Your favourite mechanical camera

<p>Ahh I love the old Voigtlander Vitos!</p>

<p>Some of the cameras on this list are not fully-mechanical - like the Mamiya 7. We're looking for cameras that don't require batteries to work! :)</p>

<p>Have always wanted to get my hands on a Kodak Retina IIa or a Voigtlander Vitessa. One day, perhaps...</p>

<p>I don't have a large collection by any means (about ten different models), but I can easily narrow down my favourites:<br>

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Mamiya C330f. This camera single-handedly renewed my enthusiasm for photography after a very long lull. I now have two bodies and have built up a collection of all the different lens lengths that were available, plus some other original accessories (paramender, L-grip, etc). I LOVE this camera. When I bought my first one a few years ago it was everything I wished my Rolleicord would be. The 'cord hasn't seen the light of day since.<br>

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Spotmatic SPII. My grab-and-go camera for general use. I also now have two of these. The first was given to me by a guy in my photography club, and to be honest I just accepted it to be polite. After all, why would I need it when I had a perfectly good EOS-33? But one outing with it and I was hooked! I've now also purchased six different SMC Takumar lenses for it and they're wonderful.<br>

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My latest purchase is a 1937 Zeiss Super Ikonta 531 in good condition. I haven't had an opportunity to actually shoot any film with it yet but I have very high hopes for it.</p>

<p>With this question, in this forum, you could be a little more specific. Most of us have a good variety of cameras that we're fond of. The real question is "When?" I've collected some cameras for about ten years, and recently I've gotten a bunch literally handed to me, and I haven't had the chance to take any of them out for a run. Ten years ago, my favourite camera was the Signet 35. Then I got into SLR's. I learned to love my Fed 5. Then I learned to love my Yashica A TLR, and so on, and so on, and so on... Right now, my favourite is my Moskva 2 (although I've cheated recently with my new digicam).</p>

<p>Good ol' Leica IIf.</p><div></div>

<p> My Best All-Mechanical Shooters :<br>

1. Rolleiflex F 3.5<br>

2. Voigtlander Bessa ll Heliar<br>

3. Zeiss Contessa<br>

4. Rollei 35 SE</p>

<p>My heart says Brooks Veriwide with the Horseman back and Super-Angulon 47mm f/8. This was the camera I used to record the illustrations for my first published article in a national magazine, back in 1980. It is light, drinks in detail and chromes or negs blow up real BIG. You only get 8 - 6x8cm frames, but what frames! The big viewfinder and triple array of levels allow you to get your shot in a hurry without disappointments. Since 1977, I've owned three of 'em - two f/8s and the last model, the f/5.6 S.A. with (I believe) 10 element lens.<br>

My other favorites are the Nikon F, the Rollei-Wide and my trusty Minolta Autocord L I just sold on the 'net.</p><div></div>

<p>For rangefinders my wonderful Retina IIa and IIIC folders, the Retina IIIS and all its lenses. For SLRs, my Contaflex Rapid, with a nice short wind stroke and solid shutter sound, and Voigtlander Bessamatic modified to accopt all my Retina IIIS lenses. Bob Jasinski</p>

<p>No contest - my Kowa Six. If you've never used one, you're in for a treat - it shoots gorgeous photos and the glass is all first rate. They still make microscopes, binoculars and lots of sharp optics - they are pretty cheap on ebay. Pick one up, get a CLA and try it out. You won't be disappointed. </p><div></div>

<p>Just a quick update to this thread after I was posed the very same question earlier today by someone I know: </p>

<p><strong>Minolta SRT-102 - </strong>These are heavenly cameras. Beautifully-made and designed. I can't wait to expand beyond my 35mm f/1.8 Rokkor. </p>

<p><strong>Leica M4 - </strong>It's such a close call for me, especially compared to the M2 and M3, but the M4 has so many small tweaks like the film loading and rewind mechanism that it makes it such an easier camera to shoot in the field. Also, after owning a total of 7 Leicas (2x M2, 3x M3 and 2x M4) this is the one I've decided to keep. </p>