world class Zuiko glass.

Moving up the size and quality scale is the Nikon F2. It does not get any better than this and the cost is only a bit more. It will weight more but will last several life times. The FM2 has proven it self as good as the OM-1, but IMHO not even close to the F2.

There are other good cameras, Pentax, Miranda, Canon, Minolta, but Nikons were the camera for pros for years. Olympus were really close and have lenses and accessories that are small and very well built.

B2 (;->

 

[raid]

I recommend the Canon FD system. Then get Canon Adapter B, and you can use the wide angle lenses on your RF cameras. The Canon F1N is simply wonderful for ultimate control of your exposures. The FD lenses are so cheap these days.

 

[shadowfox]

Ok, since we're talking about the FM series and OM series,

FM2 is comparable to OM1 (as for battery issues, get a $10 adapter and be done with it, or get the OM3). All manual, meter only as a guide. If you can't live without AE, don't go this route.

FE/FE2 is comparable to OM2👎, both have excellent metering system and AE mode.

F3 is comparable to OM4, designed with professionals in mind, the OM4 metering system is an experience in itself, it's sophisticated but it is easy to figure out.

OM3 is a hybrid between OM1 and OM4. Don't need batteries to operate, but if you do have those, the metering is just as sophisticated as the one on the OM4.

The "hybrid" of the FM series is the FM3A. You can truly use this one without batteries, but it also has AE mode. Rare, and super expensive.

In general, OM system bodies and lenses are smaller physically than the Nikon counterparts. Viewfinders are big and uncluttered, which is partly why a lot of rangefinder shooters like it so much.

Here's a shot I took just for fun of FM2 vs OM1:

Both systems has high quality standards.

 

[jarski]

I'd choose favorite body from camera systems Nikon-F or Canon-EF. reason: lenses that you can use both on film and latest digital SLRs. Nikon has great variety of nice old Nikkors still usable with latest of their bodies. Canon-EF has perhaps even more options, but with adapters (but not so old manual bodies than Nikon).
some votes above went already to Nikon FE, and I second them 🙂 its probably little cheaper (depending condition of course) than famous FM / FM2, but with little practical difference in specs.