Specific SLR choice

[NeeZee]

So here is one for you SLR experts.

I'm pretty happy with my RF's, with my beloved Leica IIIf in particular, I still think it's the best camera ever made, but...

... being just back from vacation in France I decided to get a film SLR again (sold my Nikon FM and all lenses some 3 years ago) after playing with my gf's Nikon F3.

I don't really want an F3 though (and can't afford one at the moment anyway) - something like an FE2 or OM-2, just cheaper - I'm on a budget. So here's what I'm looking for:

Must haves:
- aperture priority (shutter priority might be ok as well)
- manual exposure mode
- easily accessible AE lock function
- price: body + 50mm (f1.7-2.0) standard lens < 50€
- all metal black body
- hefty construction, 'classic look' (thinking of the fe or om again)


Nice to have:
- no mercury cells
- shutter speed display in finder
- rather fe size than om size (I've got huge hands)

After some research I found the following:

- Minolta XE (my favourite so far as far as 'looks' are concerned but probably not cheaper than an FE esp. in black)
- Minolta XD7 (XD11) (looks cool and with some luck within my budget but body is on the small side I guess)
- various Canons (need some help there)
- Yashica FR1 (not sure about the quality)
- Konica Autoreflex T4 (lenses are supposed to be great but how about the bodies?)

Any comments on these? Do you know other (less common) brands/models?

I don't really care about the lens mount, by the way - not really planning on building a big system there (not yet 😉 ).

Thanks,
Thomas

 

[KoNickon]

I don't know about European prices, but getting an FE-2 here with a lens for under $100 is not easy at all. I think you'll find the FE to be significantly less -- and it's a very nice camera also.

You mentioned the FE/OM as the basic type of camera you're looking for, but perhaps, given that you have large hands, a "full size" camera is more what you're looking for. In that event, something like the Canon A-1 is worth looking at, though "all metal" is not what you will get with a Canon, since they were the first to switch over to plastic bodies (well made, however). I have also had excellent luck with the Nikkormat EL.

I would not recommend the AE-1, because of the plastic issue and also because I've found that using it in manual mode is not very convenient.

Along those same lines, I would not bother with the Konica T4 -- I think it's frankly not nearly as well made as the earlier Konicas, notably the Autoreflex T3 (shutter priority, though so does not display shutter speeds in the viewfinder).

The OM-2 is an excellent choice, though it may be a little small for you. Even the basic OM-2 (not OM-2n) works well. I forget how it does autoexposure lock, but it does offer that feature.

 

[pakeha]

Mamiya Z series? you are limited to E series Mamiya lens though.

 

[redisburning]

have you tried a half case on an OM? it fixes the size problem for me. the OM-2sp is sort of the readhead stepchild of the single digit OM cameras but I love mine.

otherwise, Yashica.

 

[sevo]

I would not recommend the AE-1, because of the plastic issue and also because I've found that using it in manual mode is not very convenient.

Manual mode on the A-1 is barely better. If a reasonably convenient metered manual mode is a requirement, the A-1/AE-1 and many other advanced multi-mode or shutter priority AE cameras from that period are no good choice. By contrast, most aperture priority AE cameras from that period have a fully functional metered manual mode.

 

[ZeissFan]

And you should also keep in mind that nearly all of these cameras will need some level of service. Keep an eye out for those that have been serviced.

My general thoughts on cameras:

- Nikon FE: I've owned this camera since I bought it new in 1979. Excellent camera with a plastic top deck. The only thing it's required has been new foam seals. It uses silver oxide batteries. You must have the film advance in the "standoff" position to take a photo. When it's flush against the body, it locks the shutter release. Battery dependent with just one manual speed plus B. I think this has the least-bright viewfinder of the bunch.

- Minolta XD11: I like this camera a lot. As I recall, it was the first to offer BOTH aperture- and shutter-priority autoexposure, as well as full manual exposure. It doesn't have a shutter lock, so you have to sure that nothing sits atop the camera and accidentally presses the shutter release. Bright viewfinder. Battery dependent with just one manual shutter speed plus B. It has an excellent feel. I like this camera a lot. Most of these cameras will need a new body covering. The original covering often shrinks.

- OM-2: Shutter speed dial is at the base of the lens. Body is a bit small. Quality of construction is excellent. Bright viewfinder. Shutter is one of the quieter ones of the bunch. Battery dependent - no battery, no taking photos. There is an on-off switch for the meter.

- Contax 139 Quartz/Yashica FX-D: Excellent camera that can take either Zeiss or Yashica lenses. Very bright viewfinder. The body covering almost always is worn and will need to be replaced. There is no on-off switch for the meter. It's aperture-priority autoexposure with a full range of manual speeds, which are selected using a collar around the film rewind crank. Battery dependent - no battery, no taking photos. The Zeiss lenses can be very pricey.

- Rolleiflex SL 35 E: I sometimes mention this, because I love this aperture-priority autoexposure camera and use it often with an f/1.8 Planar, a great all-purpose lens. However, finding one in proper working condition can be a major exercise in patience. The electronics can be wonky. And the mechanicals often seem to have some kind of problem. Battery dependent - just one manual shutter speed plus B. There is a shutter-release lock, which prevents the shutter button from being pushed down and turning on the meter inadvertently. Despite it being an orphaned camera system, the lenses still command a high amount. I think it took me three or four tries to find a camera that didn't have any electronic or mechanical problems.

 

[zuiko85]

An OM-2 or OM-2n have a good aperture priority and metered manual set up. In metered manual it operates like a OM-1. They use regular S76 or equal silver oxide batteries, 2 of them.

 

[Rodchenko]

If you could get one for the price, I think that's a good option. Lot of camera for the money. I have an OM-2SP, which has the extra features I like and use, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at a 2 or 2n. Or an OM-1, for that matter, though that just has the matchneedle in the viewfinder.

 

[nobbylon]

I would hang out for a user F3. i bought one for a friend last year 70 euro with a 50 and OK, it was brassed and the backlight didnt work but everything else was fine.
It's much nicer than an FE or FE2 and cheaper!
I only sold mine due to eyesight issues and inability to focus it. IMO Nikon's finest M/F slr. These F3's just keep going.....

 

[mfogiel]

I would suggest to consider the overall effect that using a well made camera will have on your willingness to take photos. For me , the best camera of this kind is precisely Nikon F3 - best MF SLR ever made. If you say, you don't have the 150-200 EUR necessary in order to get one I suggest you sacrifice a couple weekends working, and you will save up for one. Worth it.

 

[NeeZee]

Thanks a lot for all the replies so far! Some very interesting thoughts and recommendations, indeed. Never heard of the Mamiya Z series before - nice looking cameras - does anyone else have an opinion on these? By the way, my uncle gave me his Contax 137 MD a few years ago - i liked it but it died after just 2 rolls of film (i know these are ancient electronic devices and it could have happened with a nikon or olympus too, but well...).

 

[NeeZee]

And just to make it clear: Handling the Nikon F3 made me considering an SLR again, but I don't really want one of them. I liked my FM better (simplicity at its finest, no awkward flash mount or digital shutter speed display), that's why I'm looking for a cheaper alternative to the FE...

 

[Tejasican]

I would hang out for a user F3. i bought one for a friend last year 70 euro with a 50 and OK, it was brassed and the backlight didnt work but everything else was fine.
It's much nicer than an FE or FE2 and cheaper!
I only sold mine due to eyesight issues and inability to focus it. IMO Nikon's finest M/F slr. These F3's just keep going.....

While understanding the OP does not desire an F3 - the issue above can often be alleviated by the addition of a DK-17M to the high eyepoint finder.

Regarding the OM-2- i think the only way to lock the exposure is to shoot it in manual so if you want aperture priority and exposure lock at the same time you might be out of luck there.

 

[donkee]

I really like my Minolta XE-7, XD-5, and XD-11.

The XE is a pretty hefty camera, one of the reasons I like it so much. MC and MD lenses are not very expensive unless you want some of the more exotic stuff.

The XD series are smaller. The shutter is nice and quite. They handle nicely too. I replaces the shrinking leather on one of mine with griptac from cameraleather.com. It feels nice in the hands.

 

[ZeissFan]

You should know that by the mid-1980s, nearly all camera makers were using plastic in their bodies in varying amounts.

 

[NeeZee]

I really like my Minolta XE-7, XD-5, and XD-11.

The XE is a pretty hefty camera, one of the reasons I like it so much. MC and MD lenses are not very expensive unless you want some of the more exotic stuff.

The XD series are smaller. The shutter is nice and quite. They handle nicely too. I replaces the shrinking leather on one of mine with griptac from cameraleather.com. It feels nice in the hands.

Yeah, i considered the xd5 as well - they usually go for about 20-30€ on German ebay. Never seen one in black, though (i know I'm a bit picky here 😉 ). And yes, the lenses are really cheap - going for a discontinued lens mount (aka not Nikon) might even make sense there...

 

[NeeZee]

You should know that by the mid-1980s, nearly all camera makers were using plastic in their bodies in varying amounts.

I know, that's why I'd prefer one of the earlier (mid 70s to early 80s) models. And I wouldn't mind some minor plastic/rubber parts - i'm not expecting 'all metal' as in 'leica IIIf' 🙂

 

[btgc]

Ricoh XR-series. XR-1 or XR-2, maybe XR-7 or Xr-10 Super for the old style shape, XR-20sp or XR-P for modern look. Or XR-X for all-auto-integrated-wind. Latter two models support TTL flash. Run on SR44 cells, XR-X takes AA size alkalines and rechargeables (officially). Basically, XR-P to me seems like X700, spec-wise. Access to Ricoh P-lenses (28mm, 50mm, 28-100/4 and some from 80-200 area) and any other K-mount lenses.

 

[KoNickon]

I'd say look to the earlier '70s if it's metal you want -- the trend to smaller cameras like the OMs, the Nikon FM/FE and Canon As in the mid-70s was accompanied by increased use of plastic top and bottom decks. Take a look at the Konica T3 and Nikkormat EL -- good reliable cameras.

 

[squareshooter]

Find a great camera and don't worry too much about the make and model. It's the individual camera's condition that is important in these old cameras. Around here they are giving Minoltas away and they made some great ones.