Which camera would you select in 1971?

Darrin Corzine posted the same question using 1959. By 1971, Nikon SLRs had some serious contenders by Canon, Minolta and Pentax

and others. I might have selected a Canon F1.

Nikon F , Leica M-4, Sinar P 4x5 and 8x10, Hasselblad 500C/M (or 500C), Hasselblad SWC.

Same answer as in the 1959 thread: Hasselblad 500 C/M and Sinar, by now it would be the P.<br>One year too soon for the Olympus OM-1, a couple more for the OM-2. Alas.

<p>1971 - ah a good year. I'd buy the Leica M4 (which I bought in '69).</p>

I would likely go with a Nikon F2, especially if I had known that Canon would orphan the FD line.

<p>Two Olympus Pen FV bodies and all the lenses and lens adapters I could lay my hands on before they were discontinued. Especially the 38mm f2.8 pancake. Wish I could time travel.</p>

<p>The one I did select in 1971: Rolleiflex 3.5F Whiteface</p>

<p>Al</p>

<p>1971? So far as 35mm is concerned, I bought my first Canon EOS in '69, thereby embarking on a journey that continues... However, I also bought my first Pentax 6x7 in 1971, a choice I've never regretted. I still have that original body, and it's still fighting fit.</p>

<p>Hassleblad 500cm. </p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p>Tough choice. I got a Miranda Sensorex in 1970. It developed problems by 1973 and the company was out of business. Knowing what I know now, probably a Nikon F2. But there were many really tempting SLRs in that era, many of which are still functional today.</p>

<p>That's a pretty easy one, or close at least. I fell in love with the mighty F the first time I saw one. I did not have much money back then, but in 1970 I scraped up what I could and went to New York and bought a used Nikon F Photomic with a new 1.4 lens on it. If I'd had to wait until 1971 I'd probably have shot for a used Photomic T.</p>

<p>I still have the lens, but traded the Photomic for a Photomic FTn some time around 1980. I still have that one. I also still have the camera the first F replaced, a Leica IIIb. </p>

<p>New Canonet QL17, Nikkormat FTn, Olympus 35 SP.</p>

<p>What was I dreaming of in my earlier response?! EOS in 1969? 1989, more likely. I'm getting confused with the Canon F-1 I bought in 1971, the camera that switched me from Nikon to Canon.</p>

<p>I didn't know much about SLR's until 1975 or so and didn't meet the F2 until 1976. The minute I saw it I wanted one and at the age of 17 I bought a motor driven F2. It cost three times as much as the car I had then. Truthfully I have never needed any other camera since. I've had a bunch but nearly everything I've ever done with a camera could be done with the F2. For the times I needed MF it was either an RB67 or a 500C with my preference being the RB. This past Saturday I took an F2 and a Nikkormat out to an air show/fly-in and remembered why I was so pleased with that combination.<br /><br />Rick H.</p><div></div>

<p>C330 and Leica M2 & 3 beaters. No clue about SLRs, I picked k-mount later which isn't out in 71.</p>

<p>Canon F-1</p>

<p>I'd buy a Nikkormat FTN, as I did in 1971. It was the right camera for my budget.</p>

<p>I did, Nikon F2. followed by the F3.</p>

<p>By 1971 I was using some of my Dad's cameras although I didn't have my 35mm or 120 camera yet. Even though my first Minolta SRT was still seven years away in my future I liked the features that the SRT 101 offered. I also wanted a Konica Auto S2, which I actually did get three years later.</p>

<p>In the fall of 1971 I got a chrome Konica Autoreflex T2 with a 57/1.4 Hexanon - chrome & black with the EE lock pin- with the strap and case. If I could go back to 1971 I might do some things differently. The F-1 was nice but did not have automatic exposure without many attachments. The Konica served me well. The original one was traded late in 1975 for a T3 but I have many T2s in my collection now.</p>

I just bought a black Nikon F2AS a few months ago that I would rate EX II. Only some marks around the tripod hole.

Unusual to see such a clean F2 nowadays. I would like to contribute some camera porn but the only working computer I

have as of late is an iPad 4, and I am of limited tech skills. Some of you may understand why when in my youth, we

called today Decoration Day.

<p>Nikon F2</p>

<p>A Nikon F2, or a Canon F1.....what a choice!</p>

<p>The Minolta X-1/XK/XM wasn't available until 1973.</p>

<p>although I bought a miranda d in 1961.<br>

I realixed despite having a removable prim. it was a dead end desigh( it still is functional)<br>

I was given a senorex in 1972.<br>

buy I would have bought a canon ae-1 if I were buying a camera.<br>

I did get a canon ae-1 25 years leter<br>

and I like it.</p>