Manual and Metal?

[zachary]

Okay, so as you know im trying to sell my FM10, and I want to replace it with something that's 135, all metal, and all manual, and preferably mechanical. And not break the bank.

Any suggestions?

And im not stuck on any one brand. Just want to get something that will last, and maybe I can pass onto my kids.

[venchka]

Is it ok if the meter needs a battery?

Canon EF. Oops. Not all manual. Requires 2 625 button cells. The meter circuit is the only one that works with the replacements for the late great mercury cells. Built like a tank. Bought mine new in 1975. Still going. The black paint job is the best you'll find on any camera.

Did you mean Nikon? Nikon folks swear by the FM2. Because of that they aren't cheap.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography...ls/slr8283.htm

http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/har...fm2t/index.htm

F2s and F3s and F4s are going for silly cheap money.

Nikon F3, Motor Drive, 3 lenses Vivitar 283 Flash and assorted other s

Nikon F4 35mm Camera + Extras

[zachary]

I think my ideal dream camera is an F3HP. But I dont have the budget for that at the moment. What's your opinion on the old Ricoh slr's? My dad ALWAYS talks about his first SLR that he bought in 73'. Said it was a Ricoh. All metal. Full Manual. Metal shutter.

[venchka]

No clue about Ricoh. That said, all of my old all metal cameras and lenses work perfectly.

Seriously, look for a low mileage Canon EF. Or an F1. The 50mm/1.4 S.S.C. lens in original mount is stunning. Sells for under $50.

Save up for an F3HP. I see those things with motors and lenses selling for well under $500. Often WAY under $500.

[zachary]

Actually, im mildly interested in this body, if I can find one cheap enough.

Mamiya 35mm Forum - Sears SL II question

[zachary]

What's your opnion on the soviet SLR's wayne?

[ronocnikral]

any interest in a pentax super me? not ideally totally manual. but more so than a green box.

[studiocygnet]

So are you looking for an alternative to the old standard manual cameras; you don't mention the icon of metal manual cameras, the Pentax K1000? And there's always the first small SLR, the Olympus OM-1. Or a Minolta SRT101. Or do you like the idea of a "Sears" camera?

[venchka]

Originally Posted by zachary

What's your opnion on the soviet SLR's wayne?

I don't have one. Opinion that is.

The Tower labeled version of the Nicca version of the Canon IV-S2 version of the Leica III series is/was about the best thing Sears sold under their name. Originally outfitted with Nikkor 50mm lenses too.

The old all metal Pentax cameras are highly regarded. Since finding The Pentax Repair Guru, I'm confident that one of those could be kept running forever.

The Minolta SLRs are in the same category. Tank like. Canon FTb also. They were all good. With the possible exception of my first SLR: Mamiya 500 something. I had one briefly. Traded it in on a Canon IV-S2 & 50/1.8 lens. Good trade.

[wclavey]

I agree with Wayne & Tom about the Pentax & Minolta SLRs... and, of course, I still have my original OM-1 & OM-2 from 1975... but they did not have the durability reputation in the field that the Nikon had at the time - - had our project been better funded, we probably would have had Nikon equipment rather than Olympus... although my wife appreciated the smaller size of the Olympus.

I had, and heavily used, a Practika SLR, in the late 60s and early 70s. It had the Pentax screw mount. It worked and worked and worked and then one day died. It was entirely manual, and as a representative same of an FSU SLR, was not bad... but I would probably not get one again, except for nostalgia. I think mine may have been an exception rather than the rule, for Practika cameras.

[venchka]

Don't forget the early Nikkormats.

You want all manual? You want no batteries? You want NASA/Mt. Everest Tank Like?
Original Nikon F. Plain prism finder. Good enough to go up and down Mt. Everest.
Tank like. My short list:
Nikon F, etc.
Canon FTb, F1, EF
Minolta SRT-Whatever
Topcon
Pentax all metal flavors

Now, about this ebay thing. Why? With craigslist, Houston Camera Co-op, KEH, this forum, Rangefinder Forum, APUG, etc. would anyone take a chance on ebay? I don't get it.

[ronocnikral]

i have 2 ME supers...;)

[zachary]

Right now im bidding on a Sears SLR on Flebay

I basically would like a tank-like SLR. I dont care if it has a meter, just all mechanical and tank like. Something that will last. I still have my grandfathers Olympus PEN, and I want to be able to pass down my cameras too.

Im also going to get my Bronica C fixed as well, but im really enjoying shooting 135 right now.

[venchka]

see my post above.

[zachary]

Originally Posted by venchka

Don't forget the early Nikkormats.

You want all manual? You want no batteries? You want NASA/Mt. Everest Tank Like?
Original Nikon F. Plain prism finder. Good enough to go up and down Mt. Everest.
Tank like. My short list:
Nikon F, etc.
Canon FTb, F1, EF
Minolta SRT-Whatever
Topcon
Pentax all metal flavors

Now, about this ebay thing. Why? With craigslist, Houston Camera Co-op, KEH, this forum, Rangefinder Forum, APUG, etc. would anyone take a chance on ebay? I don't get it.

Cool, that's exactly the list I wanted. And why ebay? For me, 2 things. 1, selection. 2, people on Criagslist want WAY too much for their crap.