Which SLR has the brightest finder?

[Juno]

This is something I've always wondered about but, never having looked through all the likely contenders, I've never found an answer. My own OM1 and MX are nice and bright with the MX having just an edge over the Olympus.

There are several Leicas that are right up there but I've never owned one so I can't say. No doubt there are other SLRs that might put up a good fight.

Does anyone have the definitive answer?

 

[Never Satisfied]

The Minolta Dynax 9 (IMO) that is. Andrew.

 

[Kin Lau]

Any manual focus X-series Minolta is very bright.

 

[Avotius]

I got a minolta x700, its really really bright, truly excellent.

 

[Mackinaw]

Leicaflex SL2.

 

[jaap]

The most recent manual focus slr are very bright that is Leica R and The Contax RTS3,AX,RX and ST.

 

[HuubL]

Don't know about the Nikon F, OM1 or Contax, but the Canon F1 New has the brightest one I've seen!

 

[oftheherd]

Isn't the Olympus OM-1 renowned for having a large, bright viewfinder as well?

I've been sitting here trying to remember which one the magazines used to tout as the brightest. I think they often did comment on the Olympus, but I don't think it was the brightest.

I know my Fujica ST 801 and 901 were bright, as was my Contax 139Q with the f/1.4 lens. But for some reason, I want to say the magazines used to say one of the Konicas was brightest.

Somebody will remember I am sure.

 

[mao]

I have had Nikon FM2, Olympus OM1 and Contax ST.
The Contax had the brightest finder of these cameras, no doubt. It was just outstanding! Almost regret i sold it...

 

[noimmunity]

Contax Aria is bright and light!

 

[Vickko]

Second vote for Leicaflex SL2.

I've compared with Nikon F and F2, Canon F1, Leicaflex SL, Contarex, Alpa, Topcon DM.

....Vick

 

[ZeissFan]

My vote goes to the Japanese Contax SLRs followed by the Rolleiflex cameras (although not the original SL 35).

They are noticeably brighter than other cameras I've used.

 

[urban_alchemist]

I picked up a Leica R9 in Ginza a while back and was shocked at the brightness of the finder. Absolutely awesome...

Shame it ate all the pies...

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Nikon F5. It's an AF monster with a 100% coverage finder that's bright even with slow lenses.

 

[Photon42]

F4 obviously

 

[eli griggs]

The Canon F1N is very good, much better than any Nikon through the F3 that I've used, and I believe the reason is, is that Canon highly developed the finder screens/glass into a variety of patterns for three distinct metering tasks. I'm not aware of any other camera finder system that was even close to this quality or attention to detail, although I would like to learn about others if they do exist.

Cheers

 

[Livesteamer]

I've never used the Leica reflex cameras but have always heard good things about their finders. I've got lot's of classic cameras but my all time favorite finder/screen combination is the old Pentax H3v. Best manual focus finder for me. Joe

 

[TheHub]

It may not be what you want, but I remember my Pentax K-1000 as having a pretty bright viewfinder.

 

[mh2000]

the OM-1 was very good... my EOS 3 w/EC-a screen has a nice bright veiw as well. I don't think my R4 is all that bright... but I love the lenses and the body is kind of tweaner-classic nice.

 

[principe azul]

Nikon F3 is a strong contender, and you have twenty-odd screens to choose from, aside from the Beatties, e.g., a full-frame microprism like the H1, H2, H3, H4. It's also a 100% finder and even here you have a choice of finders.

The higher-end Nikons have all been good for brightness, including cameras like the F801(s)/N8008(s).