whats your favorite classic 35mm slr?

[shortstop]

Nikon F with non metered prism and FM3a very closely.

 

[Brian Atherton]

Close run thing between OM-1 and Pentax SL...

The Pentax SL gets the nod.

 

[nrb]

OM1 and 2 anytime.

 

[micromontenegro]

This one:

 

[maxwell1295]

Olympus OM-1n by a mile...

 

[Ronny]

Yes, No 1 is Nikon F

 

[Rodchenko]

I like the Exa cause it's cute. But it's not the best, by a long chalk. If I ignore my inherent preference for Olympus, I'd go for the Nikon FM2, which looks good and is excellent to use.

However, as is the way of these things, I have to go for Zuikoness, and I'm not sure which gets my vote. I always aspired to an OM-4, and, failing that, the baby 4, the OM2SP, which I now have. But, on reflection, I think I started at the top.

It has to be the OM-1. Everything you need from an SLR, and nothing you don't. With a 40mm f2, it'd be a little gem (and not in a lettuce kinda way).

 

[literiter]

Nikon F3
Nikon F2
Nikon FM2n
Nikon F100
Nikon F4
Pentax Spotmatic

I don't know if the FM2n, F4 or F100 are considered to be classic at this time but I put 'em down anyway.

 

[tunalegs]

The one I use most is the Edixa Prismaflex:


Although the Exa has a lot of charm too:

 

[Godfrey]

Split between the Nikon F, the Nikon FM2n, and the Leicaflex SL.

G

 

[seascribe]

I love my MM and X100, but...

Not sure any camera/lens combo (including Leica) could top my faithful Nikon F3HP with MD and Nikkor 105mm f2.5 for environmental B/W portraits.

All my Nikon equipment is now safely retired to storage, awaiting an interested grandchild.

 

[zuiko85]

With an identifer like 'zuiko85' it is not hard to guess,

The basic OM-1 (or 1n). Still got them, still use them.

 

[redisburning]

so far my favorite has been the OM-2SP with a 2-4 screen.

makes a great combo with the 50/2.0 Auto-Macro. the F3HP/Zeiss 50MP combo is similarly (ok, a bit more) capable, but clumsier by all measures. I especially prefer the easy access to the EV compensation dial of the OM-2SP, which is why I don't upgrade to a 4TI, which doesn't have that.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Hard to choose between the Pentax ME Super, Minolta X-300 and the Olympus OM-2N. All are easy to find cheaply, easy to use and don't need exotic batteries and some of the lenses are amazing.

Regards, David

 

[airfrogusmc]

My favs....

 

[redisburning]

35/2 and 55/1.2 ASPHERICAL; two magnificent lenses. what is the third though, that could hold such esteemed company?

 

[Luddite Frank]

My "favorite" "classic" SLR would have to be the Exakta Varex / VX, the version with the PC flash sockets.

This (to me) is the best bridge between the original Kine-Exakta of the 1930's, and the modern (film) SLR...

You have the option of interchangeable finders ( waist-level, or a variety of prisms ), decent build quality, quite a variety of "classic" lenses to choose from, and a 1/1000 top shutter speed that will allow one to shoot modern fast films.

Perhaps the biggest down-side to the old Exaktae, is the relatively small lens mount, which limits the speed of their lenses.

My next-favorite would be the screw-mount Pentaxes: S/H V and the Spotmatics.

TTL metering is nice, but for vintage shooters, I place my trust more in mechanical cameras than older micro=electronics.

 

[Sam Kanga]

Favourite 35mm SLR: Nikon F

 

[Sid836]

Much love for my two Canon F-1s (Old and New).