Buy from us: kamerastore.com/ Sell to us: bit.ly/3tvwMyD

Hands down the prettiest SLR of all time has to be the OM-1. It is about as gorgeous as an inanimate object can be. The design is timeless, and looks as good now as it did when I first lusted after one. And the viewfinder - I've never seen better. These cameras in terms of just beautiful things to look at just beat the pants off of all the newer DSLRs with their shapeless form.

Your excellent presentation was enjoyed by me, but I do have a few comments. I was born 21 FEB 1950 and lived in New York City from 1971 - 1983, so I was literally immersed into the camera scene which you talk about. (I now live in Philadelphia.) Somehow, Kamerastore seems a name bit familiar: some years ago I remember hearing of people in a Scandinavian country trying to amass a great quantity of film cameras (camera rescue?) in order to preserve the film legacy. Is this YOU? First, the Nikon F2, which supplanted the original F, was really the best clockwork SLR ever created. There, Nikon outdid itself and, as good as the F was, the F2 was, as you imply, the final version of the F with all the bugs ironed out. (I say this while being NOT a great fan of Nikon.) When the F3 came out in 1980, there was a massive effort by professionals to acquire the last F2 cameras. Back then, the outright fear of the reliability of electronic shutters was really intense. Nikon KNEW of this great fear and used maximum engineering effort in order to assuage such fears. The quality of the Nikon F3 was the result of such a great effort and was the primary reason why professionals eventually decided that electronics actually could be reliable. The somewhat “less” professional FE (2) and FM (2) cameras were also great, but through the years (camera shows, etc) I have seen too many FE (2) SLRs which had inoperative shutters. For me, the FM (2) would have been a far better choice. You know, Nikormat was also a viable choice for a simply mechanical body (though the EL was electronic). They are really cheap now. Your omission of both the Minolta SR-T series and the semi-professional XE-5 and XE-7 is rather inexcusable. You speak of a silky smooth film advance for the Nikon F3. Have you ever advanced film on the XE series? The XE bodies are built like tanks. The SR-T is ‘almost’ built like a tank. Back in the 70s, Minolta glass was considered to be ‘almost’ as good as Nikon and Canon. Today, however, Minolta glass is seen for what it truly is: among the best on the planet. Their electronic bodies (X-370, X-700, etc) were not built to the same robust standards as the SR-T and XE-5 (-7), but their glass was stupendous. Pentax is on your list, but only with the outrageously over played K1000. Yes, it is a very good and reliable simple camera, and Pentax glass is tops. But K1000 has no self-timer like the KX or Spotmatic have. What you omitted, however, is the tiny jewel that is the Pentax MX. If I compare that to the Olympus OM-1, I would opt for the MX, any day. Seemingly similar to the MX were the ME and ME Super. However, the troubles with the electronic shutters on the ME series are legion. This is why the MX is rarely available and is much, much more expensive than those of the ME series. Yes the Olympus OM-1 is a good camera, but far and away too ‘sexy’, too socially optimized, for it to be rationally prioritized as ‘best of the small’. Canon spent an untold sum of money and engineering effort in order to conceal the fact the the AE-1 had a plastic top cover. Many, today, still do not know that that top cover is plastic! That was how paranoid people were back in 1976 when it was introduced. It is a great camera, really great, but, two years later when the A-1 came out, the A-1 was considered to be an even better camera. But today, the ‘greatness’ attaches solely to the AE-1 (and Program). The A-1 gathers dust. Personally, I think that the A-1 was a case of ‘having too much’ and, thus, was a bit confusing to deal with. Earlier mechanical Canons, (FTb, TL, FX, etc) are truly great SLRs, but with my obsession with making minor repairs on such old beasts, I find that these Canon mechanicals are too over-engineered. Their prism is also prone to fungus problems. Compared with the Pentax Spotmatics, they have twice as many gears, twice as much opportunity to break. Indeed, still with Pentax, I consider the ‘master of simplicity and reliability in consumer SLRs’ to be the predecessors of the Spotmatic: the H1a and SV. Your speaking about the ultra modern film SLRs (like Canon EOS, Nikon N65, N8008, Minolta Maxxum) was very well put. As much experience as I have with this topic, I still cannot understand how they are so maligned and left to rot. I think that the main reason is the fact that batteries for most of these seemingly cost a fortune. There are exceptions: Minolta Maxxum takes AAA batteries and Nikon N8008 (S) takes the ever-present AA batteries) but most take really costly batteries. That said, there are places online where such batteries are rather affordable (I.e., Battery Junction). But, these SLRs are selling for nothing, so people venturing into this area should strongly consider their real worth. Yes, they are ugly and ‘look digital’, but, in most cases, these ultra-modern SLRs will operate on both auto and full manual, and, to boot, have light meters which are better than on most older SLRs. Back in the mid 70s I could walk into a NYC photo store in the Camera District (near Herald Square) and pay 63 cents for a 36-exposure roll of Tri-X. No matter how nostalgic your videos are, or no matter how endearingly they are viewed, the current, outrageous price of film is ruining this party for all of us. The film prices never cease to increase. Foreign operations like FOMA might be the only way to salvage this dilemma, because Ilford, Fuji, and (primarily) Kodak have left the realm of rational pricing. The available consumer grades of color C-41 film are now as expensive as the professional versions were just a few years ago. This, more than anything else, is ruining this love of film photography. - David Lyga

The OM-1 viewfinder is not only extremely bright, it also has huge magnification. An OM-2N was my first camera and I still miss it, although I now use an FM2 and Fujifilm digital cameras.

Olympus OM cameras have a number of interchangeable focusing screens. I have the OM 2n and 2sp from new. They are flawless. Very large viewfinder magnification.

I used the Minolta X-700 which was a great camera. We used it in the Army’s 3rd Armored Division’s Public Affairs Office when I was a photographer for them. I carried two, my own and the one I was assigned. I carried a K-1000 in the cold weather caused the batteries to die on me, which happened in Germany in the winter. It’s the main reason I always have a full manual camera with me when I go out shooting pictures. The full manual one I use now is the FM-10. For a light inexpensive camera it’s surprisingly good. I would recommend it as a beginner camera. Up there with the K-1000.

For years the big weakness of the FM2 was its rather grainy viewfinder, and when the FM3a came out, the ability to put a K3 screen on the FM2 improved the camera a lot! 😎 By the way, the FM3a is probably the best of all! It's the only one with a hybrid shutter, which is all mechanical AND all electronic, and it's the only one produced in the XXIst century, which means that it probably won't need the servicing and repair that 40-50 years old cameras need...

Back in the late 1960s, I purchased a Nikon F 35mm SLR. Later, I purchased an F2, F3, and F4. Today, I still own and use the F2 and F4. The F2 is my favorite manual/mechanical camera. The F4 is my favorite automatic/electronic camera.

Taking me down memory lane. I remember when most of these came out and I them on my wish list.

Very nice list. I own several of them, have used most of them, and have played with all of them at some point. As primarily a Canon shooter since the 70s--and before that, Agfa (yes, an Agfa Karat 36, to be precise, that I STILL use)--it's hard to explain the greater popularity and higher prices of the AE-1 and AE-1P over the A-1. The A-1 has all the features of the other two, plus a better meter, better construction, and a lot more. Much of what we expect from modern cameras today--such as multiple shooting modes, multi-purpose control dials, LED viewfinder info, ergonomics, vertical shutter buttons and instant high-speed mode on motor drives/battery grips, etc.--all originated with the A-1. I can't ding any of your choices, though it would have been nice to see the Canon F-1 among them. Pleasantly surprised to see the FTbQL in there. Oh, and the Nikon FM3A--the last and greatest film SLR from the premier film SLR maker--and that's coming from a lifelong Canon guy.

In this video, I owned the Canon AE-1, AE-1 Program, A-1 and the Nikon FE2. I agree that the AE-1 and the AE-1 Program is overrated but it was considered my first and second film SLR so learning film photography on it was great! After doing more research on both cameras, I stumble on an article about the A-1 and got hooked! Your statement "More camera for your money" is spot on! I then wanted to try something that is not "Canon" and in the end I ended up with the Nikon FE2. The reason why I chose that instead of the FM2 is because I want to be able to take a picture quickly without adjusting things as much (Street Photography). Comparing Canon and Nikon, Nikon seems to be more solid, rugged and reliable! Holding the A-1 feels so different after! There is one underrated camera that you guys miss, the Nikon FA. Basically, an A-1 with Matrix Metering and a faster shutter speed. I'm actually interested in getting it myself or maybe the F3, FM3A. But what is your opinion when it comes to the FA?

It's cool to see how the current film camera trends are evolving...

Great selection and brief explanation of cameras

My go to camera’s are the Pentax Spotmatic and the little MX. they are awesome. I also have a KX. Which is nice too.

Awesome video! I happen to have both of the first and last cameras on the list, in those exact same colors. Woop!

All great 35mm film SLR's. One thing about the older film SLR's (Nikon F series in particular) is the robust build quality they were built to take a beating 'back in the day'. I have a Nikon F with the Ftn prism finder circa 1971 and the thing is literally 'built like a tank'. Very little plastic and compared to later SLR's yes it feels quite heavy you know you have a hunk of camera hanging from your neck. And most of the older film SLR's have that 'substantial feel' that's what I like about them they were built to last.

Fascinating trip down memory lane for me ! I used to own an A1 loved it, but I also really liked the iconic look of the F2 !

Glad to see you included the Canon A1 which some other film camera viewers omit. This was my first SLR film camera purchase.

OM 1 is a beauty, a workhorse which is easy to handle. I had a Leica R4 and bought the OM as an reserve camera. The OM costed 1/4 the price of R4 and the Zuiko lenses were affordable. I handled the Leica with care but not the OM 1. While the OM 1 never failed (still works) the R4 spent most of its time in the service shop. The Leica R7 was equally bad. (I learned that the Leica R series were nothing but Minolta XD 7) Got rid of the Leica/Summicrons and got myself a OM 2n and OM 4T with its legendary F20 flash. After about 35 odd years these OM cameras still work. Zuiko glasses are compact and as good as the Summicrons. The best portrait lens ever is the compact Zuiko 85 f2.

Nice, I got a K1000, a Nikon F3, and a Canon FTB. Love them all for different reasons. I also have an Olympus OM-G that I love. Yay film cameras!

Thanks, Nordic neighbors! Good, and honest reviews. The list could obviously be lengthened greatly, making an hours-long video. I've owned or now own all presented here. My 3rd camera, and 2nd Japanese SLR, was a new Nikon F with the standard prism, circa 1968, After that, I bought a new Nikkormat EL circa 1974, Nikon's 1st with automatic shutter. I also had the opportunity to use a Hasselblad 500 C for over a year, lent by my former construction crew boss. In 1976, I changed to Canon with a new AE-1 with FD 28mm/2.8 SC, via a Canon employee in Japan. After carrying larger and heavier cameras, I really admired their move to quality plastics and more automation, although now I'm nostalgic for metal cameras. In 1978, I upgraded to a Canon A-1 with FD 50mm/1.4 SSC (probably the best overall performing standard vintage lens). In the mid-1980s, I bought a new Nikon EM, which was fine during my more family snapshot period. I kept the EM longer than any other camera and it did its job and was solid and reliable. Now, my top-three vintage 35mm SLRs include the Canon EF Black Beauty, which was ahead of its time, very solid and has the smoothest film advance of any I've tried. Another favorite is the Leica R5, built on a Minolta XD7/11 chassis. It has all the features I desire, but the lenses are way too expensive, so I'm going to sell it. I tried the Nikon FM2n and found that matching needles or diodes is ridiculous (almost got me run over on a side-street) when and F3, FE or FE2 can do that instantly. I even tried a Nikon FM3a, but why pay mega $$, ££ or €€ for the mental assurance that the everything works without batteries? It didn't impress me much. My personal favorite Nikon is the FE, partly because it can mount pre-AI Nikkor lenses. And, what's up with folks using cameras like the Canon AE-1 in some kind of mechanical mode? We who lived through manual cameras, welcomed the sophisticated new electronics technologies, and even lots of plastic. Now, I've narrowed done my collection of lenses to Canon FD (15-500mm). I also have collected a few Contax Zeiss lenses to go with Yashica Yashinon DX lenses I've extracted from dead Electro 35 models. Those are 35mm/1.8 (with funky space-ship artifacts at certain aperture settings), 40mm/1.7 (my favorite walk-around lens, compact), 45mm/1.7 and--probably my best-performing and sharpest, with creamy bokeh--is the 45mm/1.4. So now, I'm trying to decide between Yashica-Tomioka lenses (more "pop") and Canon FD. I don't like having a bunch of gear I don't use, so I'm selling out everything that I don't tend to use. I use them all on my Sony A7r3, and have adapters for almost every mount. Great video and reviews!

My student camera in the 80s was a Yashica FX2. As easy to use as the Pentax but a bit if a beast. It also did not have the range of lenses but what they had was sharp. I recommend the OM-1 to new film users for all the great reasons you give. Thanks for the video have a good Christmas holiday.

I own all 10 on your list- very good choices. In the mechanical realm, one of the most overlooked gems- the Konica auto reflex T3n- probably one of the most satisfying shutters to hear and feel plus the fantastic hexanon glass. Best student camera learning analog photography- the Minolta X-370 hands down. Excellent viewfinder and meter display and also has aperature priority in auto mode. Great little compact camera I reach for all the time when hiking.

I'm using the Yashica FX3 Super 2000. Small compact and easy to use. Full mechanic and reliable.

Actually, the OM-1 did have interchangeable focussing screens. I bought one in 1977 and was fool enough to donate it to a charity shop a few years ago. It was a really nicely engineered little gem. Thanks for the vid! I'm thinking of getting an FE as I'd like to be able to pick up some pre-AI glass.

Nice presentation. I have the AE1 and a couple of nice lenses.I would throw into the mix the Pentax Super A(super program) which is all electronic. I shot many weddings with 3 of these. A beautiful small compact camera.The spotmatics were great and also the rarely mentioned SP1000.

Glad to see the Nikon F, F2, and F3 get some love. They are the only three SLRs I own, which (excluding my phone) represents 75% of all cameras I own (the last camera being a rangefinder). I started photography at 12 years old in 2001, when film was still king, with the F2, which belonged to my dad at the time. I absolutely love that camera, with my only gripe being that the light meter has died a couple of times on it, which is something to be aware of. Anyway, I never made the switch to digital, and the only camera I own with an electronically controlled shutter is my F3. I shoot almost exclusively Tri-X nowadays, although from time to time I’ll shoot E6 when I want color (which doesn’t happen often; my photography style tends to be complimented by black and white). I’m not a big fan of C41 film, since I find it harder to scan, given there’s no positive color reference. As stupid as this is, I also just think the negatives look ugly. I develop black and white myself, but have a local lab develop my E6 rolls. I just have them developed and cut into strips so that I can scan them myself

I have never owned or used a Pentax K1000, however, I still own and use several Pentax Spotmatics. Great camera ! I use it as a backup to my more expensive Nikon and Leica cameras.

Really enjoyed this video, thanks! My top camera is my Minolta XE-7...a magnificent machine with superb build quality! Part Leica, it still works perfectly every time after 40+ years!

For anyone curious about the Zeiss Ikon/Nikon F relationship: The Zeiss Contarex was released during the year prior to the Nikon F, 1958. In 1959 the F basically destroyed it commercially. No doubt Nikon's simpler take on the SLR design influenced it's dominance over the competition. It's true that the Nikon S rangefinders did share a lot of design elements, including the bayonet mount, with the prewar Contax rangefinders (the model shown in the video is a postwar Contax iiia). It's noteworthy, however, that it was the Leica horizontal curtain shutter mechanism that Nikon chose to incorporate into their cameras, the basic design of which is one of the main functional elements that continued through to the F camera line. Not very much contax survived the transition from SP to F, and what remained didn't last long. Yet the Leica style shutter configuration, in electronically governed titanium form, remained in production until the F3 was discontinued in 2001.

Had an FM2 in the '90s and used it for a decade of travel journalism. And in the late e 60s early 70s I had two cameras related to ones you choose here. The Canon TL-QL,cheaper little brother to the FTB. (Couldn't afford the Nikkormat, so the TL had to do.) And a few years later picked up an FTn. All of them great SLRs.

Canon A1 and Olympus OM-1 for me, both beautiful to use and look at 👌🏼😍

Thank you, you told the story of my life! ;)

Glad about the shout for the Spotmatic! I’d argue it’s actually a better camera than the K1000, even with the older Spotty’s only having stop-down metering rather than open-aperture. The only reason I say this is the M42 mount. (Also the Spotmatic is just prettier than the K1000 in my humble biased opinion)

I picked up the canon ae-1 program on offer up. I got it for a steal! I payed $150 for it and it came with the kit lens 50mm f1.8. and two other lenses. It's going to be my camera for my photography class. I plan on getting the Nikon f3 soon as well. Awesome video!

Great 35mm SLR selection. However 36 years ago I bought my 1st SLR, a Minolta X-370, i took every where doing 2 to 3 films a week, after 6 months it got damage by a by stander who felt and their beer hit my camera, I decided to get it repair, meanwhile I bought Minolta X-700m this one had the Manual mode, Aperture mode, and full program mode, nice camera, most of the time I use manual mode or aperture mode, afterward few months later I saw a Minolta X-570 on sale, well I bought it to complete the set, The Minolta X-570 became my main camera, because the easy way to use the internal light metering and my favorite modes. The draw back of those camera you need a battery to operate the camera, however you are still able to get those battery very easily on the market today.

FYI the OM series do have interchangeable focusing screens, even without interchangeable finders.

I have the Contarex I bulls eye, with a 50, 25, and the 21. really heavy camera, and almost zero ergonomic, but I can't help to love it's design, although it didn't build base on user, it's how a self-centred camera dream itself to be.

Nikon F has mirror lockup. The Nikon FM and FM2 lockup the mirror when using the timer. Great feature for astrophotography and telephoto shots.

We used the Pentax k1000 in photography class 7th grade back in 1977. Fine camera

I just picked up a Canon T70. Not because it's the best in any way, but I just love that 80s aesthetic and the super crunchy electronic sounds it makes. And they are very very cheap.

Nice list. No matter what order you made your list it would be correct.

The other extraordinary camera that should be on there is the Nikon FA. The only downside is that not as many were made (but there are still a lot on ebay). It has the look/feel of the FM/FE/FM2/FE2/etc. range, 1/4000 shutter, full manual control - but it also added on some amazing new capabilities - program, shutter, and aperture priority availability, ability to work with AI-S lenses , and the world’s first multi pattern evaluative matrix metering, the system upon which all evaluative metering systems today are built. Most advanced manual focus SLR ever made imo.

Nikon FE2 is my fave

I bought my Spotmatic not because I want to be cool. I love it’s looks and the era it came from. It was made in simpler times when doing things meant you had to invest time in learning how to use it, no instant satisfaction without the work. It’s a design icon, along the lines of old Volkswagens (manual transmission) and Levi’s 501’s (no zipper) It will carry me through the learning process and give me a chance to create images similar to those who used it when it was new, and put my own creativity from what I learn now into film. I love it, it makes me happy, and if we can inspire others from them seeing us use them, and get them interested in them and away from smartphones, surely that’s a good thing.

Very interesting list. It seems like some folks overlooked the fact that these aren’t your personal favorites, but most searched. I have used a few of those cameras, and they all have many fine qualities. As Nico pointed out, it might be a good idea to check out lens prices before committing to a system. Also, at this late date, the best film camera is the one you can get service and parts for in your country. If any camera is used regularly, you will need repairs.

FE is my favourite on which I can use all my old Nikon glass which the FE2 cannot. Aperture priority too. I use my Nikon D300s digital with all my Nikon lenses. That's the beauty of the Nikon F mount. I have an all black F2a. Pentax Spotmatic is a good choice. Pentax lenses are amazing.

Olympus OM1n is a fantastic travel camera.

You CAN change the focusing screens in the Olympus OM1, Nikon FM and FE cameras.

Really enjoyed your in depth discussion on these cameras.Spot on. Yes the Canon FTB was a surprise but I can vouch for it as I have a later model QL than yours with the 55 mm f1.2 breechblock lens.Had an A1 also which is a great camera and so easy to swap modes. My main user camera though was the Nikon F3 which just gets on with the job again and again. Yes the OM1 is not as reliable from my experience but a lovely little one to use nevertheless. Modern digital slr cameras have increased in size and weight and are less fun in my ( humble) opinion.

I used Nikon FM3a. It was dream camera, especially after zenit-19. Unfortunately, nowdays classic photography is too expensive pleasure in Russia. So, now I use Nikon DF. This one reminds me FM3a.

I've 1. Nikon FM2 2. Pentax K1000 and 3. Yashika Electro 35 In running condition.

I use for years in abuzing police CSI works the Exa1a, Zorky, Praktica mtl3, Practica mtl5, Nikon f3, Sony cybershot H2, Nikon D3100. All this in 30 years of service. Retired about one year and 10 days. From al these the Practica mtl5, and Nikon f3 like the most. Use them on the field and in laboratory also. Nikon D3100 was good also, but somehow i not feel it close like the other two.

The SLRs you are showing are all great cameras. Being from that time we had somewhat different reasons for buying some of these. After picking a lens line first we would pick a body behind it. Most new photographers in the past picked a body and had to make do with the lens line for said body. You mixed pro and amateur and some prosumer cameras. Not a bad idea but not for the pro. I see some awesome cameras and my choice is still my Nikon F3 with an MD12 compact motor drive. Nikon made very useful lenses and way back then many Canon Pros always said - great camera but I would like some Nikon glass on it. The Nikon FM and FE2 were usually purchased due to higher flash sync that could make the difference in getting the shot or not. Most of my editorial work required exciting lighting so electronic flash was was used in many shoots. I am dragging studio flash in cases to the job. Even on a plane. The second reason was that backup cameras never needed the same amount of shutter activations. Pro cameras needed a million activations while most others were rated 125 to 250k activations. I started with Olympus OM1 and OM2. Traveling around weight was an issue. Further, the Olympus had by far the brightest viewfinder. Both equiped with motor winders. Oh, we also sold Canon FTL as well as FTB. Different in minor details but the FTb was considered an upgrade. And sadly, the breech lock was later also changed which makes buying used lenses a bit limited. Nice video again guys.

The Canon AE-1 had a design weakness that spoiled important pictures for me, but was remedied by the AE-1 Program. That AE-1 problem was that the shutter speed dial projected over the edge of the camera top plate and was spring loaded to turn most easily, if I remember correctly, toward slower shutter speeds. So in a quick-shoot situation such as a lot of photojournalism, I'd bring my AE-1 to my eye and shoot, thinking it was on 1/250 as I had set it, but it had spun to, say, 1/30. Otherwise I loved them. The AE-1 Programs and A1s had no such problem and were excellent. I was covering some guerillas in rural Asia when we were ambushed. I had to dive behind a rice paddy with the Canons hanging off me, hitting so hard that I cracked the pentaprism housing of the AE-1 Program. The pentaprism was pushed down which made it useless for focusing, but because I needed the body for another type of film, I put my 24mm lens on it and shot by zone focusing. The images were perfect. I do so miss the feel, sound, logic and connection with the old film cameras. Digital cameras have become much more capable, but they do not have the film cameras' presence.

the AE1 Program was my first slr 1987, then Nikon f301 and Nikon FE2, F 90x, then i went to 120... 🙂

Great list but you missed the Olympus OM2 with it's OTF exposure metering. It's battery dependent but exposure metering needs an honorable mention.

Strangely, the only one of your top ten SLRs I haven't shot with is the #1... I'll have to try one. Interesting presentation despite the absence of Minolta or Konica. Ah well, it'll keep 'em cheap. Another consideration in the the Spotmatic/K1000 debate is that the Spotmatic has a self timer and (when the meter is engaged) depth of field preview.( Also I love weird old 42mm Soviet glass.) Finally, I must point out that The FM2 FE2 and Olympus OM1 all have changeable focus screens. Cheers!

Being a Canon user, I still have my AE1 and A1 which were both purchased new back in the day. I don't use them anymore, but can't bear to part with them.

i was able to change the focus from ring to spliton my om1.

Surprised not to see Minolta in there with their XD series. Great performance in a compact form, and great value lenses.

Just to add something to your comments about the Nikon F3HP, there is one caveat to the F3, that being that the exposure memory button has a tandency to snap off internally. When it does, not only is using the exposure memory button difficult (although pushing it in may still work), but it will, literally, fall out of the camera. Nikon modified this after about a year or two of production, and the newer models are less prone to this breakage, but they continued to use a plastic shaft attached to the button, so avoid F3s from the first year or so of production. Other than that, they're absolute tanks. Mine fell when I was ten feet up a ladder. It bounced off the cement floor and landed twenty feet away. Smashed the hell out of the lens, but the body was fine. No damage other than a dinged corner....

Damn, that thumbnail looks good!

Can believe you miss the Minolta X700 along with the MD Rokkor lenses probably the best of the best in 135mm, lots of professional photographers work horse back in the 80's

All three of my SLRs I got from my parents or grandparents are on this list, apparently my family had basic taste in cameras lol. I'm not complaining, I have an OM1-N, Nikon FM2, and the K1000. All are nice and compact, I definitely have my eye on an F2. OM1 is my favorite of the lot that I have tried. The viewfinder is amazing.

I know Canon F-1 & New F-1 are not on this list, but I would love to know which one would you prefer over the other! I'm looking to get my first film camera (have used DSLRs before extensively, though I don't have a lens collection atm.) and been considering those or the Nikon F3. Thank you in advance!

I don’t have any statistics, but I repair and sell cameras in Denmark. I’m pretty sure the Olympus OM10 is the most popular here, every time I put a new on sale it’s gone within a day or two. I have lots of others - Canon, Nikon, Konica, Minolta and others - but the OM10 beats them all.

Hey, I enjoyed that. Good viewing. Thanks for making and sharing this.

The OM 1 comes with interchangeable focusing screen.

The Nikon F has always been my favorite camera of all time.

Highly surprised that there's no minolta camera on the desk especially the x-700. Thank for sharing.

I'm surprised that you didn't include the Pentax ME Super in your top 10 choice.. It was a compact super liked camera around 1980.

Zuiko glass. Are fantastic lenses

i love Minolta X500, X300, x700 and SRT 303b, XE-5

I am surprised there were no Minolta SRTs on this list. At one point, it seemed everyone i knew had a Minolta SRT101 and I still use an SRT201 from time to time. Also, I would replace the Minolta X700 with the X570 as it has a much better metered manual. Good list!

I like my small Nikons until they break, which seems to happen often. I have a dead FM another developing a film advance issue, a dead FE and EM. Wanted a small camera with Nikons Matrix metering and picked up a clean FA off of eBay for $200. Took a test role came out great next time out shoot another role and the shutter comes apart. My old local camera tech passed so I mailed it off, my $200 now has run me $320 to repair hope it holds up. Now my Olympus OM's have held up much better which surprised me , they don't seem to have Nikons build quality.

Could you make a clasation for the top 10 film rangefinders ?

Olympus has interchangable focusing screens and is a exhaustive complete system.

Having worked professionally and co-owned a camera store. The bricks, aka, older Nikon and Canons from the late sixties through 70s were work horses that were so much more reliable than the electronic junk That came later. I still use my FTb and F-1 s today! I preferred Canon glass over Nikon. And like Match needle semi spot meter reading over, to me, slower aperture/shutter Priority gimictry. I guess that's a carry over from my love of medium and large format photography. Keep it simple and more personal control. That and Canon bricks kept on working Longer than other brands. Heavy, yes, but that was great for stability, less camera Shake!

Good video but a lot (perhaps too much ? ) of Canon and Nikon… I thought Minolta was also searched (the first models) because they are simple and very reliable (srt101) and give access to a very good line of cheap lenses (Nikon lenses are not so cheap). Same for Pentax I thought the spomatic would have reached the top 10 too. They are so god looking. Anyway inside this list my favorite are Nikon F2 (the rem you made on the position of the shutter on the F explains why I don t like it I guess), the FE2 and the OM1 (I used to ask my friends who love photography to put their eye on the mo1 or om2 viewfinder and I regularly get a wooooaooo amazing it s so large and clear !!! I also like some other film cameras : Canon new F1 (a beast with the AE prism) , Canon T90 (one of the most technical film machine ever made but killed by the autofocus wave), Nikon F100 , Leica R7 (the nicest shutter speed sound) , the Leica R8 (similar too T90 for me), the Contax RTS2 and the very unknown Contax N1.

Canon were right. Shutter priority is the right priority. I have a Nikon F2, a Nikon FE, a Pentax K1000 and a Pentax Spotmatic. I don't really use 35m since Kodachrome was discontinued. I use a 1957 Yashica Mat with the 75mm Lumaxar f3.5 lens. Medium format is SOO much better

Kinda surprised none of the Minolta SRTs were in the list. There's a ton of them out there and they were awesome (granted, the meter needle stuck often)

As with all "resurgence" markets, we have already missed the boat on SLR cameras. The time to buy was ten years ago, when I considered selling my A-1 but didn't because it was worth almost nothing. Yes, the A-1's have increased in value, but they are still underpriced.

The FM2n and FM still work at -40F. The expedition camera in my opinion.

I noticed you only showed the shutters of the Nikons. Metal shutters are interesting but the rag shutters remain hidden from view unless you have to show the Quick Load feature on the FTb.

I still prefer film! About the only use I have for "Digital Image Capture" is the quick snap-shot with my cell phone! But, for all important images? It's film all the way. But I'm from a Photographer and Photo Studio heritage that started in my family way back in the 19th century. Over 140 years!

Camera hurting shoulders? Lol. I play a 14pounds guitar, come on. But great video. Loved it

What, no Minolta X-700? Great vids., by the way.

I love my Leica r6.2

im on the fence between canon A1 and Nikon F3, which one would u suggest in terms of photography experience?

The OM-1 DOES take interchangeable focusing screens.

Interesting that you failed to mention that the F mount glass from the 70s is forwardly compatible with Nikons DSLRs of today. I still use legacy Nikkors on my D850 and in many respects prefer that in some applications where manual focussing is essential.

More of this please. Rangefinders, medium format, compacts…

for some reason - in videos like this..the Canon EF is ignored.. I really like this camera and.. while it originally took mercury batteries, it has a voltage regulator in it so modern batteries can be used. oh.. the original Canon F1 is sweet as is the Minolta XK

Minolta gang rise up !! I have a x700.. and I want another Minolta.. any recommendations ?

Surprised none of the Nikon FTn series show up on your list!

Great list !!! I own an Olympus om 1 with the 28/f3.5 and the 75-150/ f4. Do you guys have any suggestions for me about another lenses ? Happy new year btw 😁

23:20 The OM-1 does not have an exchangable prism, ok. But the screen is really easy to exchange. Takes less than 2 minutes. You go through the mirror housing instear throught the prism as with Nikon, but it really is not more difficult. Actually since you do not even have to remove the prism, but only the lens, it goes faster than with Nikon‘s pro models.

light camera vs. pressing the release? I prefer a heavy camera or support to get true images, especially at high shutter speed. P-Chi

The OM-1 has interchangeable screens