your favorite SLR

canon

canon

Interesting that hardly anyone is mentioning Canon. What about the AE-1 and A-1? I ask only because I have an AE-1 coming my way, to use with an FD tilt-shift I found on the semi-cheap.
canon t90 for me, followed by a1 and ae1p i hope that pleases you.allthough i like my mx too.
 
Interesting that hardly anyone is mentioning Canon. What about the AE-1 and A-1? I ask only because I have an AE-1 coming my way, to use with an FD tilt-shift I found on the semi-cheap.


30 years ago while I was in the US Army, our headquarters decided on the AE1 as the basis for an new agency wide kit for crime scene photography. Naturally, I was incensed, knowing the ST 901 would have been the superior choice. As it turned out, that was the most agent proof camera they could have gotten. Everyone took to using that camera like it was an instamatic on steroids. Few problems deciding how to use the controls, or what lens to use. Many good usable photos were obtained.

I was humbled to know that I could be wrong. :D :D
 
My choice goes overall for the F6 that I have, due to its versatility and performances. I hope to keep it until I die.

Good second the FM3A (I have too) because it's rugged and versatile as well and it's lighter and more compact to lug around and you don't break your bank if someone steals it. This is how Nikon made great old-school cameras.

"Heresy to say", D700 (third camera I have) in comparison is "just" a tool (although the most versatile of them all), still expected to last for long. It must become a perfect study tool, though.

I don't want to become a collector - I want to use whatever I have - but I have to say that these cameras, especially the F6 have a special relationship with me.
 
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My ever-favorite is the Minolta Sr-T 303 b (known as Sr-T 202 in USA) for :
- Durability
- Lenses
- Speed and aperture in the viewfinder
- Mechanical
- "Film inside" dial
- Locking DOF button

I have other systems (Exakta Varex II b and Pentax S1a) which are great but more for the fun factor.
 
Good to see the Pentax MX getting a few votes, mine had a nasty fall and I ended up going down the AF road but I still miss the MX.
 
My first love was the Canon Ftb ... it wasn't perfect but it was perfect for me. It's a big, heavy & noisy thing but it takes beautiful images with no drama at all

I can recommended the AE-1 as a good FD mount camera too.

There have been quite a few OM's but they are too small for my xxl hands :( unless they have a winder fittted.

My latest love is the Nikon F80.:D:D:D
 
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my F.
 
I can't avoid kudos for everyone taking pictures so special for a simple tool ! Great light mastering, sir !
 
Something about my old F100 that i just miss, it was such a perfect tool, beautiful viewfinder, great ergonomics, feature packed, super simple, compatible with everything.... and cheap these days. I really regret selling it, I think that's the next camera I'll buy.

But my Nikon FE is just a sweetheart, smooth, simple, and loves to be used. Something special about feeling the film pulled out of the canister over the winding cassette...

The F100 is my best friend, but the FE is family!
 
I just realised I think I have to add my Hasselblad 500cm to my earlier nomination of my OM's.

The Hassy is one of those cameras that has a presence you can't escape from ... it's my only MF SLR though!
 
Hum... I could say my Olympus Pen-FT. The finder is goddamn dark but this camera is really soooo fun to use. :angel:

I also really love my old Bronica ETR-Si with her marvelous 75mm 2.8. Not the best lens or camera around... But I've modified a lot of thing to make it fit in my little pesky hands ... :)
 
Nikon FM3a

With the 45/2.8 Pancake, it's every bit as compact as a RF & that Tessar lens design gives photos a classic look.
 
I have to say I'm surprised that I'm only the third to nominate the Nikon F5. I've owned early Pentaxes, several Practikas and Zenits, followed by a Nikon F, F2, F3, F3HP, F100, F5 and F6. In the end, the F5 is the one I've gone back to. IMO it has the best balance of performance and handling and can be bought for a fraction of it's original price. What was once thought of as a 'brick' of a camera in terms of weight and size now looks quite sensible when compared to more modern stuff of equivalent performance (e.g. D700 + battery grip)
 
I think I'd have to tip my cap to the Nikon F6. It simply does everything superbly well. Autofocus is as good as it gets and the camera just feels "right".

The Leica R9 has the best viewfinder I have ever looked through and may have received my vote but, alas, the horrendous strap lug placement (for me) and resulting bizarre ergonomics led me to sell it.

For a walk around SLR both the Nikon FM2N and the Contax Aria are personal favs as well.

Lots of quality SLRs to choose from. Heck, even the very inexpensive Nikon EM is a blast, given its size and simplicity.

Kent
 
SLRs i've loved:
Contax RX, Nikon F6, Hasselblad 203FE.
If the Nikon FE2 had AE lock with the shutter release, i'd list that one, too.

I liked the Leica R8. But, for its size/weight/bulk, it was just sorta ridiculous to not have AF or an integral motor winder.
 
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