In your opinion, what are the best modern 35mm film SLRs ever built?

[xkaes]

I'd say "NEWISH" means something from THIS CENTURY -- or at least so ahead of its time that it belongs in this century.

Call me crazy!!!

 

[Paul Howell]

Although not newish, I still would give some consideration about the F2, still repairable. But, if you send a EOS 1V to Japan it can be serviced, and the F6 is still being serviced by Nikon. Don't know how long Canon and Nikon will continue to service the 1V or F6.

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

Seems like a lot of people are ignoring the 'modern' aspect of this question.

It's no contest, the answer is the Nikon F6. The close 2nd is a clean F100, and then third would be the Canon EOS-1v. The EOS-1V gets the 3rd spot only because the F100 can be had for cheap and they're 85% of an F6. I'd get an F6 while they're still reasonably cheap on the 2nd hand market. If you do want to manually focus, the F2 or F3 are the best bodies. I'm sure the Leica R system has nice lenses but you'll have to look harder for them and pay through the nose, all to use a camera that is more difficult to repair or replace than a Nikon.

 

[GregY]

I'm thinking since the OP uses a view camera......'newish' could have a broader interpretation to him....?
Also it's worth pointing out the achilles heel of electronic cameras. If you're in it for the long run, those may not be repairable.

 

[xkaes]

The three cameras he listed provides a clue. All are battery dependent.

 

[Sirius Glass]

No question about it the Nikon F100.

 

[MattKing]

I'd like to hear from the OP about what "modern" features matter the most to them. Advanced metering, auto-focus, use with complex flash systems, high speed film advance - those sorts of things.

 

[madNbad]

This is evolving into a thread where the regular posters argue among themselves and the OP disappears. Is autofocus important? What about zoom lenses? Matrix metering? There are a lot of questions and no direction.

If he does come back: Canon EOS 1V

 

[Bill Burk]

This is evolving into a thread where the regular posters argue among themselves and the OP disappears. Is autofocus important? What about zoom lenses? Matrix metering? There are a lot of questions and no direction.

If he does come back: Canon EOS 1V

How fast is its autofocus compared with Nikon F6?

 

[manfrominternet]

I should have explained my work. I primarily shoot landscapes and architecture with my large and medium format film cameras. You can see my work at: kristianwolfe.com

For my potential 35mm film camera, advanced metering would be vital as I like to use slide film (along with lower speed negative film). Considering that I primarily shoot at night and on cloudy days, the ability to use a lower shutter speeds handheld would be terrific. Auto-focus wouldn't be a priority as I like to focus manually, but I suppose it would still come in handy, especially if I tried to move into street photography. (From my website, you can plainly see that I'm not a street photographer, however I would like to try this method of shooting.) The lens quality/ecosystem would be of primary importance, even more than the camera body, particularly since I would be virtually drum scanning the 35mm negatives/slides to blow up the images to larger sizes for inkjet printing.

In sum, I'd like a high-quality 35mm SLR film camera that has the following:
-advanced metering
-ability to use lower shutter speeds handheld
-ability to use the very best 35mm lenses

I'd consider a rangefinder system too, but I really like the ability to accurately frame whatever it is that I'm photographing.

 

[Dirb9]

How fast is its autofocus compared with Nikon F6?

The 1v is noticeably faster, especially in low light like stage performances or indoor sports. Even compared like-for-like, with 70-200/2.8 IS on the Canon and a 70-200/2.8 AF-S VR on the F6, the F6 will hunt more and lock on less consistently. Comparing any Canon USM lens with a screwdriver AF lens on a Nikon almost doesn't seem fair. I've shot with both the 1v and the F6 at the same time, as well as it's digital equivalent, the D2H, and the Canon just works, when the Nikon has to take it's time to track subjects. They are both very fast focusing and shooting cameras, and it's really splitting hairs, and should be suitable for 99% of what most people shoot on film today. Theoretically the Nikon has better metering, but the focus-spot linked metering on the 1v is quite excellent and I've rarely run into issues with it.

Edit: Just saw the OP's post. Both Nikon and Canon have image stabilized 16-35mm lenses, as well as tilt-shift if you want to do landscapes.

 

[MattKing]

Any Canon EF lens will work on any Canon EF camera - film or digital.
So a later year Canon film body would be worth considering, even one that is in the pro-sumer range, like a Canon Elan 7n/7ne might be of interest. The eye control focus on the 7ne is quite fun (for those who it works for).
And the lens line is excellent, if you are prepared to pay for their L series line.
And if you want something a bit exotic, with an emphasis on the hand holding issue, the relatively rare Canon EOS RT is at least intriguing.

 

[Paul Howell]

Not new, but the camera that might fits your needs is the Olympus OM4, has really good metering, lens are excellent, build quality is good. For landscapes and street shooting you don't need to worry about a motor drive, Olympus did made a winder and a drive. Of the cameras you listed the 9 is just too heavy, the 7 might be suited, the F6, great camera will fit all your needs. I don't have any experience with Contex, but at a bargain price the Yashica FX will take Context lens, the C/Y, Y stands for Yashica. If you like to shoot in ify weather both the F6 and Minolta 9 are weather sealed.

Olympus OM-4 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[4season]

Of the OP's original trio, I'd pick the Nikon F6. Besides Nikon's own lenses, there's the possibility of also using Cosina-made Voigtlander and Zeiss lenses, as well as other 3rd parties, a number of which are considered top-notch.

Contax N got little support when it was new, and I doubt that age has improved matters.

Minolta gives you access to newish lenses including Sony A-mount, but Sony's fortunes only really turned around with FE-mount, so IMO, this is another dead-end.

Looks-wise, I didn't know what to make of Luigi Colani's designs for Canon at the time, but IMO time has proven both Colani and Canon more right than wrong. EF-mount bodies can also use Nikon F, M42 and Leica R glass via inexpensive adapters, which arguably makes Canon the finest Leica R bodies ever made!

 

[madNbad]

How fast is its autofocus compared with Nikon F6?

Actually, the main reason the Canon made it in was because of their advanced mount design over Nikon. Personally, I’ve never used a Canon and except for a short adventure with a D2x and a Df, have almost no experience with autofocus lenses. The digital Nikons were mostly used with chipped Ai-S lenses. After trying a couple of different AF zooms, I found them to be heavy, bulky and not something I wanted to carry around all day. It took Nikon a lot of courage to move on from the F mount. It was easier for Canon in the early 80s, the breach lock lenses weren’t exactly burning up the sales chart and with autofocus coming, it made a lot of sense and captured them a lot of market.

I agree with Matt. The OP can pick up a decent mid range Canon and a EF zoom. If it not something for him, he hasn’t made too big of an investment.

 

[abruzzi]

manual focus, I'd go for a Nikon F2SB (I prefer non-AI lenses). But I suspect that might not qualify as modern.

The only AF 35mm camera I have ever liked is the Pentax MZ-S. It works well, has an easy UX very similar to older film cameras. You don't have to pick a mode--i.e. P, A, S, etc.--it defaults to auto everything, but if I turn the shutter dial, it becomes shutter priority. If I turn the aperture ring, it goes into aperture priority, if I do both, I'm in full manual mode. To go back to full auto, turn the aperture back to A and press the green button. Plus Pentax has a good collection of good quality, inexpensive lenses. You can even use brand new full frame DSLR lenses, with the caveat that if the lens does not provide an aperture ring, there is no way to set the aperture from the body, so you'll be able to do P or S mode, but not M or A.

 

[flavio81]

Excluding Auto focus cameras, and only including 35mm cameras:

In no particular order:

• Leicaflex, any model (Original, SL, or SL2)
• Nikon F2SB or F2AS
• Canon New F-1
• Canon F-1

And, probably (though i've never found one)

• Alpa 9d or 11si

Honorable mentions

• Pentax LX
• Pentax MX
• Minolta XK
• Leica R3
• Minolta XE
• Nikon F3
• Nikon F
• Exakta Varex

 

[wiltw]

The ten best mechanical SLRs ever made

The Ten Best Mechanical 35mm Film SLRs Ever Made

After seven years of shooting classic cameras, we've compiled our list of the ten best mechanical SLRs (plus three honorable mentions).

casualphotophile.com

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Nikon F3

Nikon 'N'- series cameras; just the features one needs plus access to all Nikon lenses.

 

[Paul Howell]

"Minolta gives you access to newish lenses including Sony A-mount, but Sony's fortunes only really turned around with FE-mount, so IMO, this is another dead-end."

In order to use Sony A mount and Konica Minolta A mount SSM lens, which are micro motor driven, you need a Minolta 7 or 5, not sure about the 3, or a factory modified 9. All of the other bodies are gear driven. Sony killed the A mount lens and bodies last year. Plenty of good lens still around.

• Alpa 9d or 11si"
• The Swiss made Alpa, not to be confused with the Chinon rebranded Alpa, was made to the highest standards of the day, used lens from many different manufactures that were of often rebuilt by Alpa. Made in very small numbers, expensive, have no idea who in the U.S can repair or service an Alpa.

 

[mshchem]

I should have explained my work. I primarily shoot landscapes and architecture with my large and medium format film cameras. You can see my work at: kristianwolfe.com

For my potential 35mm film camera, advanced metering would be vital as I like to use slide film (along with lower speed negative film). Considering that I primarily shoot at night and on cloudy days, the ability to use a lower shutter speeds handheld would be terrific. Auto-focus wouldn't be a priority as I like to focus manually, but I suppose it would still come in handy, especially if I tried to move into street photography. (From my website, you can plainly see that I'm not a street photographer, however I would like to try this method of shooting.) The lens quality/ecosystem would be of primary importance, even more than the camera body, particularly since I would be virtually drum scanning the 35mm negatives/slides to blow up the images to larger sizes for inkjet printing.

In sum, I'd like a high-quality 35mm SLR film camera that has the following:
-advanced metering
-ability to use lower shutter speeds handheld
-ability to use the very best 35mm lenses

I'd consider a rangefinder system too, but I really like the ability to accurately frame whatever it is that I'm photographing.

Nikon F6, F100, F5. I have 3 F5 bodies (fear of being without) F5 does an amazing job nailing exposure for slides. Even so I usually use auto bracketing either 1/3 or 1/2 stop. F5 bodies are massive, so you need to consider that. The obvious choice is a nearly new F6. Later fancier computer, better auto focus. The AF-D lenses are amazing and cheap.

 

[naaldvoerder]

Contax RTS III with CZ primes..

 

[Cholentpot]

OP said modern.

The F2 is not modern, nor is the F3.

Once I'm going with opinionated opinions...

Nothing comes close to the EOS series. EOS cameras and EF lenses have always been a lap ahead of everyone else. Sure, Nikon was the greatest when it came to manual focus cameras but once the full switch to autofocus came along Canon ruled and nothing came close. Nikon has a handful of excellent autofocus camera and a nice lineup of lenses. However, just about every single Canon EOS camera from bottom to top was excellent. From the lowly EOS500n to the top of the line A2e. They don't feel like tanks but they get the job done with no fuss. The lenses might be plastic but they've always been affordable and they work without complaint.

Owning and using Nikon, Minolta, etc cameras from the autofocus era and then holding them up against the EOS series puts it into perspective.

The other way around though. The Nikon F series are of the greatest cameras ever built. Even the down range cameras like the FG-20 are still way better than the upper range Canon offerings of the era. Canon was behind Olympus and others in my opinion. They want from Ok to King when they switched to EF.

 

[mshchem]

OP said modern.

The F2 is not modern, nor is the F3.

Once I'm going with opinionated opinions...

Nothing comes close to the EOS series. EOS cameras and EF lenses have always been a lap ahead of everyone else. Sure, Nikon was the greatest when it came to manual focus cameras but once the full switch to autofocus came along Canon ruled and nothing came close. Nikon has a handful of excellent autofocus camera and a nice lineup of lenses. However, just about every single Canon EOS camera from bottom to top was excellent. From the lowly EOS500n to the top of the line A2e. They don't feel like tanks but they get the job done with no fuss. The lenses might be plastic but they've always been affordable and they work without complaint.

Owning and using Nikon, Minolta, etc cameras from the autofocus era and then holding them up against the EOS series puts it into perspective.

The other way around though. The Nikon F series are of the greatest cameras ever built. Even the down range cameras like the FG-20 are still way better than the upper range Canon offerings of the era. Canon was behind Olympus and others in my opinion. They want from Ok to King when they switched to EF.

You make a very good point. I've never used much Canon equipment. But Canon kicked Nikon out of many journalist's kit. For good reason

 

[wiltw]

OP said modern.

The F2 is not modern, nor is the F3.
.

'Modern' is relative. I think of a 'modern SLR' as one which has

• an instant return reflex mirror
• automatic lens diaphram control
• thru-the-lens metering

...or post early 1960s
Some other folks would say the distinction for 'modern SLR' is

• autofocus lenses
• motor winder built in
• electronic shutter timing control
• matrix metering
• TTL flash metering

...or post 1980s