The best AF film SLRs

I see most people go for the top of the line pro models. And I can understand that. But after having used many Canon EOS cameras (Elans, A2E, 3, 1, 1n, 1V, etc) for years and having tried several Nikons (and I like some very much, like F100, F5), I kept my all time favorites - EOS 630 and EOS RT. Old, dont have many newer features or superfast AF, but for what I like to use them - they are perfect. Well built and have enough features to keep me happy. While I dont use them often anymore, since I'm more into RF or Med.Format now, I still like to keep coming back to these - RT is a great wonderful camera - almost RF experience in use.
 
My wife has Dynax (Maxum) 7 - the last AF film Minotla SLR. Well made and though camera - and not too large or heavy. The viewfinder puts many cameras in shame. Friend of mine has he Dyxum 9 - quite a bit heavier and larger than the 7, but very nice camera too.
 
The Canon EOS-A2 was an all-time great sleeper and one of the best-kept secrets in photography. When first introduced, it was nearly ten years ahead of the competition and was used by an astonishing number of working photographers. The A2's combination of just the right price, features, precision, durability, and reliability made it one of the best cameras ever made for day-in, day-out professional work. It was quick, smooth, and QUIET. It was certainly the best camera made for more than twice its price. And did I say the A2 is quiet? It is nearly as silent as a Leica M.

I used a pair of A2s for eight years of full-time professional work. They are now in honored retirement, but still ready to answer the call if a request for film photography comes in the door.
 
Patang!

Patang!

The first Nikon to gain my attention was the F4... Beautiful camera.

Nikon F5... The last no expense spared "F"...

The F6 was good but there were some cost cutting measures introduced.

Damn fine cameras with legendary build quality.

I can get a mint, like new F5 body only for $600 in a local camera shop!
Think about that for a second. Not that long ago this was regraded as the best camera in the world. :confused:
 
I started with Nikon and still love it so I'll throw in a vote for the F100, but overall my pick for #1 best AF film SLR ever made would be the Canon EOS 3. No AF camera has *ever* allowed me such unhindered use, such quick response, and such versatility as the EOS 3. I love everything about it.
 
F100 & F6 are most likely the top dogs out there.
But for ergonomic purposes alone, Contax N1 wins there.
 
When the Nikon F4 first came out, my studio partner talked about getting one (which he later did). As I was reading the spec sheet in the camera brochure he brought in, I noticed the weight -- four pounds and some ounces with a normal lens. My Pentax 6x7 with the normal (105mm) lens was sitting on my desk at the time, so I picked it up and put it on the UPS scales. Exactly the same weight! I thought, "There's no way in the world I would carry that kind of weight around to get just a 35mm frame!"
 
I suppose I would have to say one of my personal favorites is the F801s. I still own mine and use it when I need to reach for a film camera. (No point selling it anyway at the give-away price I would have to accept.) But its a very competent camera anyway and worth owning.

I am prepared to believe that maybe the F100 is better but I have not tried one so cannot comment. I would have also put the F90X up there but for its nasty habit of having its covering dissolve and go goey over time. One thing I especially like about the F801s is the fact that it uses standard AA batteries - very convenient when traveling. No charger to carry. No esoteric batteries that are no longer available. etc
 
Roger Hicks said:
Of course, asking some of us about the best AF SLR is like asking about the best skin disease, or the best McDonalds.

But how many of us have actually tried very many AF SLRs? Both, let us say, Canon and Nikon? Because the truth is that actually, most of the half decent ones are pretty good, if you like that sort of thing. I had a Pentax that I tried to mistreat -- including soaking it in salt-water spray on the sea-front in a winter storm -- and it just went on working.
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Good points... The only AF film SLRs I've used have been Pentax. I see that several here have mentioned the MZ-S, and that's certainly top of the line, but I like the slightly simpler MZ-3. Light, compact, durable, capable, convenient to use, economical.

But then Ruby.Monkey has a great point too, as I use a pair of P645NII when a bit more bulk is acceptable. Gets 32 or 33 shots (your choice) on a 220 roll... unfortunately 220 film choices are few.
 
Late to the party as usual, but put me in the F801 camp.
Great highpoint viewfinder, rugged and quiet.
And yes, there is a N80 backup for lightweight action.

For a variation, try the N2020 with a manual lens... autowind,
auto exposure and focus confirmation. Google Stella's opinion.

Of course, without AF, then it's Olympus all the way!
 
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Dave Jenkins said:
When the Nikon F4 first came out, my studio partner talked about getting one (which he later did). As I was reading the spec sheet in the camera brochure he brought in, I noticed the weight -- four pounds and some ounces with a normal lens.
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... and at that, it was no heavier than a F3 with the inevitable motor drive attached (in 4fps configuration with the smallest battery pack it even was 20% lighter).
 
Best AF film slr

Best AF film slr

Agree with nearly all of you : Nikon F90X; F4s;F5;F100; Canon EOS1n; EOS 3;EOS 5; Contax AX; 167MT; and not forgetting my beloved Minoltas-800si; 9000;600si; Dynax 7.:D
 
Of all the film AF-SLRs I have personally used, the Nikon 8008s was the worst. My first serious camera was a Nikon F, bought in 1969. Used Nikon until '78 or '79, then switched to Olympus OM. I loved that system -- used it for PJ assignments in 27 countries on five continents, plus a ton of editorial and commercial work in the U.S. (But the winders didn't last -- should have just bought motor drives up front.)

I actually held on to my OMs two years longer than I should have, in hope they would come out with a professional-grade auto-focus system. Finally, my aging eyes could wait no longer.

I began with no bias toward either Nikon or Canon. However, the photographer with whom I shared studio space had Nikon equipment, so I reasoned that I could get a Nikon AF body, list my OM stuff on e-Bay, and, as it sold, use the money to buy Nikon lenses and another body. Meanwhile, I could borrow his lenses as needed. So I bought a Nikon 8008s and later, a 6006.

My work in those days was almost entirely with slide film and required extensive bracketing. After a year of increasing frustration with Nikon's focus-hold-the-button-recompose dance, compounded by the fact that the Nikon's AF hunted for focus like a hound dog with a cold in its nose, I tried Canon.

My first EOS locked on focus like a pit bull and Custom Function 4 ended the focus-recompose nonsense. I promptly got rid of the Nikons and remain firmly in the Canon camp to this day.

Incidentally, I found the 6006, a less expensive camera than the 8008s, to be much more user-friendly. I sold it to a friend who is still using it.
 
After shooting some sports in the weekend i think i might change my camera from Nikon F80 to F5, as the auto focus was not as fast as i needed. Guess it could have been the lens too so I'll look at that too.
Moral of the story pick you tool according to the job
:)
 
bgb said:
After shooting some sports in the weekend i think i might change my camera from Nikon F80 to F5, as the auto focus was not as fast as i needed. Guess it could have been the lens too so I'll look at that too.
Moral of the story pick you tool according to the job
:)
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Which lens was it?
 
A non D 70-210mm 1;4-5.5
I understand now that the d version is a lot faster focusing oh well :)
I was trying to take photos of a bicycle race so the subjects weren't moving very fast
 
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