General info about film SLR cameras

[aniramca]

I have a few questions for my curiosity about film SLR cameras, and perhaps someone can answer or provide links to website specifically discussed these issues:

1. I heard the only film SLR camera made today are Nikon FM10 (made by Cosina), and Nikon F6:
(a) Is it a rumour that Nikon recently ceased production of their Nikon F6?
(b) Does Canon still make the Rebel Ti?
(c) Any Russian/Ukranian companies which is making SLR film camera (like Zenit)?
(d) Any chinese companies which is still making SLR film camera?

2. Fully mechanical SLR cameras:
(a) Which SLR film cameras are fully mechanical, i.e can work without a battery? I heard the Pentax K1000 is fully mechanical.
(b) When did camera companies start to use battery to make the camera to work?
(c) Sometimes, the lightmeter is using a battery. which camera which has a battery power lightmeter, but still function and shoot film without the battery?
(d) Is there SLR film cameras which has light meter, but does not require a battery?
(e) is Selenium photocell in camera's lightmeter can run without battery? What about CdS meter?
(f) In fully mechanical SLR cameras, do the cameras need battery for synchronization of shutter speed and aperture (except the ones in the flash) when using a battery powered flash attached to the hot shoe?

Thanks for info and discussion (as well as any suggested link to read)

[Scheimpflug]

The K1000 does have a battery, but it is only for the light meter. I suppose you could shoot without it if you had to.

[walter g]

35MM Besides Nikon.
Vivitar v3800n Maker?
Voightlander Bessa.
Zeis Ikon.
Leca R9
Contax NX
Canon Rebel T2 (some still available new) Not sure of current production.
I'm sure there is more out there, that's the ones I know offhand.

[Excalibur]

erm too many questions, but I have two fully mechanical cameras:-

Pentax S3...35mm
RB67 pro... medium format

I wouldn't bother using a 35mm slr without a built in meter, too much hassle using a seperate meter....been there done it when I got my S3 new in the 60's and ain't going back.

[kansalliskala]

Two topics here, I wonder what today's situation is?

http://forum.mflenses.com/what-film-slrs-still-produced-october-2009-t20870,highlight,film+slr+produced.html

http://forum.mflenses.com/what-medium-format-film-cameras-still-manufactured-t21863,highlight,slr+film.html

[marty]

Fully mechanical cameras:
-Canon FT-b (similar and earlier models), battery only needed to operate the meter (when available).
Partially mechanical:
-Canon EF, slow speeds electric (30" to 1/2") and high speed (1/2" - 1/1000") mechanical and not needing battery.
-Canon old F1 should be like EF , albeit the shutter is totally different.
-Canon New F-1 only 1/90 without battery.

Regarding Canon the first model with TTL meter was the Pellix in 1965, AFAIK.

Fully mechanical cameras don't need batteries for flash sync (apart the ones that are powering the flash itself, that is).

Best, M.-

[Attila]

[Scheimpflug]

[kansalliskala]

[Excalibur]

[aniramca]

Kansalliskala
Thanks for the link, and it was very informative. I did not realize that Vivitar and Braun still make SLR cameras (particularly Braun).

Vivitar is bought by Sakar. The Vivitar website indicated that the SLR cameras are sold at Walmart. I never see one in any Walmart's Canada though.

There is not much info about the Braun's SLR. It is likely that it is made in China? my old Braun' camera flash was made in China, and this was over 30 years ago. They must have factories in China. I wonder if they are all made by the same company, like Phenix, or Sakar.

[alex]

The Yashica FX3 is fully mechanical (there's no sensible distinction to be made between a camera with or without a meter in this regard). I've never had any difficulty using a camera without a built-in meter, even today, but perhaps that's because I grew up with a Praktica Nova and some of its meterless contemporaries, and learned to estimate exposure before finally succumbing to one of those newfangled Weston Master V's. Incidentally, I still have the Weston V and I still use it. I learned more about exposure with it than with any number of TTL cameras.