Here is the article I mentioned in one of my previous posts:-
Buying Cameras - The Greatest 35mm Cameras of all time!
What is the best 35mm camera ever? This was the simple question we put
to over 200 photographers, camera manufacturers and photographic
dealers.
These experts were all sent a voting form and asked to name their top
five 35mm cameras. They could choose any make or model, either an SLR,
rangefinder or compact camera.
We then took all the votes and compiled this top 20 list. With over 70
years of 35mm models to choose from, the results show a fascinating mix
of modern and classic makes. The 35mm film format has done more than
anything to make photography popular. So in reverse order here are the
most popular cameras ever.
(20) Pentax LX
Introduced 1981, Discontinued 1996, Present Value 400 Pounds
Introduced to celebrate Pentax's 60th anniversary - LX means 60 in Roman
numerals - this pro-spec SLR aimed to compete with the Canon F1 and the
Nikon F3. Sadly despite a comprehensive range of features and enormous
flexibility, including interchangeable prisms, it never really
established itself beyond a small band of connoisseurs.
(19) Canon F-1n
Introduced 1981, Discontinued 1994, Present Value 400 Pounds
Legendary camera that was considered by many to be the only real
professional alternative to Nikon. Built like a tank and with simple
matched-needle exposure system, it offered the ultimate in reliability.
The prism and focussing screen were interchangeable so you could set the
camera up to your own requirements
(18) Leica I
Introduced 1925, Discontinued 1936 Value 20,000 Pounds, body only
The first commercial 35mm camera, the Leica 1 is now one of the most
sought after models by collectors. Its compact, integrated design, with
easy to understand and easy to use controls, established the foundations
of over seventy years of 35mm photography. They don't come more
classic than this rangefinder.
(17) Leica III3
Introduced 1957, Discontinued 1960 Present Value 1200 Pounds
Although only on the market for three years, the last of the screw
thread Leicas had a larger viewfinder with a frame for 90mm as well as
50mm and shutter speeds were simplified to the modern style, running
from 1/30-1/1000sec plus B-setting. In demand by collectors, and
therefore expensive, this is a Rolls Royce of a camera.
(16) Nikon F90X
Introduced 1994 Discontinued - Current, Value 1100 Pounds
This 1994 upgrade of the 1992 original hit all the right buttons - with
improved autofocusing, focus tracking, 3d Matrix metering, a 4.3 frames
per second motordrive and superb handling on offer. Until the F5 came
along last year, many enthusiasts and professionals favoured the
marginally faster F90X over the then ageing F4 as their first choice
camera
(15) Canon T90
Introduced 1986, Discontinued 1991 Present Value 400 Pounds
The last of Canon's T range of cameras, the T90 has everything except
autofocus. Stunning looks and handling provide access to a multi mode
exposure system, shutter speeds up to 1/4000sec, flash sync of 1/250, a
4.5 frame per second film winder, and a host of advanced features.
Provoked howls of protest when it was discontinued
(14) Pentax Z-1P
Introduced 1995, Discontinued - Current, Value 799 Pounds
Updating their 1991 original in 1995, Pentax created a seriously
underrated professional camera that sells for significantly less than
its flashier rivals - yet delivers just as much. With modes and
features to meet most needs, its worth a look if you're considering a
top end SLR and don't want to invest in the expense of a Canon EOS 1n or
Nikon F90X.
(13) Nikon F3
Introduced 1980, Discontinued - Current, Value 1430 Pounds
One measure of the success of this camera is the fact that it is still
available seventeen years after its introduction and it's outlived its
successor the F4. The lst manual focus model in the Nikon flagship
range, the F3 was the first camera to have an LCD display in the
viewfinder. Still used daily by a large number of professionals who
wouldn't trade it for the world.
(12) Nikon F4
Introduced 1988, Discontinued 1997, Present Value 1180 Pounds
Replacing the F3 in an age of autofocus was a daunting task for Nikon,
but with the F4, they did it with style. It took a while for
professionals, the most reactionary of photographers, to be convinced
but once thy used it they were converted. The camera's comprehensive
spec has almost any feature you can think of and the body is built like
a tank.
(11) Nikon F2
Introduced 1971, Discontinued 1980 Present Value 230 pounds
With a superb specification for its time - shutter speeds from 10
seconds to 1/2000sec, a flash sync speed of 1/80sec, film speeds up to
ISO6400 and a fully interchangeable prism and screen, the F2 built upon
the reputation established by the original Nikon F. Still held in high
regard today, and yours for less than most current manual cameras.
(10) Pentax ME-Super
Introduced 1979, Discontinued 1984, Present Value 110 Pounds
Launched during the SLR sales boom of the late '70s and early '80s, and
the first camera series kicked off by the original ME, to use push
button controls for setting shutter speeds, the ME-Super was Pentax's
biggest selling reflex camera. A tiny machine, with a useful set of
features for the amateur, it helped usher in the electronic revolution
in camera design
(9) Olympus Trip 35
Introduced 1968, Discontinued 1984, Present Value 35 Pounds
Not an SLR, of course but an immensely successful and influential
camera. Popularised by David Bailey in the 1970s, the Trip 35 became
almost synonymous with quality snapshot photography through that era -
despite an astonishingly basic specification that included zone focusing
and a manual film wind. A small attractive and easy to use compact
camera.
(8) Canon EOS 1n
Introduced 1994, Discontinued Current, Value 1690 Pounds
The EOS 1 was the camera that broke Nikon's stranglehold on the
professional market. It's blisteringly fast autofocus, astonishingly
accurate evaluative metering system, and overall specification and
handling made the Nikon F4 look pedestrian in comparison. That, and the
lenses attracted sports, press and fashion photographers in their
hundreds.
(7) Minolta 7000
Introduced 1985, Discontinued 1989, Present Value 135 Pounds
A milestone in camera design, the Minolta 7000 appeared out of nowhere
with a host of high quality lenses as the first fully fledged autofocus
SLR system. In addition, it boasted advanced exposure metering options
and was the bee's knees until Canon's EOS series came onto the scene two
years later. The world of 35mm would never be the same again.
(6) Pentax Spotmatic
Introduced 1964, Discontinued 1973, Present Value 90 Pounds
The first of an immensely successful series of cameras that really put
Pentax on the SLR map. Contrary to the name, the Spotmatic had a centre
weighted metering system based around cells on both sides of the
eyepiece looking into the prism. Simply designed and comfortable to
hold, with an excellent matched needle system, this is truly a classic.
(5) Leica M3
Introduced 1954, Discontinued 1968, Present Value 700 Pounds Body Only.
One of the most important cameras Leica have ever built, the M3
introduced the bayonet mount to the M series of rangefinder cameras
until then it was a 39 mm screw thread. A classic Leica design that
still looks good today, the M3 also introduced a non-rotating shutter
speed dial, and was available in single stroke and double stroke film
advance versions.
(4) Nikon F5
Introduced 1996 Discontinued - Current, Value 2300 Pounds
The current flagship of the Nikon range was well worth the wait. Big
but solidly built, its 8 frames per second motor can expose a 36
exposure film in less than five seconds and then rewind it in four!
With 3D Colour Matrix metering, fully interchangeable prisms and
screens, the F5 has what it takes to lead the pack until digital cameras
take over.`
(3) Leica M6
Introduced 1984, Discontinued - Current, Value 1900 Pounds
The key innovation on the M6 was the automatic display of an appropriate
viewing area when the lens was changed - covering 28mm, 35mm, 50mm,
75mm, 90mm and 135mm. Also new was a hot shoe and sloping crank on the
rewind lever. Still available today, the Leica M6 is a superb choice
for photographers with a discreet approach to photography.
(2) Nikon F
Introduced 1959, Discontinued 1971, Present Value 150 Pounds
Until the launch of the Nikon F, most photojournalists were using Leica
rangefinder cameras. But the fast handling and precise focusing of the
F, together with its 100% viewing screen, convinced many to make the
move to a single lens reflex camera.
Fully modular, the camera was available with a range of pentaprisms, as
well as a series of clip on meters. Incredibly, lenses from the
original 1959 Nikon F can still be used on today's autofocus Nikon
cameras albeit with a loss of some functions.
This is the camera that established Nikon as one of the leading names in
photography. Its popularity with press photographers has given the
Nikon F an exotic reputation - it's seen action in Vietnam and just
about every demonstration throughout the 60's. This is the camera that
captured the defining images of the most turbulent decade this century.
(1st) Olympus OM-1
Introduced 1973, Discontinued 1988, Present Value 140 Pounds
It is almost impossible , 25 years on to convey the impact that the
introduction of the Olympus OM-1 had on the camera market when it was
launched in 1973.
This tiny camera weighing a mere 490g, slashed over 350ff the size and
weight of the big and bulky SLR's of the time.
Suddenly there was a proper system camera that could travel the world
without making a nuisance of itself.
Olympus intended to call the camera the M-1, but Leica objected because
of their M-series rangefinder camera, and the decision was made to
switch to OM-1. A classic dynasty was born that's now with the OM4-Ti.
Introduced into the era of psychedelic music and flared trousers, the
OM-1 has a timeless look that's as desirable today as it was over 20
years ago. Fashionable from the first, the OM series found favour with
the likes of Lichfield and Bailey, and even went one expeditions with
Sir Chris Bonington.
Not only is the camera small and light, it is also elegant and modern
looking. As well as the traditional chrome and black design, an all
black version was available that was much favoured by aspiring press
photographers.
The camera is basic with a manual matched needle exposure, but extremely
easy to use - once you get used to the fact that the 1-1/1000sec shutter
speed range is on a ring tucked away round the lens throat and the
apertures are at the front rather than the rear of each lens.
One of the most amazing aspects of the launch of the OM-1 was the
simultaneous introduction of a 29 lens line up using the new
wide-throated bayonet mount - everything from an 8mm up to a 1000mm
lens.
The versatility of the OM system, and the lightness of the camera, means
that the OM-1 has probably travelled further than any other 35mm camera.
Excellent for location work, and equally suitable for students, this is
a camera that has a special place in the hearts and minds of generations
of photographers.
In 1979 the camera was updated as the OM1-n with the incorporation of a
flash ready signal in the viewfinder, but a decade later it was
discontinued.
Today for around 150 Pounds, you can still buy this slice of
photographic history, if you can find one second hand.
Mention the OM-1 to anyone who took up photography in the '70s and their
eyes mist over. Universally adored by its owners and held in high
regard by the photo industry we're not surprised that this camera has
topped our poll.
Devoid of snob value, the OM-1 has earned the number one position
because of its mix of solid photographic principles and practical
handling.
As we head towards an increasingly digital future, the OM-1 is the best
example of photography's recent past. We will never see its like again…
PS, Oly also made it into the top 10 manufacturers from the same poll,
as did Contax.
Regards
S.C.
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