Recommend me a……..

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Fully mechanical slr. No electronics apart from a battery for a meter(preferably a battery that is still readily available). All of my current bodies are now dead, most due to electrical problems.
Needs to be fairly bombproof and not really more than £100 with a lens included. It’s going in my work van, so not expensive.
I’ve got a remaining praktica mtl5b that still works but fancy something else too. It was cheap but I’m sort of attached to it and don’t want to get it stolen or drop it from the van!

May also consider a small rangefinder if it’s a reliable one but would prefer a fully mechanical slr. Fancied another Yashica electro but the last one died, yes electrics again.

If any members have anything available, happy to know what you have. We could arrange to pop it into classifieds.
 
GeeJay57 said:
I’d try to find a Pentax MX. Have no idea whether or not you can get one with lens for less than £100 though.
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I’ve seen a few on eBay with a lens around £100-£150. Most have some fault or the usual ‘not tested’, which from experience means they don’t work.
 
Since you already have an M42 mount body, I'd be tempted to stick with that and look for a Pentax Spotmatic - or even earlier body. LOTS of lenses available for that mount.
 
My Yashica FX3 and 124G and Canonet QL17 are all mechanical cameras.

I do have a 'spare' Yashica FR1 but it needs light seals and although it winds on correctly for each frame, when it gets to the end of a roll it just keeps winding/ shooting so the last frame ends up being more than just a double exposure :ROFLMAO:
 
Another suggestion for the mix.

Zeiss Icarex 35S or CS. Both are fully manual with an electronic light meter. The meter takes a Weincell MRB625 . The battery is currently available and any meter faults can usually be fixed easily. The cameras were designed by Voigtlander before Zeiss bought them out. They are available with two lens mounts. The TM version has an M42 mount giving access to many inexpensive good quality lenses from various makers. The BM version has a Voigtlander bayonet mount. The Voigtlander lenses are top notch and cheap, but only readily available in 35mm, 50mm & 135mm.

It is a big, heavy, well made camera and cheaper than the Pentax, Olympus and Nikon manual cameras.
 
Nod said:
Since you already have an M42 mount body, I'd be tempted to stick with that and look for a Pentax Spotmatic - or even earlier body. LOTS of lenses available for that mount.
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That’s great thinking. I do have a broken spotmatic in a cupboard at work though. Don’t really mind trying something else.

LeeRatters said:
My Yashica FX3 and 124G and Canonet QL17 are all mechanical cameras.

I do have a 'spare' Yashica FR1 but it needs light seals and although it winds on correctly for each frame, when it gets to the end of a roll it just keeps winding/ shooting so the last frame ends up being more than just a double exposure :ROFLMAO:
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Got an fx3 on watch but I think the battery cover is missing. Only had a quick check on my phone this morning when toying with the idea. Would like a 124g



I did order a new Kodak snapic a1 to pop in my glove box but it never arrived and had to get PayPal get the money back!
 
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Clive K said:
Another suggestion for the mix.

Zeiss Icarex 35S or CS. Both are fully manual with an electronic light meter. The meter takes a Weincell MRB625 . The battery is currently available and any meter faults can usually be fixed easily. The cameras were designed by Voigtlander before Zeiss bought them out. They are available with two lens mounts. The TM version has an M42 mount giving access to many inexpensive good quality lenses from various makers. The BM version has a Voigtlander bayonet mount. The Voigtlander lenses are top notch and cheap, but only readily available in 35mm, 50mm & 135mm.

It is a big, heavy, well made camera and cheaper than the Pentax, Olympus and Nikon manual cameras.
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Like those, a bit different from the normal usual ones I’ve had or looked at(y)
 
I have a Yashica Electro I would let go,

Fully cased full kit with the the two additional lenses, tele and wide angle all very good condition and tested working ( some photos have been posted on here )

I cannot get get on with rangefinder, "Have you took the lens cap off" ha ha
 
I have my dad’s old Spotmatic at home. Was definitely working last time it was used.

Although that was a while ago.

I am away from home for a few days. I can dig it out when I get home
 
srichards said:
Does the camera get left in the van in all temperatures?
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Yes, that’s one reason why I didn’t want any electrical parts inside or batteries etc.
The film handles the cold but the cameras don’t. When I’ve dismantled broken cameras, the wiring and connections all look corroded even when they’re not in the van. Suppose thats the joy of buying 50 year old gear!
 
Thanks for the offers etc. above.

I’ll let you all know but I’ve just bought a zenit b. Absolutely zero batteries, I’ve always got my phone on me at work so can meter or just guess!
Was looking at a zenith e but trying to avoid any electrics.

Looks like a brick and almost as old as me.
 
As you have the M42 lenses, you might consider a Pentax SV. Tough, totally mechanical, relatively small and light.

Last time I looked, they seemed to be going for £50 - £70...

Pentax SV in half ever ready case.JPG
 
Pentax kX or try a Canon T70 (not mechanical)....why? well so cheap and fantastic non pro camera for the price, and with features like safety shift helps to get exposures right if you can't be bothered to set fstop and shutter speed. I used two for about 15 years and it's my most used camera.
 
Cheers chaps. Still glad of recommendations.

With my buying track record, I’ll be looking for another once (if) this zenit arrives broken.
 
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