Vintage Film Cameras That Are Hard to Top, Even Today
And the good news is they are all available on the secondhand market
As Ricoh and others continue to explore the feasibility of building film cameras again, there are still plenty of great analog devices available on the secondhand market.
I’ve spent years testing and repairing 35mm cameras for TheFilmCameraShop I run. And there have been standouts that have impressed me from the sophisticated Contax ST, to the effervescent Olympus OM-10, to the all-mechanical Yashica FX-3 Super 2000.
You might enjoy reading about these gems from the past that are still very capable today. Each, in their own way, add a little extra joy to the art of photography.
Contax ST
Possibly the most solid camera Kyocera has ever produced, the Contax ST features top and bottom brass alloy covers, an integrated 3 fps motor drive powered by 4 AAA batteries, a top shutter speed of 1/6000th of a second (in Program mode), 95% field of view optical viewfinder, both spot and center-weighted metering, and four exposure modes.
I remember the guy that I bought it from said, “You could pound nails with this camera.” He’s right. The Contax ST is the definition of solid.
It accepts both Carl Zeiss and Yashica manual focus lenses. My favorite optic on the ST is the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28mm-70mm f/3.5–4.5 MM. This is a good time to note that if you want Program and Shutter Priority exposure modes, you’ll need the Carl Zeiss MM optics. Otherwise, your options are Aperture Priority and Manual exposure modes.
The Contax ST also has a secret power. It includes a data back that can imprint in-between frames. Very impressive. And truly confidence-inspiring to shoot with.
Olympus OM-10
I’ve owned many Olympus cameras over the years, but the one that I keep going back to is the OM-10 with a manual exposure adapter. Ironically, it’s the consumer model for everyday snapshooters. But I think it’s also the most fun to take pictures with.
In terms of build, it’s light. The OM-10 feels about half the weight of the Contax ST, and it’s more compact as well. When I mount the pancake 40mm f/2 on it, I have a super-nimble tandem that fits easily in my jacket pocket.
If you let the camera just do its thing in Aperture Priority mode, the TTL Direct (off-the-film) exposure system is incredibly accurate. This makes the OM10 a great camera for travel and street photography.
The best versions of these cameras are ones that have a solid On/Off lever on the left side of the top deck. The battery check and self-timer options are here as well. If you can, test this lever before buying to ensure that there’s good resistance as you move it from position to position. I’ve seen it get a little loose. All the options still work, but I don’t like it when the switch slides too easily.
I do like the optional manual exposure adapter. Even though I take most pictures in Aperture Priority mode, it’s convenient to have the ability to set the shutter speed in certain situations. Plus, I think it looks kinda cool.
Pentax LX
This camera was on my radar for years, and I finally got my hands on one. I’m never letting go.
The LX has practically everything a film camera geek could want. It’s super compact, yet has a nice heft to it. The pro-oriented body features an interchangeable finder that has some crazy accessory options including a waist-level finder, an action eyepiece, and a magni eyepiece with focusing-type diopter correction from -4.4 to + 3.5.
The metering system is excellent with Aperture Priority and electronically-controlled shutter speeds up to 1/2000th of a second. But, if the button batteries fail, you can keep shooting in full mechanical mode from 1/2000th to 1/125th of a second. That means fully mechanical operation at 1/125th, 1/250th, 1/500th, 1/1000th, and 1/2000th of a second. And if the batteries are working, you can set the shutter to an incredibly long 4 seconds.
The multi-function lever on the front controls the self-timer, depth of field preview, and mirror lockup. If you want to get creative with multiple exposures, no problem.
You can arrange the straps for the camera to orient horizontally or vertically. Or if you wish, add one of its available accessory grips (as shown in the picture).
The LX does have one potential flaw, the mirror mechanism can get a bit laggy and stick in the down position. Mine had that for a while, and my solution was to use the front lever to enable mirror-up the first time before shooting. That sort of warmed it up. After that, it worked great. Now, with years of regular use, it doesn’t stick at all. But it’s something to test if you have your eye on one.
Finally, two minor features that I think are nice touches. First, the exposure counter advances forward each time you take a picture and recock the shutter with the wind lever. You would expect that. But, the counter also moves backward while rewinding the film. Crazy! Plus the shutter button has a locking ring to prevent accidental exposures when the camera is packed.
The LX is incredible, and if you find one in good shape, it’s a very satisfying camera.
Nikon N2020
Why this camera isn’t more popular with film enthusiasts is beyond me. The Nikon N2020 is marketed as an AF camera, which it does quite well. But I think the N2020 really shines with manual lenses using its outstanding focus assist system. In this mode, the LEDs in the viewfinder tell you when the subject is in focus. And if it isn’t in focus, they indicate which way to turn the lens ring for a sharp rendering. The system is easy to use and brilliant.
The N2020 features two Program exposure modes, Aperture Priority, and Manual Exposure, all with a top shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second. The viewfinder is bright and supports interchangeable screens.
The integrated motor drive is powered by 4 AAA batteries. If you want more juice, use the optional MB-3 battery holder that accommodates AA cells, yet maintains the sleek look of the camera.
I shoot most of the time with manual focus lenses on the N2020, my favorite being the Nikon Series E 35mm f/2.5 that supports programmed exposure.
The only problem I’ve had with any of the N2020s is when the previous owner let the batteries leak inside the bottom compartment. I use white vinegar on a Q-tip to clean everything. Usually, a few minutes later, the N2020 is back doing its thing… taking great pictures.
There are a couple of accessories worth mentioning. There are two interchangeable finder screens: clear matte/fresnel with focusing brackets plus grid, and clear matte/fresnel with microprism. Also, Nikon made an autofocus converter, the TC-16A, that converts many of its manual focusing lenses to AF. Since the N2020’s AF is slow by today’s standards, I’m not sold on the value of the TC-16A. But it is a clever addition to a very smart film camera.
Yashica FX-3 Super 2000
This is about as simple as a modern film camera gets, yet it features a fast 1/2000th of a second top exposure, excellent built-in meter, mirror lock-up via the self-timer, and it accepts both Yashica bayonet mount and Carl Zeiss optics.
The shutter mechanism is fully mechanical. So all shutter speeds work even when the batteries are drained, ensuring that you’ll always be able to get the shot.
And finally, the FX-3 Super 2000 is a handsome camera, compact, and light. No wonder so many travel and street photographers have one in their collection.
Final Thoughts
Other film cameras get more press — Nikon FM2, Pentax K1000, and Olympus OM-2n, to name a few. But I’ve had good fortune with these five models, not only for my personal use, but in TheFilmCameraShop as well.
If you bump into any of them, give ’em a serious look. I’m pretty sure you’ll be happy with the results.
Just have to throw in the Nikon FM3A . . . sorry!
The OMs were top cameras but that 40mm pancake ain’t cheap nowadays.