The built-like-a-tank SLR of your choice

johannielscom

johannielscom

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Hey,

Recommend me an SLR that is tough as nails in every aspect and won't break (the bank)?

My backpacking daughter takes SLRs on her trip and even manages to wreck a Chinon Memotron CE-II, which is a pretty tough camera already. So any advice on a tough-as-nails camera that preferably can also withstand a bit of beach sand is very welcome. Student's backpacking budget, so please no recommendations of the top line Nikon or Canon SLR...? Internal meter required and anything else is up for debate except build quality 😀 😀:angel:
 
Cosina Hi-Matic, Ricoh Singlex TLS.
Soviet SLR are tanks but always a gamble when it comes to shutter accuracy and possible light leaks due to insufficient black paint etc.
 
johannielscom said:
Hey,

Recommend me an SLR that is tough as nails in every aspect and won't break (the bank)?

My backpacking daughter takes SLRs on her trip and even manages to wreck a Chinon Memotron CE-II, which is a pretty tough camera already. So any advice on a tough-as-nails camera that preferably can also withstand a bit of beach sand is very welcome. Student's backpacking budget, so please no recommendations of the top line Nikon or Canon SLR...? Internal meter required and anything else is up for debate except build quality 😀 😀:angel:
Click to expand...

Nikkormat FT3/50mm f2 Nikkor and a plastic food container to protect it from sand when not in use.
 
Question. Does she pay for her gear or do you buy it for her?

Mini-rant here, but when I was 10 and got my first camera, I treasured it.
I took it everywhere. Back packing, camping, cycling etc. Never broke anything.

Fast forward.. remembering how much I loved my first camera I bought my nephew a Fuji Instax. After one week it was literally in pieces. Kid didn't care, parents didn't care. Am I really that old that I am from a generation of people who took care of their stuff?

Rant mode off.
 
Minolta SRT101 or other SRT. Everybody has a preference. I have about ten or so of them. Easy to get fixed quickly.

Build quality is very good. Keep it is a large ziploc bag when around blowing sand.
 
Had a Canon F-1n for many years, and as my buddy used to tease me, "You could drive nails with that camera." It was pretty bulletproof, with a 50mm f1.4 FD lens. Only problem now is the mercury batteries can't be bought, so the built in light meter will have issues.

Best,
-Tim
 
You should be able to find a used Nikon F or F2 for not too much cash. For an automatic, AF model that you can beat the devil out of and it will still keep ticking, a Canon EOS 1n is a hockey puck. For less money--Pentax Spotmatic, Nikkormat, Minolta SRT101/201, Canon F1n, Canon FTb, even the Leicaflex. Really lots of great old film SLRs now available cheap.
 
Original Nikon F or Canon F1. Why bother with any other's when the original pro bodies are still the best. If auto exposure, then the Nikon F3 as I believe they made more of them then any other pro Nikon.
 
A variation on a Pentax p30 and k1000:

If you don't care about building a system, you could look at the Olympus om101. I used one for fifteen years: Just stuck it somewhere in my backpack, wrapped in a sweater.

Very cheap to get 2nd hand, very nice finder, not too old, zamac frame with hard plastic covers and powered with four baby penlite batteries. The smooth hard plastic outside with no dials that stick out makes it easy to move around in a backpack without the risk its own weight rests on the shutter speed dial.

Cons: peculiar focusing with a thumbnail and you need an add-on adapter to get M and A mode, just like the om10. And the motor winder buzzes a bit too loud. And not compatible with regular OM lenses, very unfortunately (they fit, but don't stop down).

Canon t50 could be nice as well, with plenty to choose in lenses.
 
The OLYMPUS XA 1 is a tough and simple camera with a great performance to size ratio. It fits in a pocket and works well in rain, freezy weather or warm sunshine.

But if she has to have an SLR, then the Praktica L series has been my choice of carefree camera that keeps on working with no thought to looking after it.
 
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