amateriat
We're all light!
Like a lot of people here, I've run the gamut of top-end SLRs – in my case, from about 1975 until 2002, when I switched to rangefinders for most of my work. All of them (Canon, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, and even a scary brief experience with a Rollei SL2000F), had their strengths and weaknesses. The only SLR I have on hand now is a black Olympus OM2n which I use primarily for close-up work, but if possible, I'm going to replace it before long with the one SLR from my past that really makes sense to me, and might make sense for you, yet, oddly, hasn't been specifically mentioned by anyone here yet.
A Nikon F3.
Like its predecessors, the F3 has a rep for its bombproof contruction, 100% VF accuracy, a breathtaking selection of VF options and focusing screens, and can use most any F-mount lens Nikon (or anyone else for that matter) ever made, pre- or post-AI (or AF, for that matter). For not much cash, you can bolt on one of the best optional motor drives Nikon ever made. You can load it up for bear, or keep it zen simple (the latter being a better idea if you're on a budget). And since Nikon made tons of the things, you should be able to find one in user shape for not much more than that NIB Pentax K1000 someone mentioned before (the mighty K is damn good basic transportation, but clearly not in the same league).
Other advantages:
- Metering: in-body, and with a fast, sensitive and heavily center-weighted SPD cell (used for both ambient and flash metering). Possibly the best "simple" (non-fancy multi-pattern) in-camera metering setup I've used. And, when you attach the MD-4 motor, the drive's batteries also power the camera's electronics.
- Batteries: the F3 uses a pair of S76 silver oxide cells, widely available and non-esoteric.
- Backup mechanical shutter speed: yes, it's a tad odd to actuate (you use the concentric lever surrounding the stop-down button), but it's there when you need it. Thankfully, the F3 doesn't eat batteries alive.
- Parts/accessories availability. Since the F3 actually remained in Nikon's catalog (and even on their Web site) until only a year or two ago, it can be taken as read that you'll have little trouble finding replacement parts and accessories in many parts of the world for some time to come. Assuming the example you get is in decent shape, you probably won't have to worry much about anything breaking too soon (although, depending on how old it is, the LCD panel might start darkening, requiring replacement...that takes a while to happen, though).
- Size/weight: actually a liitle less on both counts than the F and F2, although it's by no means tiny or a lightweight. I think of it as "just right", but this is subjective.
- TTL flash: when you need to use flash, it's handy.
- Non-collectible status: Except for the somewhat-rare variations on this model (F3T/P/H and so on), this camera is in no danger of becoming a collector's darling any time in the near future. Too electronic, too common, too recent (I know, 1980 was eaons ago, but that's collecting for you). From a user's perspective, this is something to be thankful for.
Anybody got an F3 they'd like to trade for an OM-2n? 🙂
- Barrett
P.S. If you happen to be bespectacled like me, try and get a body with the high-eypoint finder, which offers better eye relief.
A Nikon F3.
Like its predecessors, the F3 has a rep for its bombproof contruction, 100% VF accuracy, a breathtaking selection of VF options and focusing screens, and can use most any F-mount lens Nikon (or anyone else for that matter) ever made, pre- or post-AI (or AF, for that matter). For not much cash, you can bolt on one of the best optional motor drives Nikon ever made. You can load it up for bear, or keep it zen simple (the latter being a better idea if you're on a budget). And since Nikon made tons of the things, you should be able to find one in user shape for not much more than that NIB Pentax K1000 someone mentioned before (the mighty K is damn good basic transportation, but clearly not in the same league).
Other advantages:
- Metering: in-body, and with a fast, sensitive and heavily center-weighted SPD cell (used for both ambient and flash metering). Possibly the best "simple" (non-fancy multi-pattern) in-camera metering setup I've used. And, when you attach the MD-4 motor, the drive's batteries also power the camera's electronics.
- Batteries: the F3 uses a pair of S76 silver oxide cells, widely available and non-esoteric.
- Backup mechanical shutter speed: yes, it's a tad odd to actuate (you use the concentric lever surrounding the stop-down button), but it's there when you need it. Thankfully, the F3 doesn't eat batteries alive.
- Parts/accessories availability. Since the F3 actually remained in Nikon's catalog (and even on their Web site) until only a year or two ago, it can be taken as read that you'll have little trouble finding replacement parts and accessories in many parts of the world for some time to come. Assuming the example you get is in decent shape, you probably won't have to worry much about anything breaking too soon (although, depending on how old it is, the LCD panel might start darkening, requiring replacement...that takes a while to happen, though).
- Size/weight: actually a liitle less on both counts than the F and F2, although it's by no means tiny or a lightweight. I think of it as "just right", but this is subjective.
- TTL flash: when you need to use flash, it's handy.
- Non-collectible status: Except for the somewhat-rare variations on this model (F3T/P/H and so on), this camera is in no danger of becoming a collector's darling any time in the near future. Too electronic, too common, too recent (I know, 1980 was eaons ago, but that's collecting for you). From a user's perspective, this is something to be thankful for.
Anybody got an F3 they'd like to trade for an OM-2n? 🙂
- Barrett
P.S. If you happen to be bespectacled like me, try and get a body with the high-eypoint finder, which offers better eye relief.
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