small SLR to accompany my RF

I would recommend a Nikon FE2 or an Olympus OM-2n. Having owned both, I can say that they each have their merits, ergonomically, you should put each into your hands and decide for yourself. As for the lenses, in the Nikon camp, while the 105mm f2.5 is a well regarded classic, it is noticeably heavier than the 85mm f2. In the Olympus Camp, the clear choices would be either the 100mm f2, or the 100mm f2.8 depending on whether you value size or speed more.

 

Another alternative optic to consider, in either case, would be the outstanding Tamron 90mm f2.5 SP Macro. I own all three of the 85mm and 105mm Nikkors, and the Tamron, and I can say that I find it to be very nearly the equal of the Nikkors as a portrait lens, and it is also a SUPERB macro lens. And it is mechanically every bit the quality of the Nikkors as well. I would say that it is BY FAR the best 3rd party optic I have ever owned.

Olympus makes the smallest (total volume) range of lenses and bodies. A few of their

lenses may be a bit bigger than the competition, but that's usually because they are a stop

faster too.

 

The downside is that Olympus gear is getting more and more expensive.

Hi,

 

"A few of their lenses may be a bit bigger than the competition, but that's usually because they are a stop faster too"

 

Andrew..have you got examples..I do not understand this..

 

..and having spent the last 7 years buying & selling OM gear I can say from my own expereince that OM gear and Zuiko lenses are mostly getting cheaper, so I do not understand how you say they are getting more expensive? even the prices of the scarce lenses such as the 16mm, 18mm, 100/2 etc has fallen slightly in the last 2 years.

 

cheers Steve.

Another suggestion. The modern Pentax FA77/1.8 Limited lens has an excellent reputation for its image quality including bokeh, it works well with both auto-focus and manual cameras, and is readily available. It would be a good choice with an LX, or alternately even a relatively cheap body like the MZ-5.

Steven, there are a number of commonly available Zuikos, including many of the slower

ones.

 

However, if you want to know what I mean about the size of these, compare the 21 f/2, 24

f/2, and 28 f/2 with anybody else's f/2.8 lenses. The Zuikos are about the same size.

Compare the Zukio 2.8 lenses with the 2.8 lenses from the competition - you'll see that the

Zuikos are smaller.

Contax S2 is small, about the same size as 139Q, but with a titanium body.

Tomasz, I like your photographs a great deal, both your people and things, but your website design doesn't do you justice, it's a nightmare.

 

SLR manual focus calls for selection of proper focus screens.

 

SLRs, because of their precision framing, are superior to rangefinders with ultra-wides (20/21/24/25mm) just as they are over 100mm. I'd go with Nikon FM2. Avoid plastic SLRs and lenses with plastic bodies (eg. Canon AE series).

John, thank you. Actually it's a first bad opinion about the website itself, I would like to hear more. I will be redesigning my website soon but I want to keep the menu and design and change the galleries. My design philosophy is "as simple as possible, with little of info and a lot of large high quality pictures" but I'm surely open to others comments so please elaborate if you'll find a moment.

 

As far as the camera I love my Voigtlander with Nokton 40mm on it and I'll keep it that way, I already purchased Contax 139Q with 85mm 1.4 and I really like the results but I'll be returning 139Q and looking for Contax Aria as I really want spot meter. If anyone have one for sale I would be interested :-)

 

Thanks again, Tom.