Camera dossiers
Film camera dossiers
Specs, character, similar models and where to find 30 classic film cameras, grouped by type.
Buying guides
35mm SLR 20 cameras
1982–2001 Nikon FM2 The indestructible student SLR: fully mechanical, 1/4000 top speed and a huge used-lens ecosystem. 1980–2001 Nikon F3 Nikon's pro flagship of the 80s: bulletproof build, superb finder and aperture-priority ease. 1983–1987 Nikon FE2 FM2 toughness with aperture priority and a 1/4000 titanium shutter; the enthusiast sweet spot. 1995– Nikon FM10 Cosina-built budget SLR that takes every F-mount lens; the cheapest way into the Nikon system. 1976–1984 Canon AE-1 The camera that taught a generation: light, simple, shutter priority, and millions were made. 1978–1985 Canon A-1 The first SLR with all four exposure modes; a versatile FD-system workhorse. 1981–1987 Canon AE-1 Program AE-1 with program auto — the easiest of the FD Canons for a first roll. 1972–1979 Olympus OM-1 The compact SLR that shrank the class; a huge, bright finder and jewel-like build. 1975–1984 Olympus OM-2 Pioneering off-the-film metering made long exposures and flash metering remarkably accurate. 1976–1997 Pentax K1000 The archetypal learning camera: only the essentials, and it will outlive you. 1981–1999 Minolta X-700 Program automation and a superb finder made this a best-seller; MD lenses are still great value. 1966–1975 Minolta SRT 101 A heavy, mechanical tank with the smoothest film advance of the era. 1981–1994 Canon New F-1 Canon's pro FD flagship: modular finders, a titanium shutter and near-indestructible build. 1999–2006 Nikon F100 The professional autofocus film SLR that takes every modern F-mount lens; superb value today. 1976–1985 Pentax MX A tiny, fully mechanical pro SLR with a huge bright finder. 1979–1984 Pentax ME Super One of the smallest 35mm SLRs ever made, with aperture-priority ease. 1964–1976 Pentax Spotmatic SP The camera that popularised through-the-lens metering; opens up the vast M42 lens world. 1983–1987 Olympus OM-4 A metering marvel: multi-spot readings and highlight/shadow memory in a compact body. 1977–1984 Minolta XD-11 The first SLR with both aperture and shutter priority; smooth and beautifully built. 1998– Canon EOS 3 A pro autofocus EOS with eye-controlled focus and every EF lens.
Rangefinder 7 cameras
1972–1982 Canon Canonet QL17 GIII The affordable Leica alternative: fast f/1.7 lens, quiet leaf shutter and a proper rangefinder. 1979–1985 Olympus XA A clamshell rangefinder the size of a cassette case, with a genuinely sharp lens. 1995– Mamiya 7 Medium-format rangefinder with some of the sharpest lenses ever made, in a carryable body. 1954–1966 Leica M3 The definitive rangefinder: the finder that set the standard and a feel no modern camera matches. 1984–2002 Leica M6 The classic M with a built-in meter — the working photographer's Leica. 1973– Yashica Electro 35 GSN An aperture-priority rangefinder with a genuinely superb f/1.7 lens. 1996–2005 Contax G2 An autofocus rangefinder with a line of exceptional Zeiss lenses.
Compact / point & shoot 7 cameras
1967–1984 Olympus Trip 35 No battery, no fuss: a selenium-metered zone-focus classic that still takes lovely photos. 1990–1997 Contax T2 Titanium-bodied premium compact with a Zeiss lens and the 'premium point-and-shoot' mystique. 1990– Yashica T4 / T4 Super A cult compact: Zeiss T* lens, weatherproof body, and a following driven by one famous photographer. 1996– Ricoh GR1 The original pocket 28mm snap shooter: sharp, fast and always with you. 1993– Konica Hexar AF A near-silent compact with a superb f/2 lens and a dedicated following. 2001–2005 Contax T3 The last and many say sharpest premium compact, with a titanium shell. 1993– Nikon 35Ti A titanium compact with a beautiful analogue dial top and a very sharp lens.
Medium format 6 cameras
1969– Pentax 6x7 / 67 A medium-format camera that handles like a giant 35mm SLR — legendary for portraits and landscape. 1970– Mamiya RB67 A studio tank with revolving backs and bellows focusing; image quality per dollar is absurd. 1970–1994 Hasselblad 500C/M The modular 6×6 system that went to the moon; Zeiss lenses and swappable backs. 1980– Bronica SQ-A The affordable entry to 6×6 modular systems, with leaf-shutter sync at any speed. 1995– Fujifilm GA645 A medium-format point-and-shoot: autofocus, auto-exposure and a very sharp fixed lens. 1988– Bronica ETRSi A modular 6×4.5 SLR with leaf-shutter lenses and flash sync at every speed.
Twin-lens reflex 4 cameras
1960–1981 Rollei Rolleiflex 2.8F The Rolls-Royce of TLRs: Planar/Xenotar rendering, waist-level composing, silent operation. 1970–1986 Yashica Mat-124G The approachable 6×6 TLR: built-in meter, bright screen and a price that invites experimenting. 1960–1981 Rollei Rolleiflex 3.5F The classic 3.5 TLR: Planar or Xenotar rendering, waist-level composing, silent operation. 1969–1994 Mamiya C330 The interchangeable-lens TLR system, with close-focus bellows and several focal lengths.