Great short, concise review. I have the SL, SL2, and the R7. I have found I love the glass but not the bodies, until I got and used the R8. I was not expecting to like it as much as I have. To me it feels no heavier than the R7 just because of the contours and handling. I am not a big fan of power switches activated by the left hand, but the one on the R8 is the best I have seen or used. To me the viewfinder is the best I have seen and makes manual focusing a real treat. Also, I am pretty sure one of the metering patterns is a matrix type and seems to be very consistently accurate in my use. I got mine as a refurbished unit and it feels brand new to me. Separately got a very lightly used 60mm makro (ROM lens) with the extension tube, and I have never felt a lens focus like this one. To say it focusses smoothly is inadequate. Many fine lenses focus smoothly, but this feels very different when you start manual focus. There is virtually no resistance when the focus ring is turned. Any other lens I have used (I have more than a few) exhibit the slightest resistance and then it reduces as the ring moves. This 60 mm unit has virtually none of this. I do not know how better to describe the phenomenon. Truly in a class by itself. This body/lens combination just always has me itching to shoot some film. The other bodies will be traded in to make room for a 2nd R8 body in the near future.

I’m still unsure what to do when I’ve used up the film. I just carry on winding? Which will roll the film all the way up, then I just take it out and take it to be developed? Nothing else to do? Then does the empty spool left in the camera come from the film till I just used? I don’t get how the spools work 😂

Great video! Soon will be on the Hasselblad boat. Can't wait. Haven't felt this excited since starting out in photography.

I was heavily involved with film photography back in 1969 through 1971 as a photojournalist and photo editor for my college newspaper. Back then I used Nikon F Photomics that belonged to the newspaper, and I learned many of the tricks of shooting manual cameras. I've been away from film for many years now: I recently bought a Nikon F2 Photomic body to go along with a Nikkormat FTN and five Nikkor prime lenses I bought within the past six weeks or so. Just handling a manual camera again is a real joy: I've been concentrating on the Nikkormat, which I bought it first, but I'm looking forward to shooting with the F2.

Hi Jonathan, great video. I’ve just purchased the original 645 from eBay. I’ve just got camera yesterday and alls great with apart from taking off and putting back the lens is ridiculous tight. So much so that I’m going to damage my hand! Have you come across this problem and might it be the body mount or lens that could be the problem? Thanks.

My 500c I can't crank it and press the shutter. When there is no film inside the back Is this normal or is it broken?

Finally a complete explanation, thank you so much

Really? this is the first that i learn that fungus can be present on our camera sensor. I hope this will never happen on my camera. I always clean my camera sensor on maintaining and I use the Sensor Swab kit and the Hepa Orbit Blower plus the eclipse solution by Photographic Solutions. Thier products are the best on cleaning your camera sensor safely and effectively. Recommended by professionals I have been using it myself for years. Prevention is the key for keeping our sensor clean.

Nice. I recently got one quite "cheap" in near mint condition, after thinking about getting a Leica M6, but hearing again and again that this is basically the perfect mechanical SLR. It's less than a third of the cost of an M6 and the lenses are much cheaper as well. The camera feels super, super nice, very close to Leica in regards to build quality and it's so intuitive to use.

Hey, cool video! I just got the Leica iic (basically same as yours). What are some cheap good options for lenses? I’m hoping to spend less than $100. Thanks :)

Just bought a nice RZ tonight which seems to work fine but didn't come with a manual. So your video was very helpful indeed. Thanks for taking the time to make it!

I have a Canon 1D MKIII. Bought for £164 in 2017 with a stated shutter count of 400,000. I've relentlessly used this camera for running, wildlife and event snapping and the current shutter count is just shy of 3 million now. I have never personally encountered anyone else with a shutter count this high. Closest was a Nikon D3S, which blew its original shutter at 2.7m clicks.

What does the silver button do by the waist level finder?

would the CPL work on the viso flex?

What is the real-life shutter count expectancy of the Nikon D850 beyond its 200 000 designed shutter?

Thank you for posting this. I have zero experience with photography except for cell phones and point and shoot cameras. I just bought my first one. I would definitely have stored it in my closet in the camera bag if I hadn't seen this video!

For street photography, the FM3a and the Olympus OMs are very hard to beat.

These cameras are very clever with all the swiss watch like bells and whistles. I have an original 500C which I use with the 'NONS' instax square film back as well as the original magazines 12 and 16. I use an external light meter on the side shoe which is a pain. I'd like to get a metered prism, the problem is that most wouldn't fit around the NONS instax back, which has a corner that rises up 1cm or so into the area where the viewfinders extend over the magazine. The NC2 prism for instance doesn't quite fit, though an HC-4 certainly would. I'm very curious about the original PME viewfinder, my next problem is whether they will work with the original 500C screen, since many apparently require the acute matte.

These cameras (Mamiya C33) were used by Diane Arbus' as her main portrait/street camera. It's also my favorite camera of all time for everything in the 6x6 format.

Always wanted to get a Plaubel Makina 670, but the Mamiya 7 is very appealing. My concern is that the Mamiya 7 (as you said in the video) might not be fixable in the future. Would the Makina be a better long term investment as its mechanical?

Thank-You, thank-you, thank-you. I will take delivery of my 1st 500C/M this week and my 60mm Distagon T* is coming as well. This video saved me a lot of trouble and startup issues. I've subscribed and will be viewing everything 500CM while waiting for my new equipment to be delivered! Very excited to get my first Hasselblad!!

I know there's a very rare model called IIId,but why there's not a model called IIIe,I can't find any information about leica IIIe

I have one since 2011, and got replaced the shutter in 2018, and then Canon told me that its stopping suporting these, so yes, 10 years of support. Amazing camera, and it has this magic image quality :-)

There are companies that use reconditioned part to repair these cameras they are not cheap.

Maegan Branch

When you shoot it at 1/500s does the camera not use the battery at all?

Been really enjoying your videos and find them to be very informative. I'm currently looking for the toughest Nikon 35mm body that has a reliable lightmeter - what do you reckon would be a good bet? Need to be able to survive being put in a bag thats constantly being banged around and sat on (not ideal, I know). Been looking at the FM2n but not sure if it would be a step down in durability compared to something like an F2. Thanks

I still have mine that I bought new in the 80's. Great camera. Works fine. When photography was fun. Nothing else to think about. Just shoot and have fun!!!

Hello Jonathan. Nice video. I own a C330-S and a C220-F. On my C220-F, the focusing rack (rack and pinion?) is too loose. The lens board does not stay in place unless I hold the focusing knob steady after focusing. Is there a way to tighten up the friction on the C220-F focusing mechanism? Thanks, Steve (New York).

Great explanation

Can't disagree with you. I purchased my 1979 Nikon F2A new in Japan. It is my baby and is still with me. Hundreds of rolls went through that camera, and it still looks almost as new as the day I bought it. Never failed me. But due to the expense of film/processing, I moved into the digital world with wonderful Sony digital mirrorless cameras. Getting all the attention now is my aging but excellent Sony A7R3, a photographers dream camera.

I have owned the 503 CXi and now shoot the 503 CW. All these models are just brilliant.

Hi, I've found a leica iiic of Facebook Marketplace and theyre asking $200 usd for it HOWEVER the lens has a little bit of fungus in it.... It seemes to be a 1946-47 model from what I've researched based off of it's serial number. How much of a red flag is fungus? Would it permanently ruin the glass? Can it be cleaned out? It also has an OKARO contrast filter on it, i dont exactly know what that is, but it comes with it. I just wnated to ask if its worth buying as I'd love to own a Leica, and this sounds great to me, as a budget option.. It has the Leitz Elmar 5cm f3.5 on it and comes with a case. The only issue being the fungus. Would you advise buying it then sending it for a CLA and hoping they can get rid of the fungus, or just staying clear of it and saving up a bit longer for a better camera?

With the release of the X2D, I was able to get an excellent plus X1D II for basically $5000 less. Also picked up the 45 P and the 3.2 90mm and still had change left over. I am that deliberate shooter who appreciates what this camera offers and I absolutely love the color coming from it. I tell people, No drive by shooters need apply. 🙂

how much click is still oke to buy ?

Thanks for the information

This a great and informative video! Thank you.

Very informative.

I’m still intimidated by this camera (which was inherited; I don’t even know if it works). Is there a way to set it up to mimic the expected performance of a disposable 35mm camera, just so I can run through a roll of film and figure out if it takes photos or not?

Thank you for the video, I'm currently looking into buying an M7, what's the difference in checking the M7? Do you have to worry about wrong shutter times with electronic shutters? Are there any aspects you have to look at especially with the M7? Thanks in advance :)

I love this camera ... Beautiful Piece of hardware ... It produces beautiful images ❤😊

Been shooting Nikon since 1968,, I am getting older and have been shooting Nikon Z Cameras for 5 years now and needed a refresher (Well Done) I still have My first Nikon F,, and of course everything after n the lenses,, Glad I kept them.... ThankYou :) :) :)

While it is a shame that camera electronics fail, being unable to continue using some excellent lenses would be worse.

Very useful and interesting video! I purchased a used example from Calumet Camera (USA) in the mid-1990s but cost of lenses and backs forced me to reconsider and trade it back in for a Mamiya RZ67 which I still own. I did buy a Kiev 88 as an alternative and have been satisfied with that camera. The Hasselblad cover I bought to protect the shutter on my 2000FC fits perfectly on the Kiev 88. While I know obtaining repairs on Kiev products is most likely impossible due to the war in Ukraine, I cannot help but wonder if obtaining parts and repair for damaged Hasselblad focal plane shutter bodies is nearly as difficult.

OMG Thank you!! I just pulled my 500 out of storage and was trying to remember all the settings, fiddling around, etc and got the lens jammed. The 2nd trick (through the body) worked perfectly!

Very helpful. First time loading and was afraid I’d break something. Thanks.

Is there a video on how to load the film please?

I wanted to get into manual photography, and reason i got my first fujifilm x-t20, was because its very similar to old school slr's, with analog dials/controls on the body. It's the best camera ive ever owned!

Thank you Jonathan, great video as usual. How do you compare this to the 3.5T. I have the T version (in Grey) with great working condition, but I am thinking of getting the 3.5 for its Planar lens. Thanks!

Hi there, I just loaded in film just like you said but my back never stopped and it just kept rolling through all the numbers. Do you think the camera is broken?