We can shake hands regarding the Olympus OM2!! My little 'hero' at art school.

The shutter sound of the Nikon FM is like sweet music. It's hard to choose between the Nikon FM and the Olympus OM-2. Both are great cameras from the era of the classical SLRs, the 1970s.

My fav camera is my 1960s Olympus Pen EE half frame, it's a design icon, a piece of art, simple to use, produces stunning photos and is absolutely mint.

I recently got interested in the plastic EOS film cameras. I think the best are the final two consumer cameras. Canon Rebel Ti (300V, Kiss 5) and Canon Rebel T2 (300X, Kiss 7). They are compact and loaded with features from the final Elan. Crazy fast focusing. Very sophisticated built-in flash. Shutter speed to 1/4000 in the T2. Highly recommended and under appreciated. Rather ugly. They can often be found for $25 or so. I use the T2 when the EOS 1N is looking too heavy for the day. I honestly don't enjoy many of the earlier consumer EOS models. My father had a Rebel S that was a lemon. I've given up trying to use it and keep it only for nostalgia.

Awesome. Older pro lens are such good value . Love it! This year I bought a Nikon 300mm F4 ED IF and it is amazinigly sharp and focuses quickly. Added a 1.4 teleconverter and very recently bought a AUD700 Nikon D7200 as a second body. The D7200 has *much* better BIF autofocus than my Z50. 😊 This setup gives me an equivalent reach of 630mm at f5.6, hand-holdable, at a relatively low cost.

I'm with you on the Olympus OM-2. I always wanted an OM-1 with Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 and finally got one in my 50's. I also got an OM-2 in the same deal and find I am reaching for my OM-2 and Zuiko 28mm f/3.5 more than any of my other cameras.

Hi, just a tipp: you can open a film canister with one of those old triangular bottle openers. Just lift the bottom or top cap and remove the film. Cheers, Jürgen

Thanks for this one Nigel. Like you, loved the Olympus range back in the 70s and 80s. I had the OM1, 2n, 4, 10 and although I liked the 2n, and the 4 had more bells 'n whistles, the 1 always seemed to be my favourite. Would work without a battery, built like a tank, super simple metering, cleaner lines. Yep that was the one. On the point and shoots, I had the upscale Olympus Trip, the 35RC. Super little point and shoot with a better lens and focusing and self timer. Both served me well and I still have them.

Me, I just want a Nikon FM digital. Hands down, my absolute favorite. The design was absolutely perfect. I don't mean Nikon fake replica. Nikon seems to have lost its way a long time ago.

I have way too many film cameras, or so my wife says..........My favourites are Rolleiflex T, (1965) Olympus Pen D, (1965) Konica 11a (1955?), Pentax K (1958), Leica M3 (1965), Leica 111g (1960), Kodak Retina 1B (1959), Nikon FE (1980?), Nikon F (1968?) and Olympus OM2n (1980?). Others close behind are the Olympus OM1n, Pentax H2, S3, and Pentax ME. My Pentax MX was once my favourite but then I discovered the earlier cameras with their distinctive feel and build qualities. I rate the Konica 11a as highly as the two Leicas. The engineering excellence coupled with the superb Hexanon lens is at the very top.

Thx. I have a contax ii and am thinking about a backup, so the Kiev does look tempting. I have got used to the grip myself at this stage

The Nikon FM would be my choice because I began with a 1965 Nikon F. My Nikkormat FE is Not as good as yours but a camera that came to me in exchange for some photos I took for a very nice old chap who made exquisite boxes. But gosh it’s heavy! I’ve never had the OM 2 but at my age the smaller camera would be my choice. I too started with the agricultural but serviceable Argus C-3, but really learned to pre-visualise the final result in that difficult Leica viewfinder with a Leica lllg.Your Zorki 3 sounds a great choice. I’ve bought a Kiev 4 recently because I never used a Contax, which also happens to be the progenitor of the early Nikons.

My favourite are the RETINAS,with Schneider Xenon and the very best "Retina-Xenar" 2,8/50 lenses. Greets from Germany

The Olympus Trip 35 was produced from 1967 to 1984, your one is a later one because it has a plastic shutter release, I have an earlier one and I don't have the same issue as your's, so it might be a problem with the later versions being cheapened down. It was my very first camera and I had never felt something of such high quality where everything fit perfectly and worked so smoothly. I also love the auto mechanism that prevents you from releasing the shutter if there isn't enough light so you don't waste film.

Perfect timing. I just ordered a clean-looking Nikon FM. I went to work for a small publisher After having gotten rid of my Nikon F4s and lenses, and a Hasselblad, before moving states away the FM was my only camera with just 50mm 1.8 and a Tokina 75 or 80 to 205 that was surprisingly sharp. It was brassed and worn, but it was a workhorse of a camera and easy to use if you were actually a photographer. I also very recently picked up another camera I wanted for so long after having used one a now ex-girlfriend had but never used. (She wouldn't let me have it so maybe that contributed to the Ex part?) The Canon Cononet GL17. The one I got is the pre-GIII model, but the same crisp 40mm f1.7. Both will do their job quite well if you do yours. I used to tell people that if you had good glass, and accurate shutter, and a body that didn't leak light, you can make great images.

Thanks for sharing your list of favorite cameras. Here is mine: Favorite 35mm SLR - Nikon F2 titanium (180mm f/2.8; 85mm f/1.4; 35mm f/1.4; 24mm f/2) Favorite 35mm rangefinder - Leica M6 titanium (90mm f/2; 35mm f/1.4; 21mm f/1.4) Favorite medium format SLR camera - Mamiya RB67 (180mm f/4.5; 90mm f/3.8; 50mm f/4.5) Favorite medium format rangefinder camera - Fuji GW670 (fixed 90mm f/3.5) Favorite medium format TLR camera - Mamiya C220 (180mm f/4.5; 80mm f/2.8; 55mm f/4.5) Favorite medium format camera - Mamiya C220 TLR (180mm f/4.5; 80mm f/2.8; 55mm f/4.5) Favorite large format camera - Calumet 4x5 inch monorail view camera (135mm f/5.6; 90mm f/5.6; 65mm f/8) Favorite digital camera - Fuji X-Pro2 graphite (56mm f/1.2; 23mm f/1.4; 16mm f/1.4) Favorite compact Point & Shoot camera - Canon PowerShot G15 digital (28-140mm f/1.8 to f/2.8 equivalent fixed zoom lens) Favorite camera - Nikon F2 titanium (180mm f/2.8; 85mm f/1.4; 35mm f/1.4; 24mm f/2)

Nice review. One of my favorite slr film cameras has become the Ricoh KR-5 Super II. Light weight, fully mechanical, except for the light meter. Shutter goes to 1/2000th and has bayonet mount. The last one cost me $30 U.S. with a 28 mm lens, and it was pristine. I love it. Very much enjoy your reviews.👍👍

Hello again and thanks for the great review. The stuck shutter on your Trip 35 may be the built in under exposure lock. When the Trip is set to Auto the shutter will lock and a red flag should appear in the viewfinder indicating the intended exposure is beyond the auto mode limit which is 1/40s at f2.8. This is exactly what happens with the two Trip 35s I have. I may of course be some other problem with your particular camera. I love the Trip 35, I think it's the design, the simplicity and the way it feels in the hand.

I have both the Nikon FM and Olympus OM-2n.....a difficult choice to choose between the two. Both are excellent!

Another superb video Nigel, I'm totally absorbed, on the question of aesthetics, well, this is what makes camera collecting so satisfying and deeply satisfying, comparable to Art and postage stamp collecting. Aesthetics is such a deeply personal subject, because that what aesthetic is, it's subjective. For me aesthetics and ergonomics run side by side, and you are so good at mixing these topics together. Vintage to early 2000s Cameras for me are works of art, and engineering design (though not so much these days). Where ergonomics were highly considered. Thanks again Nigel. Regards Rob.

Got the om1 and 2 with a bunch of mzuiko lenses as a handmi down from grandad to dad to me. Altho the auto setting on the om2 dosnt work so i just shoot it in manual. Cracking channel sir! Cheers for the content. Hope youre well!

The Kiev model, with its rooftop apartment is the same model used in the new film Asteroid City, sported about by Jason Schwartzman. Production department changed the name on it. Gave it a kind of Swiss Army knife logo. Busy hands....

The knurling on the leica is beautiful. I remember doing a double-take when I saw one in a shop window a couple of decades ago. An Olympus trip with a flash is a great party camera.

Interesting video... I just love my Zenith 11 quirky I know.....Fed 2 is up there too.... New to me a canon 500n some great minolta SLR..... Suprised you did not mention olympus mju ii Very sharp optics..... Thanks for the video. Nigel take care....

Some difficult choices made there. I tried to do the same in my head after watching this, but my heart kept telling me that I love all my babies (except the Zenits, maybe). Great stuff again. Keith

Gracias muy buen video! Para mí gusto primero está la Leica M3, después las Barnac seguido de la Contarex bull eye, y también mi Olimpus Om2 n. Saludos desde México....

“The canon something” 😂 I agree though, nothing wrong with having af on a film camera. Thank you for the shoutout, excited to support this channel!

You are so right about the SLRs - which means I agree with you! My first film SLR was a Contax 139 bought back in the day it was new. When I came back to film photography in about 2008 I bought an OM-1. It's funny that although it was my dream camera as a teenager it seemed a little old-hat once I could afford to buy an OM series, hence the Contax. I did really like the OM1 on many levels but it wasn't true love. Many years later an old friend mentioned he had a Nikon FM languishing in a drawer and wondered if I'd like to buy it. It's in black and except for a couple of light scratches on the baseplate is immaculate. I had to have it! I sold the OM1 to fund the FM purchase. In comparison the FM is feels much much more robust and well made all around and really 'pro'. However in certain situations I'd rather protect the FM and use something a bit more user friendly and dare i say it 'disposable' so I got a T70. This partly due to your earlier review. I love it! Even with the kit zoom the results are great as I only print up to 8x10 and the ease of use is excellent. The styling is so of its time but in a good way. I don't care if I knock it especially with the polycarbonate body you probably won't notice anyway. It reminds me of a piece of military equipment of the time. What's best of all is they are or at least were dirt cheap. I bought a scruffy one sold 'for spares' with kit zoom and a corroded battery in situ for less than £30. That worked perfectly after I got the battery out and as I liked using it I bought another nicer body only for about £30. It is now my referred film 'daily shooter'.

Love the insight you provide in your videos! And I full agree that the Olympus OM2 is the best SLR.

I really enjoyed your review "My Favourite Cameras"! Very intresting ! By the first opportunity I will re-use my OM2 with a B+W film. Thanks alot for this gentle push in the back ;-) Greatings, take care, Roger.

The quirky shutter selector of the OM felt quite natural to me as I'd spent a couple of years and thousands of shots with a Nikkormat FT2. Still have the second OM1 I bought and it still feels good to use. I recently bought a Nikon FE, which in my view is the spiritual successor to the Nikkormat (although an FM would be closer). The FE gives me essentially what an OM2 would have done, in terms of usability.

No apologies needed for the Canon EOS film camera. It has a lot to recommend it! I have a Olympus OM-1 and a OM-10 film bodiy with their Zuiko 50mm f1.8 kit lenses.. Fun just to them take out and play with them. They are so well made, you to appreciate them for their jewel-like build quality.

Really enjoyed that thank you

My first camera was an OM-1 inherited from my father. Most enjoyable camera to use. Most probably the best constructed camera I have ever handled

Very nice, good reasoning, and above all, entertaining !

Tough one. I have a soft spot (no pun intended) for the Spotmatic family of cameras. But probably use the Canon A series more because I find them so nice to handle. I'm particularly fascinated by the Pentax ES, at the moment. So if I had to choose a couple of daily shooters that would be one, and maybe the AE1 Program. I do have rangefinders, but I've never got around to using them, somehow. And I've only really shot a Konica 80 Z-Up point and shoot, which I enjoyed.

The best camera I have ever used is the Canon Eos 1n/v. However my favourite is the Pentax MX.

My first camera was a Fujica STX-1. Then when I went to a little photography class at a Tech school, the teacher recommended that we all get a Pentax K-1000. So I got one of those. That was in the 80’s and I still have both of those cameras. After this video I’m waiting for one about the DSLR’s and then on into the mirrorless. The next real camera I bought, after all those years of not doing much with photography was also a Fuji. The X-T1, about 5 or 6 months ago. Haven’t done a whole lot of looking back since then : )

There is a bit of a knack to retrieving the end of a film. You have to listen very carefully for when the end of the film springs off the end of the widget. You can, apparently, take the end off with a bottle opener but I've never tried it. Obviously you need to do it in the dark. (And if all else fails buy a 120 camera 😆)

I figured the OM2 but in their day I really wanted the Pen F. I stumbled upon one a few years back for sale but I bypassed it , For me my SLR choice is Leicaflex SL2 and it has everything to do with the spot meter and the lenses. I picked up in 72-73. It easily paid for its self. I used it professionally until the late seventies. I sold it off and replaced it with a Nikonos in 1983. This camera gets a bunch of points as it was one of the toughest cameras I used for a very long time. I call it a dropkickable camera. I still have this baby. The other film cameras I have is a Leica iiif (I wish I had a folding lense for this baby) which I acquired at a private sale and a Mamiyaflex C2 which I acquired with three lenses for a steal at an auction. Of all the Leica range the M4 was my favourite but they are just too expensive as their price was spurred on up by the introduction of the M5.

Top decision re: the OM2n - I love mine. :)

Rangefinder - Yashica 35 original not electro type. SLR - Olympus OM-2SP with the OM-1 being a close second. Point and shoot - Yashica Auto Focus Motor..every bit of an 80's camera.

The Canon T 70 is a good choice as a base for using FD lenses on film...not got one but maybe I will soon....

Wonderful episode! I enjoyed it! Thank you!

My preferences are the OM1n, the Voigtlander R and the Olympus XA.

I have a Canon T50, very similar to the T70 and it's just so much fun to shoot, I love it!

The Trip 35 lens is really great. Mine has never had an issue with stuck shutter, but I suppose I should knock on wood now. While not a 4 element lens, it has a Tessar look that I really love. My first “real” camera was a Konica C35V (scale focus, not RF) and yes, that 38mm lens is just stunning especially for a “cheap” camera. The ONLY fault I have with the C35 series is that most had a minimum slow speed of 1/8s (I think) so there was a limit to low light photography that bothered me. For an SLR the Hexanon 40/1.8 is the best - that lens may be the sharpest lens for film SLRs ever made, but it’s character is even better than its sharpness.

Really enjoy this kind of video sometimes. I could just look at videos of nice cameras all day when in the mood! I'd have to add a TLR category if I were to do this. And the Mamiya C3 (or any of that range) would have to be the winner there. I had a Canon 3000N. I missed the little things like winding film on so I got rid, but it did take some fantastic photos in the brief time I had it! I think The OM10 is the best camera I ever owned- I bought it, had 6 months and decided to sell it on and buy a Pentax Spotmatic instead. Which I do love. But I think I will replace the OM10 (with any OM camera, as I used the manual adapter anyway) as I really do miss both it. Not a fan of P&S cameras myself- I appreciate the tech, but I like to do things manually just because I enjoy the ritual of it. I still love to see them though! So that leaves Rangefinders... And I STILL haven't got one, so I can't say. It's on the list, but film has taken a backseat this year for me. Hoping to get back to it at some point, but various bits of life got in the way so I have been all about my Sony A7ii and nice vintage glass.

Minolta SR-T 101... (or any SR-T model). 🔥

you chose olympus at the beginning but showed nikon at end...ooops

Talking about state of the art? You did not mention Nikon F5 or Nikon F100. Both are totally amazing.

I'd like to add another category, Medium format, and 3 sub categories, Folding cameras, TLR's, and SLR's In the Folding camera range is my favourit (because it's the only one I have) Agfa Isolette 85mm f4.5 TLR's my choice is between my Mamiya C3 (with 3 lens boards) or my Yashicamat 80mm f3.5 ------ and, good as the Mamiya is my first place is the Yashicamat, purely on lightness and ease of use. SLR's, I have 3 cameras in this category, the Mamiya M645 1000s, with 3 lenses (50mm f2.8, 80mm f2.8, and 210mm f4), A Zenza Bronica S2A with 4 lenses (all Nikon glass 50mm f2.8, 50mm f3.5, 75mm f2.8, and 150mm f4), and a Zenza Bronica EC (which uses the same lenses as the S2A) ------- And my favourite in this category is the Zenza Bronica S2a, purely on looks alone. It's a heavy, noisy, slow beast, but it looks like a 1950s Cadillac with the stainless steel styling. Everyone stops to stare when I'm out and about using it, the shutter sound is like a load of coals being tipped onto a cucumber frame, the wind on terrifies you as you have to give it an extra push at the end of its travel to re-cock the shutter, but it's a joy to use, if only I was 40 years younger and could carry the weight all day 🤣 Another thought provoking episode, Nigel, I'll have to revisit my 35mm collection and go through the same process you have done. Waiting for next week's episode now! George

The Olympus om-2 is lovely camera and can understand you making it winning alt but strangely it changed its name at the end and was spelt Nikon 🤷🏻

If you're using reloadable black-and-white canisters what would be the difference if the tab goes in or not? You would have to take off the side panel to reload it anyway. Stay well

When the film does go back right into the cassette, irritating I know, I use a bottle opener to get into it.

The shutter speed dial around the lens mount on the OM is strange but it's not a deal breaker.

Hello Nigel, many thanks for uploading! I too own a Canon T-70 camera. Really nice with seven segment display in the viewfinder like in the old pocket calculators from the 1970s. Other very nice cameras are the Minolta XD or XD-7 or XD-11 (I have the XD in pristine condition) and the Leica R4 or R4s (I got one in top mint condition). Please let me know whether the images arrived I send to you some time ago. Best wishes, Ralf

I say Mr Z, frawfully sorry and not meaning to be objectionable, but didn't you choose the Olympus over the F? I rather thought that you had!! Well, it only makes this quite enjoyable video better still. Had a bit of difficulty choosing between them, did we? But that's the point, isn't it. Well, I'll be taking your advice on that little Nikon P&S, just as soon as I may. All in all, quite the nicest video, and I do look forward to your next. Thank you very much!

Are you sure that Trip 35 needs a rebuild? It won't take a shot if the red flag is up in the viewfinder, which means the available light is not enough for its limited auto exposure parameters. A bad knock could sometimes stop that red flag popping up, but the shutter would still lock. I have owned four of these little beauties, and wrecked two. Back in the eighties it was the only camera I would take with me during my tours of duty hundreds of miles up into the Arctic. It was small enough to keep in a parka pocket, and as it did not use batteries, it had power as long as there was reasonable light. I had quickly found that any camera that relied on batteries for metering or operation would die within minutes in those extreme temperatures. However, I always made sure that I bought one of the earlier ones, which can be identified by the chrome shutter button. The ones with a black shutter button (like yours) were made later, with more plastic/nylon parts inside, and these tended not to be as long-lived.

Oops..no Aperture Priority mode on the T70 per se. Theres stopped down Aperture Priority via extension tubes etc but that's it,

Spot the deliberate mistake ? Your favourite SLR was Olympus but in sum up you hold up Nikon. 😀

how about to compare oldest brand from french, british and german vintage lens such as som berthiot, ross london, steinheil etc in term of artistic flavour and colour rendition rather than superficial factors such as sharpness, saturated degree etc. there are plenty of sample photos in flickr from those mentioned lenses.

Digital list???

I made a purchase recently for £10. I bought a Pentax mef camera working perfectly with 3 lenses. Sirius f2.8 automatic MC....Asahi opt co Japan SMC Pentax 50mm F1.7......Sirius mc auto zoom 1:4.0-5.6 f70-210. Plus/straps/manuals/flash units X2/ also colour lenses that clip onto the flash unit. I'm not a camera collector or photographer but I'd like/appreciate your opinion on the quality of the lenses. Best wishes. David from Northern Ireland..

l had the canon T70 yes it was good, then l got the T80 had that for about 2 weeks it was crap, then got T90 now that was brilliant had that a long time before it broke.

You make me drool over your leicas and zorchi! Range finders!. Could you possibly cover nikon S shutter speed dial operation? Im still baffled by its mysterious opperation. Someone said the lower dial is for flash sync. Someone said to set top dial at 1/30th sec. Im thoroughly confused. Thanks for any help. Bye!

Hi, where do you get colour negative and slide film developed. I’ve struggled to find a good developer in Scotland. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys and girls. Cheers.

Yes, the Kiev camera is difficult to use

Favorite 35mm cameras: Nikon F, Nikon F4s, Mamiya RB-67

Does anyone out there know how to seal the light on an nikon S? Do you just get 3m weatherstripping and stuff it in the channel or neaded eraser and tuck in to the channel? Or electrical tape?

So which one was the SLR winner now, the Olympus (as chosen at the end of the segment) or the Nikon (as shown at the end of the video)? Make up your mind! :)

I quite enjoy IS. I will never go without again. Im too broke for film

The difference between Contax 2(a) and 3(a) is that the 2(a) does not have a lightmeter. So, the Kiev is a copy of Contax 3(a)..

What does n mean after a model designation all famous brands use this but what does it mean???

I assume that you picked up the FM2 by mistake at the end. Perhaps it is so close between the FM2 and OM2 that you changed your mind during filming.

Why don't you just use a bottle opener to open your b+w film canisters?

And what do you think about Fujica st605n? :) Great and cheap camera :)

I believe your Kiev rangefinder must be Kiev 3 as it's 1955 and has the light meter. Kiev 2 doesn't have the light meter. Kiev 3a started manufacturing a year later 1956 if memory serves me right.

What happened with your Yashica 35 electro?

Kiev's made in the 50s - 60s are great (please don't call it ruZzian)

Hi ,I vary like Canon T70.Good lack

Both Kiev and FED cameras were made in Soviet Union in a territory which is in fact, modern Ukraine. Please stop calling these cameras "russian".