OT: what is your favorite non-leica camera and why??

for me the answer has to be either the voigtlander bessa ii/heliar OR

the graflex XLSW/paqpro version. both are 6x9 format. there is just

no beating the quality of a print from 6x9 combined with the

convenience of a small rollfilm camera. both lenses are fabulous

performers (the xlsw is fitted with the 47mm super angulon), with

great subjective qualities and tremendous sharpness. both also

handle really well.

Mamiya 6 (straight): Because its the closest thing to a MF Leica M

 

Canon G2: Yes digital. Because it gives instant GRATification, the images are wonderful

Linhof Technica IV

Hexar AF. Small, light, quiet, quick, reliable, produces greatest number of usable pics for me.

Hasselblad 500CM with 80/2.8 and waist level finder.

 

No batteries, reliable, superb optics and a very small package.

Contax G1. It's a backup for my M6TTL. Nice lenses for the money.

Roger,

 

Would you have a picture of that Graflex/XLSW? Never heard of this camera before. Sounds great to have a 6x9 with super wide angle. Thanks.

Hasselblad 500 C/M.

Reasons: Larger film area, square format, choice of viewfinders, interchangeable magazines, exceptionally durable (incredible all mechanical build-quality) / non-battery dependent, easily hand-holdable (for me, at least),.............and some pretty good *glass*.

My vote goes to Bronica RF645. Although the lens speed is a bit slow (f4) but it is tack sharp. The first prize still belongs to M3.

Rolleiflex 3.5F.

 

Beautifully made MF camera.

I like the Pentax MX for small mechanical 35mm SLRs. Tiny (like a M with a prism), feels like a jewel, great glass, no frills. I'd imagine Nikon FM2s/FM3s are similar.

I like the Emedco Security Camera.<p>

 

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It even swivels when it detects motion, a great feature.

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<img src="http://www.subclub.org/subjpegs/micmatic.jpg">

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old contax rangefinder iia ... great optics at a good price ... small size, all metal :) a bit more cumbersome to load, but still takes great pictures

The Brooks Plaubel Veriwide 100, a 7 exposure on 120 6x10 camera with a 47mm Super Angulon. Leitz made the viewfinder for it. Great camera, extremely compact. 2.25x3.5 cm format.

Nikon F.....by a mile.....the only camera which over time is

MORE reliable and MORE rugged than a Leica....in fact, it's

considerably more reliable and durable than the best of the

Leicas (see Gandy's comments on the matter---his in reference

to Nikon RFs, but same applies)...of course, the S2, S3, S4,

SP, etc...would have to fall into the same category.

As for the Pentax MX, I agree....and throw in the spotmatics,

for good measure...and the Rollei E3 series...but none compare

to the "hockey puck" (Nikon F/SP/etc.)

 

WAlt

Canon F-1, second version. It offers the speed finder for my aging vision, true mirror lock-up, 12% spot metering, bright viewfinder, and incredible durability. I found a beat-up Leica 28R I use with the Macau-made adapter sold on ebay. Otherwise, Canon FD lenses are just fine.

I second the Graflex xl , I did not do the propac(bigcamera.com)but my own conversion it is an excellent camera with interchangeable optics and that 6x9 tranny is amazing. One point however is that the graflex film backs are poor, I have tried most all of them and could without reseervation recomend the Horseman. It seems the best built and has a true pressure plate I have noticed real increased film flatness. However I still shoot all my black and white on Leicas as I prefer the Leica "look" . Both Graflex.org and Bigcamera have more info on the Grfalex cameras. My very close second place would be the extroadinary Plaubel Makina 67 not a 6x9 but still a great camera with a lens that rivals anything and very compact,only heavy as it is made of metal, but of excellent build quality.

Cheers George

In MF it's the Pentax 6x7. It shoots like a 35mm SLR. It has a rectangular format, which is important to me, and it can do high speed flash synch with the 165 and 90 leaf shutter lenses.

My favorite 35mm SLR is the Pentax LX. A compact gem with numerous mechanical niceties, including off the film metering and great low-light capability.

Konica Hexar RF kit w/ the Hexanon 50/2 lens and HX-18W Flash. I picked up the kit for $889 w/ 3 yrs warranty. Hard to beat that...

Ikoflex IIA - just as good as a Rolleiflex at a tenth of the price

Im assuming Leicas are the favourite cameras for all you guys?

 

 

Fm3a because of its battery-less-functionable-shutter.

It comes down to Hasselblad and Nikon F. They've both got the style but Nikon's also got the substance and the history. If my life depended on bringing back the shots, I'd trust the Nikon F over a Leica.

Pentax 645. The bigger negative is nice, the camera and lenses work great, and (most importantly) they're already paid for.

for more on the paqpro xlsw go to www.skgrimes.com/paqpro/recentcomplete. it is one of the great all-time cameras. i could go on forever about its virtues. and i second the comment about the backs. only use horseman or mamiya rb.