The SLR equivalent of a mechanical Leica M

[p.giannakis]

Always wondered about this one. Which one do people consider the SLR equivalent of the mechanical Leica M's?

 

[jsrockit]

Leica SL...?

 

[p.giannakis]

Leica SL...?

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]

Olympus OM1n and/or Pentax MX

Just about the same size and a nice range of compact primes in both systems

 

[Mackinaw]

Probably any classic 35mm SLR without a built-in meter.

Jim B.

 

[smk]

Olympus OM-3 and its variants (OM-3T and OM-3Ti)

 

[unixrevolution]

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.

 

[jsrockit]

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.

 

[p.giannakis]

[....]

Right. Thank you - it makes more sense. I though you were referring to the digital one.

 

[mike rosenlof]

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.

 

[Dralowid]

An M is useful for nailing down floorboards, a 'proper' SL is excellent for hammering fenceposts into frozen ground.

 

[Godfrey]

Always wondered about this one. Which one do people consider the SLR equivalent of the mechanical Leica M's?

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.

G

 

[brennanphotoguy]

The Nikon F.

 

[zuiko85]

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.

 

[Fraser]

om2 modern battery 😀
16fbpicOlympusLeica_01 by f4saregreat!, on Flickr

 

[Alfonso B]

OM-1n gets another vote. OM-2 is less mechanical. Nikon F is the equivalent of a M5 🙂

 

[Ken Ford]

OM1/n (but I prefer the OM2n.)

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I'm happy considering my FM2 the equivalent of my M3. Others will disagree, which is fine by me also.

 

[Steve M.]

Nikkormat w/ an H50 2 lens and an R 90 Summicron or Elmarit w/ an adapter.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Pentax SV, on feel and features, though not alas reliability. For me, nothing else even comes close.