favourite film camera and other film cameras?

k100d · 03-05-2009, 09:35 AM

slow day in the film forum today ...
what's everyone's favourite film camera that you own? doesn't have to be Pentax. and what other cameras do you have?

so far, mines is the ME Super. i really dig the big vf and the buttons, i can keep both hands on the camera in Manual mode.

i also have an XA (overexposes a stop), a Fuji DL Supermini Zoom (my old prints looked really good but my recent tests don't look very good), Fuji GA645W (easiest MF camera to use ever), and a $1 plastic camera

Last edited by k100d; 03-05-2009 at 09:43 AM.

Wheatfield · 03-05-2009, 10:23 AM

35mm:
1) Nikon F2s
2) Pentax LX
3) Pentax MX

MF:

1) Rolleiflex SL66
2) Pentax 6x7
3) Hassleblad 500CM

LF:

1) Anything by Deardorff
2) Zone VI 8x10 wood field camera (Wista made them, IIRC)
3) Tachihara 4x5 wood field camera.

straightshooter · 03-05-2009, 10:32 AM

While I love my MX's, S1a, H3v, etc., my favorite is and always will be my Spotmatic II. It was my second Pentax SLR but the first one was used when I bought it. My Spottie was purchased new in 1972 so it's been with me for 37 years.

CW

Nesster · 03-05-2009, 10:47 AM

Within the Pentax world, currently I'm having an affair with the ES II

Outside it, three of my folders are lovely pieces of engineering: Voigtlander Bessas I and 66 (this from 1938), and a Kodak Retina IIa.

The Olympus OM2s I bought in '85 is a really fine camera, offering possibilities Pentax doesn't. Each time I use it I'm impressed. Unfortunately it eats batteries and the view finder is dim.

woof · 03-05-2009, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by k100d

slow day in the film forum today ...
what's everyone's favourite film camera that you own? doesn't have to be Pentax. and what other cameras do you have?

so far, mines is the ME Super. i really dig the big vf and the buttons, i can keep both hands on the camera in Manual mode.

i also have an XA (overexposes a stop), a Fuji DL Supermini Zoom (my old prints looked really good but my recent tests don't look very good), Fuji GA645W (easiest MF camera to use ever), and a $1 plastic camera

What era? Heh. Sorry, could not resist.

Favorites and all active:

1957 AP Original
1959 H2
1961 S3
1974 Nikon F Apollo Photomic (though for sale)
199.. ZX-M - great for manual lenses. My M42 adapter lives here.
199.. MZ-5n - my favorite auto focus body

Stevopedia · 03-05-2009, 11:51 AM

My Pentax KX. Only been with me for about four months, but it's far and away my favorite. *nods*

mhoy · 03-05-2009, 12:15 PM

Originally posted by k100d

slow day in the film forum today ...
what's everyone's favourite film camera that you own?

the ZX-5n you sold me

I don't like the auto film winding / rewinding / general reliance on the battery and would probably prefer all manual. But damn the controls and autofocus are great.

**Kerrowdown** · 03-05-2009, 12:32 PM

Just gotta be my LX's, which are I hasten to add are still use for certain assignments.

Blue · 03-05-2009, 12:50 PM

35mm:

K2
SuperProgram
Spot F
SV
Mamiya NC1000
Minolta X700

MF:

Pentax 6x7
Mamiya C3

Miniature:

Pentax Auto 110 SLR

UpNorth · 03-05-2009, 01:32 PM

I still love both of the only two 35mm's I've ever owned - an ME Super, bought new in the mid 1980's, and it's "assistant"

a Zx-5n both new in the mid 1990's. Up until a year ago - when I finally made the leap to DSLR - they were both still working perfectly.

Which reminds me - I've GOT TO finish that roll of B&W that's still sitting in the ME Super. Spring is bound to show up around here one of these months!

Tim

**yurihuta** · 03-05-2009, 02:23 PM

I love my Pentax 645N bodies. The massive, bright viewfinder. The analog dials. The dual, six zone metering system. The lenses are quite nice too (A 55, FA 75, A 120, FA 150 ... so far). Data imprinting on the film (outside of actual photograph's frame).

k100d · 03-05-2009, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by Nesster

Outside it, three of my folders are lovely pieces of engineering: Voigtlander Bessas I and 66 (this from 1938), and a Kodak Retina IIa.

The Olympus OM2s I bought in '85 is a really fine camera, offering possibilities Pentax doesn't. Each time I use it I'm impressed. Unfortunately it eats batteries and the view finder is dim.

ever since i found out about folders (and OMs), i've wanted one. do you know where to get a clean one?

Originally posted by Wheatfield

1) Anything by Deardorff
2) Zone VI 8x10 wood field camera (Wista made them, IIRC)
3) Tachihara 4x5 wood field camera.

do you still use LF? seems to be a rare breed, although i think some LF forums are pretty active.

k100d · 03-05-2009, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

It's a four-way tie:
Bronica RF645
Contax T
Konica Hexar AF
Pentax KX

Chris

wow ... i want ALL those cameras

Originally posted by Blue

MF:

Pentax 6x7
Mamiya C3

C3! are these things handholdable, they look so heavy :/

Blue · 03-05-2009, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by k100d

wow ... i want ALL those cameras

C3! are these things handholdable, they look so heavy :/

They are more neck holdable with a waist level.

They can be hand held with a little practice. They are heavy but so is the 6x7. If you are used to a 6x7, they are a little like operating an alien space craft. However, I do have a prism finder.

Nick Siebers · 03-05-2009, 08:02 PM

Trying to sort out whether I prefer more my Super Program or my MZ-S. Both acquired recently, both a lot of fun. They've put my MX, K1000 and Ricoh XR-7 on the sideline, for the moment.

I have a Mamiya CWP that I've never been able to get the hang of. But it looks pretty cool, so I can't bring myself to get rid of it for the measley few bucks it would bring in.

03-05-2009, 09:35 AM	#1
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	favourite film camera and other film cameras? slow day in the film forum today ... what's everyone's favourite film camera that you own? doesn't have to be Pentax. and what other cameras do you have? so far, mines is the ME Super. i really dig the big vf and the buttons, i can keep both hands on the camera in Manual mode. i also have an XA (overexposes a stop), a Fuji DL Supermini Zoom (my old prints looked really good but my recent tests don't look very good), Fuji GA645W (easiest MF camera to use ever), and a $1 plastic camera Last edited by k100d; 03-05-2009 at 09:43 AM.

03-05-2009, 10:23 AM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	35mm: 1) Nikon F2s 2) Pentax LX 3) Pentax MX MF: 1) Rolleiflex SL66 2) Pentax 6x7 3) Hassleblad 500CM LF: 1) Anything by Deardorff 2) Zone VI 8x10 wood field camera (Wista made them, IIRC) 3) Tachihara 4x5 wood field camera. Last edited by Wheatfield; 03-05-2009 at 11:27 AM. Reason: punctuation

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03-05-2009, 10:32 AM	#3
straightshooter Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Forest Park, Georgia/Jacksonville, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 633	While I love my MX's, S1a, H3v, etc., my favorite is and always will be my Spotmatic II. It was my second Pentax SLR but the first one was used when I bought it. My Spottie was purchased new in 1972 so it's been with me for 37 years. CW

03-05-2009, 10:47 AM	#4
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Within the Pentax world, currently I'm having an affair with the ES II Outside it, three of my folders are lovely pieces of engineering: Voigtlander Bessas I and 66 (this from 1938), and a Kodak Retina IIa. The Olympus OM2s I bought in '85 is a really fine camera, offering possibilities Pentax doesn't. Each time I use it I'm impressed. Unfortunately it eats batteries and the view finder is dim.

03-05-2009, 11:35 AM	#5
woof Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the present Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,870	Originally posted by k100d slow day in the film forum today ... what's everyone's favourite film camera that you own? doesn't have to be Pentax. and what other cameras do you have? so far, mines is the ME Super. i really dig the big vf and the buttons, i can keep both hands on the camera in Manual mode. i also have an XA (overexposes a stop), a Fuji DL Supermini Zoom (my old prints looked really good but my recent tests don't look very good), Fuji GA645W (easiest MF camera to use ever), and a $1 plastic camera What era? Heh. Sorry, could not resist. Favorites and all active: 1957 AP Original 1959 H2 1961 S3 1974 Nikon F Apollo Photomic (though for sale) 199.. ZX-M - great for manual lenses. My M42 adapter lives here. 199.. MZ-5n - my favorite auto focus body

03-05-2009, 11:51 AM	#6
Stevopedia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273	My Pentax KX. Only been with me for about four months, but it's far and away my favorite. nods

03-05-2009, 12:15 PM	#7
mhoy Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 62	Originally posted by k100d slow day in the film forum today ... what's everyone's favourite film camera that you own? the ZX-5n you sold me I don't like the auto film winding / rewinding / general reliance on the battery and would probably prefer all manual. But damn the controls and autofocus are great.

03-05-2009, 12:32 PM	#8
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Just gotta be my LX's, which are I hasten to add are still use for certain assignments.

03-05-2009, 12:50 PM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	35mm: K2 SuperProgram Spot F SV Mamiya NC1000 Minolta X700 MF: Pentax 6x7 Mamiya C3 Miniature: Pentax Auto 110 SLR

03-05-2009, 01:32 PM	#10
UpNorth Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minnesota, U.S.A. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 714	I still love both of the only two 35mm's I've ever owned - an ME Super, bought new in the mid 1980's, and it's "assistant" a Zx-5n both new in the mid 1990's. Up until a year ago - when I finally made the leap to DSLR - they were both still working perfectly. Which reminds me - I've GOT TO finish that roll of B&W that's still sitting in the ME Super. Spring is bound to show up around here one of these months! Tim

03-05-2009, 02:23 PM	#11
yurihuta Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Washington DC, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 632	I love my Pentax 645N bodies. The massive, bright viewfinder. The analog dials. The dual, six zone metering system. The lenses are quite nice too (A 55, FA 75, A 120, FA 150 ... so far). Data imprinting on the film (outside of actual photograph's frame).

03-05-2009, 06:35 PM	#12
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nesster Outside it, three of my folders are lovely pieces of engineering: Voigtlander Bessas I and 66 (this from 1938), and a Kodak Retina IIa. The Olympus OM2s I bought in '85 is a really fine camera, offering possibilities Pentax doesn't. Each time I use it I'm impressed. Unfortunately it eats batteries and the view finder is dim. ever since i found out about folders (and OMs), i've wanted one. do you know where to get a clean one? Originally posted by Wheatfield 1) Anything by Deardorff 2) Zone VI 8x10 wood field camera (Wista made them, IIRC) 3) Tachihara 4x5 wood field camera. do you still use LF? seems to be a rare breed, although i think some LF forums are pretty active.

03-05-2009, 06:36 PM	#13
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911 Original Poster	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt It's a four-way tie: Bronica RF645 Contax T Konica Hexar AF Pentax KX Chris wow ... i want ALL those cameras Originally posted by Blue MF: Pentax 6x7 Mamiya C3 C3! are these things handholdable, they look so heavy :/

03-05-2009, 06:47 PM	#14
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by k100d wow ... i want ALL those cameras C3! are these things handholdable, they look so heavy :/ They are more neck holdable with a waist level. They can be hand held with a little practice. They are heavy but so is the 6x7. If you are used to a 6x7, they are a little like operating an alien space craft. However, I do have a prism finder.

03-05-2009, 08:02 PM	#15
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Trying to sort out whether I prefer more my Super Program or my MZ-S. Both acquired recently, both a lot of fun. They've put my MX, K1000 and Ricoh XR-7 on the sideline, for the moment. I have a Mamiya CWP that I've never been able to get the hang of. But it looks pretty cool, so I can't bring myself to get rid of it for the measley few bucks it would bring in.