Help me choose!!

[hieoctane]

So, I'm relatively new to this forum and film cameras itself so I was wondering if you guys would help me decide on a camera. The choices are:

Olympus OM-1
Olympus OM-1
Pentax Spotmatic
Konica Autoreflex
Yashica FX3
Minolta SRT-101

If you guys could, please do give me details on why you think one is better than the other. I'm trying to get as much input and opinions as possible to make the best choice. Thanks guys!

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Minolta SRT (101 or other) built like a tank and gives you access to Minolta's beautiful lenses.

Here is a nice little article about them: Photoethnography.com - Classic Cameras

 

[hieoctane]

hm..interesting article. anyone else?

 

[c.cloudwalker]

I guess if you don't mention Nikon or Canon, there's not much interest.

I'm a Minolta user with two 202s and an XD-11 because I liked their lenses. My original camera, a 101 was blown up by a grenade... you can't really blame Minolta for that.

Pentax had some very decent lenses and the K-1000 was also built like a tank. I gave one to my sister, not a photographer, about 22-23 years ago and it still works fine. But I don't remember the Spotmatic.

I remember thinking the Olympus OM-1 was too fragile but I don't remember why. Sorry, I'm an older guy.

All I remember of Yashika are their 120 dual lens cameras. Cheap medium format cameras that weren't bad but nothing to write home about.

Konica???? No the slightest idea what to tell you about them. I only know them as the people who bought Minolta and, to me, that was basically the end of Minolta. Minolta-Konica disappeared soon there after.

 

[SonnarSphere]

My original camera, a 101 was blown up by a grenade...

"...savages"

 

[SonnarSphere]

maybe choose the minolta. but check for funny shrapnel marks ...you never know where its been. minolta optics can be very good.:thumbup:

 

[christopher walrath]

I have been using the Minolta sr- and X- series cameras for over twenty years now and I have been pleased with every single one I have used. From your list I would suggest the sr-T101. Given the choice of the series, it would be that, the XD-11 or the X700. And glass is a dime a pound on eBay. MD/MC mount lenses go on these cameras.