Memo to Self

ReD

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Memo to Self

I gave my old Film SLR - Fuji STX1 a dry run the other day alongside a Konica S3 rangefinder.

The most rewarding & comfortable to use was the STX1 – pressing my nose / face against the flat back & the through the lens focussing was a real joy. I’d forgotten how much I missed that feeling. A simple manual SLR & oversized in today’s terms it maybe .. but it felt right.

The Konica was a different animal & looking through the viewfinder to see a chunk of lens in the way was a bit off putting. (Even worse with the lens hood).

So My Memo to Self is not to be swayed or tempted away from that comfort zone

It looks as though I need to try a DSLR – simplicity of use with manual & preferably cheap. – This may mean second hand used.

I may even try an old film SLR as the Fuji meter is kaput & using an exposure meter is proving a pain.

I am open to suggestions (polite ones)
 
Memo to Self

I gave my old Film SLR - Fuji STX1 a dry run the other day alongside a Konica S3 rangefinder.

The most rewarding & comfortable to use was the STX1 – pressing my nose / face against the flat back & the through the lens focussing was a real joy. I’d forgotten how much I missed that feeling. A simple manual SLR & oversized in today’s terms it maybe .. but it felt right.

The Konica was a different animal & looking through the viewfinder to see a chunk of lens in the way was a bit off putting. (Even worse with the lens hood).

So My Memo to Self is not to be swayed or tempted away from that comfort zone

It looks as though I need to try a DSLR – simplicity of use with manual & preferably cheap. – This may mean second hand used.

I may even try an old film SLR as the Fuji meter is kaput & using an exposure meter is proving a pain.

I am open to suggestions (polite ones)

Do try before you buy. No modern DSLR has a focus screen worth a penny from the factory. If you want manual focus you will need one that can change screens and sometimes that impacts AF or metering. It is just not even close to old manual film SLR's.
 
I agree with John, try before you buy. APS-C DSLRs have a smaller OVF than a 35mm SLR. The lowest-end DSLRs have pentamirror OVFs, which are smaller and dimmer than pentaprism OVFs.

If you don't already have manufacturer-specific lenses to use and like older lenses, I'd recommend a Pentax DSLR, primarily because of the IBIS, so all lenses will be stabilized. Plus, K-mount lenses are plentiful and some are even cheap. M42-mount lenses work great with an adapter.

If you are not concerned with IBIS and don't want Pentax, then I'd recommend Canon or Sony over Nikon, as they both play nicer with M42 lenses than Nikon, which requires an adapter with a glass element.
 
I have the XD7 and it's a total win as well. That was a great era for film cams.

I still have the SRT303b I bought in 1973, but its past it, the mirror needs replacing and it needs a big overhaul. Also, the battery required for the built in light meter is simply not available. So... I got an adapter and use the 200mm and rokkor 50mm on my Pentax. (and also the Nikon V1... interesting results, with two adapters)
 
As for lenses I already have one 30mm M42 wide angle one 28mm Tamron Adaptall 2 Wide angle and a Tamron 70 - 150 Macro zoom
these with the standard 50mm were all I needed

I already have the Fuji M42 & Tamron Adaptors - so another Fuji makes sense, but I do like the idea of a Pentax Yashica Minolta Olympus model in my mitts
 
The process of choosing is as enjoyable as using the chosen one. So enjoy it.
My personal go-to-film camera will be a Leica. Which one to be decided.
 
As for lenses I already have one 30mm M42 wide angle one 28mm Tamron Adaptall 2 Wide angle and a Tamron 70 - 150 Macro zoom
these with the standard 50mm were all I needed

I already have the Fuji M42 & Tamron Adaptors - so another Fuji makes sense, but I do like the idea of a Pentax Yashica Minolta Olympus model in my mitts

It's been a long time since Fuji made a DSLR, though.
 
Yup, My favourite K55 f/1.8 cost me the princely sum of $50. And its been excellent, on my K5.

Unfortunately for me, I went a couple years before gaining a true appreciation of the functionality of older lenses on a digital camera, and by the time I got into it, prices had begun to skyrocket, meh. Still, there are deals to be had, particularly if one is concerned solely with lens quality. (y)
 
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