SLR Systems - Undisovered & Inexpensive Gems?

[Murchu]

What are the best options out there for someone looking for an small slr system that is the best bag for the buck?

It used to be the OM series bodies and lenses, but it seems the lenses have taken a jump, now that so many lenses can be adapted to Canon full frame dslrs.

Any other undiscovered gems out there? Something small and compact, would definitely fit the bill, when I want a wide (28/ 35), or an 85, to complement the 50 on my M3.

 

[FTography]

The shorter the flange focal distance, the more difficult to adapt to digital systems. Those systems that can be easily adapted have seen the most significant rise in prices in recent years.

Those systems that have a shorter distance than Canon EF are most likely to be less expensive, as they cannot be easily adapted to full frame cameras (Nikon F and Sony have even longer flange focal distances than Canon EF). Fuji(ca) X, Minolta SR, Canon FD/FL, and Konica AR come to mind. I would have a look at these first.

 

[Crazy Fedya]

Konica AR, hands down. Even though fast lenses are expensive, but regular stuff is dirt cheap. I have T4 with 50/1.4, 40/1.8and 28/3.5, all for under $100. And Hexanons can do wonderful things to either B&W or color. Another one is Pentax screwmount. They are somewhat more money, but availability of M42 lenses is unsurpassed.

 

[Murchu]

Konica AR, hands down. Even though fast lenses are expensive, but regular stuff is dirt cheap. I have T4 with 50/1.4, 40/1.8and 28/3.5, all for under $100. And Hexanons can do wonderful things to either B&W or color. Another one is Pentax screwmount. They are somewhat more money, but availability of M42 lenses is unsurpassed.

Sounds like just the sort of contender I was looking for - any good places on the web to look for some info on the system, before looking at hunting for kit ?

 

[Robert Lai]

Why not go with Nikon manual focus?
For example, the F3 is a top-line professional camera, and they sell for very cheaply these days. So do most manual focus AI AIS lenses. The lenses are still forwards and backwards compatible (except for the G lenses). Replacement parts for repairs to cameras and lenses are still available.

For the 35mm lens, look to a goggled Summaron or Summicron for your M3 (or just get a 35mm CV finder). They will have less distortion than any SLR wide angle (except the 28mm f/2.8 AIS Nikkor - no distortion).

 

[Crazy Fedya]

Sounds like just the sort of contender I was looking for - any good places on the web to look for some info on the system, before looking at hunting for kit ?

I picked up 40mm lens at Salvation Army store with dead FT-1 camera, T4 with 50mm lens at a yard sale, and 28mm lens on Ebay. I would say watch Ebay auctions, and Konica AR stuff goes for not a lot of money. Lenses are great.

 

[Murchu]

Why not go with Nikon manual focus?
For example, the F3 is a top-line professional camera, and they sell for very cheaply these days. So do most manual focus AI AIS lenses. The lenses are still forwards and backwards compatible (except for the G lenses). Replacement parts for repairs to cameras and lenses are still available.

For the 35mm lens, look to a goggled Summaron or Summicron for your M3 (or just get a 35mm CV finder). They will have less distortion than any SLR wide angle (except the 28mm f/2.8 AIS Nikkor - no distortion).

Am a Nikon guy when it comes to digital actually, but Nikon slr's and lenses do not fall into the inexpensive category quite as well as some other forgotten systems do, thus this thread..

 

[rbelyell]

the konica AR systems are also much more compact than many other slr systems. take a look at the tc-x, one of my old favorites. its plastic, but performs great, and is very inexpensive. you could almost fit the tc-x and pancake 40/1.8 in your pocket! the system is a shutter speed priority system, that was the only slight negative for me, but easily worked-around.
tony

 

[Murchu]

I picked up 40mm lens at Salvation Army store with dead FT-1 camera, T4 with 50mm lens at a yard sale, and 28mm lens on Ebay. I would say watch Ebay auctions, and Konica AR stuff goes for not a lot of money. Lenses are great.

Cheers Sam, and must admit I am a big fan of any system I can get a 40mm for reasonably. Will read up on the AR system, and see whats around. Seems like just what I had in mind, although am keeping an open mind for others 🙂

 

[Murchu]

the konica AR systems are also much more compact than many other slr systems. take a look at the tc-x, one of my old favorites. its plastic, but performs great, and is very inexpensive. the system is a shutter speed priority system, that was the only slight negative for me, but easily worked-around.
tony

Cheers Tony, are they all shutter speed priority cameras, by the way? Afraid my AR knowledge right now is zero, but am rectifying that as quickly as I can with a little googling 🙂

The Auto-Reflex P caught my eye, mainly for its simplicity and lack of a meter, as well as the unexpected ability to shoot vertical APS-size frames (18x24mm) if I read correctly.

An interesting system all in all, and very much a fan of a compact body and lens setup.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Suggest you consider a Pentax MX, ME or ME Super body.
These bodies are identical in size to the OM 1/2.

The Pentax 28/3.5 lenses are excellent. The SMC Pentax (K) 28/3.5 is superb.
The SMC Pentax-M 28/3.5 is nearly as good but more compact and cheaper.

An 85mm lens will be quite costly in any brand, including the dead mounts.
The SMC Pentax-M 100/2.8 lens is excellent and more reasonably priced.

Chris

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

I've been astounded how cheap good SLRs are today. Might as well go for Contax manual focus SLRs. The Zeiss lenses for Contax SLRs are still pricey, but the Yashica lenses are fully compatible and very cheap.

My favorites so far: Contax Aria (might not be cheap), 137MA, 159MM. The Yashica FR-I is a close cousin of the Contax RTS and can be bought in good shape cheap. For a very small, light body try the Yashica FX-3 super 2000. Find a nice 50mm f/1.7, the 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2.8, and there are several longer lens options.

Minolta bodies and lenses are also a bargain.

Have fun and good shooting!

 

[venchka]

Canon A-1. Small. Solid. Either shutter or aperture AE. Shutter speeds from 1/1000 to 30 seconds. LED info in the viewfinder.
Some of the best lenses around dirt cheap.
50/1.4 S.S.C., 50/1.8, 35/2.0, last version 24/2.8 with floating element (a real gem) and the A-1 body for under $150.

Wayne

 

[Tom33]

Minolta bodies and lenses are also a bargain.

Whatever you do, stay away from the Minolta XD (XD, XD-7 and XD-11) and Rokkor lenses!

It leaves more fish in the river for me!

Seriously, if you are looking for a small SLR that works very well and a system that doesn't break the bank you can do a lot worse than Rokkor glass on an XD.

Good luck with that GAS!

Tom

 

[rbelyell]

Cheers Tony, are they all shutter speed priority cameras, by the way? Afraid my AR knowledge right now is zero, but am rectifying that as quickly as I can with a little googling 🙂

The Auto-Reflex P caught my eye, mainly for its simplicity and lack of a meter, as well as the unexpected ability to shoot vertical APS-size frames (18x24mm) if I read correctly.

An interesting system all in all, and very much a fan of a compact body and lens setup.

yes damien i believe they are. you'll see AE or EE on the lenses. when set there on camera the vf will tell you what aperture the camera will choose at various SS that you choose in order to achieve proper exposure.

yes also, i believe the camera version you sited can be used as a traditional 35mm or as a 'half frame' cam. if there's no meter, then it wouldnt be a SS priority cam, just all manual settings. i,m not sure about it nit having a meter though...
tony

 

[Crazy Fedya]

yes damien i believe they are. you'll see AE or EE on the lenses. when set there on camera the vf will tell you what aperture the camera will choose at various SS that you choose in order to achieve proper exposure.

yes also, i believe the camera version you sited can be used as a traditional 35mm or as a 'half frame' cam. if there's no meter, then it wouldnt be a SS priority cam, just all manual settings. i,m not sure about it nit having a meter though...
tony

T4 I have is a fully manual body with shutter priority capability. And it is one solid son of a gun. And if you become interested in Pentax ME Super and MX, I do have a healthy selection listed here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/pho...hp/product/35456/title/pentax-film-gear/cat/3

Sorry about a shameless plug, but they have to go.

 

[Jack Conrad]

I've had most all the above mentioned slr's, and they're all nice, but currently
I'm using a Fujica ST605 m42 screw mount with a Helios 44M Biotar copy.
Can't get much cheaper. I payed $2.50 for the lens and $5.00 for the camera.
Fujica's have nice big bright viewfinders, and are small and light weight.
Helios are funny. I've had several, and most are fairly average, but the one I'm using now is just stupid good... I Love it! Kinda heavy lens, though. Taks are smaller and more refined feeling, but not as sharp as this Helios.
Anyway, I like pretty much any m42 system, since the lenses grow on trees.
Not long ago I used a 2.8/50 Tessar off an old Practiflex on my dslr and that was sweet. Small, light weight and decently sharp, though again, not even close to being as sharp as the Helios. 🙂

 

[Contarama]

Contaflex Super...

 

[KoNickon]

Another vote here for the Konica AR series. I actually like the T3 best -- a tank, but altogether a better camera than the T4 (which is smaller and plasticky; I think it was made by Cosina rather than Konica). It's not quiet, though -- the Copal square shutter is not subtle. It is however pretty bulletproof. It's shutter-preferred auto exposure, which I like fine, but some prefer aperture priority. It requires 2 of the mercury 675 batteries -- but the 675 zinc-air hearing aid batteries will fit and work perfectly, and are dirt cheap.

The 40/1.8 is a really good lens, and isn't expensive at all. The 28/3.5 is also quite reasonable, and the 135/3.2 is as well. You can spend more and get the 85/1.8 or the 35/2, which have great reputations, but all the Hexanons are excellent. FYI, the earlier Hexanons are marked "EE" while the later ones are marked "AE." You'll get better coatings on the AE lenses, as well as rubberized grips, but the earlier lenses are quite good nonetheless.

 

[driver]

I've had most all the above mentioned slr's, and they're all nice, but currently
I'm using a Fujica ST605 m42 screw mount with a Helios 44M Biotar copy.
Can't get much cheaper. I payed $2.50 for the lens and $5.00 for the camera.
Fujica's have nice big bright viewfinders, and are small and light weight.
Helios are funny. I've had several, and most are fairly average, but the one I'm using now is just stupid good... I Love it! Kinda heavy lens, though. Taks are smaller and more refined feeling, but not as sharp as this Helios.
Anyway, I like pretty much any m42 system, since the lenses grow on trees.
Not long ago I used a 2.8/50 Tessar off an old Practiflex on my dslr and that was sweet. Small, light weight and decently sharp, though again, not even close to being as sharp as the Helios. 🙂

I was going to keep quiet on the Fujica ST series. Mr. Conrad is correct about the viewfinders, my ST705 is my favorite SLR to bounce light through to my eye. I've never peeped through an OM so I can't make a comparison. I do know the build quality of the OM's will make the Fujica SLR's seem average.

M42 mount lenses are tough to beat. I have a 28mm 2.8 Bushnell/Div. of Bausch & Lomb that was essentially free. Will find out soon if the optics match the excellent build quality.
Enough with these frickn' spell checks already :bang: