Was there ever a "Best" 35mm Film SLR? ... if so, what was it, in your opinion?
Jan 23, 2018 08:49:37 #
Jan 23, 2018 08:52:00 #
NIKON F -
Chris T wrote:
This one's open ... you can include any manufacturer - past or present. Just trying to get an accurate assessment from everybody who's used them (or, still is ....)
Jan 23, 2018 08:54:21 #
Canon FTb. I learned on a Nikormat at Ohio State, but my first Air Force job provided an FTb, so I bought my own around 1972 and still have it. Been using Canon ever since.
Jan 23, 2018 08:55:14 #
I think the most beautiful mechanism of any kind I have ever owned is the Contarex Bullseye SLR, with its interchangeable backs. Sad that it had a profound Achilles heel: Owing to deteriorating lubricant (made from cows’ shin bones) the focusing mechanisms of the lenses tend, with age, to friction weld together, after which they are irreparable. I have four such lenses which I’m carefully preserving until I come up with the thousand bucks or so it will take to renovate them. Beautiful glass, now useless. :(
Jan 23, 2018 09:01:32 #
In my opinion, the Canon T90 was the best 35MM film camera. Did several weddings with-out any problems.
Also loved the Minox 35GT. Very small with optics made by Leica. Still have that camera.
Captain Al
Also loved the Minox 35GT. Very small with optics made by Leica. Still have that camera.
Captain Al
Jan 23, 2018 09:11:47 #
Jan 23, 2018 09:13:27 #
breck wrote:
Nikon F3 by light years the best
Personal opinions aside, the facts are that the camera chosen by NASA for its space program and the film industry for shooting in narrow spaces is the Nikon F3. It also has the most accurate light meter. It is a pleasure to hold and use. Highly recommended to all, now that you may find one at a reasonable price. The last model from 1999 was selling at about $1500.
Jan 23, 2018 09:19:24 #
AlfredU
Loc: Mooresville, NC
Fleckjohn65 wrote:
Canon F1 and Ftb
I'm with you there. An Ft/b was my first SLR. I worked in three different camera stores during the 70s. So I had the opportunity to replace it with the best. And I did. The F1 was the best designed, best ergonomics and best built SLR I handled during the 70s.
Jan 23, 2018 09:29:19 #
Jan 23, 2018 09:30:13 #
Very subjective....hmmm. Maybe not the Best of all time but my Canon AE-1 Program, black and silver body, 1.8, from 1986 still works wonderfully and a favorite of mine. Very dependable and still takes remarkable pictures. Wouldn’t part with it! DSLRs are definitely great and superior in many ways but AE-1 is special to me.
Jan 23, 2018 09:33:50 #
Loved my Pentax LX. I went digital (Olympus) and gave it to my daughter. She used it for a college photography class. and now it's a museum piece.
Jan 23, 2018 09:51:35 #
Jan 23, 2018 09:58:23 #
Jan 23, 2018 10:01:58 #
Before my eyes started to go when I was in my early '50s, I owned a Nikon FE-2, and FM-2. The high shutter speeds(1/4000 & 1/250 flash sync), and the reliability made them my favorites. Coupled with MD-12 motor drives, I seldom missed a shot. I always had one loaded with color print film(Kodak or Fuji) and the other with B/W(TMax at first, and then Illford XP Super later). My favorite lens was a Nikkor 35-105 Ais(I owned two of them). I sold them both when I could no longer see well enough to focus accurately, and bought a N-70 with a Nikkor 35-105AF. I was never able to capture the quality shots I did before, but now I do pretty well with the N-8008 I inherited from my father. Now I keep it loaded with Illford XP-2 Super.
Jan 23, 2018 10:02:27 #
Chris T wrote:
This one's open ... you can include any manufacturer - past or present. Just trying to get an accurate assessment from everybody who's used them (or, still is ....)
It was always whatever I was using at the time...
My favorite was the Nikon F3HP. I had one with the MD-4 motor drive.
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