Comparing Classic Pro Cameras from the 80's

[@flowermaze___]

Dream lineup. I’ve owned the LX, the F3hp & now the New F1 - it’s been fun to try them so far, all have their charms. I’m enjoying the match needle finder of the F1, auto mode and prism style. The viewfinder is huge and the waist level view without the prism is great, and the build quality is robust. A classic indeed!

[@cameraprepper7938]

I agree, the match needle metering system are far better than the Nikon F3 metering system, I have both the Canon New F-1 and Nikon F3.

[@VasylDiakonov]

@@cameraprepper7938 to be honest, LCD screen of the Nikon F3 is a step back in usability from the Nikon FE/FE2 needles (very visual, intuitive, good for daylight), or FM/FM2 LEDs (bright enough) for Manual or even the simple FG LEDs (like on Olympus OM-1 or Pentax LX) . Suprisingly, the best overall shutter speed scales are on consumer Olympus OM-20 ... OM-40 when you have a LEDs that shine through the shutter speed numbers. It's easy to see during the daytime and at night, does not need additional illumination like LCDs on Olympus OM-2SP, OM-4, Nikon F3, FA, Pentax Super Program...

[@fezzes428]

you need to do this with multiple generations, this concept makes for a really interesting and entertaining video

[@GTP2-zg9tn]

I use to own the Pentax LX, these cameras also offered Film Winders, Motor Drives and best of all Bulk Film Backs too. So hundreds of exposures could be shot without a reload. High speed events were a breeze to shoot with a Bulk Film back.

[@dukenukem5768]

@9:40, the grip is of course an optional extra. It fits over the strap attachment point on that side, which otherwise can be used for a strap rigged in the more conventional way.

[@lucadipaolo1997]

Zuiko lenses really were something else. And that shutter speed ring just makes the OM cameras my favorites.

[@cameraprepper7938]

The shutter ring are fine on the OM-1. OM-2 and OM-2 S/P, but on OM-3/OM-3Ti and OM-4/OM-4Ti you have to tip the Camera much more backwards, so I do not like that new design of the pentaprism.

[@thomasfeimer1706]

@@cameraprepper7938 The OM-3/OM-3Ti and OM-4/OM-4Ti display shutter speed in the viewfinder, so you really don't need to look at the shutter speed ring.

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@thomasfeimer1706 I always look at the aperture ring and shutter when I pick up the camera from my bag, much faster !

[@xavierbrenner6219]

I love the big chunky finder on that X-1.

[@jeli3953]

Taking off the F3's prism is a lot easier and more secure if you do it with the front of the camera away from you. Whether done right- or left- handed, the method is the same: place your thumb next to the viewfinder (left of it if right-handed, right of it if left-handed), with index finger on one release catch and middle finger on the other. Pull back with the fingers and lift off the finder.

[@monochromebluess]

Great video discussing these professional cameras. Love the Pentax LX.

[@jimwlouavl]

What a trip down memory lane. I had a Canon A-1 at the time and dreamed of being a pro and having one of these.

[@wayneyung1262]

Minolta X-1 was introduced in early 70’s, which was the 1st pro grade electronic camera. Way earlier than Nikon F3/ Canon New F1. When launched, X-1 was too expensive as compared to Nikon F2 and Canon F1. In early 80’s Minolta announced she withdrew the pro line cameras from the market since the sale of X-1 / X-K was not good at all.

[@flyingo]

I’m enjoying the grips I bought from you a year or two ago sir! I’d love to see a KZbin video about them as they are quite remarkable!

[@wayneyung1262]

@@flyingo You meant the grip for Vintage Nikon cameras?

[@flyingo]

@@wayneyung1262 yes! I think I’d like to get a few more from you, if you are still making them. We can talk on facebook.

[@wayneyung1262]

@@flyingo Sure!

[@cameraprepper7938]

I have heard from several pro photographers that they had problems with the X-1/XM/XK, I think Minolta withdraw the production because there was much to many expensive repairs on the X-1/XM/XK model. In the late 1970´s and early 1980´s Minolta Cameras was expensive in Europe, I had a Minolta XG-1 /crap !) which I wanted to upgrade to Minolta XD-7 which are a very good Camera (basis for the Leica R4 !), but it was too expensive, so I got a Nikon FE which was cheaper.

[@jeffst.ongephotography1239]

I love the OM cameras. I have an OM 1, OM 2n and OM 4TI, but the 4TI is not working locked up.

[@dukenukem5768]

When I bought my first SLR in the 1980s I was almost persuaded by someone to buy Olympus, until I saw the weird position of the aperture ring, so I went for Pentax. Glad I did because when I later got an LX it showed aperture as well as speed in the viewfinder via a Judas window, something impossible with the OM series. I think Olympus were put in the professional catagory as a result of publicity using Lord Lichfield and David Bailey.

[@daveed4475]

I’m fortunate to own a mint, fully functioning XK. I don’t use it much lately, so I will probably sell it. It’s too great to just sit.

[@musictown01]

Really for a much better comparison, I would have chosen the Minolta XD-11. It was marketed as there professional grade after the XE-7, which attempted to replace the X-1. The XD-11 was one of the best Minolta ever made.

[@VasylDiakonov]

Yes, it was a more modern camera with the aperture priority, shutter priority, program-ish mode (shutter speed may change in S-mode if needed). Unfortunately, electronics was somewhat fragile 😞

[@musictown01]

@@VasylDiakonov I’m still shooting with mine, but I am definitely lucky. Very tricky electrical issues with a number of them, similar to the Pentax LX

[@anaisfaraj]

Contax at this time was also Japanese (Yashica then later Kyocera)

[@dukenukem5768]

Yes, Contax was effectively Yashica's top end.

[@jeli3953]

Your LX has the unusual shutter dial, with the the flat, conventionally colored numerals. Most LX's have raised, all silver colored numerals.

[@plesio2830]

very nice introduce video I learn a lot about pro camera from 80's thank you very much

[@flyingo]

Wow. I had a hunch back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s and bought quite a few of each of these because people were flocking to digital and selling their film cameras very cheaply. I haven’t really checked on how much they are selling for lately, but the most I spent on any of them was about $150 for one of my 5 or 6 Nikon F3 models. I guess I’m sitting on my retirement if they’re going for $250 and up now!

[@CwPlatapuZ]

If you have any canon FD lenses you'd sell, lmk!

[@flyingo]

@@CwPlatapuZ , yes indeed. I do have quite a few. But.. they’re in my fairly unorganized basement at the moment, so it will take a while for me to pull them out and make sure they are still in great condition.

[@androoy.p]

I can speak from experience about Canon f-1n, but I believe Nikon f-3 is very similar in most regards. These cameras were really designed for a professional use. So if you don't plan on taking them to the moon or something crazy like that, it's not worth carying these bricks around 😅 Just a couple of days ago I got the om-4ti and it's a thing of beauty: lightweight, very ergonomic with it's shutter speed dial on the front and the spotmeter! Also lenses are much more enjoyable to handle then Canon's new fd plastic nighmare 😏 For me, weight, size and build quality are prime factors that determine if I want to actually take the camera when I go out. So for actually taking pictures Olympus om-4, and I guess Pentax lx, are miles ahead.

[@jimpurcell]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@blopin2002]

The OM-4Ti is a pedigree on its own. It may not be the most rugged and it’s shutter dial placement may dog some people. But God, it’s metering and flash system is light years ahead of any camera I’ve used.

[@anta40]

Minolta X-1/XM/XK was Minolta's answer to Nikon F2, yes? Perhaps not a rare camera per se, but not something I see everyday, at least compared to another Minoltas like SRT101 or XD7 or X700. Hmm need to put one on my todo list :)

[@jeli3953]

The LX sticking mirror problem is caused by deteriorated bumpers that the mirror rests on. Those have to be replaced.

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

Unfortunately, even with new bumpers the mirror can still stick.

[@dukenukem5768]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 Never heard of that. It is almost a routine thing for LX owners to have the bumpers replaced at some point in its life. Perhaps if the repairer fails to remove the residual stickiness, because the stickiness is simply the old deteriorated rubber residue.

[@ShutterKnack]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 just peal the leatherette and clean the mirror mechanism but only if a spray of alcohol through the opening on the aperture lever doesn't work. It's crazy easy to fix..

[@stefoboss998]

What would be better in your opinion, the new canon f1 (80’s) or the original canon f1 (70’s).

[@sclogse1]

Do you have any connection with Vintage Optix?

[@anandarochisha]

Good job..

[@jeffg.8964]

Canon new F-1 is a classic.

[@terencemorrissey4413]

I prefer the Nikon since you can use the high end Zeiss Otus lenses.

[@JS52ATS]

I had an OM4-Ti for about three years. Lovely camera. The lenses are brilliant, the body’s are just lacking in sone quality. I love the camera, but, on mine, the shutter speed ring was constantly sticky. I swapped to an F3/T recently and absolutely love it. Second hand lenses often need service, but that’s easier than servicing the entire body. Still have some Zukio glass though.

[@jw48335]

Nothing beats the "Laser Matte Spot" focus screen on the New F1. It took me forever to find that screen, and for manual shooting it is amazing. That, along with the nFD 50mm 1.2 and nFD 50-135 3.5 is my favorite. The LX is a wonderful camera, but I've had two die due to electronics, so I'm sticking with the Canon. The shutter ring on the Oly? No bueno. The LED on the F3? Yuck. The Minolta? That dumb meter activation grip, nope on that. Great comparison sir!

[@Uwe_Ludolf]

I think the Minolta does not really belong in this list. To me it looks like the Nikon F2, a 70's camera. I own a Pentax LX and since a couple of days a F2. The LX feels like a much more finished camera, easier to handle. I bought the F2 because it was so cheap, I already have a nice collection of Canon FD and Pentax glass, I don't want a third system, although I think the F3 is one of the most beautiful cameras.

[@dukenukem5768]

The Minolta belongs because it was made into the early 80's and it ticked the "professional" boxes of exchangeable viewfinders (which the Olympus does not), and motor drive (at least the motor drive version). It does look very clunky though.

[@punkrachmaninoff]

I would take my trusty Ricoh X-R7 over these anytime.

[@thomasfeimer1706]

I have tried that Ricoh. A really nice, well made, fully featured, capable camera. You can get some fantastic pictures with one. And K-mount compatability is certainly a plus. But build quality on the Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and Olympus cameras here (never seen the Minolta up close) is just on a whole other level. Particularly the Nikons. The jokes about being able to hammer a nail into a 2X4 with one almost aren't jokes.

[@Gma7788]

Yeah, we know. They've all been DISOWNED. But they're surviving better than the owners. So don't worry about the cameras. It's the photographers and owners that have 99% of the problems. 50% of the owners and photographers have broken down beyond repair and have died. So ✋️ stop worrying about the cameras and start focusing on the idiots making the misleading information videos.

[@cameraprepper7938]

I have Canon New F-1, Nikon F3 and Olympus OM-1. The best ever made analog 35mm Camera are the Canon New F-1 !!! I disagree with you, it is easier to use the Canon both in manual and in automatic mode ! I do NOT like the metering system in Nikon, the Nikon focuses "the wrong way around" and Nikon only have one mechanical shutter, the Canon Lenses have an overall better optical images quality than Nikon, I think Nikon are much too hyped !!! I like the Olympus OM-1, OM-2 and OM-2 S/P which are compact and still rugged, I do not like OM-3/OM-3Ti and OM-4/OM-4Ti because the pentaprism housing are covering the shutter dial, so you have to tip the camera a lot backwards to see the shutter time. I have tried the Pentax LX which are a lovely camera, but not as rugged as Canon and Nikon and it focuses "the wrong way around" as Nikon. I have not tried the Minolta, but I have heard of several pro photographers who had problems with it.

[@eyeamstrongest]

shutter speed is indicated under the light meter in manual mode on the om-4

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@eyeamstrongest I know !!! What I mean is that when I take up a Camera, I like to see the aperture selected on the Lens before taking the Camera up to my eye, with Olympus OM-1. OM-2 and OM-2 Spot/Program it is also very easy to see the shutter time on outside of the Camera, but the OM-3 and OM-4 have a larger pentaprism housing so you have to tilt the camera to see the shutter time, THAT is why I love the design of the OM-1, OM-2 and OM-2 Spot/Program ! noob

[@VasylDiakonov]

"Wrong way around" is just a matter of preference. For me it's Canon or Olympus are focusing the wrong way but Nikon and Pentax are doing it right 😀 There is also different manufacturers have aperture ring move in different directions. Anyway after 5 minutes you forget about the differences and adapt. By the way, which lenses in Canon FD mount are better than Nikon of the same era?

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@VasylDiakonov I do not agree, I had fx Tokina and Tamron Lenses that focused the right way for Nikon, so when I had a Nikon Lens mounted, I had always problems focusing. Many of the FDn Lenses are better than Nikon, I have used both Nikon and Canon.

[@dukenukem5768]

Whichever focus direction is "the right way round" depends on what you are used to.

[@terryjacob8169]

I've always fancied owning a Minolta X-1/XM/XK for the sake of it being 'different', and have been close to buying one recently. Now, having watched this piece and your discussion of it's reliability issues, I'm far less certain. Turning to the Olympus OM4 Ti, I used an OM4 for many years. Although it's spot metering system is absolutely brilliant, having since extensively used a Contax RTS, I'm now of the opinion that the Olympus is let down by it's optics. While lightweight and giving reasonable performance they are not in the same league as the Zeiss lenses I've experienced with the Contax RTS or the Rollei 3003 I owned briefly in the 1990's.

[@JLongTom]

Which Zuiko lenses did you use, out of interest?

[@cameraprepper7938]

Your are wrong, when new the Minolta X-1/XM/XK did look a bit like a Nikon F ! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F#/media/File:Nikon_f_japanese_analog_camera_with_50mm_f1-4_lens.jpg