Hall of underrated cameras

[dberger]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

... there you go;

[pic snipped]

it takes photos like this ...

[pic snipped]

but I can't get her to take it off the "P" setting

Then get her the X-500 (or 570) and swap them when she's not looking. The X-500 has better manual metering, which will help wean her off of the 'P'. The X-500's are usually pretty inexpensive.

cheers,
David

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by oftheherd

. . . I'm surprised no one has mentioned the early Pentax HV/SV cameras w/o light meters. . .

Possibly because they're not underrated? They're REALLY nice cameras, though the shutters have often slowed down dramatically (by a stop at 1/30 to 1/500, a stop and a half at 1/1000) over the years.

Cheers,

R.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by dberger

Then get her the X-500 (or 570) and swap them when she's not looking. The X-500 has better manual metering, which will help wean her off of the 'P'. The X-500's are usually pretty inexpensive.

cheers,
David

... I fear that would just encourage her to use the gf1 more

[Corto]

Originally Posted by filmfan

Minolta X-370

Agreed.

Mine is tough as a Army Jeep, Lightweight and extremely user friendly.

Coupled with some good Minolta primes and a quality film and it makes an excellent companion for a day out.

Love it, And it is very kid friendly as well in auto mode.

[raytoei@gmail.com]

actually, all film cameras, 35mm ~ 120 format cameras are all underrated...
most people will go digital with auto-focus, preview screens, sd-cards etc. all film cameras and their shooters should be celebrated...

[KoNickon]

Agree with both comments -- though the FT2 and FT3 are even better, since they take current batteries (and changing film speed is easier). The Canon EF is a really nice camera, both esthetically and in terms of handling -- lovely short film wind, and changing shutter speeds is a breeze without moving your eye from the finder.

Originally Posted by BillBingham2

I'd like to submit the Nikkormat FTn. Kind if hard to shine in the shadow of the Nikon F family.

While I never owned one (Nikon-aholic) the Canon EF felt pretty nice in my hands the few times I used one. Thoughts?

[KoNickon]

I'll nominate the Nikkormat EL/Nikon EL2. Really nice, rugged cameras -- and the electronics seem to be pretty durable.

Exact same comment applies to the Pentax ES and ES II. (I seem to have a soft spot for the early electronic SLRs.)

For TLRs, the Yashica D (especially the ones with the Yashinon lens); Ricoh Diacord G; Zeiss Ikoflex Ia and Ib.

For folders -- Moskva-4; "Signal" Nettar; Certo-6.

[raphaelaaron]

Originally Posted by dotur

Voigtlander Vito B.
The best mechanical compact ever. Superb chrome, excellent optics, simple and reliable.

+1 on this. i have two and i agree they are highly reliable. advance lever feels like mechanical butter.

I'm sure it was mentioned, but if not, a vote for the Yashica Mat 124G. a cheaper TLR that has great optics.

[tunalegs]

Originally Posted by raphaelaaron

+1 on this. i have two and i agree they are highly reliable. advance lever feels like mechanical butter.

I'm sure it was mentioned, but if not, a vote for the Yashica Mat 124G. a cheaper TLR that has great optics.

The 124 tends to be overlooked because the 124G is well known for being the last Yashica TLR. There's no real difference between the two, they're excellent cameras.

[zuiko85]

I was impressed with a recent purchase at a photo show & swap. Picked up a Sears KS 500 with Auto Sears 50mm f2 lens. This camera is a re-badged Ricoh KR-5 with a Rikenon lens. I refer to it as my coffee and donut camera because the price, with working meter batteries was five dollars, about the price of coffee and a pastry at my favorite coffee shop.

The camera is as basic as you please with a metal, vertical travel focal plane shutter with speeds from 1/8 to 1/500, B, and X-sync at 1/60.
The lens unit focuses to 2 feet, stops down to f16 and has a metal mount but the barrel is mostly plastic. The viewfinder screen is quite bright, with a diagonal split wedge, micro-prism collar and the balance is a matte surface.
The only thing I miss is no DOF preview.

All in all I seems like a really nice camera and would make a good teaching camera except for it's lack of DOF preview.

[zuiko85]

Seen several mentions of Fujica cameras and I agree they can be a very good value. Have a ST605n bought at the same time I picked up the Sears KS 500, mostly because I had 50 f1.4 and 135 f3.5 Super Takumar's that needed a M42 body. The Fujica was a little more however at $20. But it is in good shape and I didn't have to risk an e-bay purchase.

[John E Earley]

Originally Posted by zuiko85

I was impressed with a recent purchase at a photo show & swap. Picked up a Sears KS 500 with Auto Sears 50mm f2 lens. This camera is a re-badged Ricoh KR-5 with a Rikenon lens. I refer to it as my coffee and donut camera because the price, with working meter batteries was five dollars, about the price of coffee and a pastry at my favorite coffee shop.

The camera is as basic as you please with a metal, vertical travel focal plane shutter with speeds from 1/8 to 1/500, B, and X-sync at 1/60.
The lens unit focuses to 2 feet, stops down to f16 and has a metal mount but the barrel is mostly plastic. The viewfinder screen is quite bright, with a diagonal split wedge, micro-prism collar and the balance is a matte surface.
The only thing I miss is no DOF preview.

All in all I seems like a really nice camera and would make a good teaching camera except for it's lack of DOF preview.

There are a number of Sears branded SLR cameras by makers such as Ricoh, Mamiya, Cosina and others that are often found in nearly new condition along with additional lenses. I owned a Mamyia made Sears 1000DTL with several Pentax screw mount lenses that I purchased for just a few dollars. Definitely underrated.

[Retrotech68]

Originally Posted by bitfeng

"the Vitomatic IIa with the Ultron lens" is not cheap

No, it isn't but the same also applies to the Vitessa with the same lens...

[Dwig]

Originally Posted by tunalegs

The 124 tends to be overlooked because the 124G is well known for being the last Yashica TLR. There's no real difference between the two, they're excellent cameras.

The initial Gs are a little better than the plain 124. They had an improved meter switch in the finder hood that supposedly included gold plated contacts, hence the G. The rest of the camera was the same, though over the years corners were cut in the construction of the 124G.

[Aristophanes]

For those of the Minolta faith:

X-500/570

For those of thePentax persuasion:

MX and ME Super, and Super Program

Interesting to note that the Minolta eschewed EV adjustments but had AE-L, while Pentax did the opposite. IMO all brands have excellent glass.

And for medium format, the Mamiya 645e. Easily the most accessible MF on the market with all the options and lenses. Stellar value product.

[MIkhail]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

... there you go;



it takes photos like this ...



but I can't get her to take it off the "P" setting

Or, one might take picture like this, if so inclined :-)



But here is the thing: I have been trying to sell a whole kit for a while (I hope moderator will not alter my post again, I am not trying to promote it here, just making a point). The auction went two times, about 10 people were fighting, all good but the price did not go above 130 or so. Why?! And I simply refuse to give it away for free (as far as I am concerned it is free) so I am keeping the whole kit...

[Jack Conrad]

I think the Kodak 620 Special is under appreciated.

[David Hughes]

Hi,

How about the Olympus AZ-300 Superzoom or any P&S for that matter? No one seems to want them on ebay, yet many (from the turn of the century) were state of the art and still take a lot of beating.

Regards, David

[valdas]

I have just picked Minolta AF-C for 2 EUR. Well, i read in reviews that Yashica T4 is sharper, but I am not that convinced, at least the difference is not that huge (especially compared to price difference).

[bitfeng]

I think all Singapore made Rollei 35 Tessar are under valued as well. Typically a good working one costs 60-100 USD. People like to pay premium for Germany made or Sonnar, but I don't really see much difference, except the viewfinder in a MiG Rollei 35 is brighter.

[wcurtiss]

Hate to say it but the Minolta AF2 is a totally underrated camera. Sure it's made mostly of plastic and it's totally auto focus and auto exposure but the lens for that era is pretty sharp and fast, it exposes accurately in most instances and can be had in perfect working condition for under 10 dollars. A great grab and go camera.

[konicaman]

Konica TC - plastic, yes, but still on a metal frame.

The 50/.17 can be had for peanuts (as compared to e.g. the 40/1.8) and is one of the best standard lenses made for the AR mount.

[tunalegs]

Ikoflex cameras... sure they may not be as pretty or refined as a Rolleicord, but they still have nice glass and can produce nice results. I don't think I've yet seen anybody recommend one though.

[Greyscale]

Yashica TL Electro X. I like mine better than I do my Spotmatic, and the Yashinon DX lenses are superb.

Kodak Signet 35 and 40. The 35 is a little tank of the camera, and the 40 is a joy to use.

Many of the 80's and 90's AF compacts that are not the Olympus Stylus Epic or the Yashica T4. But that's OK, I will keep snatching up those bargain bin beauties if nobody else wants them.

[Trius]

Mike: I curious as to why you prefer the Yashica over the Spotmatic. At some point I would like to have a M42 body, just haven't gotten around to it.