List your favourite film cameras...

[LucisPictor]

We have talked much about our MF favourite lenses.
Why not put up a ranking of our MF favourite film cams?

1. Asahi Spotmatic SPII (Absolutely fantastic! Thanks, Peter!)
2. Olympus 35RC (Small and great performer.)
3. Ricoh KR-10x (My first SLR ever.)
4. Canon FT-b QL (Built like a tank.)
5. Minolta Hi-Matic E (A better but bigger "F".)
6. FED-3b (Very nice. It just lacks a meter.)
7. Minolta Hi-Matic F (My first fixed lens RF.)
8. Zenit EM (My fav M42 before the Spotty came.)
9. Agfa Super Silette Automatic (My first rangefinder.)
10. EXA I & EXA 1c (Both very similar.)
11. Canon EF-M (It's fun, but it has some metering issues.)
12. Nikon EM (Not bad, the meter works but the needle doesn't react - quite irritating.)

I have not tested the Ricoh 500RF enough so far.
And my new Yashica Electron 35 GS (Thanks, Andy!) will surely go up high on this ranking, but I need to shoot some rolls before I can judge it.

[Rob Leslie]

How come there are not tens of replies to this post?

I'm a digital shooter but still use some film for fun.

Favs

1. Ricoh 500G. IMO an almost do anything little RF. Auto with viewfinder info or full manual. Real flash sync plug, great lens 40mm and nice viewfinder. I have used a 500G for many years and could never fault it.

2. Pentax ME Super. This would be first if I didn't love my K10D and K100D so much. In fact the old film SLR is only second because of using the Zenitar 16mm on it.

3. Has to be the Olympus XA2 or my XA1. These little auto cameras always produce the goods. No idea what settings they are shooting at but they always get it right!

4. This should be taken by one of my other RF compacts but I have already mentioned the 500G and the XAs so I suppose it has to be my Nikon EM. A nice camera to use. The auto always gets it right and after about 15 years of use it shows little sign of wear.
However I think I have give my 1969 Pentax SL joint 4th place as the SL is more usefull for mounting M42 lenses.

5. A camera I have not used for a while but it has taken some great photos in extreem conditions The Fuji HD-M. This camera (1984) is a 35mm Auto with motor drive and built in flash, it has a f2.8 35mm lens with focus scale which has click stops. The camera is shock proof and waterproof to 5 meters. I used to do a lot of boating and messing about in water and beaches and this was the best tool. Use it and wash in the sink after!

The Pentax SL must take the honor of being my all time number one camera. It must have done tens of thousands of exposures but still works OK. It has taken the highest percentage of my photos, well it has been used since 1969, but as well as that it has in the past been a camera of choice even when I have had many other good SLRs to choose from, it was often in my bag when I used to shoot Nikon Fs and guess which one got the most use!

[LucisPictor]

[maddog10]

I have only actually used 3 of the many film cameras that I have.

1. Nikon F5
2. RevueFlex SLR (off brand but works superbly, stop done preview lever in excellent position)
3. Yashica Electro 35 GSN

So far I have not found a camera that I did not like!

[Attila]

1) Nikon FA
2) Olympus OM2n
3) Yashica Electro 35 G** all variant.
4) Yashica MAT 124G

[Katastrofo]

This is a duplicate post, I already posted in the first one. But agree with
Carsten, the 35RC is a good performer!

[LucisPictor]

Update:

1. Asahi Spotmatic SPII (Absolutely fantastic! Thanks, Peter!)
2. Yashica Electron 35 GS (My best RF. Thanks, Andy! Only second to the Spotty due to the lack of exchangable lenses.)
3. Minolta Hi-Matic E (A better and bigger "F". The last roll really impressed me.)
4. Olympus 35RC (Small and great performer.)
5. Ricoh KR-10x (My first SLR ever.)
6. Canon FT-b QL (Built like a tank.)
7. FED-3b (Very nice. It just lacks a meter.)
8. Minolta Hi-Matic F (My first fixed lens RF.)
9. Ricoh 500RF (Pretty close to the Hi-Matic F, perhaps with a better lens but more plastic.)
10. Zenit EM (My fav M42 before the Spotty came.)
11. Agfa Super Silette Automatic (My first rangefinder.)
12. EXA I & EXA 1c (Both very similar.)
13. Canon EF-M (It's fun, but it has some metering issues.)
14. Nikon EM (Not bad, the meter works but the needle doesn't react - quite irritating.)

[Orio]

I think the ranking should be divided in two, manual cameras and automated cameras.
Just as we differentiate between MF and AF lenses, it is also important to differentiate between a camera like Nikon FM2 which has no program mode and no motor, and cameras like Contax 167MT or others who use manual focus lenses but have programs, motor, et c.

[glockman99]

[Esox lucius]

I can't rack up to the experience of film camera users as I'm only 34 and have shot film for a period considerably shorter than most of my colleagues here on MFlenses, but here's my list:

1. Zeiss Super Ikonta
Any model, but I've fallen in love with the 532/16 and 80/2.8 Tessar. The work of a photography engineer genius, everything is there and it works. Wonderful machine, almost unimaginable it was designed in the 1930s

2. Nikon FM3a
A major improvement over previous Nikon F-mount bodies, robust build and precise metering, this is my all time favorite body. The one I used was stolen in the mid-1990s, and I haven't found one in a condition that would convince me I need to buy it (yet).

3. Nikon FM
Perfect control layout, I really regret selling mine to finance my studies

4. Nikon FM2n
Finally allowing me to use the same film for a variety of shoots, as the 1/4000s shutter was a major improvement over the FM

5. Nikon F100
I'd rank this as n 2 but there are too many luxuries on this camera to fit my definition of a manual film camera. I guess only the F5 or F6 could be better, I still today use my F100.

6. Leica M4
Smart viewfinder mechanics and crop designators, this has the feel of an instrument, not a camera.

7. Polaroid 1200i
Last time I found film for it I shot a wedding, and was overwhelmed by the reception. Despite the digital age and pocketable printers, people were literally queing to get a Polaroid print of themselves. Funny to see them gather around the slowly appearing photo like children hypnotized by candy

8. Nikonos IV
I learned to swim when I was 3 but it took me 15 more years to be introduced to a camera that's designed for underwater. To this date, I still am wondering why on earth Nikon has not introduced a Nikonos DSLR, leaving the third party housing manufacturers to feast on a market that is only growing (I teach as a PADI instructor...)

9. Rollei A110
Wonderful mechanism, excellent wide-angle lens on a toy-film format. Too bad I can't find a means to scan the stuff I shoot with my mini-Rollei and the film I've stored in my freezer...

10. Minox B
Another spy camera, prone to mechanical failure but wonderful once you appreciate what's been put into such a small package

[estudleon]

LEICA M/4, 3, 2 (in this order)

LEICA R8

NIKON FM2

RICOH TLS 401

OLYMPUS OM 4


canon Eos 1 n

[spiralcity]

My favorites change from week to week.

I've been using my Fujicas and chinons more than anything latley.

1. Fujica ST 801
2. Fujica ST 705w
3. Chinon CE-4s
4. Nikon FE2
5. Nikon F4
6. Nikon FG (Small camera with a few good options)
7. Chinon CM-5
8. Chinon CM-4s
9. Fujica 605N
10. Nikon FE

I use most of these cameras as the urge hits me. I usually always have a Fujica in my bag.

[Shiladitya]

Hmmm... lets see

Yashica Mat 124G
Nikon F4
Olympus XA
Pentax ME Super
Nikon FE2
Nikon FG
Exakta Varex IIb

[Poolhall]

Zenit 19
Yashica FR
Yashica TL Electro
Pentax SF7
Yashica FX3
The Zenit is so good I bought another for spares

[Laurence]

Rangefinders:

1. Yashica Mat 124 (TLR)
2. Yashica Electro-35
3. Bessa-R


SLRs:
Revueflex 3003 (similar to maddog's SLR)
Pentax 645

[Attila]

Bessa RF, Bessa I, II

[soikka]

My list, based on my personal collection and experiences:

1. Pentax LX (Had to have it)
2. Olympus XA (Small&fun with no automatic controls)
3. Pentax MX (Mechanical robustness in small form)
4. Pentax ME Super (My first SLR, great VF)
5. Pentax MZ-5n (usually used with DA10-17, simple&easy to use)
6. Pentax P30n (A good simple&reliable camera)
7. Olympus Mju:2 (Small&fun, great performer)
8. Pentax SuperA (TTL flash, with manual lenses)
9. Canon EOS 650
10. Spotmatic (Mine is really beat up, so I haven't used it at all...Seems like a nice camera though)

[nemesis101]

Purely Manual:

Canon A-1 50mm f1.4
Konica Autoreflex T3 / Konica 40mm 1.7
Olympus 2n / Zuiko 50mm 1.4
Minolta XD-11 Minolta / Rokkor 50mm MD 1.4
Contaflex B Super / 50mm Tessar 2.8

Motor Driven:

Konica FS-1 / Konica Hexanon 40mm 1.7
Canon T90 / Canon Macro 50mm 3.5
Canon T70 / Canon Macro 50mm 3.5
Contax 137a / 50mm Planar 1.4

TLR:

Diacord G
Yashica 635

Rangefinder:

Yashica GSN
Olympus 35
Canonet 111

[fujicanica]

At last count my collection totalled 363 cameras. From the start I intended to collect only usable cameras and have pretty well stuck to that. If cameras are usable, they must be used. Right!

This preamble is by way of explaining that "my favourite camera" will constantly change, if the rationale behind my collection is to be maintained.

Currently, my system is Canon with two A1 bodies and about a dozen lenses plus motor drive and various other accessories. You have to love those FD lenses and the A1 just feels right.

On the other hand, I have two Mamiya NC1000s bodies and one NC1000 with seven lenses plus accessories, including adapters which allow me to use different Mamiya mount lenses as well as M42, whilst retaining all auto functions. These are great cameras (manual and shutter priority) and those Mamiya lenses are up there with the best (in my opinion). So, at some stage the Canons will be put away and the Mamiya will be trotted out.

Hmmm! I also have working examples of every slr Fujica made (except ST-F), with many lenses and accessories plus many other brand M42 lenses. Another system.

Then there are the Minoltas and Konicas.

But I am indulging myself here and getting a little 'off-thread'.

The above are wonderful cameras all, but do I have favourites? Well, I must, or I wouldn't have decided to respond.

1. Canon A1 - I think this is one camera which truly deserves to be labelled classic.

2. Ricoh XR-2S - aperture priority and fully-metered manual. Ergonomically perfect for my hands. It felt just right the first time I held it. Several months ago I bought a Rikenon 28-100mm f4 macro zoom. I rarely use zooms but this one is a beauty. The results are more than satisfying, so I have body and single lens combination which covers a broad range of my needs. It's my 'go anywhere' slr.

3. Fujica ST605 - totally reliable. The meter is reasonably accurate but I tend to guesstimate when using it. Its the camera I use when I just want to wander about with a camera and take pictures: when the result isn't overly important.

4. Fujica AX-3 - very similar to the Ricoh XR-2S and feels just right.


I do use rangefinders and have a couple which qualify as 'favourites'.

1. Yashica Minister III - accurate meter and excellent lens.

2. Minolta 7S - as for Yashica.

3. Ricoh 500 GX - never lets me down as a p & s.

Whew, once I get going, I'm hard to stop.

[spiralcity]

[rick_oleson]

i can't choose: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26262745@N08/sets/72157610757987197/

:)=

[CaptainPenguin]

[Attila]

Now list a bit changed

Nikon FA still on top , but need to share with Voigtlander BESSA RF cameras.
I am so amazed by their optical quality.

[spiralcity]

I just purchased 5 rolls of Agfa 100 form ebay. I need to use it, so my EL is getting a workout this Holiday season.

Nikon EL this week folks.

[Esox lucius]

Zeiss Super Ikonta B 532/16 /80mm Tessar f/2.8
Fantastic machine as long as you avoid wide open

Zeiss Ikonta 524/16 75mm Tessar f/3.5
If it was a coupled rangefinder it would rank higher

Voigtländer Bessaflex TM
THE M42 body, "there is no other"

Nikon FM2n
Forgive the slight overexposure of the meter, this is one of the best, F100 is only technically better