Tell me robust m42 body

[kansalliskala]

Just bored with Zenits.

Something with reasonable battery supply.
Which Praktica - which one other?

[Aanything]

Spormatics, Fujicas (especially st801), mamiya sekor sx.

[fermy]

I have Practica IV B, very nicely built camera, no battery required.

[luisalegria]

The most robust M42 body -

Ricoh Singlex TLS (in the US most often seen as Sears TLS)
This one -

http://westfordcomp.com/classics/searstls/index.htm
More common in chrome.

This is a very heavily built camera with a very strong and long-lasting Copal metal shutter.

If I wanted to commit homicide with a camera I would choose this one.

[skida]

Praktica Nova PL Nova1. No batteries required, just Sunny 16 calculations. Built like a brick sh*thouse.

[iangreenhalgh1]

[ludoo]

+1 for the fujicas, the humble st605n is very cheap, about the same size as an om-1, and great in use: perfect meter (two cells), large viewfinder. And it uses new sr44 batteries.

Edit: I have an st801 that I plan to sell, complete with its EBC 50/1.8.

[luisalegria]

I just noticed the battery requirement -

The Ricoh TLS uses the mercury 675, but I have used an SR44 with success. Just have to use a spacer in the battery compartment and set the ISO to 2X what you are using - if your film is 100, set the camera to 200. That works for me.

[Attila]

[IANUS]

I don't have a M42 body any more but i had several Praktica's and Pentax SLR. Four of my Prakticas had mechanical defects. IMO they are not that robust.

My Pentax SLR's worked all well. would go for a Pentax Spotmatic.

[rbelyell]

hi k

just sent you PM.
tony

[Katastrofo]

I recommend the Contax SLRs that take 4 AA batteries. M42>C/Y adapters are cheap, flangeless,
and work well. Love the results with my Contax 137MA.

[David]

Pentax SV or H3/H3V. No meter so no battery. Still readily repairable when needed for about $75 because the build is about identical to the Spotmatics.

[Excalibur]

Lateral thinking:- A Canon T70 with M42 adapter takes AA batteries and going for peanuts (one body unsold for 99p) as no one wants them cos they are ugly fools! a camera is a tool and it's the end result that counts and not for posing erm well unless you want to be a poser

[fermy]

But why would you want an ugly plastic camera if you can have a beautiful metal one for peanuts as well?

[Attila]

[Lloydy]

I picked up a Pentax S1a with it's accessory lightmeter, in excellent condition with a superb Soligor 35mm lens for very little in a charity shop last week, if you split the price with the Voightlander Perkeo I bought at the same time then the Pentax was £6-50.
It's a great camera, basic, rugged, fully manual and doesn't need a battery.
The shutter is nearly as smooth as my Minolta XD7, and 100% more civilized that my Zenits and Practika's. Actually the Practika's are worse than the Zenits, the mirror slap is just dreadful. And Practika's are know to jam solid, I've got a mint MTL5 that has a jammed shutter, it's a shame because it's a good camera - on a tripod.

[nemesis101]

GAF

I have one that is huge, heavy but very well made and even gives auto exposure.. It came with a lens made by Tomioka as well...

Doug

[Excalibur]

[fermy]

Why Olympus or Nikon? The same Canon has a ton of inexpensive bodies which look much better, even AE-1 or any earlier body. Prakticas are not expensive as well.

[Excalibur]

[kansalliskala]

Thank you very much for all the advice!

[rbelyell]

ive had many of the above cameras, and for 'sturdy' plus 'features' i dont think you can beat the ricoh tls. and i love that it has a spot metering option.
tony

[kansalliskala]

[Attila]