Best 35mm SLR?

[oftheherd]

Everyone is different and will desire different brands and models for their own reasons, so there is no best one except for the individual concerned.

For me, no surprise, the Fujica ST 901. Terrific little camera, superb line of lenses. Has better low light metering than most cameras today, let alone in its time.

The Contax 139Q I had was good. Its otf metering, especially in dedicated flash couldn't be beat in its time. I hardly have to hype the Zeiss T* lenses.

Many other cameras and lenses are quite adequate. I have taken very good photos with Yashinon lenses. They work on my Yashica and Contax cameras.

Others can hype their own cameras they have used, and rightfully so.

[ray*j*gun]

Bump!!!! I still use Nikkormats and F's as well but the FM3a has got it all!

Originally Posted by kshapero

Nikon FM3A hands down, tell me why I could be wrong. (PS I know a few reasons).

[Keith]

I have to agree with the suggestion of the OM-1 ... anything more than this camera provides is unnecessary. (eyeing D700 in cupboard)

It was designed by a god (Maitani) ... and we all know that the gods hung out at Mt Olympus.

[bgb]

OM-1 is great if you can handle the shutter speed dial being on the lens mount and not on the top plate. I never could master it but that's just me ... I have xxl hands
Nice cameras and you should try an OM-1 or a OM-2n
Small, light and beautiful.

[Keith]

And if anyone needs any more proof about the Oly OM-1 being the one ... here it is!

[andredossantos]

I tend to prefer minimal design so for me:

1)Original Nikon F with meterless prism
2)Canon Ft QL

[digitalintrigue]

Contax Aria. As small as an OM-1, but with matrix metering, and motor. Huge bright viewfinder.

[dogberryjr]

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

F

Any Nikon since is just poncified and less reliable.

Or if you want something beautlfully made but a touch weird: Alpa.

Cheers,

R.

Heh. Poncified. Heh.

[lxmike]

always fancied using a Nikon FM3A, remember when it first came out, great reviews by Nikon Owners Club, would love to pick one up to try it, see how it compares to an Penta Lx

[bwcolor]

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

Contax Aria. As small as an OM-1, but with matrix metering, and motor. Huge bright viewfinder.

New camera to me, but it is setup much like my G2 and takes the same flash... Interesting.. I'll need to do some research on that one.

[lxmike]

I've used a 139, 167mt and also a Pentax LX, love the Lx to bits but always admired the Contax builfd quality

[bwcolor]

Of course, this is a Kyocera product.

[ChrisN]

There can be only one.

[Brian Levy]

I've got it, a Bronica ETRS with a 35mm back. Then in descending order:
Rollei 3003
Alpa 10d
Contax RTS III

[BillBingham2]

Nikon F2 followed closely by an OM-1, both in black of course.....

[htimsdj]

Nikon F6. The meter is great. The focus is very quick. It is built like a tank.

[spaceman spif]

In the '80's I worked in a camera store, and heard a customer ask one of my fellow salespersons, "What's the best tripod?" His answer: "The one you are willing to carry with you."

I wonder if there isn't a corollary here?

I started out with a Nikkormat a friend loaned me years ago, and have been shooting Nikon ever since. The Nikon folk have made some wonderful bodies that almost disappear in your hands -- they just become an extension of your eye, it seems like. But Nikon has made some less-desirable bodies as well -- EM, anyone? Having said that, though, you can mount up nice Nikon glass on any of them.

Now I own more cameras than I would care to admit: SLR, RF and P&S. Some get looked at more than anything, some get shot. But for me, the "best" one is the one I have with me when a photo needs to be made.

I know that doesn't really answer your question, but I think it's close to correct. A body that holds your nice glass, that you can find your way around without fumbling, that's The One.

[Vilk]

Originally Posted by kshapero

Nikon FM3A hands down, tell me why I could be wrong.

oh-keee, i'll bite... wrong logotype on the head?



PS. as to the main question, four are best: F2, F2 and F2

[thawkins]

Originally Posted by rover

It has been all down hill since the Minolta SRT 101.

Amen to that! I bought an SRT101 in the exchange at Andrews AFB in January 1974.................still have it. Great camera. Has been overhauled once after being doused by a pepsi cola about twenty five odd years ago. I also have an XD11 and a collection of MD lens which work great on the 101. If I had to limit myself to one camera (other than an RF) it would be the 101. Gig em Aggies beat LSU!!!

[Chris101]

Nikon FG. It's cheap enough that I just leave it in the car all the time.

[Jamie Pillers]

Just had a Leicaflex SL for a couple of days. I don't think its really worth lusting after if you've already got the F. I have an F2, and FE2, and a F90s. These are all just as nice and if you have Nikkor glass, stick with it. No reason to go chasing a bunch of Leica-R lenses. Of if you do want some of that Leica 'dust', get it and an adapter from Leitax for your F.

[Jamie Pillers]

A few more pluses for the FG: Its significantly smaller than cameras like the F, F3, etc.; it has a great little grip (similar to the F3); a lighted shutter speed read-out making it much easier to use in low light; and I think the FG has the quietest shutter/mirror sound of all the manual focus Nikon cameras. A great little tool.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

Contax Aria. As small as an OM-1, but with matrix metering, and motor. Huge bright viewfinder.

Agree about the Aria (I also have the RTS III, 139Q, 159MM and mechanical S2). The Aria VF is superb (just short of the RTS III), and the weight makes it a delight to carry. I just received the data back which prints exposure to frames 1&2 - cool trick.

[Jamie Pillers]

Unless you have to carry it around all day! :-o

[Jamie Pillers]

I also agree... get the box that will support the lenses you like, and maybe as few features you dislike as possible.