p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Always wondered about this one. Which one do people consider the SLR equivalent of the mechanical Leica M's?
Leica SL...?
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Well, it could be - i was expecting to hear a mechanical SLR but i suppose any opinion is just as valid if you think so.
FrozenInTime
Well-known
Olympus OM1n and/or Pentax MX
Just about the same size and a nice range of compact primes in both systems
Just about the same size and a nice range of compact primes in both systems
Mackinaw
Think Different
Probably any classic 35mm SLR without a built-in meter.
Jim B.
Jim B.
smk
Established
Olympus OM-3 and its variants (OM-3T and OM-3Ti)
unixrevolution
Well-known
Olympus OM1n and/or Pentax MX
Just about the same size and a nice range of compact primes in both systems
+1. I get the same "vibe" from my MX as I do from my Leica M, just as an SLR
I believe the MX to be the finest all-mechanical 35mm SLR of all time. Others are, of course, free to disagree, but the MX gets my hearty vote.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Right. Thank you - it makes more sense. I though you were referring to the digital one.
mike rosenlof
Insufficient information
Maitani is said to have the Leica M in mind when he designed the Olympus OM-1. As we know it was briefly called the M-1 until Leitz complained. The Pentax MX was designed to be an OM-1 with a cople more features, so it would be in the running.
In terms of fit and finish, the Leicaflex SL which someone mentioned might fit. Or some model Alpa, which I have never seen in person, much less touched, but they're said to be impressive.
My choice for a combination size, bright viewfinder, and feeling of quality is the Leica R6.2. Too many red LEDs in the viewfinder, but otherwise it's small, feels solid, and has a nice bright viewfinder.
In terms of fit and finish, the Leicaflex SL which someone mentioned might fit. Or some model Alpa, which I have never seen in person, much less touched, but they're said to be impressive.
My choice for a combination size, bright viewfinder, and feeling of quality is the Leica R6.2. Too many red LEDs in the viewfinder, but otherwise it's small, feels solid, and has a nice bright viewfinder.
Dralowid
Michael
An M is useful for nailing down floorboards, a 'proper' SL is excellent for hammering fenceposts into frozen ground.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Depends on how you want to consider "equivalent":
- The Leicaflex, Leicaflex SL, and Leicaflex SL2 were Leica's own brand SLRs from 1964 to 1973ish, built to the same quality standards as the Leica M3 and M4, with Leica lenses to match. They are superbly made, superbly finished, solid machines of excellent quality and performance, and quite pricey in their day.
- Yoshihisa Maitani's concept basis that became the Olympus OM-1 and OM System in 1972 was based on wanting an SLR camera of the same size, weight, and quiet operation—with complementary optical quality—as the Leica M. This concept of the compact mechanical SLR was later taken up by Pentax (MX) and Nikon (FM) as well.
brennanphotoguy
Well-known
The Nikon F.
zuiko85
Veteran
Om-1 or 1n,
All in all, price, availability and general reliability.
(What would you expect from 'Zuiko85')
If compactness and weight are not a consideration I think I'd choose a Nikon F2 with non metered prism.
All in all, price, availability and general reliability.
(What would you expect from 'Zuiko85')
If compactness and weight are not a consideration I think I'd choose a Nikon F2 with non metered prism.
Fraser
Well-known
Alfonso B
Established
OM-1n gets another vote. OM-2 is less mechanical. Nikon F is the equivalent of a M5
Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
OM1/n (but I prefer the OM2n.)
AlwaysOnAuto
Well-known
I'm happy considering my FM2 the equivalent of my M3. Others will disagree, which is fine by me also.
Steve M.
Veteran
Nikkormat w/ an H50 2 lens and an R 90 Summicron or Elmarit w/ an adapter.